Reviews

Surtees 8.0 Game Fisher

Neil Surtees' list of awards for his designs is almost as extensive as his vocabulary. Paul Smith rides shotgun on Surtees new 8m Game Fisher.

I’m unsure as to how or why the word “grouse”
came to exist in the slang vocabulary. According to my dictionary,
the word has two distinct meanings: n gallinaceous game-bird with
feathered feet; and v/i grumble, complain. Yet in the slang
context, the word means “great, good” – distinctly at odds with
either of the”‘formal” definitions.

However, in respect of our recent experience
with the Surtees 8.0 Game Fisher, the slang definition of the word
“grouse” certainly applies. Boat builder and owner of the test
boat, Neil Surtees of Edgecumbe, must think likewise as he has
named this first example of the new model Grouse.

We had the opportunity to experience this new
model in the Surtees range doing what the boat was designed for – a
spot of fishing – off Whakatane. Neil Surtees and his team had only
just returned from a successful Hamilton Boat Show at Mystery
Creek, so the opportunity for a couple of hours or so of R & R
out on Grouse was not to be forsaken.

Neil duly arrived at the Whakatane wharf launch
ramp with the boat hooked up to his new Dodge Ram Pick-up, and
initial impressions of the whole rig were very positive. The sturdy
multi roller trailer made launching a breeze and while gear was
being stowed, I took the opportunity of snatching some quick
photographs. In short order, the 225hp Honda had been warmed up and
we were making our way quietly down the lower reaches of the
Whakatane River toward the bar. Our crew for the excursion included
“Nobbo”, “Frosty”, Bill Roberts, Skipper, Neil (Surts) Surtees, and
yours truly. The plan was to head out to one of “Nobbo’s” secret
fishing spots where he was confident we would catch “a feed”.

The Whakatane bar was docile on our exit but
even so, all aboard wore flotation devices for the duration of our
traverse into open water in deference to the local safety
requirements. As we made our way up the coast in a moderate swell,
the boys made ready the fishing tackle while I chatted to Surts
about the boat and took a good look around the layout.

Construction and design
As with other models in the Surtees range, construction of the 8.0
Game Fisher is all marine grade aluminium alloy. The bottom
sections of the hull and the transom are fabricated in 5mm while
the sides and deck are 4mm. The topsides are a mixture of 3mm and
4mm.

The hull is reinforced with eight full-length
bearers which are supported by gussets athwartships every 500mm.
There are three sealed buoyancy chambers including the engine pod
on the transom.

The hull design follows similar Surtees design
cues having a steep forefoot with a very fine entry. The deadrise
is variable over the length of the hull and measures 18 degrees at
the transom. The chines are down turned and the hull form is clean
with no planing strakes.

Of interest is the incorporation of a flooding
ballast tank along the keel line the rear gate, of which is
controlled by an electrically operated hydraulic ram. With a
capacity of around 400 litres, the flooded tank endows the boat
with good stability at rest.

The forecabin is fully lined, and incorporates
two full-length berths. An infill converts to a large double. There
is storage under the berths, which also house a macerated toilet,
which can be closed off using a privacy curtain if required. Two
full-length shelves incorporate stretchies to secure lifejackets or
other items against the shelves. Access to the foredeck from inside
the cabin is by means of a large hatch, although it can also be
easily accessed by the walk around deck, with plenty of grab
rails.

A Sarca anchor is permanently mounted on the
forepeak, which is controlled by an electric capstan with a line
counter operable from the helm.

The large helm station to port is well designed
and displays comprehensive instrumentation for the engine. A nice
touch is the use of a lip above the electronics to provide shading
from sunlight. A Navman Fish 4500 colour sounder/finder and a
Tracker 5000 GPS plotter are flush mounted above the helm. Of
course, steering is hydraulic. The whole of the helm station is
well designed with plenty of shelf space. The VHF and stereo are
mounted in a central binnacle at roof height. The lower section of
the helm station includes a foot well, while the helm seat is bench
style. Immediately aft of the helm station is the table, which
slides up to the ceiling on a pole when not in use. Right behind
this is the galley, which features a gas califont, cooker and
plenty of exposed shelf storage for cutlery and foodstuffs. Beneath
the helm seat and the galley, is a single berth.

