Top 10 trailer boats of the 2023 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

Sep 09, 2023

Bright sunshine and blue skies lured thousands of people to the 2023 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show to view a fine display of new boats and marine products from around the world.

Anglers and small boat enthusiasts had plenty to gaze and wonder at this year, with hundreds of new and interesting fishing trailer boats on offer. Here are 10 of the best and most interesting fishing rigs from new and established brands.

New to Australia is the South African-made Eclipse range of powered fibreglass catamarans.

There are five models in the locally available Eclipse boat range, including the 580 and 680 Centre Console, 7100 Walkaround, 7600 Forward Cabin, and the range-topping 9500 Forward Closed Sport Fisher.

Notably, there are two versions of the 7600 Forward Cabin – a standard model, and the Sports Fisher. The latter was displayed in all its finery at this year's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

The Eclipse 7600 Forward Cabin is a 7.6-metre powered catamaran with an Aussie road-legal 2.5-metre beam. The boat is distinctively South African in design with a compact, low-profile hull shape when compared with similar-length Aussie-made cats.

The Sport Fisher version of the Eclipse 7600 is outfitted for offshore fishing complete with an overhead hardtop with rod rack; large, uncluttered self-draining cockpit; transom live bait tank; storage box bucket helm seats; lock-up front cabin; wide side decks; and a high freeboard.The Sanctuary Cove show boat was rigged with a pair of Suzuki 115hp outboard engines, but the hull has a maximum power rating of twin 200hp engines.

As displayed on a dual-axle steel trailer, the Eclipse 7600 is priced from $190,000.

The Edencraft Formula 233 is not a new boat, but I have no qualms about including Edencraft's updated iteration of this classic boat in this article.

The Formula 233 is a mighty craft with a heritage dating back to the 1960s and legendary naval architect and boat racer Jim Wynne.

The gorgeous, swoopy, ultra-deep vee hull beneath the Formula 233 is renowned for its ride comfort and performance dynamics, but this great hull was traditionally let down by a sub-par interior design and layout.

Edencraft has corrected this issue, transforming the interior over a number of years to create a terrific design for offshore sports fishing.

The Edencraft Formula 233 has a massive fishing cockpit stretching aft to a full-height transom wall, behind which single or twin outboard engines are mounted on an integrated hull pod extension.

The new Edencraft Formula 233 also has an upgraded helm station to accommodate large, flat screen displays; a lockable V-berth cabin; live bait tank; deck wash; dive door; multiple rod racks; wide side decks for flush-fitted rod holders; and toe rails beneath elevated cockpit side pockets.

Packaged with twin 225hp Mercury outboard engines, and an Easytow dual-axle aluminium trailer, the Edencraft Formula 233 display boat is priced from $279,990 at Brisbane dealer, Australian Marine Centre.

Another superb offshore deep-vee fishing trailer boat is the Evolution 600 Tournament Enclosed.

The 6.0-metre-long, 2.49-metre-wide Evolution 600 is one of a dozen or so models in the Melbourne-made Evolution boat range and one of the best for cool climate offshore game fishing.

In addition to the enclosed overhead hardtop, the 600 Tournament has a large, family-friendly lock-up V-berth cabin with an optional toilet.

Key fishing features include an uncluttered cockpit with full-height transom wall; elevated side pockets with rod locker and toe/foot bracing support underneath; super wide side coamings; deluxe fibreglass bait board; hardtop rocket launchers; four rod holders; and two 80-litre live bait tanks.

The two live wells are built into each of the transom corners. The port side live well has mackerel tubes to keep rigged baits ready to drop at a moment's notice.

Other cool features include a 300-litre fuel tank; 100-litre icebox with drain; side access door; and pedestal helm chairs fronting a large dash and flat fascia panel.

Paired with a 250hp Yamaha outboard engine, custom alloy trailer, Garmin electronics, Lone Star electric anchor winch (and more), the 600 Tournament Enclosed is priced from $220,449 at Brisbane Yamaha.

The second of our featured powered catamarans is a diminutive, single-engined aluminium open boat from New Zealand called the Kingfisher 450.

