Spearfish 6.5 Centre Console (2024)

For many years aluminium boats have dominated the custom-craft market - particularly in the area of trailerable sportsfishers. The ability of these makers to bend and weld sheets of alloy to adjust vessel layouts has presented them with a significant cost (and time) advantage over the builders of fibreglass craft.

There are, however, still one or two small manufacturers in the marketplace catering for those anglers prepared to pay for custom-built fibreglass trailerable sportsfishers. One of these is Spearfish Boats, based on Queensland's Gold Coast.

This company produces a handful of bespoke boats each year for keen offshore anglers using a standard 6.5m deep-V hull.

The man behind Spearfish, Ron Campbell, knows his boats. Formerly a senior member of the Black Watch construction team, he's no stranger to the demands of offshore fishermen.

He makes no secret of the origin of his Spearfish 6.5 hull either.

ONE FOR THE DIEHARDS
Based closely on the original 21-foot Savage Marlin, the balsa-cored unidirectional GRP hull handles open water with aplomb. It's certainly much more comfortable than many craft in this size range.

With a beam of just 2.2m, the Spearfish 6.5 is quite narrow. This, coupled with the boat's 20° deadrise, allows the boat to track well through any sort of sea. This is particularly useful when you consider that diehard offshore anglers often travel great distances to fish favourite peaks and canyons.

Looking at the hull, you can't help but notice the big flare in the bow, closely resembling something you'd expect to see on a much larger gameboat. It's no coincidence that the boat resembles some of its US counterparts. In fact, according to Campbell, the hull was designed in the US for Savage.

Whatever its origin, this flare works very well in adverse conditions. Not only does it throw little spray, but it also turns it downward. Indeed, I'd have to say this is the driest mid-sized centre console I've been in.

The flared bow also plays a big part in how well the boat rides down the face of bigger swells. When decent waves roll under the bow, the flare provides extra lift, preventing it from burying into the next wave and taking water - a particularly good attribute.

Compensation has been made via a flattening of the outboard section of the hull adjacent to the chines so that the boat is not twitchy, despite the narrow beam. In fact, it is particularly stable - both at rest and under power.

Handling-wise, you'll have no trouble getting this rig to do what you want it to do. Hydraulic steering and oversize trim tabs give an already good hull that extra edge to compensate for wind and sea conditions and to keep control of the wheel.

EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL
Our test was completed onboard renowned lure maker and BlueWater Boats & Sportsfishing columnist Peter Pakula's own Spearfish - a thoroughly sorted craft and one set up for Peter's own favourite pursuit, solo gamefishing.

Peter originally powered his craft with a single 150hp Yamaha V-six. Nowadays, the transom is graced with a 225hp Saltwater Series outboard from the same marque, so you're safe in assuming the rig doesn't lack in power or performance!

According to the fuel flow meter Peter has fitted, 4000rpm offers the best economy on the big V-six. This equates to around 26kt - an effortless and rapid cruising speed.

Having a good look at Peter's boat, it is obvious why the Spearfish attracts offshore anglers. It boasts efficiency, economy and performance.

The boat can be fitted with either sterndrive, single or twin outboards. Having said this, the 25 Spearfish 6.5s Campbell has built to date have almost exclusively been outboard-powered. The two sterndrive versions worked efficiently by all reports.

With the outboard option, the engine is fitted on an extended pod, giving a full-height 'closed' transom and all the space that is made available in it.

For a small pod, it does an exceptional job of supporting the engine - after all, any 225hp outboard is no lightweight. The motor sits nicely above the water and doesn't cop a swim every time the boat bobs up and down in a swell.

The boat remains level at all speeds, so there is very little need to adjust engine trim or use the tabs. These do come into play for stabilising weight shifts and minimising the effect of cross winds, although they remained untouched during the test.

MAXIMUM STRENGTH
As far as the Pakula Spearfish layout goes, there is a fair bit of customising. The basic hull is available as an open boat, centre console, centre cabin or half cabin, and the list of options available for each of these versions is extensive.

Requiring the maximum amount of fishing space, Peter took the centre console route. Mind you, the Spearfish's console is much more than just a steering wheel, dash and canopy overhead.

To begin with, the dash is gameboat-like - big enough for an array of flush-mounted instruments and electronics. It's impressive to say the least.

Inside the console is a large amount of storage, with front and side access. There's also a front bench seat which can be used for storage or as an icebox.

