Which Yellowfin Plate offshore boat is best for me?

Of note, the boats were heavily re-engineered in response to owner feedback. Cabins were moved forward, fuel capacity was increased, the boat’s electrical backbone was beefed up, and dashes were increased in size to be able to mount a new generation of ever-more sophisticated electronics.

Even toilets were added to some models so that owners could comfortably spend a night anchored up near their favourite remote fishing grounds.

The upshot is that buyers now get a hand-built plate boat optimised for a range of uses, including a range of more premium Southerner models that step the Yellowfin game up to the next level. The range of larger Yellowfin boats is built using 4.0mm topsides and 6.0mm bottoms, a solid keel, fully welded ribs every 500mm and stringers spaced every 200mm.

On top of that, buyers can add the Platinum Pack that adds a burley bucket; cabin cushions, backrest,  and lining; a raw water deck wash; GME VHF radio; LED light kit; an upgraded two-tone paint option; a dive ladder; rear lounge and backrest; sinker cups; and an alloy bait station mounted on the transom.

All boats sit on Yellowfin dual-axle alloy trailers.

What, then, is available at the more premium end of the Yellowfin Plate boat range? Let’s take a look.

If you’re after a conventional-looking half-cabin trailer boat but seeking next-level quality,  Yellowfin’s Cabin range is probably what you’re looking at.

The mid-size models such as the 6.2-metre 6200 Cabin and 6.6-metre 6500 Cabin – perfect for pulling behind a mid-size family car – are built on top of the brand’s Offshore HD hull featuring a variable deadrise that uses a wide 2.4-metre beam and a 19-degree vee at the transom.

A deep vee carried forward helps to give the Cabin models a soft ride in a mix of conditions.

The boats in this range are fitted with fully sealed decks and self-draining cockpits that use scuppers to remove any water that gets inside. Add a set of clears and a bimini and you have a decent all-weather package that will extend the fishing season to year-round rather than just fine days.

Standard features include a painted hull, live bait tank, transom door, anchor well, Sea Sport seats with footrests, six rod holders, two transom-mounted transducer brackets, painted hull with raw gunnels and transom, outrigger mounting plates, twin battery box with isolator switch, bow roller, and hydraulic steering. 

Options include a burley bucket, deck wash and an anchor winch.

The Yellowfin 6200 Cabin is rated to 175hp while the larger Yellowfin 6500 Cabin is rated to 200hp. Prices start from around $95,000 for a 6200 cabin and $103,000 for a 6500 Cabin.

Find your own Yellowfin 6200 Cabin and Yellowfin 6500 Cabin boats on boatsales

Picking from the middle of Yellowfin’s walkaround range gives us the 6.6-metre Yellowfin 6500 Centre Cabin, one of the most versatile and popular boats in the range.

The big benefit of this boat is the clear walkaround deck that gives owners 180-degree access to the water. It’s great for activities such as deep-dropping a lure on a reef, allowing anyone who has hooked up to easily chase the fish no matter which way it decides to run.

The centre cabin layout offers the convenience of a compact cabin where anyone onboard can duck below and grab some sleep. It also has the added convenience of being large enough to house a head. Airflow is via a small hatch on the console and a larger hatch on the leading edge of the cabin.

The Yellowfin 6500 Centre Cabin comes well equipped straight off the showroom floor, with features including a live bait tank; cabin hatch, transom door; six rod holders; a twin battery box with isolator switch; a bowsprit; twin transducer brackets on the transom; carpeted cabin interior; an anchor well; Strike helm chairs with storage boxes below; Zipwake trim tabs; outrigger mounting plates; and a windscreen wiper.

Similar to other Yellowfin Plate boats, the Yellowfin 6500 Centre Cabin has a fully sealed, self-draining deck. 

Options include a burley bucket; transom cutting board and bait station; bow-mounted trolling motor plate, electric anchor winch; a hand and deck wash; electric-flush head, LED lights, an audio system and more. You can power this boat with an outboard engine up to 200hp.

Prices range from around $110,000 for an entry-level boat.

Find your own Yellowfin 6500 Centre Cabin boat on boatsales

At the top end of Yellowfin’s hardtop range are the Southerner models featuring an extra 300mm added to the cabin’s length. This equips the boats with a semi-enclosed space that provides a little extra protection from the elements for everyone onboard compared with the standard hardtops.

Only two models are built, the 7.0-metre Yellowfin 7000 Southerner Hard Top and the flagship 7.6-metre Yellowfin 7600 Southerner Hard Top. 

The boats have a fully lined wheelhouse with opening side windows and a two-piece windscreen with a wiper on the helm side. This makes them an ideal all-weather boat that doesn't mind a bit of wind and green water.

Standard fit-out on the Southerner Hard Tops includes a live ain't tank; six rocket launcher rod holders that can flip down to make it easier to get heavy game rods in and out; a cabin grab rail and hatch; Sea Sports console seats with underseat storage boxes; outrigger mounting plates; transom brackets; a forward anchor well with bow roller and the option of an electric winch; Zipwake trim tabs and more.

Similar to the other Yellowfin models, the Southerners feature fully sealed, self-draining decks. Power comes from outboard engines of up to 300hp.

Options are extensive and include storm covers for on-road transport; a cutting board with a sounder panel, 70-litre split-lid icebox, an electric-flush toilet for the cabin; audio system; bow plate for a trolling motor; a rear lounge; dive ladder; extra underfloor storage that reduces the size of the fuel tank; a plumbed water bladder and a hand wash station.

Prices for the Yellowfin 7000 Southerner Hard Top start from around $120,000 and for the Yellowfin 7600 Southerner Hard Top, from about $130,000.

Find your own Yellowfin 7000 Southerner Hard Top or Yellowfin 7600 Southerner Hard Top boat on boatsales