Surtees 850 Game Fisher: Fishing Boat Review

Surtees’ 850 Game Fisher is a fully-specified, heavy-duty production-plate boat designed for long-range cruising and offshore sport fishing. This 2.8m wide, but still trailerable kiwi craft accepts single and twin outboards, along with a single sterndrive diesel. It's an enclosed-cabin hardtop trailerboat that has plenty of interior space, accommodation for three people, loads of fishing features and a water–ballasted deep vee monohull.

OVERVIEW
- Trans-Tasman Success
The New Zealand Surtees brand of production plate boats is proving popular on both sides of the Tasman. The range encompasses around twenty different models, stretching between 4.95m and 8.5m. You’ll find centre consoles, cuddy cabins and half-cabin cruisers within the Surtees range.

For cruising and wide offshore fishing the Game Fisher hardtop models are the craft of choice. A few years ago we reviewed the 670 Game Fisher (now upgraded to the 650 model) and came away super impressed. We are pleased to now follow up that review with a test of the flagship model, the super-sized 850 Game Fisher – powered by Yamaha’s 350hp V8 four-stroke outboard.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Top dollar but ready to fish and cruise
The Surtees 850 Game Fisher is a premium-quality craft and it is priced and outfitted accordingly. They say you get what you pay for, and with regard to this big Surtees, you get a lot of gear and equipment included in the standard boat package.

The test boat was outfitted with just the one factory option – and that was the cockpit dive door which attracts an $8K premium. Everything else is standard, including the 12-volt, 75-litre fridge, two-burner gas stove, sink, electric toilet, hot water shower (with corresponding gas water heater or caliphont), LED lighting (including lighting strips under the cabin and saloon side pockets, enclosed saloon with lockable bi-fold rear doors, reinforced glass windscreen (with wipers) and side windows, trim tabs, wash-down pumps. There's also a Stress Free anchor winch with Sarca anchoring package, heaps of rod holders and rod storage, cockpit hardtop shade extension, plumbed live-bait tank, bait board, and positively loads of storage and adaptable seating throughout.

Yes this is quite a costly boat with a starting price of $304,285. Mind you, “starting price” is a bit of a misnomer, as there is hardly anything you need to add to go fishing or cruising. The price even includes a Garmin 7012 fish finder/GPS, Raymarine VHF and Fusion IP700 sound system – although the photos will show the boat was actually fitted with Simrad gear.

The $304K price for the standard Surtees 850 Game Fisher (as above) is with power from Yamaha’s 5.3 litre 350hp V8 four-stroke outboard with an extra-longshaft drive leg and stainless propeller.

The included trailer is a tandem-axle Mackay galvanised steel, multi-roller trailer with electric/hydraulic break-away brakes. We would consider spending a little more for an alloy trailer to try and keep the weight down as the package will top 3500kg in highway trim. Regardless, you will need a powerful 3.5 tonne rated 4WD tow vehicle to haul this beast, along with over-width flags and signs in some states.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Lots of seating, storage, shelter and space
Eight-metre-plus trailerboats are rarely short of seating, storage or general move-about space, but the Surtees 850 Game Fisher takes spaciousness to a whole new level – thanks to the wide beam.

The over-size beam does make the Surtees a more daunting towing proposition, but it also opens up the interior considerably and you really notice the extra width and open space out on the water.

The cockpit, for example, is massive and almost square in shape at 2.4m long by 2.34m wide. Aft of the rear bulkhead and bi-fold doors there is so much space that you don’t feel at all restricted by the removable ice box which runs fore and aft in the cockpit centre. Indeed, the ice box/seat is useful to grab onto when walking from one side of the cockpit to the other in choppy water.

So wide is the cockpit that the ultra-wide 290mm coverboards or coamings do not look out of place at all. These coamings can also double as seats in calm weather and can accommodate extra rod holders, downrigger bases, and more.

Not that you will need too many more rod holders. The Game Fisher comes standard with ten flush-fitted coaming rod holders along with another four angled rod holders mounted above the excellent bait board/bait prep station.

