Which Stabicraft boat should I buy?

Alloy chamber boat pioneer Stabicraft has produced many fine models since it launched in Invercargill, New Zealand, almost four decades ago.

In Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, Stabicraft boats are renowned for being durable, safe, stable and smooth-riding.

These tough alloy boats are popular with commercial operators but recreational boaters and anglers have embraced these distinctive Kiwi craft.

But what are the most popular, most sought-after Stabicraft models in the current line-up?

Here’s our guide to the five most popular Stabicraft boats people are searching for on boatsales.

Stabicraft 1850 Supercab

One of the latest models to join the Stabicraft fleet is the 1850 Supercab, the new model representing a major upgrade from previous pontoon boats in this size range.

Similar to the other Stabicraft Supercabs, the latest 1850 model has a fixed aluminium hardtop and a semi-enclosed helm station to mak this boat an all-weather boating/fishing proposition.

We tested the 1850 SuperCab recently and found it an excellent mid-range trailerable fishing boat that is big enough to fish offshore, but small enough to tow behind a standard SUV or dual-cab ute.

Underway the Stabicraft 1850 Supercab is comfortable, stable and well-mannered.

At rest, the boat is solid as a rock, using pontoon flotation tubes that encircle the moderate-vee hull bottom.

Paired with a 130hp Yamaha outboard engine, the Stabicraft 1850 Supercab runs to a top speed of 34.7 knots.

Find your own Stabicraft 1850 Supercab right here on boatsales.

The soft-top cuddy cabin version of the 1850 Supercab is the equally popular Stabicraft 1850 Fisher.

Sharing the same hull as the hardtop model, the soft-top bimini-roofed 1850 Fisher cuddy is designed for boaters who prefer a more open layout overhead.

The Stabicraft 1850 Supercab and Fisher have a similar interior configuration featuring an open plan helm/forward cabin with a central companionway flanked by short side seats.

The helm is designed to accept a large flush-fitted multifunction chartplotter and fishfinder. Behind it are bolstered bucket helm chairs mounted on welded alloy frames, beneath which are slide-out ice boxes.

At the rear of the boat, a large, uncluttered cockpit stretches aft to an elevated battery/storage box. This is flanked by fold-down corner seats/steps, one of which leads out to the external boarding platform and fold-down step ladder.

Similar to the hard-top-equipped Supercab, the Stabicraft 1850 Frontier is a terrific inshore/offshore fishing boat.

Find your own Stabicraft 1850 Fisher right here on boatsales.

Stabicraft 1450 Frontier

The Stabicraft 1450 Frontier is a best seller in Stabicraft's boat range. It might be diminutive in size, but this open side-console model is feature-packed and seriously good for inshore and nearshore fishing.

Similar to the slightly larger Stabicraft 1550 Frontier, the 1450 series model is available in Sportfish and Profish levels of interior fit-out.

Both models are full-featured but ordering the deluxe Profish model adds more standard rod holders, belting-up hull paint, a side console dash windscreen, and dual aft boarding platforms.

Inside, the Stabicraft 1450 Frontier has a short front casting deck with each side of the deck extending aft to provide side bench seating.

The cockpit then stretches aft to a full-height transom wall, behind which is a platform to mount an optional bait tank.

Rigged with a 50hp Yamaha outboard engine, the Stabicraft 1450 Frontier accelerates to a top speed of 28.6 knots.

Find your own Stabicraft 1450 Frontier right here on boatsales.

The flagship of the Stabicraft boat range is the mighty Stabicraft 2750 Ultra Centrecab XL.

This workboat/offshore centre cabin sport fishing rig has a distinctive trawler-style reverse-angled windscreen to enlarge the size of the fully enclosed wheelhouse.

The Stabicraft 2750 Ultra Centrecab is a true go-anywhere fishing vessel.

The positive buoyancy hull, with pontoon flotation tubes surrounding a 21-degree deep-vee monohull bottom, is both soft riding and stable.

This boat is also built like the proverbial brick outhouse, with a 6.0mm plate alloy hull bottom and transom coupled with 4.0mm-thick pontoon tubes.

To keep this 8.4-metre-long craft legally trailerable in Australia, the maximum beam has been kept to 2.5 metres.

As you would expect, there is loads of fishing and deck space in the aft cockpit, while the walkway to each side of the centre cabin makes it possible to fish up at the bow.

Single or twin outboard engines to a maximum of 500hp, or a combined engine weight of 635kg can power the Stabicraft 2750 Ultra Centrecab.

Find your own Stabicraft 2750 Ultra Centrecab XL right here on boatsales.

Stabicraft 1450 Explorer

This entry-level Stabicraft model might be small in size and stature compared to the flagship 2750 hero model, but the Stabicraft 1450 Explorer has plenty going for it.

Similar to its larger siblings, the Stabicraft 1450 Explorer has a deep, safe cockpit with high topsides, as well as extra-wide side decks aft that double as side seats.

Other cool features include a welded tread-plate floor; a welded rear bench seat; an elevated front casting deck with side bench seating; a welded bow casting deck step with built-in rod holders; ands four flush-fitted deck rod holders.

The Stabicraft 1450 Explorer is rated for a single longshaft (20-inch) outboard engine to a maximum of 40hp.

For what is essentially a 14-footer, the Stabicraft 1450 Explorer is a remarkably capable boat suitable for a mix of coastal and nearshore fishing.

Find your own Stabicraft 1450 Explorer right here on boatsales.