Whittley Cruiser 2080 Outboard: Review

Usually Whittley Cruisers come with an inboard and sterndrive from Volvo Penta. But now the established Melbourne boatbuilder has answered the call for an outboard variant of its entry-level CR 2080 Cruiser. It's almost $10k cheaper than the V6 200hp sterndrive. Let’s see how it stacks up.

The CR 2080 is the smallest boat in Whittley’s blue-ribbon Cruiser range. Base inboard packages with a V6-200 now start from about $65,500 from the Melbourne factory. This new budget-friendly outboard variant with 115hp Suzuki outboard and single-axle trailer was displayed at the 2016 Sydney International Boat Show for $59,990 drive-away.

This keen price ticket for a Whittley Cruiser piqued our interest, so here we are reviewing the CR 2080 Cruiser once again. Of course, outboard engines are a driving force in the marine industry today and this boat is a direct result of that. It answers the market’s call.

With outboard power, there’s greater functionality and familiarity, frugality and fuel efficiency. There’s also a bit more space at the transom, less weight, and less cost. But it’s not all clear cut. The Whittley CR 2080 inboard reviewed in that link has more amenities, better engine integration and stronger performance.

Performance-wise, and in respect of refinement, the inboard certainly wins the day. But Whittley is offering outboard on the CR 2080 because buyers demand it. We all know outboards, and we all love them, especially in skinny waterways, around dodgy ramps, and for fishing. There’s less that can go wrong.

Neville Whittley, marine director at the long-serving Melbourne company, says Whittley is a customer-driven company that responds to the needs of its market.

"Our dealers noted that there was a demand for a niche product, a compact outboard-powered cruiser that would complement the existing sterndrive line-up.

“The CR2080’s soft riding flexible platform is versatile and can adapt to a range of applications and propulsion options. We knew it would work, so we pushed the button and re-engineered the transom for today’s modern outboards," adds Whittley.

Paired with four-stroke or direct-injection two-stroke outboard in the 100-150hp range, the CR 2080 OB (outboard) promises reduced weight and also greater internal cockpit space thanks to the removal of the sterndrive engine box.

But there is no available option on this outboard boat for an extended boarding/swim platform, which is something Whittley owners traditionally enjoy, sitting out there on a folding chair while wetting a line or sizzling a snag.

Yet, when you weigh up the advantages, not least being the ability to get intimate with the beach without worrying about a sterndrive leg dragging in the sand or banging on rocks, plus the savings, well, the outboard-powered CR 2080 will represent smart buying for many families keen for a high quality cabin cruiser.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- A more affordable trailerable Cruiser for the masses
This new outboard option lowers the admission price for pleasure boaters — and especially young families — wanting to experience Whittley’s premium trailerable Cruiser offerings.

Tested through long-serving Hunts Marine in Sydney, the CR 2080 OB rig had the base four-cylinder 115hp Suzuki outboard. The Whittley factory fits Yamaha outboards and you can certainly buy this boat with that pairing.

On a single-axle trailer, the rig will weigh around 1200-1300kg versus 1600-1700kg for the dual-axle inboard version with the V6-200 and a bit more gear. So there’s an added saving there and with towing costs. Either way, the 2.20m beam makes for stress-free towing.

A special deal was on at the time of writing and the base package price was $59,990 tow away, available up until Christmas 2016. Ordinarily, the test package would sell for $64,990, but somehow they’re throwing in $5k worth of options for nix as follows…

The included two tone hull with your choice of black or blue metal flake colouring; new sports grey interior with black dash; bimini canopy with front and side clears; portable toilet; folding rear table; navigation lights; bilge pump; VHF marine radio; rear removable carpet in the cockpit; Fusion AM/FM stereo; enclosed-waters safety gear for six adults; and boat and trailer registrations for the Mackay multiroller drive on/off trailer.

The bottom line is that this is terrific buying for a high-quality trailerboat with the same high-end finishes as the $200k sister ships in the Cruiser range. Sure, the 115hp creates a safe and predictable performer, but there’s nothing wrong with 30 knots top speed and a comfortable family drive either.

LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION
- Everything for a young family in a camping and cruising trailerboat
Whittley’s entry-level Cruiser sure makes the most of its internal space. The cabin seems bigger than you might expect in a trailerboat with a 5.3m hull/centreline length, which measured 6.13m length overall including bowsprit and rear moulded platforms either side of the outboard engine.

