Stacer 579 Sea Runner

The largest of three smart looking cuddy cabins in Stacer’s Sea Runner range, the 579 model is an offshore capable family fishing boat you can comfortably tow behind a family car. Key features include Stacer’s latest EVO Advance hull, plenty of freeboard and cockpit seating for five people.

OVERVIEW
- Stacer completes its Sea Runner range with the new 579 cuddy cabin
The Stacer Sea Runner range was launched earlier this year to replace the outgoing Ocean Runner series. We tested the first of the three planned models, the 509 cuddy a few months back and were impressed with the low price, good design and solid performance of this entry-level boat.

To round out the Sea Runner range, Stacer has now added the 579 model – a craft with a similar feature-set to the two smaller boats, but in a package that is larger and more capable of running offshore. For families and fishermen, the new and well-priced 579 Sea Runner is a very attractive boat package.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Short on standard gear, but lots of options – and great price
The Stacer Sea Runners are designed as entry-boat packages and this is reflected in the low package price and reduced number of inclusions. That said, having less standard gear does not mean these boats are poorly outfitted – as they have all of the essential features and equipment.

For example, among the standard inclusions you will find bow and stern cleats, cockpit carpet, fold-down rear lounge seat and back-rest, two transducer brackets, dash grab rail, drink holders, bow and stern rails, boarding platform and ladder, wide side coamings, non-feedback mechanical steering, two rod holders, auto bilge pump, anchor well, plenty of storage lockers and an underfloor 95-litre fuel tank.

A glance at the specification sheet reveals a huge range of options so you can add gear and equipment to the basic boat as required – and leave off the stuff you don’t need.

Just some of the options include a live-bait tank, berley bucket, rocket launcher rod rack, hydraulic steering, bunk cushions, auxiliary engine bracket, transom door, ski hooks, bait board, bimini, vinyl hull wrap, and plenty of electronics options.

The boat we tested had just two options, the overhead bimini top and the two-tone colour paint. With these extras, and packaged with a 130hp Evinrude E-Tec two-stroke DFI outboard and Stacer single-axle braked aluminium trailer, the test rig is priced at $43,859 at the Gold Coast’s White Water Marine.

With a smaller 90hp V4 HO Evinrude E-Tec, the price for a standard boat drops still further to $41,603. Both prices listed here include boat and trailer registrations and an inshore safety gear pack.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Pretty basic but lots of space, seating and freeboard
The Sea Runner 579 has a classic cuddy cabin design with a vee seating/berth layout under a high, open cabin structure.

The carpeted berths (cushions are optional) are short of a full length at just 1.54m long with maximum width of 760mm.

A berth infill board and cushion can be purchased to convert the two single berths into a double.

Two full-length storage lockers are situated under each of the berths and they are ideal for stowing life jackets and safety gear.

There is provision for an optional chemical toilet to be fitted under the rear of the port side bunk – though privacy will be an issue.

The most pleasing aspect of the cabin is the height above the berths and the general feeling of open, uncluttered space.

Also excellent is the large Perspex hatch which provides access to the foredeck and the decent sized anchor well with roto-moulded insert to dampen anchor 'clatter'.

A Stress Free anchor winch is listed as an option for those seeking to avoid the arduous task of raising and lowering the anchor by hand.

Moving back out of the cabin, we found the height of the cabin superstructure, dash and windscreen to be ideal for this style of craft. We could stand comfortably at the helm and peer over the windscreen, yet the screen was high enough to provide shelter from wind and spray when running at speed.

The port-side dash grab rail was well placed, as was the steering wheel. The throttle was a little bit low while standing at the helm, but within a comfortable reach while seated.

There is plenty of space for flush-fitted engine instruments and electronics in the front fascia or for bracket-mounted gear above on the dash.

The helm chairs are simple pedestal mounted, folding polyethylene bucket seats with clip-on padding. The chairs and pedestal bases can be removed completely for extra fishing/move-about space – or perhaps to provide space to lay down an air bed or foam mattress when over-nighting.