Available in side console and centre console configurations (as pictured) the two boats were displayed on importer Wynnum Marine's stand along with larger 510- and 570-sized Kingfisher cats.

I have not seen these Kingfisher cats before, but they look very interesting. The cockpit and interior layouts are great for fishing, and the boats are claimed to perform exceptionally well with just a single outboard engine.

Making a cat work with just one engine is difficult because of the aerated water that floods down through the tunnel to the stern of the boat when running at speed.

Kingfisher appears to have addressed the issue by fitting an extended "wave breaker" pod down the length of the tunnel to allow the outboard engine's propeller to spin in undisturbed water at the transom.

Elsewhere, there are plenty of features for anglers to get excited about, including a front casting deck with anchor well and dual dry storage lockers; a transom bait board with storage; and a deep-sided rear cockpit.

The side and centre console 450 Kingfishers displayed at the show were priced from $55,990 and $61,990 respectively.

The side console package came with a 60hp Yamaha outboard engine, while the centre console model was rigged with a larger 70hp Yamaha.

We tested the new Makocraft 520 X-Rider in the lead-up to the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and found it to be a versatile, affordable all-rounder.

The first of several X-Rider models, the 520 series boat has a dual console layout similar to a bowrider, but the consoles are separate from each other and have their own protective windshield.

The X-Rider's bow has a large, elevated casting deck that transforms into a large sun pad with the addition of padded vinyl cushions.

Essentially, the X-Rider has the family features of a bowrider boat but is presented in a way that makes the boat equally well suited to fishing applications.

Notably for anglers, there is an option to fit one of the two pedestal helm chairs into a socket up on the casting deck to operate a bow-mounted electric trolling motor.

Other features include a deep-sided rear cockpit; casting deck live well; casting deck and sub-floor storage; a three-quarter width folding rear lounge; and a port side transom door.

Our Makocraft test rig was paired with a 115hp Mercury ProXS outboard engine and was able to achieve a top speed of 38.0 knots.

The 520 X-Rider is priced from $56,990 with a smaller 75hp Mercury outboard engine.

The Gold Coast's Surf Marine displayed a range of Quintrex models at this year's Sanctuary Cove boat show including a 610 Trident half cabin paired with a 150hp Suzuki DF150 outboard engine and matching-brand dual-axle alloy trailer.

The Quintrex 610 Trident is not a new model, but I was attracted by the affordable boat show sticker price of just $89,975.

In this day and age, $90K is a great value for a full-featured 6.0-metre half cabin.

The Qunitrex 610 Trident is a first-class boat too; the heavy-duty 5mm aluminium, variable deadrise Quintrex Blade hull is smooth and stable, and the 2.46-metre-wide beam creates a huge amount of front cabin and cockpit deck space.

The Quintrex 610 Trident is also well-appointed straight from the factory. Stand-out features include trim tabs; GME VHF radio; two-berth cabin; transom door and boarding ladder; and a walk-through front cabin hatch.

Among the fishing inclusions is a rocket launcher rod rack; plumbed live bait tank; 135-litre kill tank; burley bucket; and a transom bait station with cup holders.

The display rig was also optioned with a bimini/envelope with front and side clears; folding rear lounge with backrest; deck wash; and a Muir electric drum winch.

All the above (with registrations and safety gear) makes for a great value family/fishing half-cabin boat package.

The largest of our featured powered catamarans on display at the Sanctuary Cove show was the Reefrunner 7800 Assassin half cabin from newcomer, Reefrunner boats.

Reefrunner is an Australian aluminium boat-maker headquartered in Chinderah, Northern NSW.

It builds plate alloy powered cats from 5.0 metres to 8.5 metres, plate alloy monohulls between 4.8 metres and 6.0 metres, as well as commercial boats and custom aluminium trailers.

At Sanctuary Cove, Reefrunner displayed a 4.8-metre tiller-steer plate alloy monohull, along with two 7800 Assassin catamarans.

The two Reefrunner powered cats were identical externally but with different custom interior layouts.

The two boats were presented beautifully with high, mirror smooth 5.0mm hull topsides and tough, durable 6.0mm plate alloy hull bottoms and transoms.