The high-aspect, full safety-glass windscreen, coupled with the bimini top with front and rear clears, sure adds to the inherent weather protection at the helm. What’s more, on the trailer, or running offshore, this is a pretty boat, with rakish styling enhanced by that two-tone metal-flake finish bundled with the test boat.

Step aboard, via the swim ladder while on the trailer, and you find trademark Whittley comforts — plush seating, lots of inbuilt storage and full liners that make this boat user-friendly while not impinging on cockpit space. At the same time, wherever you look, the fit and finish is a cut above.

All the stainless-steel deck gear is from the popular GM Marine supplier, the mouldings are fair, and the upholstery is higher quality that your common trailerable fishing boat. With the trimming executed in-house, you are assured things like canvas, clears and their supporting framework are a neat fit.

The full-width luxury cabin has good seated headroom, thanks to a deep footwell, and a wide vee-berth that with supplied hinged infills morphs into a 1.9m double for a couple. There is handy side pocket storage/padded backrests and underseat dry storage as well. The lift-out Porta-Potti comes standard and you can order an optional press-stud cabin privacy/security curtain if you like.

Factory rolled, the CR 2080 can sleep mum and dad in the cabin and the kids in the cockpit on li-los, especially if you fit optional full camper covers. With this rig you could do two or three days around the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, the Hawkesbury, Gippsland, Eildon, SA Gulfs, Perth and then head off to resupply. The Whittley Club sure is active with planned cruises in company anywhere from The Whitsundays to Port Welshpool. This boat is your ticket to these adventures as well.

Meanwhile, the wide forward cabin hatch, landing on a stopper, assists with anchoring duties, as does a moulded bowsprit with roller and deep anchor locker. A drum-type anchor winch is an option worth considering, especially if you like to fish. We like the split bow rail for disembarking at a beach and loading crew over the pointy end, too.

The boat’s fully moulded cockpit liner with diamond-pattern non-skid is softened by clip in/out carpet that comes supplied in this package. But it’s the ergonomically designed moulded deck and internal liner that make this boat so functional, comfortable, spacious and safe.

Storage exists for personal effects alongside the helm seats and in cockpit side pockets, while a portable carry-on cooler fits under the co-pilot seat base. The base of the moulded co-pilot seat also has a flat mounting surface for one of those affordable butane stoves and for food prep.

There’s storage space under the skipper's seat base, where the Inboard version uses a sink with 40 litres of pressurised water. This is an option on this price-conscious OB version and you will just have to skip the deck shower.

The transom treatment is new for this new outboard version of the CR 2080, yet it doesn’t break new ground in terms of outboard boats. There’s a centre lift-up table off the splash well for on-board lunches, two quarter seats with lift-out sea swabs, and good access through to the bilge pump and single battery down at your feet.

What you miss out on here is that signature Whittley optional extended transom platform, rear U bar, barbecue and cutting board, hot water and transom shower.

But for our money, all this paraphernalia is best left to the bigger Whittley models. As seen here, the 2080 is a really nice entry-level family boat. We said this about the inboard V6-200 version previously.

With the outboard, this boat is even more practical in certain respects and affordable. But how does it perform?

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- Foam filled moderate-vee hull
Whittley’s CR 2080 foam-filled hull has stood the test of time. Construction is hand-laid GRP backed by a fibreglass stringer system. There’s a nice rake on the forefoot and a sharp entry that tapers to a moderate 19 degree of deadrise aft.

Despite the cabin volume, the boat didn’t bang and it felt surefooted and smooth without too much porpoising. Dual strakes and down-turned chines help deflect spray and provide low-speed lift.

Compared with the inboard version, this is a lighter rig and maintaining optimal performance probably demands a bit more trimming of the leg in the turns and when punching rough water to keep the nose down.

The Suzuki 115hp is a 2.0L engine revving to 5000-6000rpm that weighs 187kg in extra long shaft. It does an honest and predictable job of powering this boat. The V6-200 from Volvo Penta has 2.6L displacement and it weights 404kg, more than twice the outboard!

So the dynamics are quite different with the inboard, what with all that weight down low and back aft, and the ride is very different too. Not in a bad way, mind you, but this outboard is more like the trailerboats we grew up with, while the inboard offers more refined cruising pleasure

ON THE WATER
- Predictable performance and a nice cruise
In our previous test, the inboard CR 2080 with 4.3L V6-200 Volvo Penta spinning a Duoprop hit 40.1 knots top speed and is happy to cruise at 28-30 knots. With this base 2.0L inline four-cylinder 115hp Suzuki we found 30.1 knots top speed and a cruise of 21-22 knots.

