Whittley SL 24HT with 380hp Volvo Penta: Review

One of Whittley’s most adept fishing boats is its SL 24. With a low centre of gravity and sterndrive power, this deep-vee 23-degree boat is a proven warrior. But with recent upgrades, including new 380hp engine rating, it now offers more power and performance. There are also greater fishing options and overnighting comforts as well. With the new all-weather hardtop, the SL24 is a terrific year-round trailerboating proposition.

OVERVIEW
-A high-speed bluewater and bay boat
The SL 24 has been one of Whittley’s most respected models in its Sea Legend fishing fleet. We tested the predecessor, the Sea Legend 700 as it was then known, back in mid-2006 with a 225hp Yamaha V6 outboard. This was a $103K package.

Fast forward — as indeed you will on this V8 rig — and Whittley is building a very different boat these days. Alan Whittley, National Sales & Marketing Manager, will tell you they have built just one outboard-powered Sea Legend in the past four years.

Dealers might rig a few more than that, but it’s all about sterndrive and, in particular, Volvo Penta’s latest high-tech offerings at Whittley these days. No other Australian boat builder has quite the small-engine relationship as Whittley with Volvo Penta.

The new SL 24HT has been rerated from its previous maximum 320hp to 380hp to facilitate the new 380hp Volvo Penta V8 with the EVC controls (cable is still an option saving about $6K). This is the latest compact, freshwater-cooled V8 with Variable Valve Timing for tremendous bottom- and top-end power delivery.

Pulling no punches, Whittley created a real showboat with the 380hp-powered SL 24HT we tested. A Melbourne Boat Show rig, it was configured to show just what the yard is capable of doing. And it would look like a bit of all-right behind your 4WD, too.

With a heap of fishing kit, some extra comforts like hot water and a portable barbecue, full camper covers and sleeping for two, you can extend the capability of your SL 24HT from fish boat to family boat. Whittley says you don’t have to rough it to enjoy the rough stuff.

The full-height windscreen running up to the moulded hardtop, mounted on robust stainless-steel struts, creates a true wheelhouse for all-weather protection.

There’s lots of glass for vision, plenty of much-needed ventilation via side opening windows, while the SL 24HT somehow retains sleek lines for a hardtop trailerboat.

While this is a timely test with the 2015 Victorian snapper-fishing season hitting its straps, the addition of outriggers, Raymarine E12 with 1kW transducer, and tailor-made Mackay trailer with electric brakes, creates a high-speed sportsfisher on and off the road. Interstate travels will add to the adventure.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- With all the fishboxes ticked and the top power
You can still get an SL 24HT from $105,990 with a base 200hp Volvo Penta V6 on galvanised trailer. This would be no rocket ship, but Whittley says it has sold a few and you’d certainly have a handy snapper boat.

Our SL 24HT showboat weighed in at $163,990 with the V8-380, upgraded alloy Mackay trailer with electric brakes and stone guard, and all the fishing kit.

The test boat had a twin battery system; Raymarine E12 fishfinder and GPS with 1kW transducer; Volvo Penta 4in integrated Vessel Management display; DVD player and screen; and LED spotlights.

Happy campers will find hot water with 130lt for a handy shower or two; lockable cabin door; rear folding table; rear bimini and camper back; and integrated Porta-Potti (standard).

For fishing, our boat had an impressive GRP bait board; plumbed live-bait tank (standard); large underfloor fish box; berley bucket and muncher; outrigger kit; rocket launcher; saltwater deck wash; and there was a drum anchor winch.

We also had an extended marlin board option, with a stainless-steel utility bar to be fitted. The platform adds to the calm-water real estate, but it might be a hindrance for hardcore bluewater fishing in rough weather. You certainly wouldn’t want to back up.

"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 continued.

LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION
- Signature upmarket trailerboat fitout and mouldings
The idea behind Whittley’s new SL 24 HT in standard hardtop configuration was to provide all-weather protection for fishers and family without compromising cockpit space. You have done that Mr Whittley.

"We wanted to create a hardtop 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,” Alan says.

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

Despite the lid, you can still walk around the side decks, assisted by the bow and hardtop rails. The boat was to be fitted with a front ladder for easy beach disembarkation from this sterndrive rig.

