Stacer's 2003 line-up

A NEW APPROACH
You don't walk into a car dealership and ask for a Falcon engine to be shoehorned into a Commodore body, or for Magna seats and dashboard to be fitted. You know what you are getting when you buy a new car - each model is the same, they all roll out of the same factory.

Gold Coast-based Stacer want to make the experience of buying a boat more like buying a car with uniform packages of boat, motor and trailer sold across its entire dealer network. Eight new models will take to the water this year in predetermined packages with pricing that - according to the company - will remain the same whichever dealership you buy from.

The main components of the rigs include Stacer aluminium hulls, Mariner two-stroke outboards and Stacer-branded, Dunbier-built trailers. The issue of which brand fishfinder and radio is to be fitted was still to be settled as this article goes to press.

In the past, the fact that various dealers sold ostensibly the same boat for different prices led to customer confusion, and in some cases, hidden pitfalls. Some dealers may opt to fit a cheaper trailer to lower the overall package price (at the risk of damaging the hull), or perhaps install a lower horsepower engine than is ideally suited to the hull. With the new system in place, boats will be fitted out with correctly matched components so the rig performs at its best, Stacer says.

There are many advantages to offering the same packages for the same price Australia-wide. For example, customers can expect to get exactly what is advertised for the stated price, reducing confusion for the first-time buyer. Stacer R&D technicians select the right powerplant for each hull, match it with the right trailer and factory-install other components. For the time being, dealers will still be able to offer their own package deals with various Stacer hulls. But carrying a good stock of factory-selected standardised boat, motor and trailer packages will be a boon for first-time buyers.

Stacer accepts that some of its dealer network are not Mariner outboard dealers, but says this minority will undergo training to make them qualified Mariner outboard service technicians. Stacer has also made arrangements with AGC so customers can purchase a boat on finance at competitive rates.

435SF BARRA ELITE
The 435SF Barra Elite proved to be a sparkling estuary and impoundment rig. Hooked up to its recommended 40hp Mercury four-stroke, it was very nippy indeed. The tachometer got to the end of its travel at 6000rpm, which is a tad high and had us skipping across the chop at close to 60kmh. This hull liked a lot of positive trim and with the tail end of the anti-cavitation plate popped out of the water and the air sliding under the chines, it delivered a nice cushioned ride. With engine tucked in slightly, it was a breeze throwing this boat around, the hull sitting flat during hard, fast cornering. Some sliding occurred over the surface, but it still handled positively.

The forward casting platform has a large hatch at its aft end, offering access to a storage compartment underneath. The anchorwell features a moulded polyethylene liner that could easily accept a Danforth anchor, though the space is a little tight for a reef pick. A short platform against the transom holds another two hatches covering a livebait tank and battery.

There's plenty of space to move around the fairly basic helm console, which is mounted on the starboard side. Stacer has beefed up the bottom thickness on this boat to 3mm, which will hold it in good stead in the northern tidal rivers, where rockbars and snags are the norm. With a maximum 50hp rating, the mind boggles at what this little rig could do with the right propeller.

475MP NOMAD
The 475MP Nomad no doubt gets its "MP" acronym from "multi-purpose". This rig also sports an EVO hull and a 50hp Mercury two-stroke engine, though it will take up to 75hp. The helm seat on the Nomad is tucked away on the starboard side toward the rear with a small console ahead of it. The seat is ahead of a short casting deck, which is raised and carpeted and has two hatches flush mounted to allow access to the battery and livebait tank. An automatic bilgepump is fitted to this package, which has two pedestal seats and four seating positions on the deck. A forward casting platform is raised 130mm off the deck with storage below. The extruded sidedecks are on the same level as the short foredeck, which is flat and holds a substantial anchorwell with a raised cleat.

As its name suggests, this rig is a good multi-purpose boat and would fit the bill for coastal, estuary and lake use. It handles well with a 50hp engine, and more herbs would only be needed if continually carrying more than three anglers and a big payload. Typical of the EVO hulls, this boat rides softly over chop and is easy at the helm.

525 EASY RIDER SKI PACK
The 525 Easy Rider Ski Pack is one boat that really caught my eye. This boat brings a new dimension to initiative with alloy. One aspect of the marine industry that has been dominated by fibreglass hulls is skiing. Stacer plans to loosen this stranglehold. Built around the soft-riding EVO hull, the external lines look atypical for an aluminium boat of this size. Its Mod-Pod easily floats the 115hp Mercury two-stroke, which has more than enough punch to make this boat perform. At a distance, the only suggestion of difference is the low-profile bimini cover. Look over the coamings, though, and you will see what is going to change a lot of minds when it comes to family fun on skis and boards on a budget.

Forward of the split dashboard is a luxurious rounded bowrider section that features an infill to allow this area to be used as a day bed. When removed, the area converts into comfortable seating for four adults. The quality of the dense foam in the upholstery is very good and it is genuinely comfortable to sit on. A hinged door and folding windscreen provide access to the bow section. The rotomoulded dash panel has all the gauges the average person would need, and there's enough room on the dash to mount a small fishfinder or GPS.

