Whittley SL 26 Outboard Hardtop: Review

Whittley has built its reputation on the production of wonderfully finished, class-leading family boats, yet this iconic Aussie boat builder also has a range of family/fishing cross-over cabin boats called Sea Legends. There are four models in the Sea Legend range and this week we are reviewing the impressive SL 26 Hardtop model, powered by the mighty Yamaha 300hp V6 four-stroke outboard.

OVERVIEW
- Aussie built family fishing cruisers with a kiwi connection
The Whittley Sea Legend models hail originally from New Zealand, but have for many years been part of the Whittley marine stable, following a joint venture agreement in the late 1990s with founding designer and leading kiwi brand Rayglass. The Sea Legend models are built alongside Whittley’s renowned family cruiser models in Melbourne.

In the Sea Legend range there are four models, the SL 22, SL 24, SL 26, and SL 28. All are cabin boats and most are ordered with a full hardtop, though bimini soft top models are also available.

Similarly, the majority of Sea Legends are powered by petrol and diesel sterndrive engines from Volvo Penta, although each model is available with outboard power, the brand dependent on the individual Whittley dealer.

That brings us neatly to the subject of this review, a rare outboard-powered Sea Legend 26 from Brisbane Whittley specialist, Northside Marine. The boat offered for testing was fitted with a Yamaha V6 300hp four-stroke outboard engine and nicely appointed for family flings, overnighting and offshore fishing.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- A great value family fishing boat with excellent fit and finish
The Whittley Sea Legend models are designed with deep vee hulls for excellent rough water and offshore capabilities. The SL 26 is about as deeply veed as they come too – with a deadrise of 23 degrees. As such, these craft require, and can handle plenty of power, up to a maximum of 350hp for single outboard installations, and 380hp for single petrol or diesel sterndrives.

As noted, our test boat was packaged with a 300hp extra-longshaft (25) Yamaha 300hp 4.2L V6 four-stroke outboard, along with a Whittley branded galvanized-steel tandem axle trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes. On road, this 2800kg rig will be easily hauled by decent 4WDs.

Northside Marine has the standard Yamaha 300hp outboard-powered SL 26 hardtop packages available from around $142,050 — and this is great value when you consider the excellent build quality, fit and finish of these craft, along with the comprehensive inventory of standard features.

The features list is too long to include here, but some of the key items include: spacious forward cabin with enclosed head compartment with shower and chemical toilet (electric toilet optional), 100lt freshwater tank, cockpit shower 12-volt fridge, sink, galley storage space and two-burner stove, 27 MHz radio, Ritchie compass, skipper windscreen wiper, CD player with two speakers, hydraulic steering, two bilge pumps, dual-battery system, targa rocket launcher, trim tabs, boarding ladder, and a whole lot more.

The Sea Legends are built using traditional GRP construction techniques at Whittley’s Melbourne factory. The hulls are hand-laid with timber stringers encapsulated in fibreglass for protection and additional strength. The interior mouldings are fair and true, and the exterior gelcoat gleams alluringly.

All materials used in the construction are of first class quality, including the fixtures and fittings (which are all stainless steel), while fine quality foams and fabrics are used to line the cabin ceiling and surrounds, and to upholster the berth cushions, seats and other furnishings.

Our test boat was fitted with a number of factory and dealer options. They included a cockpit extension to the fibreglass hardtop, Garmin 7410 XSV GPS/fish finder with G2 Card, VHF radio upgrade (in lieu of 27Mhz radio) electric drum anchor winch (with anchor rode), lockable cabin door, front hatch fly screen, rear removable carpet, two folding cockpit seats, deluxe rear baitboard with storage, two rear facing LED lights, docking kit with fenders and mooring lines, and an open waters safety gear kit for six adults.

With boat and trailer registrations and an open water safety gear pack for six adults, the options lift the BMT package price to $159,995 — which is still very good value for a fully-fitted 7.0m plus trailerable cruiser.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Split personality
The Whittley SL 26 is large and spacious enough to perform the dual roles of family cruiser and offshore sportfisher. There is plenty of room in the forward cabin, ample crew space and seating at the helm, and the rear cockpit is laden with fishing features. It will also accommodate three or four anglers comfortably.

The cockpit is deep and wide with 800mm of freeboard to the sides and a minimum of 670mm in the transom corners, which is more than enough to keep youngsters safety within the cockpit and to provide hip bracing support to anglers.