Otherwise, with the drum winch giving push button anchoring, plus an internal cabin/escape hatch, there’s not a lot of reason to walk the decks. The sturdy stainless-steel grab and bow rails on this SL 24HT set the tone for what is a great spread of high-quality deck gear.

The extended non-skid marlin platform has its advantages for bay fishos wanting somewhere to bait fish and boat fish with a landing net. The cockpit itself is even more fish- and user-friendly and capable of fishing and seating four anglers.

Clip-out carpet reveals an easy-clean non-skid deck in what is a deep and safe cockpit with plenty of freeboard. There’s storage for 12 rods in the overhead launcher, twin gaff or net or paddle or rod racks per side in the pockets, and we had four flush-mount rod holders in the gunwales.

The full-length side pockets and padded coamings help create toe space and facilitate leaning outboard. The boat didn’t rock about and it felt very reassuring during our stability tests. The underfloor cockpit locker boosts storage via a large removable plastic bin. It was designed to take dive bottles and snapper of similar proportions.

Additional cockpit storage exists under the transom, in absolutely cavernous bins under the moulded seat boxes, and within smaller accessory lockers moulded into the cockpit liners and around the helm.

The port corner had a small moulded bait bin with overboard drain, with a deeper live well in the opposite starboard corner that would take a few Bermagui slimies or bay squid.

In between, running off the engine-box, is a fold-up lunch table made from Kingboard or Starboard. Please save your bait preparation for the GRP cutting board instead. Save the marriage that way.

A huge footwell and deep cabin with padded backrests creates somewhere to sit out of the weather. Infills come standard to create a two-person vee berth, with a toilet and TV fitted if you want to overnight at the ramp or upriver with the jewfish lines soaking.

The spatial arrangement and all-important flow of the boat (fish-shui) is very good, with nothing jumping out to attack or bite you at sea, with plenty of headroom and shoulder room and foot space, plus loads of storage to help keep the decks clutter free.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- A deep-vee hull with compact V8 Volvo Penta
External and internal hatches give access to the fire-red Volvo V8, which was installed with Whittley experience and precision.

We checked the coolant, dipstick, fuel filter and bilge and it was all nice and accessible, with separate cockpit hatches to the batteries and pumps. Sound insulation adds to what is a smooth V8, with not a lot of mumble at idle but plenty of roar to induce a silly grin as you advance the throttle.

The powerful 380hp engine package is compact and light (marketed as weighing some 100 kilos less than comparable engines on the market) resulting in a very competitive power-to-weight ratio.

At the same time, the new engine is heavy-duty, fuel- and oil-efficient and, thanks to the new catalytic converter, emission levels have been substantially lowered, Volvo blurts.

The engine has also been equipped with VVT (Variable Valve Timing) technology, which optimises torque at low rpm while maximising the effect at high RPMs, resulting in faster acceleration, increased top speed and smoother, better response in the mid-range, we were told before arrival.

The V8-380 has a protected exhaust system made of aluminium to lower weight, and the exhaust flow has been optimised to achieve the highest possible levels of performance. The engine and the exhaust system are cooled, as standard, with glycol.

On top of all these performance improvements and updates, the engine is – like all Volvo Penta gasoline engines – fully integrated with Volvo Penta’s EVC electronic platform.

With the EVC controls, Whittley also includes (as standard) Cruise Control for push-button rev adjustments and fine tuning; Power Trim Assist for automatic trimming; and Tow Mode for preset towing revs.

Meanwhile, the fair and curvaceous mouldings, which are little changed in the past five years or so, impress; as does the fit-up and installation of electric wiring, electronics and engines, the stainless-steel work and the soft furnishings. There is pride in the build evident here.

ON THE WATER
- Make the schnapper-men take notice
As touched on, the hull is a proven 23-degree deep-vee for a wave-slicing ride, which is aided by the low-down weight of the V8 inboard. The standard recessed trim tabs let you cover all trim and sea options.

But stability isn’t compromised by the 100kg hardtop, in fact, this is one of the most stable HTs we’ve been aboard, especially considering the 2.46m trailerable-without-need-for-a-permit beam that Whittley will remind you about.

