Surtees 670 Game Fisher 2025 review

New Zealand plate-alloy boat manufacturer, Surtees, has launched new and upgraded models within its Game Fisher offshore fishing boat series.

The 620, 670, 720 and 770 Game Fisher hardtop cabin boats all debuted earlier this year.

Key upgrades over previous models include a raised deck sheer line from amidships to the bow to increase interior space, as well as revised, enlarged dash panels to accommodate larger multi-function displays.

The cabins have also been widened, lengthened and heightened to provide more volume and headroom beneath the sturdy alloy hardtops.

The focus of this review is the mid-sized 670 Game Fisher, arguably the Goldilocks model of the range. It’s large enough for serious offshore work, yet small enough for easy towing and ramp handling.

The Surtees 670 Game Fisher comes well equipped, featuring an overhead hardtop with rocket launcher rod rack, a huge rear cockpit, elevated side storage pockets, multiple flush-deck rod holders, bait station, live well and more.

With a full-size front cabin with vee-berth, generous storage and an optional toilet, the 670 is also family-friendly.

Paired with Yamaha’s mechanical F200XC extra-longshaft (25-inch) outboard and a Redco tandem-axle braked aluminium trailer, pricing for the 670 Game Fisher starts from $125,000.

Our test boat was fitted with numerous options, including the F200XCB digital Yamaha 200hp four-stroke outboard, bringing the drive-away price to $172,995.

The specifications section below provides a full list of options on our boat but notable extras included a Garmin GPSMap 8416xsv MFD, ZipWake trim tabs, Fusion RA-670 Apollo stereo with four speakers, electric toilet, LED lighting package, dual battery system, electric drum anchor winch and rode, canvas shade extension, SeaDek cockpit flooring, and port and starboard Icey-Tek 70L icebox seats.

The 670 Game Fisher’s versatile fishing/family half-cabin layout provides excellent weather protection via the overhead hardtop.

The enlarged front cabin offers bigger berths and improved headroom, making it easier to climb through the acrylic forward hatch to the foredeck for anchoring.

Storage lockers sit beneath the berth cushions, with side shelves running the length of the cabin.

Our test boat featured an electric-flush toilet in the central companionway between the berths, as well as a zip-out privacy curtain to separate cabin from cockpit (a full bulkhead with lockable sliding cabin door is available as an option).

Beneath the new, higher alloy hardtop and three-piece toughened-glass windscreen (with optional driver’s wiper) is a wide, carpet-lined dash with alloy grab handles.

Fronting the dash and helm station are swivelling, sliding bucket seats that are mounted on alloy frames welded to the floor. Flip-up front bolsters on the chairs make it comfortable to sit or stand at the helm.

Beneath these, our test boat housed a pair of Icey-Tek 70L pull-out iceboxes topped with aft-facing squab seats.

On the starboard side, the skipper’s newer and larger fascia panel accommodates a multi-function display up to 19 inches—our boat carried the Garmin GPSMap 8416xsv above new laser-etched rocker switches.

The sports steering wheel and side-mounted Yamaha digital throttle are conveniently located, and there is a provision for mounting VHF/stereo head units in the carpet-lined ceiling.

Anglers will appreciate the 670 Game Fisher’s large rear cockpit and full-length elevated side shelves.

Standard boats come with a tread-plate alloy floor but our test rig was optioned with SeaDek foam flooring to match the SeaDek on the 355mm wide side coamings.

Cockpit and transom freeboard is 740mm in height, ensuring safety even in rough conditions.

The port side holds a live bait tank under a transom step and drop-down door, while the starboard side contains storage and battery space behind Sopac hatches.

A bait station with cutting board, rod rack and tackle tray sits above the transom. Six alloy rod holders and four cup holders are flush-fitted into the side coamings.

Other fishing fit-outs include a hardtop rocket launcher rod rack, hardtop shade extension, full-width boarding platform with ladder, cockpit floor bilge/plumbing access port, optional clip-on side shelf rod rack, optional deck wash, stern rails and a pair of welded stern cleats.

The 670 Game Fisher’s deep-vee, water-ballasted plate-alloy hull features a 340L keel chamber that floods at rest to improve stability.

The latest Surtees models are now fitted with a flap at the keel to close off the water ballast chamber when required. For example, a skipper may choose to close the keel gate to maintain water ballast for better stability in rough waters. In calmer conditions, however, the keel gate is usually left open so water escapes once the boat rises onto the plane.

On our Moreton Bay trial, the 670 Game Fisher lived up to my high expectations with its soft ride, stability and ease of handling. The new raised sheer line and higher bow should improve dryness, though I cannot confirm this due to mild weather conditions.

With the maximum 200hp Yamaha four-stroke, the boat hit a top speed of 38 knots (70.3km/h) and proved responsive and manoeuvrable.

Range on 95% of the 250L fuel supply at 3,500rpm: 183.7nm

The Surtees 670 Game Fisher is an excellent trailerable sport fishing boat.

With its 5mm plate alloy hull bottom and 4mm topsides, this Surtees model is strong and durable while also being smooth, safe and stable at sea.

While it’s ready to fish straight off the showroom floor, it can be easily customised with Surtees’ vast array of options and accessories.

Model: Surtees 670 Game Fisher
Length overall: 6.7m
Beam: 2.37m
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Hull weight: 860kg
Towing weight: 2,200kg (approx)
Bottom alloy: 5mm
Topsides alloy: 4mm
Cabin alloy: 3mm
Maximum power: 200hp extra-longshaft (25”)
Engine as tested: Yamaha 200hp four-stroke
Fuel: 250L
Water ballast: 340L
Passengers: 6
Price from: $125,083 when paired with a Yamaha F200XC (mechanical) extra-longshaft (25”) outboard engine with hydraulic steering and a Redco tandem-axle braked alloy trailer.
Price as tested: $172,995 with a Yamaha 200hp (F200XCB) four-stroke extra-longshaft (25”) outboard motor with digital electronic controls, hydraulic steering, Redco trailer, Garmin GPSMap 8416xsv MFD, ZipWake trim tabs, Fusion RA-670 Apollo stereo with four speakers, electric toilet, LED lighting package, hardtop flood-light, roof-mounted light bar, washdown pump and fittings, SeaDek foam rubber cockpit flooring, 2 x hardtop roof hatches, painted cabin and topsides, rubber side-strip, trailer quick-hitch, dual battery system, electric drum anchor winch and rode, canvas shade extension, port and starboard side Icey-Tek 70L ice box seats, starboard side coaming storage box, open waters safety gear pack, sand anchor kit, Yamaha motor support, boat and trailer registrations.
Supplied by: Northside Marine