Steber 43

The Australian boating industry wouldn't be where it is today without the Stebers. For more than half a century the enduring family of boatbuilders - now based in Taree, NSW - have trotted out in excess of 10,000 boats. The reason Stebercraft is still going strong today is their very strength.

Stebers are made with lashings of resin and rovings to USL Code-approved plans, and equipped with fittings that have proven themselves over the years. Each boat, even the recreational craft, is inspected by an independent marine surveyor, water tested off Taree and loaded with how-to manuals to get you out of bother when you're nautical miles from care.

The commercial approach to boatbuilding explains why 95 per cent of Steber's customers are commercial operators. Most days of the week you will find Stebers heading out to sea with divers, big-game and charter fishers, water police, defence, coastguard, Fisheries and Waterways personnel from Tassie to the Top End.

Even decommissioned boats that are decades old and of dated design are keenly bought on the second-hand market. Find one, if you can.

But there is something new at Steber. Meet the Steber 4380, which is also the first boat in Australia with the latest electronic 60 Series 12.7lt Detroit diesel engines. For survey work, the boat had its motors de-rated to 700hp aside, sprayed with two-pack paint, and fitted with a stainless-steel plumbing, pumping and fuel system.

For all this, the 4380 pictured - which entered last year's Boat of the Year Awards - is designed largely for pleasure boating. While pitched at corporate charters on Sydney Harbour, the boat looks ideal for packing the family aboard and cruising the coast, swinging at anchor behind an offshore island, launching a dive trip or tangling with a leaping marlin well out to sea.

And all the while you can take comfort from the strong, commercial build.

MADE TO LAST
Stebercraft hasn't looked back since the yard switched to cored construction in the late 1970s. Divinycell and vinylester resins are used to create a laminate that is both strong and well insulated from weather extremes.

As if to prove as much, the company recently completed a series of cabin fronts for high-speed trains travelling between Perth and dusty Kalgoorlie.

If you want examples of enduring working boats, ask Alan Steber. The boatbuilder seemingly counts the hours on his prized fleet of Stebers that spend more time at sea than at dock around the country. He will tell you there have been longline boats performing continuous operation out of the NSW South Coast port of Ulladulla since the late 70s, spanner-crab boats putting to sea after 4500 hours and three skippers, and nigh a broken boat to be found anywhere.

Like all Stebers today, the 4380 has a one-piece moulded hull with an integral keel, planing strakes, chines and spray knuckle. There are three watertight compartments and an underfloor air-buoyancy chamber forward. All the wiring is tinned copper, labelled and is passed through conduits. Diagrams exist in the boat manuals.

The shafts are 2.5in items exiting the hull via PSS dripless seals, and the rudder shafts are solid two-inchers. The big but smoke-free and smooth Detroits spin four-blade Austral props. There are three driving stations: the bridge, an internal lower helm as well as cool cockpit controls for fishing that can take a plug-in autopilot.

The hull shape is a warped-plane or variable-deadrise design that is headstrong and bullish at sea. The big keel makes the boat surf in a straight line without needing to hold the wheel.

Most noticeably, the 4380 has a big beam measuring 4.70m and a lot of depth - stand in the forepeak cabin to see what I mean - to help shed water. The boat has no need for trim tabs, running with a naturally neutral trim, and is what I would consider "pre-tuned".

On the test boat, there was a spare battery for the radio, complex fire-detection system linked to smoke alarms and sensors, and high coaming rails and a 32mm diameter stainless-steel bowrail to meet survey. The standard 2200lt fuel system had been increased to 2600lt, with external fuel shutoffs and engine-room breathers. Such things were labelled and located in lockers, but remained unobtrusive to the eye.

NIP AND TUCK
The 4380 is essentially an updated version of the Steber 43. The changes aren't major: more refinements to the cosmetics, mouldings and styling.

The Steber 43 was the first production-built flybridge cruiser in Australia with a moulded hardtop and enclosed bridge. The feature remains on the 4380, and it makes for an all-weather and all-climate boat with broad appeal.

Among the modifications are new moulded wings tailing off the flybridge superstructure, curved saloon windows, new stainless-steel rails and a different ladder to the bridge. The interior finish remains honest, timeless and practical, brought up to speed via oak joinery and deep-blue mock-leather upholstery.

