Whittley introduces new Clearwater AL aluminium boat range

The aluminium hulls complement Whittley’s existing Melbourne-based fibreglass boat manufacturing. The design for the aluminium boats, based on a name formerly used for Whittley’s fibreglass-based cuddy models, was led here but the boats are built in Asia and imported to Australia.

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Launched at the 2019 Melbourne Boat Show, Whittley’s full Clearwater AL range will consist of eight variants across five models. The cheapest package will cost less than $10,000 drive-away, Whittley said.

The boats include the Whittley 433 Clearwater AL Kingfisher LX tiller-steer, and Whittley 440 Clearwater Nova starboard side console that also is available with a 5.0-metre hull. The Kingfisher is also available as a smaller 389 model.

There is also a Liberty Sports bowrider, a Caballero high-sided runabout, and two punt-style “widebody” Open Series models.

Whittley sales assistant Genevive Whittley said the decision to offer the Clearwater AL
brand of alloy boats to the market "was an easy one after extensive market research".

"We could see a demand from consumers to offer high-quality, affordable aluminium boat
packages under $10,000 through to $35,000 whilst still offering the same exceptional customer service that our customers receive with larger boat packages,” she said.

“Our affordable alloy boat range is packaged exclusively with Yamaha outboards and sit on high-quality Dunbier trailers. For added peace of mind, all Clearwater AL packages feature a three-year limited structural warranty on hulls."

The Whittley 440 Clearwater Nova comes with a bow roller in front of a forepeak-mounted anchor well, bow rails, LED navigation lights, and a large casting deck with carpeted underfloor storage and a mount for one of the two detachable seats fitted to the boat.

Other features include a lockable rod locker, plumbed live bait tank, separate battery locker, bilge pump, boarding ladder and duckboards, hull wrap, and either a 40hp or 50hp Yamaha outboard engine.

Prices for the Whittley 440 Clearwater Nova start from $22,990 equipped with a Yamaha F40 outboard engine and sitting on a Dunbier trailer.

The Whittley 500 Clearwater Caballero runabout will stand as the flagship of the Clearwater AL series. Whittley describes it as an ideal family fun and open bay fishing machine, featuring a folding rear lounge, walkthrough front windscreen and carpeted floor.

The Whittley 433 Clearwater Kingfisher LX is based on the original John Savage Jabiru hull. Package prices for it start from $15,990 fitted with a Yamaha F25 tiller steer outboard engine and sitting on a Dunbier trailer. Jumping up to Yamaha’s F40 jumps the price to around $18,000.

It comes fitted with a hull wrap, an electric motor mounting plate off the portside bow, a carpeted casting deck at the same level as the gunnels, a lower deck with underfloor battery storage space for the trolling motor and a seat mount, foam-filled underfloor, side pockets, LED navigation lights, and two gunnel-mounted rod holders.

The Kingfisher LX also has a plumbed live bait tank and a rear casting deck with underfloor storage, and duckboards to either side of the transom-mounted outboard engine.

The shallow-freeboard Whittley 399 Clearwater Cherokee WB – the “WB” stands for “wide body” – takes its lines from the John Savage Big Boy. The tiller steer model is powered by a Yamaha F25 outboard engine and sits on a Dunbier trailer, with prices starting from $11,990.

Inside, the Whittley 399 Clearwater Cherokee WB is fully carpeted with a foam-filled underfloor, with a fixed rear bench seat across the transom. It is fitted with oarlocks, a front bench, and an anchor locker under the foredeck.

The Whittley Clearwater AL range can be bought online and delivered anywhere in Australia via www.clearwaterboats.com.au.