Stessco 620 Sunseeker Review

OVERVIEW
Brisbane's Stessco Boats has been manufacturing pressed-alloy boats from the suburb of Narangba for many years. The company has an extensive boat range, encompassing everything from small square-bow punts through to tournament bass and barra boats, side and centre consoles, runabouts and cuddy cabs — and everything in-between.

The new Stessco 620 Sunseeker is the latest all-new flagship for the brand. The big family cuddy has a fibreglass cabin for added luxury, extensive cockpit space, and plenty of storage for all the gear you need for long family days afloat.

For family boaters and offshore anglers, Stessco's cuddy cabin models have been very popular. The boats differ from most models offered by rival brands in that they are produced with a fibreglass cabin structure over a pressed aluminium hull.

This combination provides the smooth, sleek lines achievable in fibreglass with the robust durability and easy maintenance of alloy.

The Stessco Sunseeker cuddy cabins are presently available in five sizes from 4.9m in length through to this latest release, the Stessco 620 Sunseeker, a big, wide beam, deep bodied trailerboat that we recently tested out of Noosa Heads on the QLD Sunshine Coast.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
The Stessco 620 Sunseeker is a very smart-looking boat with a large, open-plan cuddy cabin, glossy smooth topsides and a massive, uncluttered rear cockpit.

On Stessco's sturdy tandem-axle alloy trailer, the test boat towered above us on the ramp at Noosa Heads. The 620 Sunseeker is certainly a substantial-sized trailerboat, bigger than it looks in the photos.

The topsides are high for safety and increased cockpit freeboard, and the beam is just shy of the maximum legal towing width at 2.48m.

On a trailer you can expect the package to weigh between 1500 and 1600kg depending on the amount of gear and fuel carried onboard.

With regard to features and equipment, the 620 Sunseeker is nicely appointed. Among the standard inclusions is the fibreglass cabin structure, open-plan cabin with cloth covered berths, under-berth storage and infill board and cushion, forward anchor well with bowsprit, bow rails and bollard, pedestal helm chairs on storage boxes, underfloor kill tank, port side transom door, boarding platforms and ladder, 145lt fuel tank (upgradeable to 170lt), enclosed battery/storage platforms and lots more.

There's also a standard three-quarter width box bench seat across the transom - although this was not fitted to the test rig at the owner's request.

With all the above gear, and paired with a Yamaha 130hp extra-longshaft (25") four-cylinder four-stroke outboard and Stessco trailer, the 620 Sunseeker is priced from $55k at Whitsunday Yamaha Marine in Queensland. Now that's seriously good value for a big 6.0m plus trailerboat package.

Our test boat was upgraded with several options. They included a larger 150hp Yamaha four stroke outboard, a fibreglass hardtop, two-tone hull paint, freshwater shower/deck wash, a plumbed starboard side transom corner live bait tank, and a lift-out transom bait board.

The additions lift the package price to around $65k - but that's still amazing value for a big family trailerboat and coastal fishing rig.

DESIGN AND LAYOUT
The interior layout of the Stessco 620 Sunseeker is simple but effective. It has an uncluttered design for easy access into the large double-berth cabin and aft to the huge, 3.0m long rear cockpit.

Inside the cabin families will appreciate the open space and headroom, along with the full length side berths which convert into an over-sized double bed with the addition of the included infill board and cushion.

The infill board and the berth hatch lids are made from heavy-duty plywood, and carpeted back and front for protection from rot and mildew.

In the forepeak, there is ready access to the large anchor well via the wide cabin hatch, while the angular cabin side windows provide ample lighting.

Beneath each of the three underberth lockers there is a false, carpeted plywood floor so you can stow safety gear and clothing, confident it will stay dry.

You'll also find narrow side storage pockets surrounding the cabin, and a neat cover over the wiring behind the helm.

At the helm itself, the fibreglass cabin structure is high and topped by a curved, two-pane acrylic windscreen which offers excellent shelter from the elements and an unrestricted view for the skipper.

There is a sufficient amount of flat-panel space on the fascia for a flush-fitted electronics display, along with the engine instruments, switch panel and a marine radio.

The test boat was rigged with a Humminbird Helix 9 fish finder/GPS combination unit and a single Yamaha Command-Link digital engine display.

For the skipper the steering wheel and side-mount throttle were nicely placed. The boat was subsequently very comfortable and easy to drive while standing and when seated. A fore and aft slider on the helm seat allows you to push the seat back to stand and drive - or pull it forward to sit down.

We did note the absence of a decent helm/dash grab rail, however, and there were no footrests for the skipper or first mate.

The fibreglass hardtop fitted to the test boat is an option, but well worth the extra money over a regular bimini top. There was some movement in the hardtop in choppy water, but this has been noted by the manufacturer and will be addressed in upcoming models with additional bracing.

