Stessl Trophy 530 Centre Console

Stessl’s larger models, 5.3m-6.1m, have been given something of revamp in recent times, most notably with the introduction of the stronger, softer, and quieter Platetrix2 hull bottom.

Platetrix2 equipped Stessls are beefed-up considerably under-floor with a matrix of fully-welded longitudinal stringers/bearers interspersed with cross bulkheads to provide a level of underfloor structural strength that you would expect to find in craft costing double the price.

Bottom sheets are made from 4mm alloy, topsides from 3mm alloy, while a 100mm high, 12mm thick internal keel extends the full length of the hull.

The smallest of the new Stessls equipped with the Platetrix2 hull bottom is the 5.3m -- available in runabout, bowrider, half cabin, side console and centre console layouts.

The subject of this test is the centre console model called the Stessl Trophy 530.

Prices start at just $33k for the 530 model, fitted with a 70hp Suzuki four-stroke, Dunbier trailer and impressive standard inventory -- which includes the large, folding centre console, a dash-mounted compass, elevated casting deck with massive storage space underneath, carpeted anchor well with reinforced alloy bowsprit, bow rails, six plastic rod holders, carpet-over-plywood rear floor, side pockets, helm seat, above-floor battery platforms, wide coamings, under-floor flotation, cleats all-round, transducer bracket, under-floor fuel tank, and a bilge pump.

The test boat was fitted with most of the options available, including the bimini, transom bait-board/live-bait tank combination, full-width rear lounge, Lowrance sounder, GME radio, dual batteries (with VSR or voltage sensitive relay switch) water-separating filter, and a Suzuki 90hp four-stroke motor.

These options bump the price up to about $39k -- but that is still a great price for a full featured 17ft plate alloy boat. 

The front deck (1.46m x 1.94m wide) is elevated about 200mm off the main floor level so there is not a lot of freeboard (450mm) up on this platform. As a consequence I see this deck as smooth-water fishing spot only.

The storage locker beneath the casting deck is huge; 510mm deep, 990mm long, and a full metre wide.

At the bow, the Trophy has a good-sized, carpeted anchor locker, a reinforced welded alloy bowsprit, and a bow rail and roller setup that is designed to capture and retain your anchor -- whether the anchor is a plough or Danforth type.

The centre console is positioned hard-up against the bow casting deck forward of the centre line. The console is large and the top part of it is hinged and folds forward and down to reduce the boat height for garaging.

Console features include space for engine gauges, electronics and throttle box, a storage shelf, perspex windscreen and well-placed grab rails.

The console unit is wide so the two-person helm seat box does not look out of place. The seat on the test boat was fitted with a non-standard reversible back rest which proved to be a bit stiff to operate.

The box underneath the padded seat cushion is probably the best spot in the boat to stow life jackets as they will be immediately to hand in an emergency situation.

The rear cockpit is large enough for two or three people to fish comfortably. From the console back to the transom there is 1.8m of fishing space by 2.07m in width.

The metre-long cockpit side pockets are lifted off the floor so you can wedge your feet under them when fishing in rough conditions. The pockets are well placed and useful, but I did find them a bit too wide as they intruded a little into my “shin space” when leaning up against the side of the boat.

Moving aft, the “soft tail” transom layout is similar to other craft in the size and class. There is plenty of freeboard (minimum of 620mm) in the stern cockpit, and the fully welded side and rear coamings are very wide.

The full-width rear bench seat and coaming bolster in the test boat was a non-standard item, but is available as an option. Most buyers opt for a three-quarter width rear seat in combination with a port side transom door (not fitted).

One of the must-have options on this boat is the excellent bolt-on bait-board/live-bait tank combination unit.

We recorded a top speed of 30 knots at 6,000rpm. This is quite a brisk pace for this style of craft and it was not lacking in acceleration from a stand-still or through the mid range.

The 90hp Suzuki was still being run-in, so I would expect the boat to gain a knot or two once the engine has loosened up.

The 530 Stessl Trophy comes standard with mechanical steering, and this proved a bit of a let-down as the steering on the test boat was quite stiff and unwieldy. Hydraulic steering is available as an option on this model, and it is standard on all larger Stessl boats.

On the water the Platetrix equipped Stessls are quiet and ride surprisingly well. Like any other big tinnie, the ride will firm up if you jump off a wave, or land awkwardly in a wave trough, but even when the landing is firm, it remains quiet and dampened -- with reduced hull slap and rattle.

The added weight of the heavy-duty under-floor construction certainly helps soften up the ride, but the bow entry shape also contributes as it is quite sharp -- even though the hull vee flattens to just 15 degrees of deadrise at the stern.

At rest and underway the Trophy test boat was enormously stable -- thanks to the shallow transom vee, super wide, 2.5m beam and flattened chines.

Small “Trak Rails” or strakes welded to the hull bottom at the stern (on each side of the keel) help the boat maintain a strong grip on the water surface during cornering, and there was no sign of engine cavitation.

In a following sea outside the Gold Coast Seaway the test boat handled well and it was reasonably dry in the mild sea conditions.