The boat's broad beam, white liners and big windows that direct a lot of natural light into the saloon make for a cheerful atmosphere. Headroom is a highpoint and thought has gone into making most areas accessible and bump free at sea.

Conveniences such as a flatscreen television, various TV/video outlets and home-cinema sound will keep the executives entertained while cruising or at anchor.

ROOM WITH A VIEW
Waterways approved the 4380 flybridge for seven people following stability tests, says Alan Steber. Seating comes in the form of two opposing lounges, each for two to three people, either side of a centre console backed by two Reelax pedestal-mounted chairs.

Despite no air conditioning, the bridge had plenty of fresh air available via three opening safety-glass windows. The foam-cored hardtop provides some insulation and there are clip-on shade covers to keep the sun out at anchor. The view from the helm chair extends through a low front glass panel - with a none-too-attractive reverse angle - to the bowsprit.

In the bridge, storage exists under the lounges. There is room for a table ahead of the island helm console and a handy 12V outlet for running a portable fridge unit. This way you can have cold drinks on hand.

The hardtop includes a moulded radio box, which also features a pull-down LCD television screen wired through the in-boat video system. So you can keep track of the cricket at the helm while maintaining a safe watch and bowling over the sea miles.

The owner was considering fitting engine-room and cockpit cameras and linking them to the system. But the unfortunate positioning of a stainless-steel handrail under the radio box threatened to hit the noggin of tall folk like me driving the boat on their feet.

Otherwise, the new flybridge ladder and handrails were handy. Bluewater fishers would no doubt add a rocket launcher to the bridge.

Full marks to Steber for creating a helm console that can accommodate three 10in CRT screens. This boat had an RL80C combo unit wired to a sounder, GPS and radar, plus a Raymarine autopilot, two Detroit engine panels and a switch panel. And there was room left over.

DANCING ON DECK
While inhibiting access to the rodholders, the cockpit rails provided security and were a necessary addition to meet survey requirements.

Front to back, the boat's solid above-deck bollards and fender baskets are easy to access. The teak-topped cockpit had moulded steps to the wide sidedecks.

The survey-height rails with intermediate wires, grabrails around the superstructure and non-skid finish make the journey forward far from precarious.

There is room to stow a RIB on the foredeck. The huge anchor locker had 70m of chain and the same of rope. The bowsprit is moulded with the hull and is an integral part of the boat.

Back aft, I noted spigots for a barbecue and lots of room around the gamechair. The chair can be removed in a matter of minutes to make way for soirees in the cockpit. There is floor space for a dozen or more merrymakers.

The central marlin door opens outwards to a boarding platform, which hardcore anglers would delete so the boat backs up without digging in at sea. The three big, open scuppers in the transom directed water aboard when going hard in reverse.

While the saloon is a step up, a different scupper system would be better for dedicated bluewater fishing.

The boarding platform was fitted with a swim ladder, grabrails and berley pot. I found a plumbed livebait tank in the transom, a handheld shower not far away and a handy tackle locker for bottom fishing.

Underfloor is a huge lazarette with room for a deflated duckie, bulk provisions and gear. The amenities centre with moulded sink doubles as seat when the lid is down.

A 12V top-loading fridge/freezer is opposite under the portside ladder. Six lockers provide above-deck storage, but I would mount clips under the flybridge overhang for the gaffs, tagpole and/or boathook.

There was provision for mounting an LCD television display under the overhang. Late-night deck parties with DVDs to boot. Or how about a PowerPoint presentation in your togs?

INDOOR LIVING
The extra-wide central saloon doors bring the outdoors indoors and vice versa. There is a hatch under the floor up near the galley for day-to-day access into the engine room.

You can lift the commercial-grade blue carpet, the floor panels and detach the furniture for serious maintenance. Even big-block 12.7lt Detroits fit through the saloon doors.

The Detroit motors rest on full-length aluminium girders in the engine room. I also noted a 7kVa Onan with room for servicing on all sides and a shower sump pump that you can access for cleaning. The sea strainers and Racor filters are back aft. Maintenance-free wet exhausts exit the hull corners.

