6:37 PM Wed 24 Mar 2010 GMT
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'Hailed as an ideal entry level boats, the new Stacer 449 Seaway offers a range of features at an affordable price.'
Bob Wonders
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If you have not taken a close-up look at a typical Australian-built aluminium boat recently, do your self a favour and check out the new Stacer range. Believe me, they are a far cry from the 'tinnies' of yesteryear.
Stacer, of course, is a division of Queensland, Gold Coast-based Telwater, parent company also of Quintrex, equally well-known to fans of aluminium boats.
Earlier this week, I joined 24 other colleagues from media organisations across Australia to check out the latest Stacer range. Actually, 'range' is something of a misnomer, for Stacer today produces an astonishing 65 models separated into seven distinct classes.
If you think that means Stacer has the small, aluminium boat market covered, have a cigar, you'd be dead right!
With its 2010 offerings, Stacer has actually released three totally new models and made comprehensive alterations and upgrades to 22 others.
The Stacer ranges are comprised into Open Boats, Prolines, SF Series, Nomads, Runabouts, Bowriders and Cabins.
Most of the names are self explanatory; the Open Boats are, well, open; the Prolines and the SF Series, together with the Nomad, are aimed at the angler; Runabouts and Bowriders are just that, runabouts and bowriders.
The Cabin Boats could also be termed all-rounders as plenty of them serve as blue water fishing boats.
Two new runabouts have been released, the 449 SeaHawk and the 449 Baymaster, both excellent all-rounders and ideal entry level craft.
The other new model tells it like it is - it's a fishing boat and it's the 449 Northern Fisher Centre Console.
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Stacer's beaut Northern Fisher Centre Console is going to win the hearts and minds of small boat anglers. - Bob Wonders
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Right through the ranges, Stacer engineers and designers have been hard at it introducing the famed EVBO Advance Hull to a variety of models in the Nomad, Runabout, Bowrider and Cabin ranges.
The hulls have been 'fine tuned', a little bit off here, a little bit off there, the end result being a deeper vee, a more pronounced sharp entry and a far more friendly transom.
Superior performance and handling has been achieved with the hulls, while internally the boats have been extensively upgraded with deep side pockets, added storage, more comfortable seating and re-designed helms.
For some reason I hate the term 'user friendly', but that's what Stacer has arrived at, particularly with the new transom designs.
Anglers in particular will appreciate the Stacer transom; it has been designed specifically for fishing and offers increased space and stowage.
I guess looks are a matter of opinion, but I feel the new transom improves the profile and general appearance of the boats, particularly those in the Runabout, Bowrider and Cabin ranges.
Another practical point, there is now easier access to the bilge.
Across the board, Stacer has added appeal to the boats, of that I'm sure.
Damien Duncan, Stacer's director of sales and marketing, said feedback from the company's dealer network led to many of the changes.
'We seek feedback and we act upon it where ever applicable' he said.
'Stacer now has 61 dealers across Australia and they do not hesitate in relaying feedback to us that may have come from the own customers.
'It all helps ensure that we produce the boats that people want to own,' he added.
Some dealers reportedly are eagerly awaiting stock of the new boats, even to the extent of trying to invent 'sneaky ways' of getting a break on the competition.
Damien Duncan just smiled' 'They'll have to wait in line like everybody else,' he said.
'We hope to have the range on showroom floors by mid -year and I'm sure they'll prove an attraction at the Melbourne and Sydney boat shows,' he added.
For further information contact Stacer, telephone (07) 5585-9898 or visit the website,
www.stacer.com.au
by Bob Wonders
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Davis, TAS
