Yellowfin YF-70 Extended Cabin 2024 review

The new Yellowfin YF-70 and YF-76 Yellowfin Extended Cabin models replace the outgoing Southerner series and improved in about all areas.

The two new boats sit atop Yellowfin’s near 30-strong boat range.

We tested the smaller YF-70 model which has an overall length of 6.99m, a beam of 2.49m and an approximate highway towing weight of 2300kg with fuel.

The Yellowfin YF-70 Extended Cabin is priced from $139,990 when rigged with a Mercury 200hp extra-longshaft outboard engine and riding on a Yellowfin tandem axle aluminium trailer.

The standard boat is very well equipped, too. Key features include the semi-enclosed, extended hardtop with sliding side windows and rocket launcher rod rack, U-Dek rubber flooring throughout, self-draining welded alloy cockpit, live bait tank, Plastimo compass, VHF radio, six coaming rod holders, bait board, transom door, Zip Wake trim tabs, cabin storage with lids, trolling motor bracket, dive ladder – and more.

Our test boat came with ready-to-fish options galore. They included an engine upgrade to the more powerful Mercury 225hp V6 with hydraulic steering, a Garmin GPS Map 8416xsv multi-function display, Garmin electric trolling motor, Fusion stereo with speakers, Icey-Tek 75L pull-out cooler, berth infill board and vinyl cushions, coaming bolster padding, electric drum winch dual wipers, cabin lining, and a rear lounge seat.

The upgrades and options lift the package price to $199,990 – which still represents excellent value in this market segment.

Customers can also order the YF-70 with the Fishing Edition package – which groups together a range of the most desirable options.

Fishing Edition models come with unique exterior graphics, a deluxe bait station, raw water deck wash, dual suspension helm seats on larger storage boxes, Icey-Tek ice box/cooler, side coaming bolsters, Exploding Fish rod holders, and more.

At a glance, the YF-70 looks no different to the previous Yellowfin 7000 Southerner. However, the cabin is now slightly wider and higher to create a more spacious wheelhouse.

The YF-70 has a full aluminium hardtop that is enclosed on three sides. Yellowfin opted against a rear bulkhead, as this would separate the cockpit from the wheelhouse and make it more difficult for anglers and crew to move between the two.

However, there is a full bulkhead to separate the forward vee-berth cabin from the wheelhouse.

You can also option the boat with a lockable roller door across the cabin entryway.

Standard models come with two big side bench seats/storage boxes within the cabin. You can then option the boat with vinyl upholstered cushions and a centre infill board – as tested.

Each single berth is 2.02m long with a maximum width of 720mm. Adding the infill board and cushion converts the two single berths into a large double.

Other forward cabin features include upholstered side storage pockets and an acrylic opening hatch to access to the large anchor well up on the foredeck.

Yellowfin has upgraded the helm station with new bucket seats with flip-up front bolsters and rotating armrests.

The seats also slide and swivel for maximum comfort and adjustability.

The pedestal helm and passenger chairs are mounted on storage boxes which have aft-facing padded squab seats to allow the crew to monitor the fishing action out back.

Our test boat was optioned with an Icey-Tek 75L split-lid cooler which slides out from beneath the port side passenger seat box.

There is storage space inside the starboard seat box.

There’s also an option to fit a pair of larger seat boxes with more storage, and/or with an upright fridge built into the helm seat box.

Fronting the two helm chairs the YF-70 now has a full width, angled fascia panel to accommodate engine instruments and large flush-fitted multi-function displays.

Our test boat was optioned with a Garmin GPS Map 8416xsv, although there is fascia space to fit a whopping 19-inch display in front of the steering wheel.

Alongside to port you can also fit a 16-inch electronics display.

Overhead there is a radio box for the included Garmin VHF and optional Fusion stereo head-unit.

Elsewhere, the wheelhouse/saloon has a glove box on the dash to port, side storage shelves, a Plastimo compass, wireless phone charger, and several well-placed grab handles.

The YF-70 well setup for sport and game fishing. The large, self-draining cockpit stretches 1.6m from the helm seat boxes back to the full height transom.

The cockpit is flanked by broad, 330mm wide side coamings which can be optioned with padded bolsters for maximum fishing comfort and security.

At 675mm above the cockpit floor, the side deck coamings also sit at the perfect height for thigh bracing support when fishing over the side of the boat.

Beneath the side coamings, elevated side storage pockets stretch the length of the cockpit.

Flush-fitted into the coamings are six stainless steel rod holders and four cup holders.

The live bait tank with front viewing window is built into the port side transom corner, alongside an elevated battery shelf.

Overhead is the included bait board with rod rack and cup holders. A deluxe bait station with pull-out drawers is optional.

Other features include the starboard side transom door/step, welded stern cleats and transom boarding platforms.

About the only fishing feature you don’t get is an underfloor kill tank, with the sub-floor space used to provide flotation buoyancy.

The 20-degree deadrise, 6mm alloy hull is a beauty, as it delivers excellent handling, a comfortable ride and ample performance from a single outboard engine.

The hull bottom is unchanged from the former Southerner model, but the boat does gain a pair of planing strakes to provide more lift – and thereby improve the handling and safety in a following sea.

The YF-70 is well mannered, nicely balanced fore and aft, and easy to trim using the included Zip Wake trim tabs.

This boat is comfortable in the chop, stable at rest, and dry in blustery conditions.

The YF-70 will run well with just a single 175-200hp outboard engine, but a little more power will accommodate big fishing crews and heavier loads.

Our test boat had ample power throughout the rpm range, accelerating to a top speed of 37.8 knots (70 km/h).

The Yellowfin YF-70 Extended Cabin is a first-class plate alloy boat, and a superb offshore fishing rig.

As tested, the YF-70 is rigged and ready for battle with game fish offshore – but there are loads more cool fishing features and accessories available to personalise your new fishing machine.

At $200K fully fitted, the Yellowfin YF-70 is also decent value for money – especially when compared against rival fishing boats from the US and Europe.

Model: Yellowfin YF-7- Extended Cabin
Length overall: 6.99m
Beam: 2.4m
Depth: 1.25m
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Hull weight: 1186kg
Towing weight: 2300kg (approx.)
Topsides alloy: 4m
Bottom and transom alloy: 6mm
Maximum power: 250hp (extra-longshaft 25-inch)
Maximum engine weight: 275kg
Engine as tested: Mercury 225hp V6 four-stroke
Fuel: 320L
Passengers: 7
Priced from: $139,990 including a Mercury 200hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering and a Yellowfin tandem-axle alloy trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes.
Price as tested: $199,990. As above but with a more powerful Mercury 225hp V6, along with a Garmin GPS Map 8416xsv multi-function display, Garmin electric trolling motor, Fusion stereo with speakers, 75L Icey-Tek pull-out cooler, berth infill boards and vinyl cushions, coaming bolster padding, Savwinch electric drum winch, dual windscreen wiper, cabin lining, and a folding rear lounge seat.
Supplied by: Bay City Marine