Thomascraft 4500 Flybridge

Western Australia's Rottnest Island provides a spectacular backdrop for photographing boats. Recently Trade-A-Boat visited WA, and though we were there to test boats, not to take in the scenery, it was impossible not to admire the natural beauty of this location. Indeed, it's easy to see why Rottnest, with its crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches, is such a popular destination for Perth boaties.

We were there to test the Thomascraft 4500 Flybridge, a locally-produced boat which is typically suited to spending social weekends or extended periods anchored up at Rottnest.

The 4500 is the work of Thomascraft 2000, as the company is now known, a family business with more than 40 years of boatbuilding experience. While we don't see a heck of a lot of Thomascrafts on the east coast, the craft are extremely popular in the west, with the company's range including stern and shaftdrive cruisers from 27-60ft.

Thomascraft should be described as a semi-custom boatbuilder because, although its hulls and decks are standard, it allows for personal customisation of interiors. Much of this customisation is possible because Thomascraft mainly uses timber for interior cabinetry as opposed to moulded fibreglass.

The 4500 has an LOA of 15.25m including swim platform and bowsprit, so it's a big 45-footer. I could be cheeky and suggest that many other manufacturers would call this boat a 50-footer.

The testboat is fitted with twin 435hp 3208TA Caterpillars which provided the 4500 with a cruise speed of 20kt at 2400rpm, while top speed was 26kt at 2800rpm.

It is interesting to note that the Thomascraft 4500 can be specified with a single powerplant.

The 4500 reportedly performs very well with a large single diesel shaftdrive. And while opting for the single installation would save you money on build costs, to aid manoeuvrability, installation of a bow thruster would be a smart move.

BUILT TOUGH
One thing I've noticed about WA-built boats (big and small) is that they all seem to be built tough. With nothing between the WA coast and South Africa it goes without saying it gets pretty rough at times, so they have to be solidly built.

The Thomascraft 4500 is no exception, with its dry displacement of 15,500kg providing plenty of beef. It's an example of this 'built tough' attitude that Thomascraft's hull laminates are all to survey standard. The company also specifies a layer of vinylester resin to protect against osmosis.

The Thomascraft 4500 and, in particular the testboat (completed by the owner from lock-up stage) is specifically designed with entertaining in mind. However, a few minor modifications could easily turn the 4500 into a serious sportsfisher or diveboat. The choice is up to you.

The fully-moulded swim platform is huge and provides ample space for donning wetsuits and dive gear, etc. A drop-down stainless ladder aids access to and from the water.

A transom door on the port side provides access to the fully-carpeted cockpit. At around 16sqm, the cockpit is enormous and obviously ideal for entertaining friends. Hell, it's big enough to fish six or seven burly guys or, come evening, convert into a temporary dance floor!

A hatch in the cockpit sole provides access to the engineroom and a large storage compartment. This compartment is an ideal location for battery chargers, invertors, watermaker and the like. Meantime, the cockpit coamings feature no less than eight recessed storage compartments with drop-down hatches.

Overhead is a fibreglass overhang which extends from the flybridge, plus a heavy-duty stainless frame and soft cover which provides ample shade to the cockpit. The frame also supports a tender, which can be lowered to the water via a davit.

At the forward end of the cockpit on the port side is a large icebox, which was just asking to be refrigerated, while on the starboard side a small sink with gas bottle storage below was featured.

A TOUCH OF GLASS
Laminated double glass doors lead from the cockpit to the saloon.

The saloon on the testboat is very spacious due to the fact that there is no helmstation intruding into the area. As noted above, the interior of the boat was completed by its owner, not Thomascraft.

This is an option Thomascraft has begun to shy away from recently, as it moves towards a more production-based line-up.

That said, the saloon layout on the testboat is fairly basic, with a trio of three-seater leather lounges, a dinette forward and to starboard, and television, VCR and CD player mounted in an entertainment console on the forward bulkhead. Royal-blue carpet and slimline venetian blinds completed the modern decor.

A spacious galley is located at mezzanine level and features a full-sized refrigerator, microwave oven, sink, gas oven with four-burner cooktop, stainless splash board and plenty of cupboard space.

Stepping down from the galley to the companionway you locate the master cabin amidships to starboard. This cabin features a double berth, basic but functional cabinetry, appropriate lighting and adequate natural ventilation.

Opposite the master cabin is a crew or kiddies' cabin featuring two bunks and some storage.

Forward of the master cabin is a large bathroom which was well-appointed and nicely finished in polished teak trim. The bathroom included a full-sized shower recess, toilet, washbasin and vanity.

The only thing that concerns me about the bathroom on the testboat is the polished teak flooring, which is bound to get slippery with the addition of soap and water. A more serviceable finish would likely be specified by most owners.

Up front, the forward cabin features a traditional V-berth with storage below and two single bunks overhead.

UP TOP
Access to the flybridge is via a fixed ladder from the cockpit. The overhang makes the flybridge seem quite spacious and even the large helm console doesn't cramp your style.

The helm console on the testboat features a stainless wheel and Morse dual-lever controls. Raytheon chartplotter, autopilot, VHF radio and engine gauges are all flush-mounted.

Sensibly, a sturdy stainless grabrail runs around the helm console to aid movement around the flybridge in rough conditions. Meantime the helmsman and passenger are treated with comfortable pedestal seating.

A hardtop and full set of clears provided necessary protection from the elements.

Forward of the helm console are two L-shaped lounges that provided ample seating for passengers when up top. Portside of the helm console is a small sink with freshwater tap and an icebox.

While providing plenty of shade below, as well as the previously mentioned tender storage, the extended cockpit overhang did make it difficult to see the 4500's transom corners while at the helm - an issue which will come into play when mooring.

BLOWIN' IN THE WIND
The Fremantle doctor was well-and-truly blowing by the time we left Rottnest and headed for port. With the strong sou'wester on our starboard bow the fine entry and deep forefoot of the Thomascraft came into play, providing a very smooth ride. We did need those clears though, with a fair amount of windblown spray making its presence felt on the flybridge.

The testboat did seem to ride very flat -perhaps too much so. So trimmed, this probably had something to do with the relatively wet ride.

While looks are a personal issue - especially when it comes to boats - Thomascraft seems to have been able to blend traditional flybridge lines with a touch of the contemporary in the 4500. It's a handsome craft.

The testboat is actually more than a year old and Thomascraft has advised that it has made quite a few improvements and modifications since that boat hit the water. Of course, as a semi-custom builder, much of what you see you are at liberty to change - a big plus in the eyes of many prospective boat-owners.

The Thomascraft 4500 is a very solidly built boat with many more applications than just heading to Rottnest Island for the weekend. Indeed, it's easy to see that with some judicious modifications and options, the 4500 would be right at home on any of the major waterways around the Lucky Country.

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