Some consideration also needs to be given to repositioning the four-rod rocket launcher situated on the trailer edge of the hardtop - as it is a tad low.

With regard to storage areas in the cockpit, anglers will be very pleased with the huge underfloor fishbox between the helm chairs, and the enclosed storage bins contained within the helm seat boxes.

We would be tempted to re-jig one of the helm seat boxes to take a series of clear Plano-style terminal tackle drawers.

Further aft there is storage space in the elevated cockpit side storage pockets and beneath the transom, behind two Sopac-style hatches. The battery is shelved behind the starboard side hatch, sheltered from the weather.

The cockpit, as noted earlier, is large, wide and deep. It has an overall length of 3.0m x 2.25m wide. Behind the helm chairs there is 2.3m of open, uncluttered space - enough room to fit a game chair if you felt so inclined or a centre cockpit work station.

Other standard features include the port side transom door, stern rails and bollards, 220mm wide, fully welded coamings, and a floor hatch beneath the transom for servicing the bilge pumps, engine filters, etc.

The test rig was also fitted with an optional removable bait board, freshwater deck wash/shower, and a small/medium sized, plumbed transom corner live bait tank.

ON THE WATER
The Stessco 620 Sunseeker is rated for a single extra-longshaft (25") outboard engine to a realistic maximum of 175hp. We had a Yamaha 150hp four-stroke outboard on our test rig and it prove quick and agile. The boat accelerated strongly even with four people, half fuel and lots of gear onboard.

We would be more tempted to considered dropping down to Yamaha's smaller capacity 130hp in-line four cylinder four-stroke - rather than going for more horsepower.

Rigged with the Yamaha F150 the 620 Sunseeker runs to a top speed of 38.1 knots so you could expect to achieve 33-34 knots with the smaller engine.

Having made the above comments, the Stessco test boat was great fun to drive with the Yamaha F150. The boat responded beautifully to input from the Yamaha throttle and the hydraulic steering was smooth, light and direct.

Underway the 620 Sunseeker feels sure-footed, stable and solid. We were not able to head offshore to test the ride and handling, but within the relatively calm confines of the Noosa River (and jumping every boat wake we could find) the test boat proved to be comfortable and dry.

The Stessco 620 Sunseeker is a big, practical alloy trailerboat with an easy handling hull and excellent performance with mid-power outboard engines.

The interior layout is spacious, easy to maintain, and the fibreglass cabin structure is both functional and good looking. Add a great price to this mix and you have a winning combination.

The Stessco 620 Sunseeker is a great value buy and an excellent family fishing boat.

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
3.9kts (7.2km/h) @ 1000rpm
5.3kts (9.9km/h) @ 1500rpm
6.5kts (12.0km/h) @ 2000rpm
8.1kts (15.1km/h) @ 2500rpm
14.2kts (26.4km/h) @ 3000rpm
19.8kts (36.6km/h) @ 3500rpm
23.9kts (44.2km/h) @ 4000rpm
27.3kts (50.6km/h) @ 4500rpm
31.2kts (57.8km/h) @ 5000rpm
35.0kts (64.6km/h) @ 5500rpm
38.6kts (71.5km/h) @ 6000rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE - ECONOMY
3.1 l/ph @ 1000rpm
4.8 l/ph @ 1500rpm
7.3 l/ph @ 2000rpm
11.8 l/ph @ 2500rpm
14.5 l/ph @ 3000rpm
18.9 l/ph @ 3500rpm
24.6 l/ph @ 4000rpm
31.4 l/ph @ 4500rpm
39.0 l/ph @ 5000rpm
48.9 l/ph @ 5500rpm
61.3 l/ph @ 6000rpm (WOT)

MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95% OF 145l FUEL TANK: 144.31nm @ 3500rpm

Specifications: Stessco 620 Sunseeker
Price as tested: Around $65,000 including a Yamaha 150hp four-stroke extra-longshaft (25") outboard with digital gauges and hydraulic steering, tandem axle braked (mechanical over-ride) Stessco aluminium trailer, fibreglass hardtop with rocket launcher, two-tone hull paint, plumbed live bait tank, freshwater deck wash/shower, removable bait board, and a Humminbird Helix 9 Fish Finder/GPS.

Priced from: $55,000 including a Yamaha 130hp four-stroke extra-longshaft (25") outboard, and a Stessco tandem axle braked (mechanical over-ride) aluminium trailer.

Length overall: 6.55m
Beam: 2.48m
Depth: 1.48m
Hull weight: 750kg
Weight on trailer: Approx 1,550kg
Bottom & transom alloy: 4.0mm
Topsides alloy: 3.0mm
Maximum power: 175hp
Engine as tested: Yamaha 150hp four-stroke
Fuel capacity: 145L
Flotation standard: Basic
Maximum persons: Six

Supplied by:
Whitsunday Yamaha Marine
Phone: (07) 4948 3298
More at Stessco.