Stejcraft Krakin 570 Bay 2024 review

And what a ripper new rig the Krakin is, too. Bay, harbour and impoundment anglers are sure to be impressed with the fishing fit-out and the performance of this terrific new fibreglass composite centre console.

The Gold Coast-based Stejcraft Boats has launched several new models during the past 12 months. Among them is the Krakin 570 Bay centre console, a boat designed specifically for inshore boating and fishing activities.

The Krakin is equipped with a 13-degree shallow deadrise vee hull for excellent handling and maximum stability at rest.

It also boasts plenty of flare in the topsides at the bow to keep this low-slung boat dry in choppy water.

The Krakin 570 hull is more than capable of running offshore, but it has been designed with low topsides and high fishing decks for lure and fly casting on smooth/sheltered waters.

The Stejcraft Krakin in this review is the centre console model. However, this fibreglass composite (no timber) foam-filled boat can also be ordered as a basic tiller-steer open boat – or with a side console or dual-console configuration.

The Stejcraft Krakin 570 Bay centre console has a starting price of $79,990 when paired with a Mercury 115hp extra-longshaft outboard engine with non-feedback mechanical steering – and riding on a Dunbier single axle drive on/off trailer with mag wheels and a spare wheel.

The Krakin is a full-featured boat so you get lots of standard kit – including huge bow and stern casting decks with storage; a centre console helm station with windshield and front seat/storage compartment; 65L cooler helm seat box; a pair of deluxe folding rear seats; twin aft casting deck live wells; three-step bow boarding ladder; bow anchor well with hatch and roller; bow and stern pull-up cleats; six console vertical rod holders; four stainless steel flush deck rod holders; horizontal gunwale rod rack; and LED cockpit and navigation lights.

For a limited time, the Krakin 570 price package also includes beautiful H2O EVA foam rubber flooring throughout, as well as a Bluetooth stereo with speakers, one-year boat and trailer registrations, and an inshore safety gear pack. 

Our test boat was principally standard, but with the additional of a Lowrance Elite FS9 display and a power upgrade to a Mercury 150hp outboard with hydraulic steering – thereby lifting the package price to $87,900.

The Stejcraft Krakin 570 Bay has a maximum length of 5.7m and a beam of 2.45m.

Notably, the wide beam extends well forward to enlarge the size of the front casting deck, which actually hangs over – or extends out past the hull topsides.

The extra deck width forward combines with the built-in Carolina hull flare to suppress spray when the boat is running in chop at speed.

The hull entry shape on the Krakin is not as steep or sharp as other models in the Stejcraft boat range, but there is enough vee angle – and weight in the hull – to smooth out bay chop.

At the transom, the deadrise angle is just 13 degrees to combine with the wide-waterline beam to stiffen the boat laterally so that anglers can move safely about the interior when fishing.

The Krakin hull is made from fibreglass and composite materials; there is no timber so no chance of rot. This hull will be around for decades.

As tested, the Stejcraft Kraken package tips the scales in highway towing trim at around 1550kg, so it can be comfortably hauled behind a regular SUV or dual-cab ute.

The Stejcraft Krakin is ideally suited to bay, harbour and estuary fishing activities.

The concept of having a centre console helm station with high casting decks at each end of the boat is not new – but the design works particularly well in the Krakin.

To start with, the two elevated decks are very large – and almost flush with the side deck coamings to give anglers high sight-lines when fishing shallow water sand flats – and/or casting into tree stumps in freshwater lakes and impoundments.

The front casting deck is split over two levels. The main centre section is 970mm long with a maximum width of 1.68m and a minimum width of 1.10m.

A half step-up from the main deck is another section which surrounds and covers the deep, practical anchorwell – which can be optioned with a drum winch.

The anchorwell is recessed, and covered, so you can stand and chuck lures from right up on the tip of the bow – alongside the very handy telescopic boarding ladder on the starboard side.

The application of EVA foam rubber (made by H2O Floorings) to all decks and flat surfaces gives provides foot-grip and thereby the confidence to fish from everywhere inside the Krakin.

Beneath the front deck there are three storage compartments. There’s one large, square bin in the centre, flanked by two smaller bins with floor drains.  

Each is water-tight with rubber seals and stainless-steel hinges. You can use them for dry storage or as an ice box or kill tank.

The aft casting deck is not quite as big, but it is equally functional at 960mm long x 1.87m wide.

Cleverly, there is a half-circle section/piece over the outboard well that removes to allow the outboard to be tilted up for trailering.