There is standard bolster padding to the coaming sides for angler comfort, along with excellent toe/foot holds under the cockpit side pockets, which are lifted just a few inches above the floor and incorporate a horizontal rod storage rack.

The side coamings/decks are not very wide, but there is provision for flush-fitting rod holders, with four rear cockpit rod holders included.

Coaming rails and stern cleats are recessed so they do not entangle fishing lines.

The test boat was rigged with the optional deluxe bait board with two aft facing rod holders, cup holders and utensil/knife tray. It is a neat unit, and perhaps the most desirable option for anglers.

The included dual batteries are stowed under the transom, on a shelf beneath the bait board. To reach the batteries, bilge, fuel filters, and pump plumbing for servicing, a large section of the cockpit floor lifts up and hinges back toward the helm. Lifting this section of floor back, after first folding back the clip-on cockpit carpet, also exposes a huge storage compartment which would normally house the inboard engine with sterndrive powered versions of the SL 26. In our outboard powered test boat, this space has been allocated to storage, with a large, removable bin/fish box dropped into it.

There is additional storage space on the starboard side of the transom, beneath the step through to the boarding platform and ladder, while on the starboard side there is a reasonable sized live bait tank with clear front window for monitoring the health of your baits.

The bait tank is okay in size but oddly shaped. It is also difficult to access as it is built into/beneath the port side boarding platform and you have to reach over the stern to open the lid and drop your baits into it.

AT THE HELM
- Full shelter, great vision, space for electronics
The helm position with dedicated electronics panel, dual bucket seats, sports steering wheel and side mount Yamaha throttle lies fully sheltered beneath the sturdy fibreglass hardtop.

There is a neatly curved, dash to hardtop, toughened glass windscreen, sliding side windows for ventilation, and an overhead radio box under the hardtop, along with a series of well-placed grab rails.

The windscreen offers an excellent view forward, but there is some glare and reflection at certain angles in full sunshine.

As noted, the fascia has ample space for electronics, including the big Garmin 7410 XSV GPS/Fish Finder as well as the Yamaha Command Link digital engine display, switch panels and controls for the trim tabs and electric anchor winch.

The two deluxe bucket chairs swivel and slide fore and aft for so you can push the helm chair nice and close to the steering wheel to drive the boat comfortably... or pull it back out of the way to stand at the helm.

The chairs sit on pedestals, but the pedestals are in turn mounted above large moulded storage boxes with aft facing seats with padded back rests. The layout works exceptionally well and provides total covered seating for four adults, plus loads of dry storage space.

There’s even a small set of drawers for terminal tackle in the aft face of the starboard storage seat box.

Two additional jump seats clip on to brackets in the rear cockpit transom corners, boosting the total above decks seating capacity to six people.

CREATURE COMFORTS
- Weekend cruiser features and fit-out
Below decks, two steps down into the expansive forward cabin area there is additional seating and sleeping accommodation on the 2.0m long individual berths, which convert into a large double berth with the addition of the included infill board and cushion.

A pedestal table is another standard inclusion, and converts the cabin into a dinette seating area where you can comfortably sit and eat meals prepared in the nearby galley area, which is complete with 12-volt fridge, pull-out two burner stove, and a sink with running freshwater (fed by a 100 litre water tank.

Opposite is the enclosed head compartment with full standing headroom, pull-out shower and portable chemical toilet. An electric flush toilet with holding tank is available as an option.

Other cabin features include side storage pockets, underberth lockers, clear cabin windows to boost ambient lighting, and an overhead ventilation hatch.

There is no access to the foredeck and large anchor well from within the lower cabin, but it is not really necessary as the boat comes standard with an electric anchor winch, operated from the helm.

When you do need to go forward to the bow there is foot-space around the cabin sides and a sturdy hand rail on each side of the fibreglass hardtop.

ON THE WATER
- Quick, soft, stable and well-balanced
With a substantial 23 degree deadrise and a very fine vee entry shape at the bow, we expected the big Sea Legend to be pretty soft riding in a seaway and we were not disappointed. The Whittley carved easily through the short, sharp chop prevailing during our sea trial on Brisbane’s Moreton Bay.

I also found the test boat very stable, putting to rest any doubt that the outboard-powered SL 26 might have been a little tender, at least when compared with the much heavier and seriously solid sterndrive-powered models.

Underway the big Sea Legend feels strong, substantial and profoundly “cruiser-like”. That said it is also nimble and surprisingly agile when you throw the big deep vee hull into tight turns... or slam the throttle from displacement speeds.

