Remora 490 review

Sep 20, 2023

Remora's Jason Olivey is a boat builder and game fishing lure maker from the Central Coast of NSW. Jason's background in boat building started at McConaghy Boats in Sydney, building America's Cup boats, while more recently, he was part of the Palm Beach Motor Yachts team on the Central Coast.

Combining his knowledge of quality boats with his lifelong fishing experience was a no-brainer and Remora Boats was born.

The Remora 490 has the shape and lines of a classic Aussie hull with all the mod cons, design and build quality that you’d expect from an experienced boat builder.

With the demand in old Australian boats at an all-time-high, Jason kicked off the Remora brand to offer boat buyers the option of owning a classic boat with new gel coat and a wide choice of colours. Not to mention a well-thought-out design and quality build.

"I’ve been fishing offshore all my life. I’ve caught a few marlin in my time and being a lure maker you spend a lot of time at sea. The experience of fishing let's me know what works and doesn't work," says Jason.

Features

The Remora 490 has a clean and clutter free lay-out with ample space for fishing.

Jason has added a bowsprit and placed the anchor well under the bow, accessible easily from inside the boat.

The 490 we tested had a flat floor throughout, although Remora does offer a casting platform. It would be useful if you’re using the 490 more for estuary fishing. The elevation would help casting and the added storage underneath would be handy.

The test boat featured a 55lb Mini Kota Terrova. It was secured via a sturdy stainless steel mount. Mounting bow mount trolling motors can be tricky on this style of boat and Remora has done a fantastic job making this secure solution.

The console features a door on the port side with access to storage and wiring. The boat's batteries are also stored under the console to balance weight. There's a lithium for the electric motor and a standard AGM battery for cranking the outboard and powering the other electronics.

The dash layout is neat and there's enough space for mounting a 16-inch sounder on top. The test boat had a Lawrence Elite FS 9 fitted. There was also a GME marine radio, Suzuki digital gauge, throttle control, and a switch panel.

Remora has built piping under the console and floor to accommodate cables and wiring for the electric motor and batteries, etc. It helps to keep everything nice and clean along the floor.

The 490 features a lean-to cushioned seat. It's a good fit for this style of boat and a comfortable option. The back of the seat features a large livewell. There's also a spacious storage compartment under the seat with a waterproof lid and an option for a back rest; a great place for storing safety gear or fishing tackle.

If you wish to bring an ice box on board for keeping fish, there's ample space forward of the console. An ice box placed here with a cushion on top would also make a useful seat.

This transom area is clean and accessible for fishing. It's great to see a boat clear of clutter. You can easily fish 360 degrees around this boat without any problems.

Jason has fitted a pod to the transom which, combined with the 500 litres of flotation under the floor, allows the boat to be rated to 115hp.

Having the pod also means you have more space where it counts… inside the boat.

Jason uses Thermalite instead of timber in the Remora, which means, unlike many of the older restoration boats, you won't be replacing rotten parts of floor after 15 or 20 years.

The laminate schedule is the same as a six-metre boat, according to Jason, meaning there are extra layers of glass and the overall strength and weight is increased. It's built to last and testament to Jason's boat building experience. There's also extra fibreglass where the rod holders are fitted and more layers of glass towards the bow. As a result, it's a stiffer hull with no flex for better performance offshore.

Other features worth pointing out include wider gunwales, which are fitted with rod holders, a small parcel shelf along the floor on each side for storage.

Options include a bigger fuel tank. The standard is 100 litres with the larger 140 litre version a good choice for extended trips offshore or reef trips in the north. There's also the option for more rod holders and horizontal rod holders under the gunwale. As mentioned, you can add a casting platform which is 240mm high and features a kill tank and dry storage.

There's also options for outriggers and tuna tubes at the transom.

Power and performance

The test boat was fitted with a 100hp four-stroke Suzuki. It's an economical and quite engine and a good match for the Remora. Maximum horsepower is 115hp on the 490. In my opinion the 100 is more than adequate.

Hole shot was impressive! The Remora jumped up and the Suzuki was responsive and quite sensitive to trim. I found a good cruising speed around 20 knots offered a safe and comfortable ride while maintaining good fuel economy. See below for more details.

As expected, the Remora was a fun boat to drive. It's a small and nimble boat, capable of tight turns and a soft dry ride.

This style of boat is famous for its versatility. While there's no such thing as a true "all-rounder", the offshore credentials of this boat will appeal to someone who enjoys splitting their time between the estuary and offshore. Add a long range fuel tank, outriggers and the appropriate safety gear and you’d have an excellent small trailerable game boat while still having a viable option for flicking lures to flatties or even bass in a nearby impoundment.

Stability was also good. While I was inside the boat solo and didn't get the opportunity to test it with multiple fishes onboard, it didn't feel too tippy or unstable at rest or under way.

The wrap up

Overall, the Remora 490 is a nice little boat capable of ticking a lot of boxes. It's a great option for the "all-rounder" fisho.

It's a great boat for someone wanting a classic Aussie boat but not wanting the headache of a full blown restoration job. There's no timber and you’re buying a new boat with a wide range of colours, options and accessories for a reasonable price.

Remora matches the 490 with a Towrex single axle trailer.

Looking for a bigger option? Jason is working on a 5.8 and 6.4 metre version, which if this model is any indication, should be a fantastic option for offshore fishos.

The Remora 490 starts from just over $48,000 with many options available.

More at remoraboats.com.au or @remoraboats.