Fishing is one of Australia’s most popular pastimes. Over the years, a greater number of boat brands have hit the market to entice families and mates off the banks, and out on our majestic waterways to chase that fish of a lifetime. It seems though the hardest thing about boating has become choosing the right fishing boat to suit your needs. Generally, the most popular styles for the South East Queensland region have been fibreglass centre consoles, aluminium tinnies, aluminium offshore plates, and fibreglass offshore cabin boats.
The only dealership in the country where you can find this entire spectrum (range?) of fishing boats is at Northside Marine. It is home to some of the best fishing boat brands in the world, including Sportsman Boats, Stabicraft, Stacer, Surtees, and Whittley Sea Legends. You will be able to find a boat that suits your lifestyle from the variety of styles and the most popular models available.
SPORTSMAN BOATS – FIBREGLASS CENTRE CONSOLES
Sportsman Boats have a reputation for building premium boats with the best ride on the water and the most yacht-calibre features for the price than any other boat in its class. They manufacture an intelligently designed series of fibreglass centre consoles and bay boats, and take great pride in the craftsmanship and quality of their products. Sportsman Boats provide a nice stable platform, with loads of storage room, and a centre console design that allows 360-degree fishability. All Sportsman Boats are powered by Yamaha Outboards and fitted out with Simrad electronics to provide the ultimate turnkey solution to boating. Northside Marine came on board as the Queensland distributor for the Sportsman Boats range back in July, and these are the hottest boats on the market! With plenty of orders already placed for the Island Reef 17, Island Reef 19, and the Open 212, and with drive away packages starting from under $50k, these boats present excellent value for money.
STACER – INSHORE ALUMINIUM TINNIES TO OFFSHORE ALUMINIUM PLATE BOATS
Ranging from a small tinnie for taking the kids whiting fishing up the Broadwater or out to the dam, through to hard core bluewater fishing machines, such as the Stacer Plate Series, Stacer have a model that suit most aluminium boat enthusiasts need. The most popular models for inshore fishing in protected waters are the Stacer Proline, Stacer SeaSprite, and Stacer Rampage range of open tinnies. These range in size, from 3m to 4.3m, with packages starting from as low as $4,990. If you are after something a little bigger to venture further afield, the Stacer 509 Sea Runner cuddy cabin is ideal for those calmer days to duck offshore with the family or a couple of mates, yet still handy in the Broadwater. If serious offshore fishing is more your style, the Stacer 659 Ocean Ranger Hard Top aluminium plate boat is a stylish rig that has all the bells and whistles, performs exceptionally well offshore, and yet is very keenly priced.
STABICRAFT – INSHORE & OFFSHORE ALUMINIUM PLATE BOATS
Stabicraft are the world’s best-designed aluminium chambered boats for business and leisure bar none. It is a bold claim, but one you can believe in. The first to pioneer positive buoyancy life-ring protection, Stabicraft boats are a triumph of Kiwi ingenuity over the elements. It is the breakthrough combination of strength, stability, safety, comfort, performance, and unbeatable usability. Tested in the ‘roaring forties’ of New Zealand’s southern waters, Stabicraft prove their worth no matter what is thrown at them. At Stabicraft, “Adventure with Confidence” is more than just a motto – it is a promise. One of the most popular models since its release early 2017 has been the Stabicraft 1550 Fisher, which is a nicely appointed family-friendly 4.7m plate boat that will not break the budget, with packages starting from $35,995 drive away. Other popular models for those wanting to venture further afield include the 1850 Supercab and 2100 Supercab. These provide an exceptional ride in the roughest conditions. When the weather gets too much, the neat cabin design provides comfort.
SURTEES – INSHORE & OFFSHORE ALUMINIUM PLATE BOATS
Surtees Boats are jam packed with innovative design features so you can enjoy your day out on the water in true fishing comfort and focus on landing the ‘big one’. Safety is at the forefront of Surtees design, so it is no surprise that the Super Deep V Hull is designed to not only stop pounding through the chop, but also to stop broaching in following seas, ensuring maximum safety. The hull also boasts spray-deflecting chines to keep you dry. Surtees boats are designed to be non-pounding, stable and comfortable. The super smooth ride is the result of combining three innovative design features: the Surtees Non-Pounding Super Deep V Hull, the Surtees Original Stabilising Technology, and the Surtees Ultra Strengthened Deck System. The most popular work horse of the Surtees range in the past year has been the all-new Surtees 575 Workmate, a 5.75m aluminium plate boat that has a reduced cabin and larger cockpit that maximises deck space for the serious fisherman – and serious fishing gear. These are available in a hardtop or an ingenious fold-down roof that enables garage storage. With its handling, stability and extended cockpit providing more deck space for fishing, another iconic fishing machine has been born.
WHITTLEY SEA LEGENDS – FIBREGLASS OFFSHORE CABIN BOATS
Whittley Sea Legends are the dream crossover, balancing the needs of a blue water fishing boat, without compromising on the creature comforts of home. They put the adventure in boating, where you can take a couple of mates out for a day (or two) of hard-core fishing, yet versatile enough to spend a weekend away with the family cruising the Broadwater. The most popular model recently has been the Whittley SL 22; at 6.6m this boat has loads of storage room and a functional fishing cockpit that will accommodate four anglers. This model is easily towed by many larger-size family SUVs, and is very capable of handling itself in a fistfight with Mother Nature. A practical rigging station with pull-out work table shrouds the engine and a generous plumbed livewell occupies the port transom step. The Whittley Sea Legend range is definitely making a statement as one of the best offshore fibreglass fishing boat on the market.
Sportsman Boats, Stabicraft, Stacer, Surtees, and Whittley Sea Legends are distributed in Queensland and Northern Rivers region by Northside Marine. Check out their extensive range at Northside Marine’s 10,000m2 purpose-built boating megastore at 2294 Sandgate Rd, Boondall, Qld, 4034 (only 15 mins north of the Brisbane Airport). View the range online at www.nsmarine.com.au, or call (07) 3265 8000.
/Sep-Dec2017
