Reviews

AMF 610 Pro Sport Vee Berth Cabin

AMF boats are built tough and the new AMF 610 Pro Sport Vee Berth is no exception…

  • Tough construction
  • Leech-like grip on the water
  • Tread plate on cabin top and side decks give excellent grip
  • Nyalic coated throughout, with functional finish of high standard
  • Optional Targa top offers protection from elements

The starting point for the AMF 610 is a 10mm x 75mm keel bar with a substantial box beam either side running from the cabin bulkhead to the transom. Between the box beam and the chine a T-bar stringer adds further strength, shape and stiffness.

The box beams support the 5mm treadplate cockpit floor and, together with the 6mm hull plates, form a solid structure with little possibility of movement or deflection.

At the chines the side plates and bottom plates are welded both inside and out (full length welds) and capped off with a 50mm x 50mm x 5mm angle section adding additional strength and shape, and also forming the reverse chine.

All plate used in the AMF Pro Sports boats is 5083 grade aluminium, with 6mm bottom plate and the 4mm side plates on the 610. The cockpit floor is 5mm 5251F Treadplate.

AMF’s reliability is reflected by the number of boats it has supplied to Coastguard and other organisations such as NIWA and Dept of Conservation, and the 10-year structural warranty provided for recreational use.

Although the rugged construction results in a boat that may be slightly heavier than many similar-sized aluminium boats, at a towing weigh of 1700kg the 610 is unlikely to be a burden.

Deck space

In the bow, just forward of the cabin bulkhead, a large uncovered anchor well provides room for all the chain and warp, while a stubby built-in bow roller makes retrieving the anchor by hand safe and simple.

Tread plate on the cabin top and side decks giving excellent grip for venturing forward.

The raised forward deck gives good head room in the cabin although the 1.6m berth length would be a little cramped for an adult needing some serious sleep.

The instrument panel is on two planes and should provide plenty of room for additional instrumentation. The parcel shelf in front of the wheel, which already houses the VHF and AM/FM tuner on the test boat, will accommodate more stand alone instruments.

Two swiveling upholstered plastic moulded seats with fore and aft adjustment on fixed pedestals accommodate the helmsman and co pilot. The test boat was fitted with an optional Targa top, holding six tube rod holders and a grab rail.

The cockpit is surrounded by wide gunwales and transom with a full-length lined shelf down each side. A 160-litre fuel tank and sealed buoyancy tanks are topped by the tread plate floor.

Batteries, a spare, lined locker and a fuel line water trap are behind three hinged hatches in the transom.

Twin boarding pads either side of the engine, together with a boarding ladder, allow easy access onto the boat from the water, and buoyancy tanks under the boarding pads provide additional flotation.

In standard spec the 610 Pro Sport Vee Berth comes with a 130hp two-stroke Yamaha outboard – the test boat was driven by the maximum recommended 150hp four-stroke Yamaha.

Drive time

Steering was a dream with the hydraulics providing a smooth and responsive feel to the wheel and little adjustment needed to keep the boat in a straight line.

The curved windscreen was high enough to provide good protection from the wind when seated and the hull design and reverse chine made a remarkable job of deflecting spray.

At a 50mph full lock left-hand turn, the boat leaned slightly into the turn and stuck there, completing a full circle in five or six boat lengths with only the slightest hint of sideways slip.

According to the Yamaha instrumentation we reached a top speed of 50mph at 5600rpm using 63L/h. At 35mph (4300rpm) consumption was 29L/h and at 25mph (3200rpm) the Yamaha used a measly 17L/h. At all speeds the boat was quiet and had a solid feel to it.

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

See AMF boats for sale here.

Read more AMF boat reviews here.

Specifications

LOA 6.10m
Beam 2.25m
Deadrise 18o
Construction 5083 aluminium
Tow weight 1700kg
Fuel 160L
Engine 150hp Yamaha four-stroke

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