Stacer 519 Assault Pro

Stacer’s Assault Pro low-profile open boats are gaining traction in the competitive bass-boat market. The series encompasses half a dozen models, all brimming with standard fishing features and equipment. The range-topping 519 Side Console is the subject of this review.

OVERVIEW
- Calling all pro and semi-pro bass and bream anglers
Sleek looking US fibreglass bass boats sporting huge engines and lots of high-tech gadgetry have become increasingly popular with Aussie tournament bass and bream anglers in recent years. To try and win back support for home-grown products, local manufacturer Stacer has worked overtime to re-develop its range of open boats, culminating in the release of the Assault and Assault Pro models.

Launched earlier this year, the Assault Pros are high-performance, low-profile, heavy-duty alloy open boats.

Most models have a side console configuration and all have a variable deadrise vee hull with reverse chines and a very fine stem and entry point for slicing through bay chop.

The Assault Pros are designed for serious bay, river and impoundment fishing and are outfitted accordingly. The boats have wide, uncluttered decks, ample storage and sufficient options for individual customisation.

The model of most interest to competition and semi-pro anglers is the flagship boat, the 519 Assault Pro Side Console which was recently made available for this review.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- A lot of boat and plenty of features for the money
The Gold Coast’s Whitewater Marine has entry packages for the Stacer 519 Assault Pro starting from around $34K with a 90hp Evinrude E-Tec DFI two-stroke outboard and single axle trailer.

Nice rig it would be for sure, but the minimum power outboard really does not make the most of the Assault Pro’s excellent hull. For a little more sizzle and excitement we would recommend a minimum of 100hp for this very capable boat.

The Assault Pro we tested was fitted with a thumping great 135hp High Output V6 Evinrude E-Tec – which, as you might expect, lifted the price substantially to $40,806 for the base boat.

Sounds like a lot for a boat without options, but it is pretty well outfitted in standard form. The interior has flat, carpet-over-plywood floors throughout, extruded side decks, moulded anchor locker, low profile side console with wind shield, rear casting deck with live well and storage lockers, forward trolling motor battery trays, dual transducer brackets, 77-litre underfloor fuel tank, and two deluxe, pedestal mounted bucket seats with four floor sockets.

Our test rig was upgraded with a number of options including hydraulic steering and a horizontal cockpit rod locker with the capacity to stow four light-tackle outfits. The locker could be opened electronically with the press of a remote control button – which was bit gimmicky but may be useful to some anglers.

With regard to electronics, buyers can order a range of different fish finder and GPS units. The test rig was optioned with the Lowrance HDS7 touch-screen fish finder/chart plotter combination model.

The hull paint and vinyl wrap to the topsides is another option which looks great on the water. The wrap and the Lowrance HDS7 accounts for much of the lift in price from the standard boat package price of $40k up to $45,503.

This above price also includes an electric trolling motor plate and a bimini top with envelope – though the latter was not fitted during our boat test.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Traditional, uncluttered layout with loads of storage space
The 519 Assault Pro has a traditional layout for Aussie bass and barra boats with elevated casting decks at the bow and the stern, both of which conceal storage lockers, battery compartments, bait bins, etc.

The forward deck in the test rig is a useful 1.57m long with a maximum width of 1.77m. It is elevated 445mm above the recessed centre cockpit floor area.

The casting deck has a marine carpet covering which is soft underfoot and looks great. The carpet is also used to seal the undersides of the plywood hatch covers to help protect against mould and rot.

Beneath the forward deck is a good sized roto-moulded anchor well, a large moulded storage bin which can be rigged as an extra live fish/bait well, and four separate storage lockers which have a carpeted false floor.

Trays to hold dual electric trolling motor batteries were situated on the false floor under the two front lockers – while the larger aft lockers are intended for life jackets, and dry storage etc.

There are two pedestal mounted bucket chairs (with flip-up front bolster) included with the standard Assault Pro though extra chairs are available. There are four floor sockets for the pedestal bases, one on the casting deck, one beside the helm console, and two further aft for the skipper and co-pilot.

A lean-seat can be optioned for this boat it you would prefer something smaller than a full size bucket chair.

The centre cockpit area is 2.47m long and 1.55m wide. If you do without the optional rod locker you will gain another 250mm or so of interior width – not that the extra space is really needed.

The side coamings have been kept to just 115mm in width, presumably to maximise the interior fishing space, though I would prefer if they were broadened to 200mm – so you could more easily install flush-fit rod holders.

On the subject of rod holders, there are, remarkably, none included with the standard boat package. We understand that this boat is aimed at the pro and semi pro angler, but there will be times when even the most ardent and enthusiast angler will want to leave the rod in a rod holder – especially if trolling for flathead or to run more lines when fishing alone, etc.

The helm console in the Assault Pro is a simple but practical unit with a low profile, short curved windshield, and ample foot and leg room underneath.