Of course, Port Phillip Bay was dead flat for our test. But with the deep-vee hull and trim tabs and low-down weight, you get a smooth ride. Mark my words.

We happily held a 12-knot low-speed, heavy-weather punching speed at 2500rpm, whereupon you may as well run a jet-head or three for a bluefin. Low cruise was clocked at 3250rpm and 20.5 knots. You can still hold your drink.

The smooth cruise figure I recorded was around 3500rpm for 23.5 knots and 33lt/hr consumption. Your range is safely 160nm if you stick to these revs only, leaving 10 per cent of the 250lt fuel supply in reserve.

Range drops to 146nm at 4000rpm and 28 knots (43lt/hr) and, er, just 114nm at 5000rpm high-speed 36 knots cruise. Yes, 36 knots cruise. Anywhere on Port Phillip, Western Port, Gippsland, the SA Gulfs, Moreton, Palm Beach or Rotto is now at your fishing tips.

At these 4000-5000rpm ranges, your V8-380 is singing a beautiful note and everyone on the water will be marvelling at you flashing past rig.

Pushing through, I found 45-46 knots (85km/h) top speed at 6000rpm (118lt/hr, if you need to know). That’s more than 11nm in 15 minutes for about 30lt of fuel.

The handling at high-speed on the SL 24HT is reassuring and defined, without chine walking or porpoising, with the leg trimmed up and the boat running free. But it’s back at the 23.5 knots for 33lt/hr that this combination is purring contently for everyone and you can scout the sea.

Meantime, there’s a lot of boat here, the SL 24HT feels purposeful, and it is very smooth.

VERDICT
- From The Bay to the bluewater and beyond
The SL 24HT is a first-class trailerboat with a great hull, sharp interior and flash finish. The boat is up for anything from chasing barrel-sized bluefin off Portland to trolling for striped marlin at Bermagui, snapper in the bays, to a trailerboat camping safari in the Whitsundays.

The big V8-380 adds another dimension. Your boat’s ride and drive becomes a highlight. You can blast from the ramp to the grounds in no time. Fish early when it’s flat and reel in the sea miles quick as that with a blatt. Then hook into some social boating, even towsports stuff.

There’s no denying the stunning V8 power adds to the excitement, but there’s also excellent cruising economy when you don’t give it a boot-full. We anticipate that exercising restraint will be your biggest challenge.

While the new-generation alloy-block 240hp V6Volvo Penta would be a great match, this V8 is something special, especially when you blow past the snapper crowd with that engine wailing. All heads will look up longingly from their rod tips to your fishing hot rod.

LIKES
>> That V8 roar and raceboat-like performance to reach the snapper spots first
>> Excellent cockpit with freeboard and floor space
>> Sturdy hardtop with great vision, protection, ventilation and looks
>> Crossover fishing and family application to keep everyone happy
>>High onboard comfort levels from the luxury cabin to the ergonomic seating and helm

NOT SO MUCH
>> Bluewater anglers won’t like the extended marlin board
>> Big V8 with 210 litres of fuel might demand some self-imposed throttle management
>> Battery breaker and isolator switch location exposed in cockpit

Specifications: Whittley SL 24HT
Price as tested: $163,990 fully loaded with lots of options and upgraded V8-380 Volvo Penta on alloy trailer.
Priced from: $105,990 with V6-200C Volvo Penta on galvanised trailer.
Hull Length: 6.81m (22.34ft)
Length Overall: 7.3m (23.96ft)
Beam: 2.46m (8.07ft)
Deadrise (at transom): 23 degrees
Dry Weight BMT: Sterndrive (inc. heaviest motor and trailer*) 2782kg
Maximum Persons: Seven
Sleeping: Two
Fuel Capacity: 250 litres
Water Fresh Capacity: 130 litres
Maximum Permissible Power of Stern Drive Motor: 380hp
Engine on test: Volvo Penta V8-380

Supplied by:
Whittley Marine Group
99 Freight Drive, Somerton,
Victoria, 3062
Email: info@whittley.com.au
Phone: (03) 8339 1800
http://www.whittleymarinegroup.com.au