There's one cyclone that northern fishos would like in their backyard. It's the Cyclone 680 Centre Console, a superbly engineering fishing boat that hails from the outskirts of Cairns. Produced by master craftsman Ross Wilson, the Cyclone 680 Centre Console represents a high performance approach to fishing craft that's rarely seen in our part of the world. Previously Ross built high performance ski race boats so he knows a thing or too about building performance fiberglass boats. Insurance problems with the ski-racing scene encouraged Ross to switch his attention to fishing of late. Being one of the world's top builders of ski-race boats it was only natural the result would be rather interesting.
Ross certainly takes a fanatical approach to construction. Each boat is totally hand-laid, using the very best materials. He also uses Klegecell, high-density foam coring throughout the hull so construction is light and strong. Since there's no timber at all in the boat there's no long-term problem with dry rot. Ross supervises each boat so quality control is absolutely first-rate. Ross and his wife Chris literally live and breathe the business, often going fishing with their kids. They also insist on a very high standard of finish extending to all screw heads aligning throughout the boat! The Cyclone 680 Centre Console is built to a standard plan, but there are a number of options that allow you customize it to your requirements. For example, you can have different seating arrangements, and fishing accessories. The Cyclones are sold through a growing national dealer network. Apart from the 6.8m there's also a 5.4m little sister that comes in either tiller-steer, or console version.
Design:
The ski-race pedigree is most evident in the low, sleek lines. There's only one word that springs to mind and that's SPEED. However, the 21-degree deep Vee bottom ensures this slim speedster is also soft riding as well as fast. The rakish bow and low profile rails also give the impression of a fast boat, and that's confirmed when you push the throttle and see the boat leap to a 40-knot speed with amazing ease. You might question the need for speed, but there are actually situations where it would help. Where you want to reach a lot of fishing spots on a big lake, or reaching long range reefs offshore it helps to have speed.
Obviously offshore speed is limited to wave conditions, but we found in the Cyclone 680 Centre Console that it's possible to cruise at 30 knots when conditions aren't too bumpy offshore. This could mean getting to fishing marks quicker and before other boats. It could also mean more fishing time and faster return home. Actually you won't have to pull the plug too quickly. The boat's ride and stability means you can stay on station even after the sea breeze starts to kick in and chops up the water. The bottom shape actually helps to stabilize the boat at speed. Not only that it help to get it on the plane quickly and save fuel.
The bottom also features a series of lifting strakes and a runner plank along the keel to help planning. However, the strakes are soft edged so they don't make the ride too hard. Certainly the Cyclone 680 Centre Console seems very willing to pop on the plane, particularly with the maximum power of a 200hp motor on the back. With this power we dialed up 28 knots at 3500rpm, 37 knots at 4500rpm and 44 knots at 5500rpm. And that's with the engine not fully run in. Fully warmed up the boat would easily do 50 knots! Whether you really need to go that quick is a moot point. In fact, a 140hp V-6 would still deliver a high cruising speed and shave $4,000 off the price tag. Out of interest the price of the test boat with 200hp Mercury EFI and trailer is $52,000.
Looking at the trailing situation the Cyclone 680 Centre Console is going to be quite car-friendly. The hull weight is a relatively low 800kg so even when fully loaded the boat is only about 1500kg on the road. This places the Cyclone within the tow range of Falcon, Holden Commodores and many mid-sized 4WDs. Of course its length poses some parking space problems at home, but at least you can tow it with the good old Holden Ute.
Deck Layout:
The sporty approach is very evident in the Cyclone once you caste your eyes over its sleek fiberglass lines. The Cyclone 680 Centre Console incorporates a lot of familiar features like molded bowsprit/roller and bow anchor locker. However, it also provides fairly low handrails and fairly low console. The low handrails actually work well as they enable you to step aboard easily. The forward cockpit area features extra grab rails, rod holders and a padded seat across the front of the console. There are even some drink holders and a carpeted floor to keep you comfortable during long fishing sessions.
