Reviews

Extreme 610 Centre Console

Video: The new Extreme 610 CC will appeal to serious fisherman and divers, and anyone who has converted to softbaits

  • Walk around space to play the fish
  • Flooding keel provides stability
  • High gunwale provides support and place to sit while
    fishing
  • Lockers for dive gear
  • Lightweight hull means launching is easy for one person

Based on the 610 Game King, the Centre Console’s hull
offers plenty of interior volume. With a beam of 2.4m and an
overall length of 6.18m, there is no shortage of walkabout space.
The 5mm plates on the bottom and sides and 4mm on the deck (all
marine grade aluminium) make this is one tough boat.

Sealed buoyancy tanks under the decks on either side of the hull
meet CPC requirements. A flooding keel offers stability at rest,
while the 20-degree deadrise promotes a soft ride. The underfloor
fuel tank holds 115 litres, and any remaining underfloor space is
occupied by a couple of wet lockers.

Centre console

The boat’s layout is dominated by the central console. The
downside of this design is that it’s really a fine-weather boat.
But, wide enough for three adults, the console provides shelter
from wind and spray while underway. The standard windscreen and
additional clip-on clears provide further spray protection. The
next version of the boat will feature clip-ons that stretch from
the sides of the console to the gunwale.

Aluminium supports are welded to the sides of the console unit,
supporting a large targa top that provides good shade and shelter.
This is finished with a UV-stabilised marine fabric cover.
Floodlights (facing forward and back) provide light for evening
fishing sessions. There is a rod holder along the rear edge.

Interior

Internally, the boat is simple, with a flat checkerplate deck
running the entire length. A small step up front accommodates the
rake of the bows, but it’s easy to walk the length of the boat.

A wide, high gunwale runs around the boat, providing secure
thigh-height support and it’s also a comfortable place to sit while
fishing. A number of rod holders are recessed into the gunwale, and
the next boat will have more of these plus recessed drink
holders.

The helm position’s well set up, with a Humminbird 917c combo
sounder and chartplotter complementing the engine gauges. The
throttle control on the right of the dash falls comfortably to
hand.

The upholstered cover of the main bench seat is hinged to access
a huge storage area. This locker was specifically built to
accommodate up to 10 diving cylinders and associated gear, and it
drains into the bilge.

The area forward of the console is usable, and a broad bench seat
with backrest provides additional seating for two people. The seat
lifts up to reveal another spacious locker.

A large fairlead and bollard is welded to the hull at the bow.
The boat’s equipped with a high bow rail, but there are plans for a
split bow rail, with a swing-down boarding ladder attached to the
fairlead.

Although this boat was primarily designed for softbait fishing,
it also caters well as a dive boat. An alloy boarding ladder on the
starboard side swings down, and a drop-through transom door on the
same side gives access into the cockpit. There is space for half a
dozen people to gear up at the same time, and the wide boarding
platform means getting in and out the water should be easy.

To port is a livebait tank with a viewing window, set into the
transom. Storage shelves run along each side of the cockpit, tucked
under the gunwales and sturdy enough to carry heavy items like dive
weights.

Performance

The centre console configuration lightens the boat considerably
(it’s estimated to be around 150kg lighter than the 610 Hardtop).
This means it gets away with a smaller engine, and a 125hp Mercury
Optimax has been chosen for the task.

This two-stroke direct-injection engine is light and
fuel-efficient, and the power output seems perfect for the weight
of the hull. We had three adults plus dive gear on board, and the
boat accelerates quickly.

Fuel consumption, as read off the integrated fuel management
gauges, was less than 4.5 litres per hour at trolling speeds. At
cruising speed (around 45 km/h), fuel consumption was less than 20
litres per hour. Based on these numbers the relatively modest
underfloor fuel tank would be more than adequate for an extended
day’s fishing.

Launching is easily handled by one person thanks to the
lightweight hull.

The boat’s handling and manoeuvrability is exceptional. With a
lower centre of gravity, the boat is able to spin into very tight,
precise turns.

Fishing time

With the softbait rigs prepared, we flicked the baits out. Three
of us could work the same side of the boat, taking it in turns to
walk forward.

As it settled down we could then slowly move backwards towards
the stern, while the next person started up front. No tangles – and
we never got in each other’s way. Thanks to the stability of the
flooding keel the boat remained level even with three of us on the
same side.

Heading directly into the chop the chines worked well, turning
the spray away from the boat, and the boat remained spray-free. No
doubt harsher conditions would result in a wetter ride.

To read in-depth boat reviews, see the latest issue of
Trade-A-Boat magazine, on sale
now.

Specifications

LOA 6.18m
Beam 2.40m
Towing weight Approx 1400kg
Engine 125hp Mercury Optimax
Fuel 115-litre underfloor
Trailer Single-axle, braked, with self-centreing
rollers

 

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend