Surtees 700 Game Fisher Enclosed: Fishing Trailerboat Review

Built on the rugged Whakatane Coast in New Zealand, the Surtees bring a whole new level to the plate-aluminium boat industry. With the original water-ballasted keel for stability and an enclosed hardtop, the 700 Game Fisher Enclosed proved most pleasurable on a day where testing conditions rewarded weather protection.

OVERVIEW
- Manageable, stable, smooth riding and easily driven and towed
You get what you pay for and the Surtees boats have been done right from the start. From the aluminium fabrications with 6mm bottom to the fit out and components, this turnkey 700 Game Fisher Enclosed package was beautifully made with great the workmanship all-round.

With serious weather protection, this model is pretty much unstoppable. When paired with the four-cylinder Yamaha F200 four-stroke, there was impressive performance and, we’d expect, great long-term reliability. We crunched the numbers, too, and efficiency is another strong point.

While spacious internally, the Surtees is narrow design with a 2.39m beam and, without running strakes, the hull carves through any chop with ease. I also found it remarkably quiet for an aluminium hull, even under the heavy-duty hard top and inside the fully enclosed cabin.

Designed as an offshore fishing weapon foremost, the 700 has a massive cockpit. But the cabin remains big enough to accommodate a vee-berth, with plenty of room for a sleep. If you’re serious, your mates or the kids can roll the swag out and enjoy the outdoors.

Underway, there’s clear visibility at the helm and a dash designed for big sounders including a 16in GPS/sounder combo. The ride was impressive in a 20-25 knot southerly doing a comfortable 25-26 knots fast cruise (45-50kmh with the sea on the front quarter.

Up the ramp and on the road, this 700 Game Fisher weighs in at just over 2000kg. This allows most 4WD and many SUVs to tow this 7m fishing machine any where, any time…

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- A loaded fishing package with oodles of extras
Our Surtees 700 Game Fisher was packaged as the ultimate trailerable fishing rig. Rated for a 140-250hp outboard, our test boat had a Yamaha F200XB four-stroke spinning a three-blade right-hand 15in Yamaha Reliance prop and there was hydraulic steering. Electric trim tabs with indication gauge and auto retract are a must on a boat like this.

The upgraded black-painted hull sides added to the smart looks, while the optional walk-through transom with plumbed livebait tank, tubular floor matting, transom bait station, berley pot, raw-water washdown and added rod holders bolster fishability. The boat has storage for 15 outfits, too!

The side-opening cabin windows, wiper, extended canvass hardtop, foldaway cockpit bench seat help with comfort and improve seating for social or family boating. But perhaps the best thing about this rig was the way it was optioned for overnighting, onboard camping and, with that, exploring offshore islands and weekend fisheries.

There was a dual-battery system, LED lighting, cassette-type toilet, 40lt fridge, sink, alcohol two-burner stove in the cabin, and Fusion stereo, plus Raymarine VHF with Built in DSC and more.

Pricing for this package as is $128,507 including heavy-duty Redco galvanised trailer with Surtees Quick Hitch and spare wheel. Locked and loaded, we put in at Nudgee Creek for a 30km run to Moreton Island and back.

Given a bit more time, that accommodation and amenities might have come in handy. As it was, the hardtop and cabin enclosure proved a blessing.

LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION
- Sleeping to fishing, with plenty of room for everything
The is lined nicely with fluffy carpet or frontrunner and enhanced with upholstered cushion. The V-berth creates room to comfortably sleep two people, with a manual-flushing toilet under the bunks to keep the wife and kids happy during the day and overnight trips.
The driver’s seat in the cabin is comfortable and accommodating ,with drink holders, grab rails and USB/12v sockets all within reach.

Sliding side windows allowing nice airflow through the hardtop exiting through the back door. Great visibility throughout makes this an easy boat to drive and navigate.

In the cockpit, the bait board, plumbed livebait tank, eskies, tackle storage and a massive 15 rod holders cater for all your fishing options — from trolling bluewater to pitching baits, drift fishing and jigging, to working the washes and even sneaking into shallow water with the flick sticks.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- Heavy-duty build for a smooth and quiet ride
With a sharp 20 degrees of deadrise, the hull travels smoothly through the water. The ride is aided by the heavy-duty build with a 6mm thick bottom, 4mm side sheets and 3mm topsides and cabin thickness.

