Which Stacer boat should I buy?

During the 1980s, the success of Stacer models such as the Seasprite and Seahorse open dinghies, and the Kingray, Seamaster, and Searay runabouts cemented the Stacer brand as an Aussie boating icon.

Fast forward to 2023 and Stacer continues to be a major player in the Australian market, but with contemporary craft such as the Proline V-nose boats, the Assault, Crossfire and Outlaw open-console fishing rigs, and the Sea Master, Wild Rider and Sea Runner family boats.

But what are the most sought-after Stacer models? Are the golden oldies still the hot ticket? Or are the latest and greatest Stacer boats the craft in most demand?

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

Entry-level windscreened runabouts are always popular so it is no surprise that the Stacer 429 Sea Master is the single most searched-for Stacer model on boatsales.

This versatile, easily handled pressed alloy boat is ideal for retirees and first-time boaters.

The 429 Sea Master is also inexpensive, with package prices starting from less than $30,000 with a 50hp to 60hp four-stroke outboard engine.

The 429 Sea Master has forward controls and a windscreen so there is some shelter from the weather, especially once you add an overhead bimini.

In the cockpit there is ample space for fishing and loading up the family for bay cruising and social tow sports.

Stacer’s 429 series models are all very popular; open boats such as the Stacer 429 Rampage tiller dinghy and the Stacer 429 Outlaw tiller-steer and side-console models are firm favourites with anglers for their bay/harbour boating and fishing capabilities.

On the used boat market, Stacer’s 429 Seaway hits the spot with budget boat buyers. The Seaway is the previous-generation Stacer runabout.

Importantly for new boat buyers, all of the latest 429 series Stacers are now equipped with the variable deadrise, flared bottom Stacer Revolution hull, giving these craft a smooth and stable ride.

Find your own Stacer 429 right here on boatsales.

Related: Stacer 429 Sea Master 2022 Review

Aussie families love a good bowrider, and the Stacer 499 Wild Rider is one of the best alloy bowriders on the market.

The Stacer 499 Wild Rider is the smallest but arguably the best of the five bowriders in the Stacer range.

At just over 5.0 metres long, the Stacer 499 Wild Rider has enough space and interior seating for a family of four or five whilst being sufficiently safe and seaworthy to handle coastal sea conditions.

The Stacer 499 Wild Rider is also affordable (with packages starting around $44,000) and lightweight enough on a trailer to be towed easily behind a family car or SUV.

Similar to all of the Wild Riders (including the larger 519, 539, 589 and 619 series boats), the Stacer 499 Wild Rider is available as a standard boat and as a deluxe-appointed SE or "Special Edition" model.

The standard boats have fewer features but are very sharply priced for budget-conscious boaters.

The SE models are more expensive but they come with extra kit that would cost more overall if it was selected separately.

The Stacer 499 Wild Riders are rated for outboard engines between 70hp and 90hp. Paired with a Mercury 90hp outboard engine, this fine family boat can run to a top speed of around 33.2 knots.

Find your own Stacer 499 Wild Rider right here on boatsales.

The Prolines are unquestionably the best-known of the Stacer V-nose open boats.

Introduced in the early 1990s, the Prolines were launched to compete with the rival Savage Jabiru and Quintrex Explorer models.

Similar to its competitors back then – and today – the Stacer Prolines are low-sided V-nose boats with base two-thwart, tiller-steer fit-outs through to deluxe model tournament fishing platforms with side consoles, flat floors, casting decks, live wells – the works.

The most searched Proline model on boatsales, the 399 series, has been available for many years.

The latest Stacer 399 Proline comes standard as a very basic two-thwart, tiller-steer V-nose boat with a maximum 30hp power rating.

This sparsely appointed model is preferred by some anglers, as there is scope then for a DIY fit-out.

That said, you can option the boat substantially from the factory with most of the aforementioned features and accessories.

Stacer now has several Prolines available. They include the 359 short and longshaft outboard models, the 379 and 399 series boats, as well as two new models – the 359SE and 379SE. These latter boats have higher topsides and more interior freeboard, meaning they can go out in a wider range of weather than the base models.

Also available are the deluxe-appointed tiller-steer Proline Anglers in 4.0-, 4.3- and 4.5-metre model lengths.

Find your own Stacer 399 Proline right here on boatsales.

Related: 2023 Stacer Proline SE models launched

Several models in Stacer’s modern cuddy-cabin range are between 5.0m and 7.5m in length.

The boats include the 519, 539, and 589 Sea Runner pressed alloy boats, and the heavy-duty plate-aluminum Stacer Ocean Rangers that come in 609, 659, 709, and 759 model sizes.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, the entry Stacer 519 Sea Runner is the most popular, most searched Stacer cuddy cabin here on boatsales. This smart-looking, well-priced model is a terrific bay and coastal family/fishing all-rounder.

Key features include the spacious, open-plan cabin with vinyl upholstered vee-berth sleeping/seating space and a large rear cockpit with freeboard high enough to corral the youngsters.

The Sea Runner also has very wide side decks, full-length cockpit storage pockets, cabin and sub-floor storage, a cockpit scupper self-draining system, and external boarding platforms with a swim ladder.

The Stacer 519 Sea Runner also has the latest variable deadrise Stacer Revolution vee monohull, which works particularly well in smaller boat sizes. It planes easily, handles well through the corners, and feels secure on the water at speed.

The Sea Runner is also very stable at rest and smooth and dry in bay and harbour chop – attributes which make this boat ideal for mixed boating activities.

Find your own Stacer 519 Sea Runner right here on boatsales.

Related: Spotlight: Stacer 519 Sea Runner

Stacer’s Crossfire range combines a bowrider-like front seating area with a side-console helm station and an interior fit-out geared mainly toward fishing applications.

The Crossfire models are bought mostly for fishing, but having the front fishing platform/bow seating area does allow this model to double as a family day boat for entertaining and social tow sports.

Instead of a regular, squared-off elevated front casting deck, the Crossfire has a vee-shaped front box bench layout with clip-on vinyl cushions that create a bow seating area.

Adding an infill board and cushion reconfigures this space into a sun pad. Remove all the cushions and you are left with a sturdy elevated fishing deck.

Elsewhere, the Crossfire models have a compact side-console helm station, two lift-out cockpit pedestal chairs, and a carpeted cockpit floor that stretches almost the length of the boat back to a high transom.

There are six Crossfire side-console models in the Stacer range; all are available in Standard as well as SE "Special Edition" configurations.

Stacer also has a couple of rear-console Crossfire models, but these are designed expressly for fishing.

The entry-size Stacer 449 Crossfire SC is the most popular of the Crossfire models. Priced around $40,000 with a 70hp four-stroke outboard engine and single-axle alloy trailer, the 449 Crossfire SC is an excellent choice for fishing and boating in sheltered waters.

Find your own Stacer 449 Crossfire SC right here on boatsales.

Relate: Stacer releases new-look 2022 line-up