The hole shot, mid-range acceleration, cornering and top speeds are best described as predictable and a tad sporty. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s in keeping with the entry-level family boating and fishing appeal, but the inboard adds more of that sportiness and zip to the equation.

I found the noise levels quite different, too. The outboard seemed gruffer across the cruising rev ranges, whereas the latest Volvo Penta inboards are smooth and refined. The steering is lighter with the inboard and the handling is nicer.

It’s akin to driving Ford’s LTD versus its Falcon. You pay for the added levels of luxury and performance, but the Falcon wins the mainstream following. That’s the outboard version we have here. An honest performer.

Additionally, with the outboard you don’t have to worry about your inboard leg scraping on the bottom, you get that ease of use in shallow water, around beaches and boat ramps, simplified servicing, and there will be greater range from this boat’s modest 100lt integral tank.

Some of the key performance attributes I noted with the 115hp Suzuki were level hole shot and good acceleration with clear vision coming onto the plane. The boat holds low speed plane at 3200rpm and 9.5-10 knots, runs at a low-speed cruise of 16-16.5 knots at 4000rpm, sits on a smooth cruise of 21-22 knots at 4500rpm, and you can skip along up to 24-25 knots at 5000rpm. Wide-open throttle of 6000rpm returned 30.1 knots.

The lighter outboard package runs a bit higher and the 19-degree mid-deadrise hull works best with its fine entry slicing. So, as we said, use that trim button to keep the hull just hooked in when you’re crossing wake, wash and wind waves. You won’t have the same towing grunt as the V6, either, but the 115hp will be fine with kids and for fun. If you want to do plenty of towing go for the 2.6L 150hp outboard.

In the turns, the cable steering was a little tight, and the noise levels seemed heightened at cruise speeds. But there’s almost $10k in this deal between outboard and inboard. Which makes you think a lot about the realities of weekend boating and value for money. The inboard could be seen as a luxury.

VERDICT
- Value proposition with added practicality
Inboard versus outboard? It’s a tough call. It's a case of horses for courses and what suits your boating use, budget and waterways. Thus far, it’s been a 50/50 split with regard to power options on this CR 2080, the Whittley factory tell us. We’d expect Queenslanders to be more outboard, and Victorians to be more inboard.

Those who want the luxury cruising factor and who spend lots of time aboard will likely benefit from the inboard. Families into weekend flings, a bit of fishing and mucking around the beach, well, the outboard is worth the saving. Your family will be just as happy at the end of the day.

As tested, at $59,990, the CR 2080 OB is one of the best value family fibreglass boats on the market today. It’s a bit like stepping back into the cabin cruisers of yore, only the latest four-stroke outboard engines are far more agreeable.

Of course, Whittley builds a beautifully finished Australian-made trailerboat. This finish extends to this outboard option. With an outboard from one brand or another, this CR 2080 would get out affordable fibreglass family boat award for 2016. It’s not exactly new, but it’s smart packaging.

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.74/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.7/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.9/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.5/5.0
Value for money: 4.8/5.0
X-factor: 4.8/5.0

LIKES
>> Top-quality Australian-designed and -built trailerable cruiser
>> Excellent use of space and inbuilt amenities in a six-metre trailerboat
>> Big brand backing, great support and strong resale value
>> Exceptional value with the base 115hp outboard
>> Outboard engine practicality

NOT SO MUCH
>> Could do with lighter (hydraulic) steering
>> Not the biggest amount of mounting space for electronics
>> Fibreglass mullions impact on the amount of windscreen glass

Specifications: Whittley CR 2080 Outboard
Price as Tested: $59,990 with 115hp Suzuki outboard, single-axle Mackay trailer and options from Bimini and clears to rear folding table as outlined above under “price”.
Priced From: As above
LOA: 6.13m
Hull Length: 5.30m
Beam: 2.20m
Deadrise: 19 degrees
Boat Weight: 827kg
Horsepower Rating: 115-150hp (200hp inboard)
Engine on Test: Suzuki 115hp inline 2.0L four-cylinder XL shaft
Rig Weight: 1523kg (including max. outboard)
Fuel: 100lt
Water: 43lt
Passenger Capacity: 6
Sleeping: 2

Supplied By:
Hunts Marine
629 Princes Highway,
Blakehurst, NSW, 2221
See Hunts Marine.

More from Whittley Marine Group at whittleymarinegroup.com.au.

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