The bait board also has a drainage channel, cup/sinker holders and taps for both fresh and saltwater. Good stuff.

With regard to rod storage there are removable cockpit rod racks which mount over the side pockets, along with a hardtop rocket launcher capable of stowing eight rods.

In addition to the removable icebox/padded seat, there is an aft-facing seat behind the saloon/cockpit bulkhead on the port side, along with a three-quarter width bench seat which folds out from the transom. It is superbly designed so that when it is folded away, the transom wall is flush so you can stand and fish up against it – with plenty of foot space underneath

Behind the bench seat, under the transom is a wide platform for stowage of batteries and/or oil tanks, master switches, and associated plumbing.

In the port-side transom corner is a generously sized plumbed live-bait tank. It has a clear front window so you can monitor the health of your baits, while the lid of the bait tank forms a step for climbing out to the exterior boarding ladder.

Other fishing features include recessed stern cleats, full length, above floor cockpit side pockets, and a Nyalic finish (instead of paint) to the cockpit and surrounds.

It's disappointing, that the cockpit is not self draining – though there is an auto bilge pump under the transom.

HELM AND SALOON
- Weather-proof and fully equuipped
The saloon is separated from the cockpit with a bulkhead and bi-fold doors, enclosing this area for security and full weather protection. The layout is open plan to the forward cabin with a half bulkhead on the starboard side which incorporates the helm and instrument panel, etc.

The dash and helm layout is well arrayed with enough space for engine instruments, flush-fitted electronics, switch panels and the like.

The fore and aft sliding helm chair is mounted above a storage box which incorporates the 12-volt, 75-litre fridge, storage drawers and a sink and two-burner gas stove to the rear.

In place of a regular pedestal passenger chair the Surtees has a dinette arrangement on the port side of the saloon which can be reconfigured into an additional full size berth. Cleverly arrayed storage compartments are situated underneath, and in other locations around the saloon – including under the floor.

From the helm the Surtees interior feels quite spacious and open, thanks to the high, three-pane reinforced glass windscreen (with wipers) and the equally big sliding side windows. There is plenty of headroom, more than adequate ventilation to the helm area, and the engine controls and steering wheel are well located.

GOING FORWARD
- Traditional vee berth layout
The spacious and open forward cabin is one step down from the saloon and helm area. It is configured in the time-honoured vee layout and has berth infill cushions included so you can convert the two individual 2.0m berths into one great big double bed.

The cabin has plenty of headroom, dual-level side pocket storage, underberth storage and carpet lining the ceiling, side walls and the wiring box cover.

Underneath the starboard side berth, below the wiring box, is the included electric toilet. A curtain can be stretched across the cabin for privacy.

In the forepeak there is a clear hatch (with insect screen) which opens out to provide ventilation and access to the foredeck, anchor well and ground tackle.

You won’t need to climb forward too often as the Surtees comes standard with a Stress Free electric anchor winch operated from the helm.

PERFORMANCE
- Several power options
The 850 Game Fisher is available with single or twin outboard engines to a maximum of 400hp. You can also configure the boat with a single sterndrive diesel. Our choice for long-range offshore fishing would be for a pair of four-stroke outboards in the 175 to 200hp range. Yes, this would cost more than a single engine, but you would have the added reliability of having a second engine to get you home should in the event of a mechanical problem.

Twin outboards will also be more manoeuvrable for docking, launching and retrieval – and most importantly, for when you are trying to chase down a runaway billfish off the Continental Shelf.

Having noted the above, modern outboards are very reliable so you can certainly get by with a single engine, and in that regard, your first choice for a single outboard would have to be Yamaha’s grunty 350hp V8 – as fitted to the test package.

With the 350hp Yamaha powering our test Surtees, we achieved a top speed of 37 knots, although this was wind/current assisted. Even so, a top speed of 35- 37 knots in a trailerboat of the size of the Surtees is pretty impressive – and more than quick enough for offshore boating and fishing.

The test boat was not blisteringly quick when rising from displacement speeds, but through the mid range there was ample power on tap.

