Whittley 2080 Tribute

We took the Whittley CR2080 for a run when it was released back in July of 2009, and were as impressed with what we found: "I’m still astonished by how Whittley can squeeze so much into a 5.5m hull and still retain so much open space, especially in the cockpit," our correspondent wrote at the time. "There doesn’t appear to be a cubic centimetre that doesn’t have a use, and a practical one at that," he added.

This compact cruiser has all the traditional bells and whistles of a classy overnighter, but it also has plenty of cockpit and cabin space for loads of fun on the water. It’s a modern design with a classy finish and an exceptional layout that should appeal to everyone.

The CR2080 is 6.13m long (LOA), and you could be forgiven for thinking it’s been made to replace the older but extremely popular Monterey. In actual fact, it was developed more as the new Voyager or Impala, the Monterey’s very successful little brothers. While those older offerings were state-of-the-art some 20 years ago, I always thought their internal layout seemed a little poky. That’s not the case with the new models -- I simply can’t see how you could hope to fit more into a boat while retaining such a roomy, user-friendly layout.

The CR2080 is available in both outboard and sterndrive formats. Our test boat was fitted with the MerCruiser 3.0-litre, four-cylinder sterndrive with an Alpha 1 leg, and with 130hp, it delivered satisfying, even surprising performance. With a 19-degree deadrise and a 2.2m beam, the hull provided a good amount of lift. It actually looks and feels wider than 2.2m, and with three passengers onboard it reached a comfortable top-end speed of around 34kts (63km/h) at 4800rpm. It’s a little noisy at WOT (wide open throttle) but that shouldn’t be a problem unless plenty of family skiing is on the agenda.

While I’m calling my recent trip to Nagambie a boat test, it was actually more of a great day out with top company, doing exactly what these boats were designed for -- cruising in style!

The larger CR2180 accompanied us on our river sojourn to the nearby Tahbilk Winery. This model is only slightly larger than the CR2080 -- it has an LOA of 6.16m and a 2.3m beam -- but the difference is quite noticeable. The CR2180 was fitted with the Volvo Penta 3.0-litre (3.0GL) donk with an SX sterndrive unit. Its power and performance is impressive, and the package handled beautifully both through turns and running over wakes on the river. However, it too was a little noisy at high revs.

Pleasingly though, the noise factor at fast engine speeds was about my only criticism of both boats, other than a slight bow rise as the hull lifts out of the water and onto the plane at around 3000rpm. I imagine trim tabs would be worthwhile additions to stabilise the load and offset wind and weight. They would also give a slightly lower planing speed for cruising, but we certainly had no need for them on the Goulburn River or Lake Nagambie.

The bowsprit retains the plough anchor and electric anchor winches are available as an option. Access to the bow is quite reasonable and there’s a separate rope locker to keep wet and muddy rodes away from the plush cabin interiors.

Like all Whittley cruisers, the exterior may look the goods but it’s the interior that makes the boat. They present an inviting blend of polar white gelcoat on the internal mouldings, accented with soft, plush cabin upholstery and a quality head lining, plus thick marine carpets and premium, thickly-padded seating and trim. The emphasis on black and white is complemented by fawn and grey accents. Overall, these cabins are both comfortable and inviting.

Each has all the usual niceties such as a sink, stove, hot water system and a very practical V-berth with fold-up infill. A TV with DVD player combines with thumping Fusion boom boxes to round out the electronic entertainment options.

The helm position is reasonably comfortable, with the upright seating position affording excellent visibility for this style of cruiser. The full set of analogue engine gauges are easy to read and you don’t have to be a computer geek to harness all the various instrument functions. Everything is in the right place and the cosmetic presentation is first class. I also liked the safety glass windscreens which are formed into the moulding, rather than simply being bolt-on extras.

The combination seat boxes are nothing short of state-of-the-art. They house the sink under the driver’s seat and the optional stove unit under the passenger’s seat. They also provide footrests and storage. Neither boat has a full passenger bulkhead; in its place the CR2180 has a recess for a portable cooler at the end of the V-berth, while the CR2080 has a larger return on the dashboard with grabrail, enclosed dash area and a handy cargo-net-style storage pouch.

The Porta-Potti is nicely hidden behind the driver’s bulkhead and enclosed under the seat. There’s good headroom and a standard privacy curtain.

At the stern of these sterndrive models, we find a pair of removable rear quarter seats that give way to the full-width boarding platform. Whittley has also developed an optional extended swim platform with a stainless frame for rodholders, a baitboard or a barbeque. The combination of practical seating, plug-in tables, convertible seat modules, and plenty of storage leaves an open and uncluttered entertaining area in the cockpit, covered by a matching set of bimini-style full camper covers, also standard.

One of the key differences between the two models is that the CR2180 has full walkaround sidedecks, which are handy when mooring and also eliminate the need to tramp mud and sand through the cabin when entering via the bow. Up front the CR2180 gives you and your family loads more room to spread out, and perhaps watch a DVD.

Perhaps I’m saving the best for last in mentioning the pricing of these boats. Back in 1994 a fully-fitted Monterey cruiser was selling for $42,990 with the four-cylinder engine, or $47,990 with the V6. Today, Whittley is offering the CR2080 on a dual-axle Mackay trailer for a recommended retail price of $49,990 (excluding dealer and statutory costs), while the CR2180 -- with the larger 200hp V6 -- has a recommended retail price of $62,599.

These two limited-edition models are both eminently fitting tributes to the late Jim Whittley, who was a pioneering father of trailerable cruising boats in this country. Although modern and sleek, the CR2080 and CR2180 follow in the footsteps of Jim’s first cruiser, a wooden 18-footer built back in the early '50s. The shapes, styles and materials may have changed, but we're pleased to see that Jim’s commitment to building quality family cruisers still lives on in every Whittley boat.

GENERAL
Type: Moderate-vee cruiser
Material: Fibreglass
Length: 6.16m
Beam: 2.33m
Weight: 920kg (standard boat weight configuration)
Deadrise: 19 degrees

CAPACITIES
People: 6
Rec. HP: 200
Max. HP: 200
Fuel: 112 litres

ENGINE
Make/model: Volvo Penta 3.0GL
Type: Naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder, 135hp four-stroke
Weight: 288kg (with VP SX drive)
Displacement: 3.0 litres
Gear ratio: 1.97
Propeller: Alloy

GENERAL
Type: Moderate-vee cruiser
Material: Fibreglass
Length: 6.13m
Beam: 2.2m
Weight: 827kg (standard boat weight configuration)
Deadrise: 19 degrees

CAPACITIES
People: 6
Rec. HP: 135
Max. HP: 150
Fuel: 100 litres

ENGINE
Make/model: MerCruiser 3.0 TKS
Type: Naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder, 135hp four-stroke
Weight: 288kg (with Alpha 1 drive)
Displacement: 3.0 litres
Gear ratio: 2.00
Propeller: Alloy