Both were configured with an enclosed hardtop with two-berth cabins forward, along with a full-shelter helm station with a three-piece glass windshield and sliding glass side windows.

From the wheelhouse and raised helm station floor, a massive self-draining cockpit stretches aft to a full-height transom and walkway/boarding platform.

Pricing for the Reefrunner 7800 Assassin starts at $315,000 when paired with twin 200hp Yamaha outboard engines and a custom alloy trailer.

Melbourne fibreglass trailer boat maker Revival launched its brand-new 580XC centre console at SCIBs this year, displayed on the TR Marine World stand.

The Revival 580XC is the first centre console in the Revival boat range, designed and outfitted for bay and coastal fishing.

At the bow, the new 580XC has an elevated casting deck with storage, an electric trolling motor bracket and optional U-Dek foam rubber flooring.

Amidships, the new rig has a dual-seat centre console with an overhead anodized alloy T-Top and a bench helm chair with a reversible backrest.

The modern-look console features a port side offset steering wheel and controls, along with a large fascia panel for flush-fitted multifunction displays, and then topped with a short acrylic windshield.

The Revival 580XC's aft cockpit is compact in size, but deep with enough freeboard to provide ample support and safety for anglers fishing choppy waters.

Other neat features include full-length side pockets with toe/foot rail support; a horizontal rod storage rack; wide side decks with recessed coaming rails; and an optional bait board.Rigged with a Mercury 150hp ProXS four-stroke outboard, Dunbier trailer, Simrad NSS Evo3s fish finder/GPS, and other options, the Revival 580XC is priced from $107k.

New from Gold Coast-based Stejcraft is a terrific-looking centre console fishing boat called the Kraken 570 Bay Console.

Aimed at bay and flats fishermen, lure and fly casters, the Stejcraft Kraken 570 has lobbed into a fishing boat class with few peers – or rivals on the local market.

The new Stejcraft takes design cues and styling from both US tournament bass boats and more conventional, higher-sided Aussie centre consoles, blending the two to create a practical, great-looking fishing rig.

The Kraken 570 is well-appointed too. Stejcraft's own H2O brand of foam rubber flooring – etched in the showboat with krakens and the boat's name – is standard throughout the boat to grip up all the flat surfaces including the side decks and the icebox/helm seat lid.

Other great features include the bow and stern casting/fishing decks; dual live wells; multiple storage compartments; four flush-fit stainless steel rod holders; telescopic folding bow ladder; twin folding passenger rear seats; and more.

Gracing the centre of the boat is a modern, double-wide helm console with tinted windshield and port side offset steering wheel/controls.

Beneath the terrifically appointed top deck is a 5.7-metre-long vee monohull with a pronounced, overhanging flared bow to keep spray at bay.

Paired with a 115hp Mercury outboard engine, Dunbier trailer and a bunch of extras, the Stejcraft Kraken 570 boat package is priced at $77,990.

Melbourne's Whittley Boats used the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show to launch the new SL 27 Hardtop Outboard.

Two versions of Whittley's stunning new boat were displayed, the Coast Tourer Cruising Edition, and a second fishing version called the Marlin Broadbill Edition.

Rigged for sports fishing, the Marlin Broadbill Edition was also stacked with fishing options including a Simrad electronics suite; deluxe bait board; SeaDek flooring throughout; raw water deck wash; custom vertical rod rack; underwater lighting; live bait tank with slimey mackerel bait tube; Reelax outriggers; JL audio system upgrade, lithium battery upgrade; and a Whittley auto boat trailer latching system.

The above lands on top of all the regular Whittley standard features such as the deluxe appointed forward V-berth cabin with dedicated toilet and shower area; galley with fridge, stove and sink; deluxe helm station with pedestal helm chairs and sculptured aft-facing cockpit seats; and an electric rear awning.

The Whittley SL 27 HT OB is a practical, wonderfully finished family cruiser and weekender. Add the Marlin Broadbill fishing pack and it transforms into an excellent offshore fishing boat.

With the Marlin Broadbill package, the Whittley SL 27 HT OB is priced from $375,000 when paired with twin 225hp Mercury V6 outboard engines (as pictured) and a Mackay dual-axle aluminium trailer.

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