Tested | Stabicraft 1550 Side Console with Suzuki 70

It’s not that often that we get to head out with a customer of a dealer to do a boat test, but Scott De Mouncey of Mandurah Motor Marine was 100% confident that his repeat customer, Ross Tizard, was the perfect advocate for his New Zealand built Stabicraft boat range. Ross is now on his second Stabicraft, with the 1550 being an upgrade from a smaller Stabi that he owned previously and he was happy to take us out on the Mandurah estuary on a windy afternoon to show us just what it could do.

Retired, Ross is pretty particular about what he needs his boat to do - whether it is crabbing, chasing black bream up the Murray River or sneaking offshore to chase a few snapper, Ross’ boat needs to be able to handle all of these activities and be able to do it by himself - that includes single-handed launch and retrieve and boat positioning on the water.

Let’s have a look at how he’s done it.

The 1550 hull is fitted with a 70HP Suzuki 4-stroke outboard which gives Ross wonderful economy - up to 4.25km/L 3700rpm and 35 km/h - giving a theoretical range of over 300km in ideal conditions. In Ross’ case, this means that it’s often a long time between service station visits to full up.

Stabicraft hulls are unique in the way that they incorporate welded aluminium airtight tubes into the hull design. These increase stability and buoyancy of the rig with the compromise being reduced internal beam. There’s a few things that Ross has done to counter the reduction of room, including the addition of a fold-away helm seat for the driver and high internal gunwales in the cockpit.

The condole is broad and provides protection from a little wind spray. It easily holds all of the gauges and switches Ross needs for his daily boat operation.

Also unique to the Stabicraft as a long sub-gunwale shelf that can easily accommodate a couple of fishing rods and all of Ross’ accessories that he needs ready-to-hand.

“The wide gunwales also provide an excellent place to sit,” Ross added.

On the port side of the transom, a large, windowed live bait tank allows you to keep an eye on your catch or livies and ensure that they’re in prime condition.
The raised front deck gives you a place to cast lures from while under Minn Kota power, however Ross’ Stabicraft also comes with raised rails which lets you get up there when it’s a little rough. Ross admits that he’s not the world’s smallest man, and appreciates the extra support up front.

Important to Ross is that the rig is easily launchable and manoeuvrable single handed, as he often ventures out on his own to hunt and gather. The single axled Dunbier trailer facilitates this and he has a system worked out with a couple of ropes that makes it all look too easy.

“I really love the build quality of the Stabicraft boats, and maybe it also has a little to do with the fact that I’m an expatriate New Zealander,” says Ross, “but you really do feel safe in this hull. It’s a great little hull that I can use for all my types of fishing.”

Both of Ross’ Stabicraft boats have been supplied and delivered by Mandurah Motor Marine in Mandurah, WA. You can visit them on www.mandurahmotormarine.com.au. As tested, Ross’ package came in at $52,500 with all electronics. Base packages start from $45,000.