Yellowfin 6400 Synergy

The evolution of the humble barra boat has gone ahead in leaps and bounds since the mid 1980s when a 12-foot punt and 15 horsepower two-stroke motor was standard kit for barra fishing. Yellowfin’s 6400 Synergy is testimony to just how far fishing boats have come since someone floated the first tinnie.

This hull, at a glance, looks a whole lot like some we see from the likes of Bar Crusher and Surtees and no doubt that’s not by mistake. Those boats work, and the reason for their inception was not unlike that of the Yellowfin; good open work-and-play boats designed for long hauling those expansive rivers and remote coastlines which we have a lot of in this country -- but especially so in the Top End.

The deck is a true self-draining type with the deck level well above the outside water line. Purpose designed side bins for fire extinguisher and EPIRB will keep those items out of the way but still at hand if needed, and those wanting to get into some offshore billfish action will appreciate the standard fit of outrigger base plates on the gunwale coamings on which to mount a couple of long poles. And the coamings are wide enough to fit other fishing tools such as electric reels and down riggers should you desire.

The boat comes with three pedestal post style bucket seats to fit into any of the six available positions so trimming out any list by a shuffle of the crew is quickly achievable to make long-distance travel more comfortable.
The massive fuel capacity of 300 litres will give this boat a range of 9.25 hours at 28.5 knots and 4000rpm which will have you in some faraway places for sure without having to lug tote tanks and jerry cans.

The anchor well is an open-top and deep cavity which has a rotaform insert as a liner to prevent chain rattle against the hull and minimise wear from friction over many miles of sea travel. It is large enough to accept a big Danforth anchor or grappling hook which are the preferred picks in use around Top End waters which are generally shallow and muddy.

At the bow, the bollard is robust as are the low bow rails that run right to the bow roller which has a rope cleat above it to centralise the anchoring point to keep the bow pointed directly into oncoming sea.

The coamings about the boat are flat sheet and the afore-mentioned reinforcing plates to allow long outrigger pole bases to be secured are on the underside midway. There are four rod holders welded into the coamings and drink holders large enough to cope with foam insulators are also welded in flush with the sheeting. You don’t go fishing in the Top End without a stubby cooler!

In the forward casting platform there are two hatches, one of which may host the previously mentioned ice box whilst the other will hold the usual safety gear and tackle items. Both hatches have gas struts to assist in their opening and rubber seals in the bottom of the draining gutters to alleviate the hatches rattling and for further water proofing.

These draining gutters run deck water back into the main cockpit so that it can exit out the scuppers. This cockpit deck as well as being above the waterline is also fully welded where it meets the hull sides so the bilge should remain relatively dry most of the time and hooks and swivels that usually find their way into cracks and set up electrolysis on the hull will be prevented from doing so.

The cockpit has two short side pockets well up off the deck so small items may be tucked under to free up the available traffic area.

The live-bait tank is 65 litres in volume and the heavy duty boarding ladder and fold down transom door are standard fit as is the hydraulic steering.

While 6.4 metres of boat might seem a handful to some, not so the Synergy. It is very manoeuvrable without having to battle the wheel and handles the chop with ease. We ran it off the bar at Mooloolaba where there was a metre of swell and plenty of wind-driven chop and we failed to find any blemishes in the general performance. With wind on the forequarter there was a slight amount of spray coming on board as is to be expected from any centre console.

If you do a comparison with what is available in the 6.4-metre alloy boat market you will realise this Yellowfin is pretty good value for money. Ostensibly it has all the hallmarks of a custom rig but with a production-line price tag.