The Sea Legend also proved to be deceptively quick, accelerating to a top speed of 43 knots at 6000rpm. The big 300hp V6 Yamaha felt strong and responsive throughout the rpm range, providing more than enough power for the SL 26, even though the boat is rated for single outboards up to 350hp.

During our performance trials we determined that the Sea Legend/Yamaha combination is most economical at a cruise speed of 21.5 knots at 3500 rpm. The fuel burn at this speed 33lt/hr, which yields a maximum range on 95 per cent of the standard 250L fuel tank of 154.73 nautical miles.

VERDICT
- A cleverly designed family cruiser with offshore fishing capability
The Whittley SL 26 is a cleverly designed outboard-powered hardtop cruiser. It combines the soft-touch features and creature comforts you need for family boating and weekend overnight cruising with the hull performance, fishing features and fit-out of a capable offshore sportfisher.

Certainly there are more purpose-built offshore fishing craft available, but if you want a boat that is more comfortable, more versatile, more practical, yet still has the potential to mix it with the best fishing platforms wide offshore, then this big Whittley Sea Legend could be just the right boat for you and your family.

The overnighting comforts also open up a range of other fishing possibilities, such as exploring offshore islands for weekends at a time, spending nights aboard (say at Tangalooma Wrecks) interspersed with fishing trips, and sleeping aboard with the live baits kicking to make an early run to the fishing grounds the next morning, not to mention big river trips.

LIKES
>> Good value for money
>> Comfortable handling and ride
>> Class leading fit and finish
>> Versatile cockpit layout
>> Hardtop weather protection
>> Smooth, strong Yamaha four-stroke power
>> Trim tabs standard
>> Enclosed toilet compartment
>> Vast storage areas

NOT SO MUCH
>> Awkward access to live bait tank
>> No foredeck access from cabin

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.78/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.8/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.9/5.0
On the water performance: 4.8/5.0
Value for money: 4.8/5.0
X-factor: 4.6/5.0

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
4.9kts (9.1km/h) @ 1000rpm
5.9kts (10.9km/h)@ 1500rpm
7.0kts (12.9km/h) @ 2000rpm
10.0kts (18.5km/h) @ 2500rpm
13.6kts (25.2km/h) @ 3000rpm
21.5kts (39.8km/h) @ 3500rpm
28.1kts (51.2km/h) @ 4000rpm
33.2kts (61.4km/h) @ 4500rpm
36.5kts (67.5km/h) @ 5000rpm
40.7kts (75.3km/h) @ 5500rpm
43.4kts (80.5km/h) @ 6000rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE - ECONOMY
5.3lt/hr @ 1000rpm
7.5lt/hr @ 1500rpm
13.5lt/hr @ 2000rpm
20.0lt/hr @ 2500rpm
24.4lt/hr @ 3000rpm
33.0lt/hr @ 3500rpm
44.3lt/hr @ 4000rpm
53.5lt/hr @ 4500rpm
76.0lt/hr @ 5000rpm
89.0lt/hr @ 5500rpm
99.6lt/hr @ 6000rpm (WOT)

MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95% OF 250L FUEL TANK: 154.73nm @ 3500rpm

Specifications: Whittley SL 26 OB Hardtop
Price as tested: $159,995 Yamaha 300hp extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering, Whittley tandem axle galvanized steel trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes, fibreglass hardtop extension, Garmin 7410 XSV GPS/fish finder with G2 Card, VHF radio upgrade (in lieu of 27Mhz radio) electric drum anchor winch, anchor, rope and chain, lockable cabin door, front hatch fly screen, rear removable carpet, two folding cockpit seats, deluxe baitboard with storage, two rear facing LED lights, docking kit with fenders and mooring lines, and an open waters safety gear kit for six adults.

Priced from: $142,050 including Yamaha 300hp extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering, Whittley tandem axle galvanised steel trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes, and an open waters safety gear kit for six adults.
Length overall: 7.74m
Hull length: 7.3m
Beam: 2.46m
Hull weight:  Approx 1700kg (dry)
Towing weight: Approx 2800kg (dry)
Deadrise: 23 degrees
Maximum power: 350hp
Engine as tested: Yamaha 300hp four-stroke
Fuel: 250 litres
Freshwater: 100 litres
Maximum Persons: Eight

Supplied by:
Northside Marine
2294 Sandgate Road
Boondall QLD 4034
Telephone: (07) 3265 8000
Email: davidc@nsmarine.com.au
Website: www.northsidemarine.com.au