Streaker 5700 Navigator with new Yamaha F130A: Review

Streaker Boats has been a stalwart of the Australian boat-manufacturing scene ever since the company’s first model was released more than 40 years ago. This award-winning fibreglass boatbuilder now runs a busy retail outlet in the Melbourne suburb of Bayswater. The cuddy cabin fisher called the Navigator 5700 tested here was built by Streaker. But now another long-serving boatbuilder, Brisbane-based Cruise Craft, which is owned by the Nichols family, has purchased Streaker's manufacturing division. We expect official news of this purchase soon. We also expect this popular

OVERVIEW
- A long-standing, award winning Aussie manufacturer
Melbourne’s Streaker Boats is a well established, family owned, family run company. Founded in 1973 by brothers Leon and Paul Savage, Streaker Boats has been manufacturing a quality range of trailerable fibreglass boats for more than four decades. Along the way Streaker has launched some impressive and award winning models (such as the 1991 Streaker 585SF), and today’s model range is a reflection of the company’s extensive knowledge and experience.

Today, Streaker combines boat manufacturing with a retail outlet and dealership representing several of Australia’s leading brands, including Quintrex and Cruise Craft – which are sold alongside Streaker’s own boat range. As we mentioned above, Streaker's manufacturing division has been bought by Brisbane-based Cruise Craft, but its retail business with remain in family hands in Melbourne.

In the Streaker boat range, there were 15 different models built around five different hull sizes. Most models have a cuddy or half cabin configuration, but there are two family bowriders (Sirocco 5700 and 6100) and a ripper side console inshore fishing boat called the 4850 Tournament.

But it is the cuddy and half cabin models for which Streaker is best known, and there are plenty to choose from – starting with the entry 4850 Navigator cuddy and extending through to the flagship 6700 Commander Hardtop half cabin.

The subject of our test review is the mid-sized 5700 Navigator, one of three cabin boats built around the 5700 series with a proven hull. We have money on this model remaining in the future fleet for some time yet.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Great price and loaded with gear and equipment
All three of the 5700 series Streaker cuddy cabins are aimed at anglers. The Navigator review model differs from its siblings in that it has a lower-profile cabin design with a centre opening windscreen and cabin hatch. This allows full walk-thru access to the bow for anchoring and/or fishing.

The 5700 Bluewater and Commander models have a slightly higher deck structure, fixed windscreen/dash, and a different transom/rear cockpit configuration.

If you do a lot of fishing while anchored up, the Navigator, with its easy access to the bow, is the boat for you. It is also excellent value for money and positively loaded with standard kit.

There are no real options for the Navigator 5700, other than your choice of outboard power. The boat comes standard with just about everything you need to get out on the water.

The test boat is well priced at $63,990 with power from Yamaha’s super new F130XA four-stroke outboard, and combined with an Easytow Custom tandem-axle braked trailer.

With a smaller Yamaha 115hp four-stroke outboard the Navigator prices up to $62,790. Opt for a Mercury 115hp four-stroke and you can get into the Navigator for $62K neat.

All versions come with a truckload of standard gear – including bimini-top with alloy rocket launcher and LED spotlights, Lowrance Elite 5 colour sounder/GPS (upgradeable), VHF radio, LED navigation and interior lights, bilge pump, two-tone hull and deck, removable transom corner seats, fold-down centre transom seat, helm bucket seats on storage boxes (with tackle trays), cockpit side pockets with horizontal rod racks, boarding platforms and telescopic S/S ladder, four flush-mount S/S rod holders, retractable stern cleats, lockable glove box, split bow rail, S/S propeller, a removable fibreglass bait board, 146-litre fuel tank, safety gear for six adults, and boat and trailer registrations.

About the only thing missing is a standard live-bait tank. However, as an option the port side co-pilot seat storage box can be swapped out for a super-sized live bait tank with the helm seat positioned overhead.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- An open plan design with easy cabin and foredeck access
The most striking feature of the Navigator 5700 is the centre opening windscreen and cabin hatch which provides full standing, walk-through access to the bow and the good-sized anchor well.

This is a layout you either love or hate. Some anglers won’t like it because the design substantially reduces the available dash space. On the other hand, being able to easily go forward to the bow for anchoring or to stand and fish while standing within the hatchway are significant advantages.

We believe the pros outweigh the cons here because there is enough flat panel space on the fascia for installing electronics, engine instruments and a switch panel. Moreover, if the walk-thru layout does not suit you, then you can look to the Streaker 5700 Bluewater or Commander models, both of which have a conventional cuddy/half cabin layout.

The cabin area itself is open to the cockpit and of a reasonable size. The berths are configured as side seats with storage lockers underneath. Side storage pockets situated above the cushioned seats provide good storage for safety gear, clothing, towels, etc.

With the centre section of the cabin/deck left open for walk-thru access, there are effectively two separate dash areas. A moulding has been created for each side and both are blacked-out to minimise glare. As noted, there is space for instruments and electronics ahead of the skipper, while the dash space opposite has been used to incorporate a large, lockable glove box and excellent hand rail.

The deluxe bucket-style helm chairs are mounted above storage boxes, the starboard side box incorporating a set of drawers for fishing tackle.

The helm chairs swivel 360 degrees and the skipper’s chair is rigged with a fore-and-aft sliding base so the chair can be adjusted for a very comfortable driving position – with the steering wheel and side-mount throttle equally well placed.

The Navigator 5700 differs from the Bluewater and Commander models in the Streaker boat range in that it has a traditional 'island' style outboard well configuration – instead of the more modern wider outboard well with full-width transom wall. The island layout is a bit old fashioned, but it does allow you to walk and fish right into the transom corners of the boat, effectively increasing the length of the cockpit. The transom corner seats are easily removed when you need the extra space, and would probably be left at home on serious fishing outings with a crew of just two or three.