ON THE WATER
- Water-ballasted keel for super stability
Unsurprisingly, the Surtees feel big, heavy and solid out on the water. This is not a bad thing, as whilst it did have a big, cruiser like feel, it never felt lumbering or sluggish. Indeed the boat was more agile than we had expected – thanks in no small part to the grunt provided by Yamaha’s 350hp V8 outboard.

Underway, in choppy, blustery Moreton Bay conditions the ride from the Surtees 19 degree vee hull was comfortable and sure-footed. The hull does throw a bit of spray about in a three-quarter headsea, but this is no real issue given the helm and saloon is totally enclosed.

The big, wide-beam Surtees hull tracks straight and requires minimal steering or throttle input from the skipper – even in a following sea with 1.5m chop. That said, the high superstructure does catch the breeze in a beam sea, but correcting this “wind list” is easily done with the included Lenco trim tabs.

As noted earlier, the Surtees 850 has a water-ballasted keel, whereby you can flood a chamber in the keel with water to stiffen up the boat and make it more stable at rest. A hydraulically-actuated flap opens or closes the keel chamber to alloy water in or out. With water ballast in place the hull settles down lower in the water firming up the boat and reducing sideways movement.

Water ballasted or 'flooded' keels do help to increase stability in a vee monohull, but they are most useful in very deep vee craft which are a bit tender or tippy to start with. That isn’t the case with the Surtees 850. With its wide beam and relatively moderate 19 degree deadrise, the Surtees was always going to be rock solid at rest – with or without the water ballast.

The Surtees water-ballasted keel technology may be more useful with the 850 model when it is underway. Flooding the keel chamber (and containing it by closing the keel flap) will add weight to the hull and this extra weight will further soften the ride when underway.

VERDICT
- A big, versatile trailerable cruiser/sport fisher
Trailerboats don’t come much bigger, or much better than the Surtees 850 Game Fisher. It’s a great boat for day and overnight cruising as well as offshore game fishing.

The Game Fisher is not a cheap boat, but it comes virtually 'turn-key' in the sense that there is very little to add to get it ready for cruising or offshore fishing. It is a very solid, seaworthy, capable craft with few direct competitors here or overseas.

LIKES
>> Excellent build quality
>> Neat/professional wiring
>> Big Cruiser feel/solid
>> Exceptional stability
>> Heaps of storage/cupboards
>> LED lighting and lighting strips throughout
>> Toilet to starboard – not in centre

NOT SO MUCH
>> Daunting towing proposition
>> Hydraulic steering could be better
>> Modest acceleration
>> Will list into wind – need to use the tabs
>> Cockpit not self-draining

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.66/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.9/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.6/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.7/5.0
Value for money: 4.4/5.0
X-factor: 4.7/5.0

PERFORMANCE (wind assisted)
6.1kts (11km/h) @ 1500rpm
7.5kts (14km/h) @ 2000rpm
9.4kts (17km/h) @ 2500rpm
15.1kts (28km/h) @ 3000rpm
21.4kts (40km/h) @ 3500rpm
26.2kts (48km/h) @ 4000rpm
30.0kts (55km/h) @ 4500rpm
33.8kts (63km/h) @ 5000rpm
37.1kts (72km/h) @ 5300rpm (WOT)

Specifications:
Price: $312,285 including 350hp extra longshaft (25”) Yamaha four-stroke outboard, Mackay tandem axle multi-roller trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes, Garmin 7012 multi-function display, Raymarine VHF radio, Fusion IP700 Stereo system, cockpit dive door, open water safety gear pack (ten persons) and boat and trailer registrations.

Priced from: $304,285. As above but with no dive door.
Length overall: 8.65m
Maximum beam: 2.8m
Dry hull weight: Approx. 2,200kg
Towing weight: Approx. 3,500kg
Deadrise: 19 degrees
Bottom alloy: 6mm
Topsides alloy: 4mm
Length on trailer: Approx 9.8m (engine down)
Height on trailer: Approx 3.21m
Maximum power: 400hp
Engine as tested: Yamaha 350hp V8 four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 450 litres
Freshwater: 100 litres
Hull stabilizing ballast: 200 litres
Maximum Persons: Ten

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