Yellowfin Plate introduces three new layouts in heavily revised fishing boat range

The new models come as the Queensland boat-builder looks to snare a larger share of the Australian plate boat market – not to mention chasing overseas sales under the wing of its parent company’s new Canadian owners. The range expands from just 10 in the old Yellowfin line-up to 27 in the new one.

The update leaves the bigger hulls – the 6.2-metre, 6.5-metre, 7.0-metre and 7.6-metre versions – largely unchanged apart from some tweaks to the stem.

However, it’s a huge makeover for the walk-up 5.8-metre boats, which switch from the 20-degree deadrise used for the longer boats for a new 17-degree one. This is in the interests of stability, both at rest and under way, given the effect the generous 2.4-metre beam has on the hull.

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The new rear console boat is a response to the growing popularity of this type of boat in places such as the Northern Territory, Queensland and even Sydney.

The centre cab version is an all-new model to cover off competitors, while the folding hard top is in recognition that the brand could snare even more sales if it could capture buyers wanting all the convenience of a hard top, but because they live in the suburbs, the convenience of being able to store the boat in a garage.

Hard Top, Side Console and Soft Top versions of the boats remain. Flagship Southerner editions will be available in 7000 and 7600-badged Hard Tops.

Yellowfin has also reassessed the level of standard gear out its boats, mainly to to bring down prices, but also in recognition that buyers like to customise their fit-out. To help owner show can’t decide, it will offer what it calls Platinum Packs – bundles made up of the most popular items that new owners have traditionally requested when ordering their boats.

Other big changes include moving the cabin 300mm forward on all models fitted with it to yield more cockpit space, and the range-wide removal of underfloor kill tanks so the boats could offer more range via a larger fuel tank. Yellowfin says most owners will prefer to use a large cool box as a kill tank, and as a seat.

Then it’s the little things, like tackle box storage, sinker cups on the coamings and even moving the console seats further apart to allow people to move between them more easily in rougher waters.

Yellowfin has based a number of the changes on the feedback it received from current owners. Another of their demands? A toilet so that the boat could be used for overnighting when conditions suit. An electric version is now optional in all centre cab models.

The boats will even have suspension seats available.

The loss of the kill tank will be a difficult one to mourn. Fuel capacity on the flagship Yellowfin 7600 Southerner grows to 380 litres from around 250. In recognition, Yellowfin is working on a 3.2-tonne trailer that will easily handle a fully loaded boat heading out for a big day on the water.

The dashes have grown bigger in recognition that the screens these boats will wear have increased in size, and the boat range’s wiring is heavier – up from 25 to 80 amps – to cope with the electrical demands. In another clever move, breaker switches replace fuses, which means once the fault is sorted there’s no need to hunt for a replacement. Switches on the instrument panel are now back-lit so they can be seen in the dark.

The new-for-2019 Yellowfin range includes the option of classy new, contrasting tone paint jobs that give the boats a huge visual lift on the water.

The boats will come out of the factory fitted with Evinrude fuel-injected two-stroke engines as standard, ranging from 135hp to 300hp. In the interests of keeping servicing costs down, the Yellowfin range has an inspection hatch over the engine’s wiring loom, making access much more simple.

All hardtop and centre cab models will have Zipwake trim tabs fitted as standard.

As well as the folding hard top, centre cab and rear console models, Yellowfin will offer hard top, soft top, centre console and its flagship Southerner hardtop range.

The introduction of the Southerner 7000 and 7600 makes the 7.0-metre and 7.6-metre versions of the Hard Top redundant.

Testing of the revamped Yellowfin range started in November last year, with production on the brand’s bespoke line in the Commera-based Telwater factory kicking off in February.

The entire range is on sale now.

Range-wide pricing is not yet available, but Brisbane Quintrex is offering the walk-up Yellowfin 5800 Folding Hard Top priced form $56,995 including an Evinrude 135 E-Tec HO, with the Platinum Pack costing from $64,525. These prices include 12 months of Queensland boat and trailer rego,safety gear and a battery.

The flagship Yellowfin 7600 Southerner will cost from $93,225 for the base pack and fitted with a 300hp Evinrude outboard engine, or from $105,240 with the Platinum pack.

Yellowfin has all the new models listed on its website.