Seats for the skipper and passenger are well padded with flipping backs - the same principle as the benches on metro trains that allow passengers to face forwards or backwards. They are fitted on pedestals, swivel and have forward and rear adjustments. Full marks.

The stern has stylish moulded backrests that wrap around the cockpit coamings and transom. The lounge base is a rotomoulded storage compartment accessed by lifting the seat cushions. The centre section of the rear lounge is removable and the backrest is hinged for access to the battery and bilgepump.

Mounted with four anchorage points on the top of the transom bulkhead coaming is a stainless steel ski-rope frame.

The Hydrive hydraulic steering made it easy to handle this boat, which can race to just over 70kmh at 4800rpm with three adults aboard.

Where one would expect to find traditional aluminium sidepockets, there is instead carpeted panels that fit flush with the inside edge of the coamings. Apart from adding to the classy look of the interior, this deadens much of the noise often associated with aluminium boats. When cruising on fairly choppy water, the boat was comfortable, quiet and swift.

525 SEA RUNNER
This is a high-sided quarter-cabin boat with a collapsible awning attached to the windscreen, which shelters skipper and passenger, who are seated on comfortable swivel pedestal seats.

Tinted windows allow light inside a neatly upholstered cabin that could sleep two at a squeeze. An upholstered backrest on the facia of the wraparound storage pockets makes things more comfortable for two or three adults. The aperture into the cabin is extra large, which is a must for ventilation if camping overnight or for larger members of the family.

Handrails are built into the panelling at the aft end of the cabin, and rails also feature from about mid-cabin back to the transom and onto the pod - good thinking. Packaged with an 80hp Mercury motor, this rig is bound to find a niche in the coastal and big estuary boating market.

565 EASYRIDER
The 565 Easyrider features all of the inclusions of the 525 and 575, filling a gap between these two models. The second-generation EVO hull has a sharp "V" at the transom keel and downturned chines for quick transition to the plane and greater stability at rest. This is one enormously deep, beamy boat. Also standard is the 4mm bottom and 3mm sides and a beam of 2.4m, which is close to the maximum trailerable width. The maximum for this model is 140hp, though it's amply powered by a 115hp engine.

An underfloor fuel tank of 115lt, hydraulic steering and an auto bilgepump add to the package.

The walk-through dash and windscreen allow good access to the bowrider section, which makes a brilliant casting platform when the cushions are removed and the plywood insert dropped in place. The spacious bow has room for four people to lounge against the padded backrest along the coaming. Packaged with a bimini top, this rig presents as an excellent all-rounder for the family who want to ski, fish, or cruise.

565 OCEAN FISHER
The 565 Ocean Fisher centre-console needs little introduction, with its bigger 5.75m sister the subject of a feature in Trailer Boat April 2002 entitled "The Perfect Storm". Although some modifications have been made to this model, the basic shape is the same. Improvements on the EVO hull design and increasing the bottom plate thickness to 4mm can only serve to make a good boat better. This boat is no different to any other centre-console. If you are punching through very rough water in a crosswind, you will get wet. That's life. However, this hull performed well in a slight breeze and rode well over the myriad boat wakes, remaining comfortable and dry.

With a good selection of standard fittings and features, this boat would be a brilliant starter for the angler wanting to spread out and move offshore where the grass is greener. Don't forget to revisit our story on a very similar rig ... surf to boatpoint.com.au for more.

605 OCEAN MASTER
The Ocean Master Runabout is another of those packages that provides a brilliant launching platform for long-term boating pleasure. When you're sitting on the rear lounge and looking forward when underway, the grabrail on the transom corner is the only secure handhold between you and the helm seat metres away. The amount of open space in the cockpit of this boat has to be seen to be believed. There is ample room for custom seating, fishing workstations, crab or lobster pots and for overnight camping. Three people could roll out swags with room to move.

The Mod-Pod supports outboards of up to 140hp or 230kg, and the Ocean Master's 115lt sub-floor fuel capacity gives this rig a handy range for offshore work. It is a runabout in the true sense with the helm positioned well forward, leaving stacks of room aft of the seats. With some prudently positioned canopy and clears, this rig could be transformed into a boat ideal for extended fishing trips.

605 Ocean Runner
The 605 Ocean Runner cabin is just what its name implies, with a good-sized cabin for added protection. A stylish wraparound windscreen provides plenty of protection and the rotomoulded dash module holds all of the necessary instruments. The cabin is cosy, comfortable, well finished and easily accessed through the extra-large companionway. There is plenty of dry storage under the vinyl-covered cushioned bunks, which can sleep two with an insert dropped in over the footwell.

A list of two dozen options is available for this boat, capable of transforming it into a true offshore family fishing machine.

NICE & EASY

TO WIT ...
One thing that became apparent while testing these boats was the quality of the ride delivered by the improved EVO hull design. It offers remarkably soft travel over chop, yet remains stable at rest. Often, one is compromised in favour of the other, but not in the case of this particular hull design. Things like increased hull thickness, wider sidepockets, fatter gunwales and better seating also add up on the 2003 range.

Ease of handling is another positive attribute. Packaged up at the factory and sold at uniform - and affordable - prices, the 2003 Stacer range is bound to win the hearts and minds of the first-time boat buyer.