David Lockwood•30 Dec 2013

NEWS

The Lucky 13 from 2013

The pick of our 70-plus tests from the very boating year

They say 13 is unlucky. We beg to differ. Here are 13 great boats from the more than 70 we tested this year. They range from a revolutionary sub-$10K folding boat designed in Australia, through some capable inshore and offshore sportfishers, to the best Australian-made cruisers, affordable and comfortable yachts, even a super-fast French performance cruising cat.

Our tests carried us from the Sunshine Coast all the way south to Port Phillip Bay. We headed to The West Coast and back to Sydney. We drove boats on fresh and saltwater. Fast and slow. With some tests extending three days to do a thorough job.

The common thread linking them all, whether big or small, entry-level or pure luxury, was a smarter way of doing things and going boating. With the new-boat market on the move, summer in full swing and fun back on the agenda, you owe it to yourself to check out our Best 13 of 2013.

BEST UNDER-$10K

Quickboat 3.7m Adventurer

At 3.7 metres in length, the Quick Boat seems like a great alternative to the ubiquitous 12-foot tinnie. In reality, it’s very different and instead opens up a whole new market for those who haven’t the storage space for a trailerboat. The boat folds down into two packages weighing 36kg and 18kg and measuring 3.6m long.

The Quickboat 3.7m Adventurer is priced from $4375. For that you get an eight-piece boat in the two carry bags that takes two minutes to assemble. The transom is rated for an outboard that weighs up to 30kg and 10hp. One of the smartest boats for 2013, Australian-designed and, once folded flat, you can store it just about anywhere.

BEST ENTRY LEVEL

Bayliner Element

The Element is reigniting the global new-boat market. The 16-footer hails from the Bayliner stable and is an impressive new-concept boat that was retailing for under $25,000 turnkey with four-stroke 60hp Mercury outboard, single-axle braked trailer, a few key options, safety gear and registrations. It might cost a bit more now, but it’s still hard to beat in the entry-level stakes.

After three-days of skipping about, we used less than a half of the useable 45 litres of fuel. As for the fun factor, you can order the boat with coloured hull, graphics upgrade and bow infill as part of the Sports Package that boasts a neat-looking tow tower with board racks.

In tight turns, the boat slides around and is a hoot. During three days of general family usage, the Element proved wonderfully predictable giving typical cruise speeds of 18-20 knots and mid-to-high 20 knots top-end speeds. Bayliner had tickets on the Element enticing the great unwashed back to boating. It has done just that. Straightforward, uncomplicated… elementary.

BEST BARRA' BOAT

Quintrex 500 Hornet Trophy

The Quintrex 420 Hornet Trophy is a very well sorted, well equipped, quality product. Bream, bass and barra’ anglers will love the ride, performance and stability of the hull, and appreciate the spacious, uncluttered interior layout.

Hornets do command a price premium over competitor brands, but for the extra dollars you get class-leading performance, lots of standard kit, and solid re-sale value as evidenced by our listings. Price as tested was $19,380 including Vortex 40hp two-stroke outboard, Quintrex single-axle aluminium trailer, custom vinyl hull wrap, registrations and on-water costs. Add bait, ammo and ice and you’re set.

BEST AUSSIE ALL-ROUNDER

Quintrex 610 Freedom Cruiser

Evolutionary changes in the new Quintrex 610 Freedom Cruiser include the Blade Hull (which supersedes the Millennium Hull), featuring smooth sides and the new raised top deck created of ABS plastic. On the trailer, the boat looks great.

On the water and underway, the Freedom Cruiser is true to its name. It is a great runabout with refined inboard engine and perfect for poking around the estuaries, having a fish, a ski or just a bit of a beach hop. Nothing like a touch of class -- and all in an aluminium hull that can take rough treatment.

BEST AUSSIE FISHBOAT

Haines Signature 602 EHT

Until recently, hard tops were the preserve of seven-metre-plus trailerboats. So the arrival of this new 6.25m model turned more than a few heads. Based on the proven 602F platform, the new Haines Signature 602 EHT comes with a sub-$100K price in turnkey fishing mode.

Of course, the ride was excellent from this time-proven hull. We admired the way the weight of the hard top didn’t affect that signature performance, while the enclosed helm added to the comfort factor and offshore-fishing appeal. This could well be remembered as the year of the hard top thanks to this clever Haines Signature 602 EHT.

BEST SPORTFISHER

Sea Fox 209 Commander

The Sea Fox 209 Commander Centre Console is set to be a top performer on the coastal sportfishing scene. There’s a useful LOA of 6.8m, but the dry weight of 1066 kg confirms that the 209 has some serious structural qualities for tackling less-than-kind seas.

The slight hint of Carolina styling is typical of the Sea Fox range and adds a touch of class to what is a practical and smart sportfisher. With the latest Mercury 150hp four-stroke outboard, Magic Tilt alloy trailer, optional T-top with canvas and spreader lights, the Sea Fox 209 Commander rolled down the ramp at $68,963. Tackle extra but a great fishing platform.