In my opinion, the 6mm hull gives that weight down low and helps quieten the ride, while the thinner 3mm on the top sides keeps the top nice and light. With a massive 380-litre of water ballast in the hull, this is a stable plate-alloy platform.

The Kiwi factory is known for its beautiful welds, great paintwork and a nice fitout. There’s a lot of great features included in the design.

The maximum horsepower rating of 250hp would be impressive and , well, I think it would make this boat a solid 10/10 in its class.

With 280 litres of fuel underfloor, the economical 200hp Yamaha four-stroke will give you a few long days of fishing, family boating, camping aboard and adventure!

ON THE WATER
- Great performance in testing conditions
Weighing 1060kg for the hull only, the 700 Game Fisher Enclosed passed all tests — in following sea, side on, and straight into it.

It even got to the point I couldn’t fault the ride for an aluminium boat. Because of the weight down low, it was slicing through the waves, holding its line, and maintaining full control.

I stopped in the rougher conditions to check stability. Side on to the sea, with two people managing to sneak in a fish, the boat sat level. Sea legs were barely required.

The trim tabs have a great effect on the hull’s ride. When side on, like many boats, this Surtees tended to lay into the wind. But that’s quickly stopped by the fast electronic trim tabs.

When punching into the sea, the narrow-beam is an attribute. With the tabs, you can tuck the nose down so it’s glued in and not pitching at all. This is great on those bumpy days with the wife or young children, as you can smooth the ride right out.

VERDICT
- Something special in the plate-aluminium boat world
There have been a great number of Surtees hit the water in Australia and New Zealand and many happy owners to go with that. The exceptional quality is well worth the money.

As this big 700 Game Fisher is an easy tow and launch, you’re getting a very capable boat for offshore work without too many on-road or ramp worries. Maintenance costs with the Yamaha four-strokes aren’t an issue long term, either.

Bottom line? This is a great combo, an ultimate plate-alloy boat, and I wouldn’t hesitate in owning one. And if it’s blowing 20—25 knots from the south, no worries, just drop it in.

LIKES
> Exceptional quality
> Well powered and finished
> Hull design is something special

NOT SO MUCH
> Sits nose down at low speeds and a V6 or heavier engine would fix this

RATINGS
Overall Rating: 4.8/5.0
Mechanical Rating: 5.0/5.0
Packaging Practicality: 5.0/5.0
On-Water Performance: 5.0/5.0
Value for Money: 4.5/5.0
X-Factor: 4.5/5.0

PERFORMANCE DATA
Yamaha F200XB speed to fuel Information
(Recorded in Test)
1000RPM    5km/h   2 LPH
1500RPM  12km/h   5 LPH
2000RPM  15km/h   7.5 LPH
2500RPM  18km/h   12 LPH
3000RPM  26km/h   16 LPH
3500RPM  35km/h   20 LPH
4000RPM  43km/h   30 LPH
4500RPM  50km/h     37 LPH
5000RPM  56km/h     55 LPH
5500RPM  70km/h     68 LPH
5600RPM WOT 76km/h   72 LPH
Propeller: Three blade right-hand 15in pitch Yamaha Reliance prop

Specifications: Surtees 700 Game Fisher Enclosed
Price as tested $128,507.00 including Yamaha F200XB, Fishing package, anchor winch, fridge, Toilet and Redco Surtees Special Trailer.
LOA: 7.0m
Beam: 2.357m
Hull thickness: 6mm
Side thickness: 4mm
Topside and Cabin Thickness 3mm
Hull Deadrise 20 degrees
Capacity: Seven people
Recommended HP: 140-250hp
Max HP: 250hp
Standard Towing Weight: 2140kg
Length on Trailer Engine down: 8.65m
Height on Trailer: 2.995m
Width on Trailer: 2.375m

Supplied by:
Northside Marine
2294 Sandgate Road
Boondall QLD 4034
Telephone: (07) 3265 8000
Website: www.nsmarine.com.au
Email: billh@nsmarine.com.au
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