Boatsales Staff•28 Mar 2013

FEATURE

Spotlight: Whittley SL 24 Hard Top

New Sea Legend for Melbourne Boat Show

Whittley Marine Group, one of Australia's enduring trailerboat manufacturers, has announced it will release a new Whittley SL 24 Hard Top at this year's Melbourne Boat Show.

The new addition to the Sea Legend (SL) range is the third boat in the series and targeted at sportfishing. The SL 24 HT packs plenty of performance, style and sophistication, says Whittley, and is set to be one of its most popular models thanks to a standard hard top and full-depth windscreen glass.

"We are quite proud of producing a unique range of fibreglass fishing boats that are not only appealing to the most serious of fishermen, but still feature the hallmarks of Whittley's cruising heritage,” Alan Whittley, National Sales & Marketing Manager, said.

"The new SL 24 HT is a prime example of our uniqueness to the market. From the plush front-cabin cushion with sleeping facilities to the rear fishing cockpit ideal for deep-water fishing, the boat suits extended stays out fishing or all-round family boating,” Whittley adds.

The new SL 24 HT will feature on the prominent Melbourne Whittley boat dealer Marine Max’s and Whittley Marine’s stand number E96. Meantime, Whittley has added more details on the design and pricing as per below.

OVERVIEW

- Focus on simple and smart design

The new Whittley SL 24 is pitched as a genuine recreational all-rounder, with sharp styling thanks to a two-tone colour hull, stylish two-tone upholstery and classy design.

Highlights include ergonomic seating that cushions and supports the body to eliminate the discomfort of ploughing through wind-against-tide chop, explains Whittley.

The intelligent full-depth windscreen with standard stainless steel grab rail for additional support and a fibreglass moulded hard top protect passengers from wind chill, while also providing a solution for overhead rod storage.

The boat has walk-around side decks, too.

DECK FEATURES

- Focus on fishing and diving

The Whittley SL 24 HT has a seamless cockpit moulded in a way that is not too dissimilar to a large ice chest, explains Whittley.

Generous cockpit coverings and large moulded radiuses around the cockpit seats allow for easy cleaning. There are no awkward corners for bait, scales and other nasty things to cling on. Use the pre-plumbed wash down from the transom locker and hose out. The deep moulded locker channels direct water to the bilge where it is pumped overboard.

Storage options abound on the SL 24 HT, but it is the underfloor cockpit locker that adds the greatest value. The large removable plastic cockpit locker bin has been designed around dive bottles. These keep the weight of the bottles, dive belts and other equipment down low, which aids stability.

Additional cockpit storage is provided under the transom, under the hinged bases of the rear-facing passenger seats, and within smaller accessory lockers moulded into the cockpit liners.

Popular cruising options include, flyscreens, 12 volt fridge/freezer unit, dinner kit and a hot-water service.

ADDED FISHING APPEAL

- High volume cockpit

"The internal volume of the SL 24 HT will attract buyers to this new model, as it is comparable to much larger craft and our bigger SL 26. Both the SL 24 HT and SL 26 share the same external beam, which is 2.45m, which provides generous volume and design options while maintaining aesthetically pleasing overall dimension," Whittley says.

The Melbourne-based boatbuilder has further enhanced cockpit volume by eliminating internal mouldings. This has allowed Whittley’s designers to extend the cockpit floor the full width of the hull. Rod storage is an option, with recessed rod holders fore and aft, but there are other options elsewhere.

The SL 24 HT transom is built around angler’s needs, with standard circular livebait tank and wash down facilities housed in moulded lockers on both the sterndrive- and outboard-powered configurations. The self-draining bait board is an option.

The clean up sink unit at the transom on the port side forms a mid-height cockpit walk through for easy on/off access to the aft boarding platform and stainless steel boarding ladder.

HARD TOP

- All-weather boating and protection

The idea behind Whittley’s new SL 24 HT in standard hard-top configuration was to provide all-weather protection for fishers and family without compromising cockpit space. The stylish rear spray-deflecting clear side windows add to the protection.

The standard hard top features sliding side windows for ventilation that are unique to this model. Also mounted up in the hard top are the boat’s standard 27 MEG radio and Fusion sound system head unit for ease of access.

"We wanted to create a hard-top boat that did not look like an idea after the model was released, like so many other hard-top boats out in the market place,” Whittley says.

“That is why we made a two-piece fibreglass hard top, which has a seamless join. We are proud to offer what we believe to be one of the best-looking and -finished sportfishing, hard-top, Australian-made boats on the market," concludes Whittley.

DRIVE-AWAY PACKAGES

- Factory fitted BMT packages

The design team at Whittley says the SL 24 is ideally matched to Yamaha's lightweight, class-leading four-stroke outboards, as well as Volvo Penta's inboards with sterndrives.

On the sterndrive variant you loose next to no room compared with the outboard engine version; just the smallest of areas in the rear of the cockpit, says Whittley, adding that it is bundling the boat with a choice of engines on a high-quality, custom-designed Mackay trailer rigged and fitted to suit the SL 24 HT hull for hassle-free trailering.

Sterndrive packages featuring a 200hp MPI V6 Volvo Penta petrol engine and Mackay trailer start from MRRP $87,999*. The outboard package with F200 CETX Yamaha four-stroke on Mackay trailer costs from MRRP $99,999*.

(*Price excludes, freight, safety equipment and registrations. MRRP: Manufacturers recommended retail price. Includes GST. Pictured boat may include optional features, not included in your package. WMG reserves the right to change the design with out notice.)

KEY FEATURES

- Moulded fibreglass hard top

- Full-depth windscreen with sliding side windows

- Toilet and deck shower

- Sterndrive- or outboard-powered package

- Ergonomic design

- Built-in bow sprit

- Huge seat station, under-seat storage

- Internal cabin lining

- Underfloor kill tank (removable bin)

- Sports split bow rail

- Fibreglass moulded front floor cabin liner

- Rear fibreglass full-length floor

- Rear travel cover

- Large sports dash

- Mackay trailer

Mini Specs:

LOA: 7.23m

Beam: 2.45m

Weight: 2500kg

Fuel Capacity 250 litres

Details: The new Whittley SL 24 is available exclusively through the authorised Australia wide Whittley dealer network. See www.whittleymarinegroup.com.au.

Spotlight: Whittley SL 24 Hard Top

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