BEST BLUEWATER

Surtees 6.7M Game Fisher

The Kiwi-built Surtees 6.7M Game Fisher is a terrific fishing rig. It’s solidly built, good looking and with a functional design and layout. It also has plenty of options and accessories so you can create a package that is just right for your fishing application.

For ride quality, the Game Fisher has most of the aluminium opposition beaten, while the water-ballasted hull is stable and brilliantly finished and outfitted. It’s an angler’s dreamboat and one that we would love to have parked in our driveway. Priced from $88,408 with a Yamaha F200FETX four-stroke outboard, Redco tandem axle braked trailer, and boat and trailer registrations.

BEST AUSTRALIA FLYBRIDGE

Maritimo M50 Cruising Motoryacht

Replacing the M48 of which 108 were built, the new Maritimo M50 Cruising Motoryacht is a way better boat that achieves the amazing by fitting a full-beam master stateroom below decks while retaining shaft drives. It’s the clincher that makes the M50 a one-of-a-kind in the 50-footer flybridge league.

Given what it achieves within its footprint, the deeper level of design and the improved quality, we’ll go so far as to say this new M50 could be the best Maritimo of all time. Your search ends here, but the journey has only just begun.

At the time of testing, the M50 was priced from $1.39 million with 670hp Volvo D11 engines and a boatload of standard inclusions include bow and stern thrusters, 17.5kVa Onan, 4kW inverter and more.

BEST AUSTRALIAN SEDAN

Riviera 565 SUV

Based on the same platform as the Rivera 53 Enclosed Flybridge, but new from the gunwale up, the Riviera 565 SUV has been conceived to do a bit of everything really very well. Without the flying bridge and staircase, the boat is particularly well suited to today’s footloose retirees who prefer to spend their time on the one open-plan waterfront level.

But unlike Riviera’s Sport Yacht Series, the SUVs distinguish themselves by their offshore pedigree. The boat we drove had four high-backed helm chairs so the owners could cruise in company. And with the saloon doors closed, the only thing you’ll hear is the conversation between those riding alongside, sharing in first-class comfort. A great way to travel. Price as tested was $1,900,556 with twin Volvo Penta IPS 900s and fully optioned.

BEST IMPORTED LUXURY

Princess V48

The new Princess V48 is a truly cutting-edge sport yacht that takes Princess to an altogether new and exciting place. Yes, you get a five-star finish, enlarged cabins, chic Euro styling, fittingly sporty handling with affordable running costs. But there’s something else, a certain synergy, where 1+1 = 3 and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, including those IPS600s with must-have joystick. The V48 is the first ever Princess with pod drives.

A full-beam stateroom adds to the pleasure, while the automotive dash and sharp Euro styling create a handy-sized big-city cruiser with a lot of wow factor. At the time of testing the boat, the price was around $1,350,590 including $239,600 of options (price is subject to exchange rate).

BEST ENTRY-LEVEL YACHT

Hanse 345

The Hanse 345 has a lot going for it, whether you’re looking to upsize or downsize. The amount of room is worthy of a mention. The possibility of three cabins is great for families, while the storage afforded by the twin-cabin version is terrific for cruising couples.

The boat’s ease of sailing is second to none and, although we didn’t have another boat to sail it against, it’s obvious that it’s no slouch. Hanse is certainly moving forward and offering something different to the smaller keelboat market. The starting price was $189,500 at the time of testing (subject to exchange rate).

BEST KEEL YACHT

Bavaria Vision 46

Given the Farr pedigree, the slick finish, all the space, and the ease of handling, the German-made Bavaria Vision 46 is worthy of an accolade or two. But whereas the Europeans would flaunt themselves on the massive sun-drenched decks, our local cruising version with bimini and dodger created a sun-proof cockpit that’s as much the heart of the yacht as the light and airy saloon.

Pitched at those who want to set sail with ease -- who may well be accustomed to turning keys, pressing buttons and advancing levers rather than pulling strings and grinding winches -- who are used to above-water living rather than the below-decks yachting life, the Vision 46 is a modern cruising yacht that broadens sailing’s appeal. Price as tested was $470,000 fully loaded with special auto-tack rig.

BEST CATAMARAN

Catana 42

With performance such a big part of the equation, and all the technology that goes along with that, you pay a premium for these avant-garde French cats. Catanas aren’t quite as voluminous as other production cats built around static appeal, either. But underway, these are getaways that inspire.

In its class, the Catana 42 is a benchmark fast cruising catamaran and first-class ticket to explore the coast and wider Pacific. The cat will enrich your on-water experiences and let you see more of the good places and enjoy the good times while you’re out there.

Sail right on past those cruising clunkers, give a friendly wave and reach your next destination while the rest of the fleet is still plodding away. At the time of writing, a new Catana 42 will set you back about $962,000.

The Lucky 13 from 2013

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