1999 Steber 1050 Utility review

Crossing bars certainly isn't one of my favourite pastimes, especially along the Eastern Seaboard, where some of the worst bars in the world exist. But like many fishos I am regularly required to run the gauntlet to head offshore and do what I like doing best.

When I cross a bar, I take all necessary precautions to ensure my safety and that of my crew. I try to pick the good days, cross on a flood tide and, of course, clock in and out with the local rescue organisation.

But while I have the choice to cross or not cross, the Coast Guard and Volunteer Marine Rescue organisations often don't. These brave souls have to tackle bars in any and all conditions. Indeed, more often than not, it is the bad weather that sees them put to sea.

For this reason, rescue boats must be extremely seaworthy and tough as nails. The pounding a boat can cop while performing a rescue could, in all honesty, break a lesser craft in two.

So if you're wondering what boats are best suited for crossing coastal bars, look no further than the vessels used by the Coast Guard and Volunteer Marine Rescue. These guys put their lives on the line to save ours, and they don't use boats that will let them down.

One such boat is the latest addition to the Point Danger Volunteer Marine Rescue fleet, an unstoppable Steber 1050 Utility called Steber One. It's aboard this boat, on a day when the Tweed River was at its most vengeful, that my story begins.

DANGER MOUSE
The aptly-named Point Danger is on the far northern New South Wales coast near where the mighty Tweed River meets the sea. Steber One is stationed here on what, in my opinion, is one of the worst bars in Australia.

That is why Steber One is bulletproof; something I found out the hard way. If you thought boat testers just drive up and down the river sipping pink gins, think again. In the course of work, this scribe was subjected to a good dose of Tweed treatment.

After a week of howling southeasterlies, the Tweed Bar was looking nasty. The run out tide had a solid three-metre swell standing up and breaking on the outer banks. Luckily for me, the Volunteer Marine Rescue had been having a quiet morning and no-one was stupid enough to cross the bar.

I'm not sure if the rescue crew thought I was a stubbie short of a six-pack when I said I wanted to cross the bar. But with a devilish grin, they handed me a life jacket and started battening down the hatches.

The 1050 Utility has a unique helm and observer platform located at bridgedeck level at the forward end of the cockpit. These platforms provide excellent vision and protection from breaking waves and spray. Let me tell you, on our test day there was plenty of both about!

Our first run out through the bar was relatively clean and uneventful, as we managed to dodge the nasty breakers. Afterwards, I was amazed at how manoeuvrable the big Steber was at speed as we turned tail and re-entered the river.

I remained keen to see how the boat would react to impact from a couple of big waves, so we headed out again. Halfway across the bar we pulled the throttles back and lay doggo while waiting for a big set... It didn't take long to come.

Two huge waves broke right over the cabin, but the Steber performed admirably, held position and maintained authority. Although I did get a little wet, the bridgedeck platforms provided a great vantage-point from which to view the ocean. At no time did I feel unsafe.

Back in the river, we opened up the throttles and managed to pull a top speed on the GPS of 32kt at 3800rpm. The twin 230 Volvos were most comfortable sitting on about 3200rpm and 26kt. Cruising at 20kt would, of course, be more economical again.

The sterndrives on this vessel allowed the boat to be trimmed by using the legs. If shafts were fitted, trim tabs may be an advantage. Also, I was told that an earlier 1050 fitted with a keel had a tendency to roll and broach a little. Not Steber One. Without a keel, the steering was very responsive and true.

SET UP FOR SAFETY
The chief skipper of Steber One said there was still some additions to be made and a couple of things he will change. For example, there was no duplication of electronics at the two helms, and the RFD on the cabin roof is likely to be ripped off by a big greenie.

Aside from these details, the fit out of Steber One is practical and robust, which is consistent with its intended purpose. A more luxurious fit out might be more practical if the boat is used for pleasure, but as it was the layout worked well.

The forward cabin features a large V-berth with storage below. Shelving is positioned along the port and starboard bulkheads and there is a ventilation/escape hatch in the cabin roof.

Down the companionway from the forward cabin to the saloon is a spacious head to port. Features include electric toilet, washbasin with coldwater tap, cabin lighting and various rails and holders.

Up three steps is the lower helm station and a small galley opposite.

The helm had flush-mounted gauges, switches and electronics (Raytheon RL70 radar/GPS/plotter and an Apelco 265 depth sounder), plus gear and throttle controls and a hydraulically-operated sports steering wheel. That wheel was going to be replaced with a large stainless steel model.

The galley is highlighted by a stainless steel sink and gas stove below a hinged bench top, which would be handy for reading charts when driving from inside. Also, a 55lt dual-voltage refrigerator is located beneath the lower helm seat.

IN THE BOX SEAT
Crew seating is found on the port side of the saloon. The seats have suspension bases and large storage facilities below. On the starboard side is a four-seater dinette which converts to a cosy double berth.

The backrest can be removed to enable a patient to lie on a stretcher along the lounge. The roof of the saloon has heavy-duty stainless steel grabrails and brackets to house the stretcher. All the marine radios are flush-mounted in an overhead radio box, which is actually a bulkhead aft of the lower helm station.

But I thought the position of the radio box was less than ideal, as the helmsman has to leave his station to answer the radios. Naturally, all frequencies were covered including 27mHz, VHF, UHF and HF. There was also a loud hailer.

A hatch in the centre of the saloon provides access to the fuel and water tanks and filters. Stepping from the saloon to the cockpit you find yourself standing on the engine room access hatch near the raised helm and observer platforms.

These platforms are accessed from the gunwales and feature wraparound backrests with lift-up seating, good handrails, and a safety line. The starboard side platform takes on the role of what would be the upper helm station on a flybridge boat. Here there are basic gauges, compass, and so on, duplicating what's below.

The cockpit has three large stainless towing bollards, with two in the aft corners and the largest one centrally located. Rails surround the coamings and there is a large access door in the starboard side of the transom to drag equipment and people aboard.

While this particular boat had been designed for serious rescue work, the 1050 Utility would be suitable for numerous other applications. With very few modifications, it could be turned into a tidy sportsfisher or even a neat family cruiser.

I think that the upper helm platform would be great for backing down on fish, as you are right among the action and given a fantastic view of the cockpit. I have nicknamed the boat a "Clayton's Flybridge" - the flybridge you have when you're not having a flybridge.

So think twice next time you're contemplating crossing a bar in bad weather. Spare a thought for the rescue crews, and don't play silly bugger with big waves. But if there is a saving grace for the boys from Danger Point, it is their Steber 1050's hull.

Maybe they should get T-shirts printed... Ones which read: We survived the Tweed Bar... Again!