Back in the saloon I found seating for, say, eight people on a starboard-side lounge that can be used as a seaberth or impromptu bed, and a U-shaped lounge opposite. The latter has a sturdy dinette with black-ice coloured laminated top and fiddle rails. Six drawers to starboard are among the storage initiatives.

Pleasant views of the harbour were offered from the lounges through the saloon windows, which slide open for fresh air. A personal thing: I would fit timber blinds rather than the slimline Venetian numbers. Also, a handrail on the saloon ceiling wouldn't go astray.

The lower helm on the starboard side didn't have a chair, which is a good thing as floor space is more important. But there were electronic Morse shifts, an 8in combo Raytheon screen and Detroit electronic engine panels.

Beside the helm was the boat's entertainment system and its 140lt fridge. A 140lt freezer resided in the galley, which is to port and one step down from the saloon floor.

A U-shaped layout, the galley features lots of hardwearing lime-washed oak joinery, a big servery and counters with fiddles. There are two cupboards and three drawers, a deep stainless-steel sink in which you can stack plates, and an opening window for ventilation.

Amenities include a combo microwave oven and two-burner electric stove with, bravo, a proper potholder so you don't lose the curry when beset by boatwash or hit by a windshift. The circuit-breaker panel was nearby. Four steps lead to the accommodation up front.

FAMILY AFFAIR
The twin-cabin/single-head layout provides first-class accommodation for a family of four. The boat can accommodate six using the saloon lounge and optional pullman berth above, or by placing two people on each bunk in the portside guest's cabin.

You see, the guest's bunks are doubles by any measure.

Guests also get a hanging locker, LCD television, mirror, reading lights, ventilation via a hatch, and sufficient floor space to dress. The head opposite is a terrific moulded unit with an excellent man-sized shower stall and Lectrasan loo. There was plenty of storage space in a linen press for towels and places for personals.

Owners get the generous bow cabin with an island berth, steps up the sides for easy access and heaps of headroom and air space thanks to the deep bow (freeboard is 1.65m above the waterline). Storage exists in a hanging locker, wardrobe and surround shelves.

During my visit, natural light streamed inside the master cabin via a hatch, which you can crack along with portholes for fresh air. And there is yet another LCD television. Only a laptop is needed to make it complete.

AT HOME AT SEA
This was my second time behind the wheel of the Steber 4380 following sea trials during Boat of the Year judging. On both occasions, the sea state was moderate, with a one-metre chop on a 1.5m swell. But from my experience I know there was enough sea to reveal the shortcomings of a lesser boat.

If nothing else, the Steber has a sturdy feel on the water and a defiant manner that instils driver and passenger confidence and comfort. With 2000lt of fuel, 500lt of water, nine people and no trim tabs, the boat rose bodily to planing speeds without exhibiting a heavy bum or riding bow up. Nice.

At low idle on the Detroits and with the sync button on, you could advance a single throttle lever for 6.0kt SOG at 608rpm. From my observations, the electronic 60 Series Detroits are nothing if not clean running. This also seemed like an efficient pairing of boat and motor - I could have reached Coffs Harbour in 10 hours on one tank given the time.

Crucial figures were: 17kt at 1606rpm using 73lt a side; 21.8kt at 1820rpm using 90lt a side; and 25.5kt at 2000rpm using 105lt a side. Fresh out of the box the boat did 33kt at 2300rpm, but we got 29.8kt at 2200rpm - still fast by offshore standards.

There was good midrange acceleration and a smooth purr at all revs. The boat's keel helps generate flat cornering, and you can drive the boat off the wheel better than some sportscruisers I have tested.

The boat is also very manoeuvrable on the throttles, easy to park and potentially good to gamefish.

However, of all things it's the offshore cruising that most impressed me. The boat maintained 23kt at 1880rpm drinking 93lt a side. And 15-16kt low-speed cruising was just delightful kicked back in the chair, watching the coast slip by as though touring on a coach.

This is the best Steber I have driven offshore. Far from avant garde, Steber's 4380 will be around for many years to come. Time-proven boatbuilding techniques and a commercial approach to engineering ensure as much.

Clearly, Steber believes if it ain't broke then don't fix it. And from all accounts, Stebers ain't breaking.