Whittley AL 1280 TS 2025 Review

The new Whittley alloy boats join the large and very successful range of Whittley luxury fibreglass trailer boat cruisers and offshore fishing boats.

The smallest of the new alloy Whittley boats is the AL 1150 TS car-topper. The largest is the AL 1740 Centre Console.

Each of the new Whittley tinnies is available from Whittley Boating Centre retail outlets scattered across Australia.

Buyers of these pressed alloy boats have a choice of Honda or Mercury four-stroke outboard power, although Honda is the default fitment for the BMT (boat/motor/trailer) boat packages.

The Whittley we scored for this review is the second to smallest model, the AL 1280 TS, paired with a Honda 20hp four-stroke, manual-start, tiller-steer outboard engine.

Completing the BMT package is a Dunbier single-axle galvanised steel unbraked trailer with alloy wheels, spare wheel and tie-down straps.

Package pricing for the Whittley AL 1280 TS starts at $22,990 when the boat is paired with the base Honda 20hp longshaft (20-inch) outboard, and $25,990 when the boat is rigged with the larger, optional Honda 30hp four-stroke motor.

Otherwise the boat packages are identical and include white interior and topsides paint, an inshore safety gear pack, anchor and rode, 12 months of boat and trailer registrations, and rego hull stickers.

Other key features that you don’t normally find on a boat of this size include a lockable glovebox built into the front seat thwart, full-length side rails, wide extruded side decks, front tie-off cleat, a port-side bow electric trolling motor plate, and a mounting plate/box on the starboard side that’s designed to take a switch panel and a multi-function display, should you opt for an optional electric-start motor and battery power.

With regard to construction, the 1280 TS is made with a 2.0mm pressed alloy bottom with 1.6mm topsides and an external keel.

This model is also reinforced by the extruded side decks, welded foredeck and anchor shelf, as well as the sub-floor cross-rib structure.

The V-shaped transom is beefed-up with a diagonal bracing strut to cater for longshaft outboard engines up to 30hp or 125kg in weight.

The Whittley AL 1280 TS is a deluxe, full-featured V-nose boat, albeit one with a manual-start outboard engine.

Inside there is a full-width, full-length carpeted plywood floor (1.33m x 1.63m) stretching between two upsized (410mm depth) foam-filled seat thwarts.

Up at the bow there is a formed, welded anchor shelf for the included anchor with chain and rope combination.

Overhead there is a foredeck with the trolling motor plate to port, and a grab/side rail to starboard.

You can tie off the anchor line to a plastic cleat, while deck/tow lines can be secured to the double towing eye mounted externally on the stem.

Our test boat did not have a front casting deck, but you will be able to have one fitted – similar to the rear platform – in future production models.

The carpeted rear casting deck sits flush with the top of the rear seat thwart and runs back to the transom wall. It’s not large, but you can also stand on the seat thwart for more space.

Beneath the aft fishing deck there is a carpeted fuel tank pad/storage platform to both port and starboard.

Notably, all the hatch covers/lids in the boat are carpeted and sealed on both sides for protection against mould and mildew.

Beneath the super-wide side decks there are elevated side pockets for stowing deck lines, handlines, fishing nets, terminal tackle boxes, etc.

Other features include the aforementioned switch panel/fish finder mounting box/plate to starboard, a pair of rowlock blocks, a pair of transom corner plastic rod holders, and a full-length side deck rail/channel that is designed to accept the New Zealand-made Railblaza boating and fishing accessories.

Externally, behind the transom, the 1280 TS has a boarding step and hand rail on the port side, another hand/grab rail over to starboard, as well as a transducer plate/bracket and twin drain bungs.

The Whittley 1280 TS is a V-punt style of boat with a wide, stable hull bottom that allows you to move about comfortably and safely inside the boat.

This V-nose hull configuration, with its relatively shallow deadrise/hull vee angle, is ideally suited to inshore boating/fishing and tender applications.

Regular dinghy/V-bow boats are better in choppy water, for sure – but they are not as stable or solid at rest as a V-punt like the 1280 TS.

Of course, the Whittley does have a sharp enough entry shape up at the bow to handle and suppress short, sharp chop, and to deflect spray away from the interior.

Out on the Gold Coast Broadwater I found the 1280 TS to be pretty comfortable, very stable, nicely balanced, and easy to drive.

Through the corners the hull sits very flat and level, so you never feel uncomfortable or uneasy.

These excellent handling traits make this diminutive little Whittley ideal for retirees, downsizers, and for people new to boating.

I also found the base-model Honda 20hp outboard to be the ideal power unit for the 1280 TS.

With two adults onboard I recorded a top speed of 20.5 knots. That’s plenty quick enough for a boat of this size.

Should you option up to the Honda 30hp? I don’t think so. The test boat felt agile and responsive with the lightweight Honda BF20 on the transom.

I would consider optioning with the larger motor only if I was to go boating/fishing regularly with the maximum four people on board.

The Whittley AL 1280 TS is a ripper little Aussie tinnie and a fine addition to the Whittley boat range. The 1280 Tiller Steer is well built, full-featured, and definitely fit for purpose.

And the fact that you can buy this boat as a complete BMT package for a fixed price – complete with safety gear, anchoring system, registrations, hull stickers, etc – is an added bonus.

Model: Whittley AL 1280 TS
Length overall: 3.9m
Beam: 1.89m
Hull weight: 120kg (approx.)
Towing weight: 465kg (approx.)
Bottom alloy: 2.0mm
Topside alloy: 1.6mm
Maximum power: 30hp (long shaft 20-inch)
Maximum weight on transom: 125kg
Engine as tested: Honda 20hp four-stroke manual start
Fuel: Portables
Passengers: 4
Price as tested: $22,990 with a Honda 20hp four-stroke long shaft (20-inch) manual-start, tiller-steer outboard motor, a Dunbier deluxe single-axle unbraked trailer with black guards, alloy wheels and spare wheel, inshore safety gear kit and 12 months’ boat/trailer registrations
Supplied by: Whittley Boats