To port, there is a full-length berth/seat with
storage for chilly bins underneath.

The entire hardtop cabin is fully lined, with
not a trace of bare alloy to be seen, with the exception of a
profusion of sturdy alloy grab rails.

Access to the business end of the boat, the
cockpit and separating it from the cabin is a solid feeling alloy
door, which folds back to the port bulkhead. To starboard, is a
solid -alloy seat with a chequer-plate top, with storage beneath
accessed via a SoPac hatch while a stainless fire extinguisher is
recessed into it. A tackle box is recessed into thecockpit coaming
within easy reach of the seat, while full-length side pockets run
along each side of the cockpit. The coamings are wide enough to
offer sitting space while fishing if required, high enough to
provide good thigh support when reeling in, and fitted with copious
drink holders, which are ideal for holding sinkers while underway.
The transom has large sealed hatches for battery and/or oil tank
storage beneath the centrally mounted bait station, the top of
which folds up to reveal a gas hotplate. Access to the wide
chequer-plate boarding platform is via a cut out to starboard while
a solid boarding ladder, and plenty of grab rails make life easy
for divers and/or swimmers. To port is the live bait tank, and in
each corner are tuna tubes, which drain into two berley pots in
each corner of the boarding platform. The chequerplate cockpit sole
is covered in plastic tube mat and a large underfloor locker is
accessed via dual hatches. There is also a sole level five-rod rack
just forward of the locker.

Rod holders are a real feature of this boat,
with a capability of 52 rods, spread right around the cockpit,
including the rocket launcher and racks under the hardtop
extension, over the front section of the cockpit. Quite simply, the
boat is rigged as a fisherman’s dream!

Performance and handling
Grouse has been fitted with a single 225hp Honda four-stroke
outboard, which is at the lower end of the recommended power
requirements, but still delivers sufficient grunt. The boat can
easily be set up for twin outboard installations and since there
has already been some interest, a stern drive option will be
offered in due course.

With an underfloor fuel tank of nearly
300-litres capacity, and the reasonable fuel efficiency of the big
Honda, Grouse has an expected fuel range of around 450km. The Honda
spins a 15″ 5-blade stainless propeller, which gives maximum engine
speed of 5800rpm and with the boat lightly loaded, top speed is
about 30 knots.

We noted the engine trim was not used to much
effect, as Neil believed the engine had been mounted a little high.
This meant that at the upper half of the trim available, cavitation
sets in. However, the trim of the boat and its ride could be
adequately controlled using the Lectrotab trim tabs. On our return
journey back to Whakatane we encountered a very confused sea, quite
rough whipped up by a strong wind. In these conditions, Grouse took
quite a bit of windblown spray across the screens and with the
ballast tank empty she was pushed about a bit. But when the ballast
tank was full, the ride improved dramatically with the boat feeling
very solid on the water.

Despite the unpleasant conditions, the Surtees
was still able to deliver a comfortable ride.

Conclusions
The Surtees 8.0 Game Fisher is certainly a well conceived and
executed fishing boat for the dedicated and enthusiastic fisherman.
Grouse sits on a sturdy multi roller Voyager trailer, which Neil
Surtees has modified slightly to include a self-locking catch
making retrieval a cinch. At a little more than 3 tonnes “loaded”
and ready to fish, you will need a substantial vehicle to tow it,
and in all probability an HT license to boot.

Nevertheless, the boat is capable of getting
you to where you want to fish and once you are there, has
everything on board you need to find the buggers. However, as our
time on the water showed, sometimes you can have all the gear to
hook up but still come away with only enough for the smallest of
snacks. But I suppose that is the very reason why you want to go
back and have another go.

At $170,000 as reviewed, this boat does not
come cheap, but it does come “loaded”.

 

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