The ice box/helm station seat also acts as a rear casting deck extension as it sits at the same height as the elevated aft deck – although it is removable.

Beneath the aft deck there are two live wells which can double as general storage compartments.

Other features here include full length 200mm wide side coamings with four built-in rod holders, bow and stern pull-up cleats, cup holders, and side storage pockets beneath horizontal rod storage racks.

The double-width centre console helm station is situated amidships recessed into the main cockpit area.

There is enough freeboard – between 530mm and 550mm – to stand and lean securely against the topsides.

There’s also 455mm to each side of the console to allow free movement back and forth from the bow to the stern.

The helm console is practical in design, equipped with an effective windshield, a large storage cupboard behind a Sopac hatch, a dash/fascia panel to accept standard engine gauges, and a 305mm (12-inch) flush-fitted multi-function display. The test unit was optioned with a Lowrance Elite FS9 display.

Notably, the Krakin has the steering wheel and throttle box correctly offset to the port side. This makes it easier for two people to stand before the helm and console whilst underway.

Another, larger storage compartment is located forward of the console, beneath a front-facing cushioned seat.

Anglers will appreciate the built-in console rod rack – with three vertical rod holders located on each side of the console. This is in addition to the horizontal rod racks under the gunwales.

The test boat was fitted with an ice box/helm chair flanked by low-set folding bucket chairs above battery storage boxes – but there are other seating options.

I personally would go for the lean seat frame in place of the ice box – but you can also have a single, or a pair of pedestal helm chairs among other options.

To allow for easier garage and carport storage, the helm console is hinged so that the top part of it can be folded right back over the rear cockpit – once the ice box is removed.

The Stejcraft Krakin is designed for boating and fishing shelter waters, but the hull is certainly good enough to run offshore in good weather.

The bow entry shape is not as sharp as some rival offshore boats, but it can still smooth out bay chop to provide a decent level of ride comfort – thanks in part to its 900kg hull weight.

The shallower, more gradual front vee shape also makes the Krakin excellent in a following sea, while the distinctively flared topsides shed spray away from the hull in blustery conditions.

The shallow, almost flat vee shape aft also allows the Kraken to plane quickly to maximise fuel economy, while also boosting the boat’s handling and cornering abilities.

The Kraken carves up the corners at speed, turning sharply, but safely – while maintaining quite a flat, almost level stance throughout.    

Paired with the entry-sized Mercury 115hp engine, I’d expect a top speed in the mid 30-knot range.

With the larger Mercury 150hp outboard, our test boat zipped across the Gold Coast Broadwater to record a maximum speed of 42.2 knots where instant hole-shots blurred the transition from displacement to planing speeds.

The best feature of the Stejcraft Krakin however is its rock-solid stability, making it an exceptional sheltered water fishing platform.

Range on 95% of the 200L fuel supply at 3000rpm: 244.3nm

The Stejcraft Kraken 570 Bay is a wonderful new Aussie-made centre console and a terrific, sheltered water fishing boat.

The Kraken is strong, durably constructed, cleverly designed, and versatile enough for nearshore fishing applications in smooth weather.

I would swap out the ice box helm seat for a taller lean seat/post – and add a windscreen grab rail – but otherwise the Stejcraft Krakin 570 Bay is good to go.

Model: Stejcraft Krakin 570 Bay

Length overall: 5.7m

Beam: 2.45m

Draft: 350mm (engine up)

Deadrise: 13 degrees

Hull weight: 900kg

Towing weight (dry): 1550kg (approx)

Maximum power: 150hp

Maximum engine weight: 225kg

Engine as tested: Mercury 150hp four-stroke extra-longshaft outboard

Fuel: 200L

Passengers: 7

Priced from: $79,990 including a Mercury 115hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard with non-feedback mechanical steering; Dunbier single-axle drive on/off trailer with mag wheels, spare wheel and mechanical brakes; H2O EVA foam rubber flooring throughout, Bluetooth stereo with speakers, bow and stern casting decks with storage; centre console helm station with windshield and front seat/storage compartment; 65L cooler helm seat box; a pair of deluxe folding rear seats; twin aft casting deck live wells; three-step bow boarding ladder; bow anchor well with hatch and roller; bow and stern pull-up cleats; six console vertical rod holders; four stainless steel flush deck rod holders; horizontal gunwale rod rack; LED cockpit and navigation lights; 12 months boat and trailer registrations; inshore safety gear pack. 

Price as tested: $87,900. As above but with a more powerful Mercury 150hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering and a Lowrance Elite FS9 electronics display.

Supplied by: Stejcraft boats Ausrtalia