In the Navigator there is a third, fold-down seat directly in front of the outboard well, making the boat equally well set-up for family day trips on the bay or harbour.

As noted earlier, the Streaker Navigator does not have a standard live-bait tank, but it is otherwise stacked with fishing features – the most notable being the excellent lift-off fibreglass bait board which comes complete with two cup/can holders and two stainless steel rod holders.

The Navigator also has retractable, pop-up style stern cleats, full length side storage pockets lifted just above the floor to create a very effective toe/foot hold, recessed coaming rails, underfloor ice/storage box, underfloor kill tank (with bilge access) horizontal rod storage racks under the coamings, plenty of cockpit freeboard, and an easily removable aluminium overhead rocket launcher backing on to the bimini-top.

ON THE WATER
- A proven performer
The Streaker 5700 Navigator has a 20-degree deadrise deep vee hull with a very fine entry and wide water-line beam. The hull is well proven and has remained largely unchanged since it was introduced some years ago.

With its very fine forefoot entry shape, and distinctive forward pattern of spray/planing strakes, the Streaker 5700 hull looks quite different from the hulls of competitor brands – and it works very well. Nothing will come near this hull in short, sharp bay or harbour chop as that knife-like entry simply cuts through it.

Offshore, the hull rides equally smoothly and with greater stability than you would expect from a 20 degree deep vee hull. The unusually wide hull (2.49m maximum beam) ensures the boat is stable at rest and underway, and that it runs economically with mid-sized outboard engines.

Our test boat was packaged with Yamaha’s excellent new, lightweight F130A four-stroke outboard and the combination achieved excellent performance figures.

Hole-shots were swift and the acceleration through the mid-range was very impressive – as was the top speed of 37.7 knots. You can opt for a larger 150hp engine with this craft, but it is simply not necessary.

With regard to economy, the hull and engine combination could achieve a maximum range of 161 nautical miles on 95 per cent of the standard 146-litre fuel tank. This maximum economy figure was achieved at a surprisingly high 4500rpm and at a speed of 24.6 knots.

At a comfortable offshore cruise of 20.6 knots at 4000rpm the frugal Yamaha was consuming just 18.2 lph.

VERDICT
- An affordable, ready-to-fish bay and coastal cuddy cab with solid performance
The Streaker 5700 Navigator is an excellent fibreglass cuddy cabin and the perfect size craft for a mix of bay, coastal and offshore fishing.

We can’t think of a better craft to chase snapper in Port Phillip bay, spotties in Moreton Bay, or to roam a dozen miles offshore in pursuit of pelagics like mackerel, tuna, small black marlin, etc.

The Navigator is an excellent all-rounder fishing boat with the storage, seating and features for it to easily double as a family runabout. It is economical with Yamaha four-stroke power on the transom, simple to launch and retrieve, and a breeze to tow behind a regular-sized SUV or 4WD.

LIKES
>> Plenty of standard kit
>> Soft ride in choppy water
>> Excellent all-round performance
>> Walk-thru windscreen and cabin
>> Smooth running Yamaha
>> Well priced

NOT SO MUCH
>> No standard live-bait tank
>> Narrow side coamings
>> No grab rail for skipper

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.66/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.8/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.6/5.0
On the water performance: 4.7/5.0
Value for money: 4.8/5.0
X-factor: 4.4/5.0

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
3.4kts (6.3km/h) @ 1000rpm
5.0kts (9.3km/h) @ 1500rpm
6.1kts (11.3km/h) @ 2000rpm
6.9kts (12.8km/h) @ 2500rpm
9.5kts (17.6km/h) @ 3000rpm
15.5kts (28.7km/h) @ 3500rpm
20.6kts (38.1km/h) @ 4000rpm
24.6kts (45.6km/h) @ 4500rpm
28.9kts (53.6km/h) @ 5000rpm
32.3kts (59.9km/h) @ 5500rpm
35.6kts (66.0km/h) @ 6000rpm)
37.7kts (69.9km/h) @ 6300rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE – ECONOMY
2.1 l/ph @ 1000rpm
3.5 l/ph @ 1500rpm
4.8 l/ph @ 2000rpm
8.0 l/ph @ 2500rpm
12.2 l/ph @ 3000rpm
14.3 l/ph @ 3500rpm
18.3 l/ph @ 4000rpm
21.1 l/ph @ 4500rpm
27.7 l/ph @ 5000rpm
36.2 l/ph @ 5500rpm
44.3 l/ph @ 6000rpm
46.8 l/ph @ 6300rpm (WOT)

MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95 PER CENT OF 146-LITRE FUEL TANK: 161.7nm @ 4500rpm

Specifications:
Price as tested: $63,990 including a Yamaha 130hp extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke outboard, Easytow Custom tandem-axle drive-on trailer (with alloy wheels, LED lights, mesh walkway, spare wheel), bimini with alloy rocket launcher with 2 LED spotlights, Lowrance Elite 5 Colour sounder/GPS with mapping, VHF radio, bilge pump, battery with isolator switch, inshore safety kit for six adults, and boat and trailer registrations.

Priced from: $62,000 including a Mercury 115hp extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke outboard, Easytow custom tandem axle drive-on trailer, and the above list of gear and equipment.
Length overall: 5.7m
Beam: 2.49m
Hull weight: 1000kg
Towing weight: Approx 1650kg
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Maximum power: 150hp
Engine as tested: Yamaha 130hp four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 146 litres
Maximum Persons: Six

Supplied by:
Streaker Boats
Phone: (03) 9729 8288
Email: sales@streakerboats.com.au
Website: www.streakerboats.com.au