A full-width rear lounge with padded back-rest stretches across the stern and can accommodate a further three adults. Cleverly, Stacer has rigged the seat so that it can be moved forward to a position in the centre of the cockpit. This opens up the transom area for stand-up fishing and/or provides the option to fish while seated and facing aft.

The carpeted cockpit in the flagship Sea Runner is large, deep and uncluttered. It has an overall length of 2.8m by 2.0m wide, while the unrestricted space from behind the helm chairs to the transom is also about 2.0m.

Parents will feel safe to have the youngsters roaming around the cockpit as there is a minimum of 600mm of freeboard from the floor to the gunwale.

Other features include above floor side pockets and very wide (270mm) side coamings with two plastic rod holders and stern cleats.

The battery and oil tank are situated on the floor under the starboard transom coaming – which is less than ideal. The battery is contained within a battery box to keep water out, but we would much prefer to see both battery and oil tank situated on an above-floor platform.

With regard to safety, the Sea Runner has an underfloor bilge pump and is fitted with Basic-level flotation – as opposed to the Level-flotation standard included with some of Stacer’s higher priced models.

ON THE WATER
- Reliable EVO Advance hull shape delivers
Stacer has worked hard in recent years to fine tune the Evolution hull shape it first developed some years ago. The latest version, which is called the EVO Advance, has a finer forward entry shape for a smoother ride than past models, while the moderate vee angle at the transom, flat planing strakes and reverse angle chines help to increase efficiency and stability, both at rest and underway.

During our test we found the Sea Runner to be a solid, reliable performer – easy to handle at speed and safe and forgiving in a following sea.

We would have preferred hydraulic steering to the non-feedback mechanical steering fitted, but the latter was more than acceptable – given the budget pricing of this model.

The maximum power recommended for the 579 Sea Runner is 150hp though we doubt you would ever need it. The test rig’s 130hp Evinrude E-Tec thrust the Sea Runner to a top speed of 35.5 knots or just under 66 km/h.

Given the speed we achieved with the 130hp Evinrude (running a 17-inch pitch S/S Viper propeller), we believe adequate performance could be achieved with power as low as 90hp – which reduces the package price.

VERDICT
- An excellent base cuddy platform for budget boaters
The premise behind the Stacer Sea Runner range is to offer boaters and fishermen more choice. Instead of loading up the Sea Runners with costly gear and equipment and then charging accordingly, Stacer provides an excellent base package with a long list of options, so you can add only the gear you really want or can afford. We reckon it’s a win-win for everybody

LIKES
>> Budget price
>> Hatch covers carpeted front & back
>> Spacious cockpit with high freeboard
>> Large cabin hatch
>> Solid performance
>> Two-position rear bench seat

NOT SO MUCH
>> Throttle a tad too low for a standing skipper
>> No platform/locker for battery and oil tank

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.6/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.4/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.8/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.6/5.0
Value for money: 4.8/5.0
X-factor: 4.2/5.0

Specifications:
Price as tested: $43,859 including Evinrude E-Tec 130hp DFI two-stroke engine, Stacer single-axle aluminium braked trailer, two-tone paint, bimini and envelope, boat and trailer registrations, and inshore safety gear pack.
Priced from: $41,603 with a 90hp V4 HO Evinrude E-Tec outboard, Stacer alloy trailer, inshore safety gear, boat and trailer registrations.
Length overall: 5.89m
Hull length: 5.72m
Beam: 2.35m
Depth: 1.17m
Hull weight: 610kg
Flotation standard: Basic
Towing weight: Approx 1,230kg
Length on trailer: 6.85m
Height on trailer: 2.5m
Bottom & transom alloy: 3.0mm
Topsides alloy: 2.5mm
Maximum power: 150hp
Maximum engine weight: 242kg
Engine as tested: Evinrude E-Tec 130hp DFI two-stroke
Fuel: 95 litres
Maximum persons: Seven

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