A stainless steel superstructure forms the console frame and provides support for the hardtop and rocket launcher. There's definitely plenty of strength here, as the framework barely moves when the boat is in motion.

Given that there's a fair chance that a selection of heavy gamerods and reels will be in place in the rocket launcher each time a boat like this hits the water, this strength is a necessity. Of course, hardtop-mounted outriggers and accompanying stay wires also need support.

RAISED PLATFORM
While on the subject of the outriggers, it's worth having a closer look at how they are mounted.

The poles are secured via a solid mount and base plate, with support cable forward and aft. The poles are laid out by pulling the safety catch and tilting the poles to the sides, with the support pin locking in once the poles 'fall' into position. It's one of the simplest, quickest and most secure set-ups I have seen on a trailerboat.

Overhead in the T-top, Peter uses zipped covers to hold the craft's safety gear. Directly above the helm is a zip-open soft pocket where the lifejackets and maps are kept. The overhang in front of the console uses a similar set-up, with a small liferaft inside.

Surrounding the front and sides of the console are clears, which clip and zip into position. This not only keeps you away from wind and spray, but it also protects the electronics.

Other interesting features include the raised platform behind the console, and a bench seat should you want to sit and drive. Either position is comfortable and offers good all-round vision.

Adjoining the rear of the bench seat is an excellent work station with storage for tackle boxes, a 12-volt fridge-freezer and bait station, among other things. The result is a surprisingly compact, yet efficient area.

AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Another space-saving storage area is found under the forward deck, which is raised a few inches above the level of the self-draining aft section.

Here the main hatch opens to accommodate several fish boxes, with room to spare. Normally a few fenders and anchor buoys would fill the space, but the anchor well itself is so large that you'll still have some residual room after two anchor buoys, a few anchor ropes and anchors are in place.

Narrower hatches in the boat floor provide the ideal place for flying gaffs, tagpoles and ropes. These remain invisible, but are always at your finger (toe!?!) tips.

No true sportsfishing boat would fit the bill if it didn't have a few rodholders around the place and this boat doesn't disappoint. They are everywhere you look and at various angles. Of course, the point must be made that Peter has spent some time fine-tuning this boat. Nonetheless, it is a good indication of the sort of boat Spearfish can deliver.

Thanks to the skill and expertise of Ron Campbell and team in customising fibreglass vessels, the result is stunning.

In fact, this Spearfish 6.5 Centre Console is undoubtedly the most comprehensively equipped and best laid-out game or sportsfishing boat I have experienced in this size range.

I dare say that if more people knew how good the ride was and how many layout options were available, the small crew at Spearfish Boats wouldn't have time to scratch themselves.

With a number of contented owners as far afield as PNG and New Zealand, it certainly seems Spearfish is onto a winner. Without a doubt, this is a boat well worth looking at if you are a keen offshore angler!

Box Story: SALTWATER INJECTION

For offshore fishing, charter and dive work Yamaha's big 225hp outboard finds its way onto more than just the odd rig. In some cases, a pair of these are used in place of sterndrive engines, powering increasingly larger boats.

The 76° V-six incorporates Yamaha's fuel-injection system which features oxygen density sensors, independent throttle intakes and fuel injectors for each cylinder.

What this delivers to operators is a quick and easy start, responsive acceleration, reduced emissions and in some cases, fuel savings of up to 30%.

The compact vees keep the engine's width to a minimum while the cross air induction system enhances intake efficiency.

These days, computers are playing a bigger part in the control of fuel/air and fuel/oil ratios on big outboards and the Yamaha is no exception. Here a microcomputer constantly monitors engine conditions, adjusting the mix accordingly to deliver the best performance for the revs and load demands.

This system helps produce economical running at all engine speeds. It should be noted, however, that economical is a relative term when applied to big outboards. Open the taps of the big Yamaha - or any high horsepower outboard for that matter - and you'll pay the price at the pump...

As is often the case, these engines are placed on relatively big boats which can have high transoms.

With Pakula's Spearfish, an XL leg is fitted with a standard 19-inch Yamaha stainless steel prop. Here, speeds of 42kt are achieved with ease and a very economical cruising speed of 26kt at 3800rpm can be maintained.

The higher cruising speed at relatively low revs is a welcome bonus to any rig - especially one as capable in bluewater as the Spearfish.