There’s also sufficient fascia space to flush fit a medium sized fish finder along with the usual array of engine gauges.

The sports style steering wheel with brushed alloy centre spokes is a good looker and is within a comfortable reach while seated at the helm.

In the stern of the Assault Pro is a second, shorter platform which houses a plumbed live-bait tank in the centre, with a locker to starboard for the main cranking battery and engine oil tank. There is a sister locker on the port side for general storage, deck lines, etc.

The Assault Pro’s transom is beefed up to 4.0mm (like the hull bottom) to handle the weight and thrust of outboards to 135hp.

There are no cleats or rails in the stern area so tying up to a jetty or another boat may be problematic – though the absence of these items has kept the rear decks clear with nothing to entangle a fishing line.

ON THE WATER
- Heavy duty, variable vee hull is both soft and stable
Stacer’s parent company, Telwater, knows a thing or two about building small to mid-size vee-hull boats, and this is evident with the 519 Assault Pro. The flared, variable deadrise and concave vee hull is a ripper, offering both a soft ride in chop and great stability at rest.

The bow entry of the Assault Pro is very sharp to cut through the chop, but it also flares dramatically as the shape moves out to the chines, helping to suppress spray and keep the crew dry underway.

Moving aft, the hull vee moderates significantly. At the transom the vee has reduced to around 16 degrees while the chines are flattened and slightly reversed to boost efficiency and to ensure there is sufficient buoyancy to carry outboards up to the maximum recommended weight of 203kg.

The test rig was fitted with the maximum power outboard and it was very quick. The special HO or High Outboard version of Evinrude’s 135hp E-Tec motor was a power-house, thrusting the test rig to an eye watering top speed of 45 knots.

Do you need this much power and speed? Well no, but the test rig was a lot of fun to drive and having that much power on tap is sure to impress your mates – and get you to the fishing grounds in a hurry.

In noting the above, there is so much performance in the Assault Pro with the big Evinrude fitted that you do need a steady hand on the helm when running the boat at wide open throttle – to the extent that we would consider fitting a foot throttle system so you could keep both hands on the wheel at high speed.

VERDICT
- A locally made bass boat to rival the US imports
The Stacer 519 Assault Pro is a locally built boat with the features, equipment and performance to rival the US imports. It might not have the glossy metallic fibreglass finish and trick looking colour schemes of the imported bass boats, but its durable alloy construction and higher freeboard (interior and exterior) make it a more versatile boat, better suited to fishing Australian waterways.

LIKES
>> Sleek styling
>> Huge performance
>> Soft riding, variable deadrise vee hull
>> Kitted-out for competition bream, bass and barra fishing
>> Carpeted hatch covers – front and back

NOT SO MUCH
>> Pop-up stern cleats optional
>> No standard rod holders
>> Narrow side coamings
>> No bait board option – few anglers will use lures exclusively

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.6/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.6/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.6/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.7/5.0
Value for money: 4.5/5.0
X-factor: 4.8/5.0

PERFORMANCE
5.8kts (11km/h) @ 1500rpm
7.8kts (14km/h) @ 2000rpm
14.9kts (28km/h) @ 2500rpm
22.1kts (41km/h) @ 3000rpm
26.4kts (49km/h) @ 3500rpm
30.1kts (56km/h) @ 4000rpm
32.8kts (61km/h) @ 4500rpm
37.3kts (69km/h) @ 5000rpm
42.3kts (78km/h) @ 5500rpm
45.1kts (83km/h) @ 5800rpm (WOT)

Specifications:
Price as tested: $45,503 including Evinrude E-Tec HO 135hp DFI two-stroke engine, Stacer single axle aluminium braked trailer, vinyl hull wrap, Lowrance HDS7 touch-screen GPS/fish finder, hydraulic steering, electric rod locker, bow mount thruster plate, bimini and envelope, boat and trailer registrations, and inshore safety gear pack. 

Priced from: $40,806 with an Evinrude E-Tec HO 135hp DFI two-stroke engine, Stacer single axle aluminium braked trailer, inshore safety gear, boat and trailer registrations.
Price from: $34,000 with Evinrude E-Tec 90hp.
Hull length: 5.24m
Beam: 2.01m
Depth: 0.96m
Hull weight: 480kg
Flotation standard: Basic
Towing weight: Approx 995kg
Length on trailer: 6.30m
Height on trailer: 1.80m
Bottom and transom alloy: 4.0mm
Topsides alloy: 2.5mm
Maximum power: 135hp
Maximum engine weight: 203kg
Engine as tested: Evinrude E-Tec HO 135hp DFI two-stroke
Fuel: 77 litres
Maximum persons: Five

Supplied by:
Whitewater Marine
Phone: (07) 5532 4402.
Email: info@whitewatermarine.com.au
Website: www.whitewatermarine.com.au