Moving aft there are mid-ship and stern mooring cleats for marina docking. You also get really good passenger access via the landing platform built into the fastback transom. Footsteps either side of the motor also make it easy to step aboard from the beach. However, on the ramp it's actually easier to climb over the sides - hence the inclusion of steps on the dual-axle trailer. Moving to the console we find an extension wing on the starboard side so the throttle box falls more naturally to hand when driving. This also houses recessed pockets for a fire extinguisher and EPIRB. Top points for that!
We found the Bermuda swing-back seat/fish box very comfortable and roomy enough for two people. My only criticism is the driving position isn't as good standing because the helm is a little low. However, the seating is so comfortable you don't worry. Vision is quite good from the helm, though you need to keep all electronics below eyesight so they don't impede forward vision through the screen. The console already has a glove box, 6-ganger switch, stereo radio and motor gauges. However, there's room to squeeze in a flush-mounted sounder/GPS and 27MHz radio.
Moving aft we find the main fishing space with rod racks under the gunwale and slide away quarter seat boxes. There's also backrest/knee pads and central tackle draw. Cutting boards are located on the stern deck and a Bermuda Fishing Essential live-bait tank was located under the deck. You slide the tank out when it's required. There are six rod-holders dotted around the boat so you're pretty much ready to go fishing once you take delivery. It's interesting to see how clean the boat appears on the water, even though it has all you'd need for fishing. Makes you wonder whether fishing boats always need to look like porcupines!
Summary:
It's great to see a different approach being taken to trailer boat fishing. The Cyclone 680 Centre Console is blowing a fresh approach into our scene and it's going to be welcomed by some anglers, particularly young guns who find the current designs a bit ho-hum and unexciting. The Cyclone really is a pleasure to drive and that's going to make it attractive as a general 'sports' boat. For example, it's going be right at home in other activities like skiing, or wakeboarding. The relatively compact size and economy of the Cyclone will also make it a much more suitable craft for estuary/lake fishing than others its size. This versatility will make it very appealing to those who live in the country areas and can't always reach the coast. While it doesn't have all the luxury touches of those American performance-fishing boats we see in magazines, the Cyclone is definitely less expensive. Dressed up with the right accessories and colour scheme this boat will make a pretty good substitute. Overall the Cyclone 680 Centre Console is an impressive newcomer to the fishing scene and one that will create its own market niche.
Ross certainly takes a fanatical approach to construction. Each boat is totally hand-laid, using the very best materials. He also uses Klegecell, high-density foam coring throughout the hull so construction is light and strong. Since there's no timber at all in the boat there's no long-term problem with dry rot. Ross supervises each boat so quality control is absolutely first-rate. Ross and his wife Chris literally live and breathe the business, often going fishing with their kids. They also insist on a very high standard of finish extending to all screw heads aligning throughout the boat! The Cyclone 680 Centre Console is built to a standard plan, but there are a number of options that allow you customize it to your requirements. For example, you can have different seating arrangements, and fishing accessories. The Cyclones are sold through a growing national dealer network. Apart from the 6.8m there's also a 5.4m little sister that comes in either tiller-steer, or console version.
Design:
The ski-race pedigree is most evident in the low, sleek lines. There's only one word that springs to mind and that's SPEED. However, the 21-degree deep Vee bottom ensures this slim speedster is also soft riding as well as fast. The rakish bow and low profile rails also give the impression of a fast boat, and that's confirmed when you push the throttle and see the boat leap to a 40-knot speed with amazing ease. You might question the need for speed, but there are actually situations where it would help. Where you want to reach a lot of fishing spots on a big lake, or reaching long range reefs offshore it helps to have speed.
Obviously offshore speed is limited to wave conditions, but we found in the Cyclone 680 Centre Console that it's possible to cruise at 30 knots when conditions aren't too bumpy offshore. This could mean getting to fishing marks quicker and before other boats. It could also mean more fishing time and faster return home. Actually you won't have to pull the plug too quickly. The boat's ride and stability means you can stay on station even after the sea breeze starts to kick in and chops up the water. The bottom shape actually helps to stabilize the boat at speed. Not only that it help to get it on the plane quickly and save fuel.
The bottom also features a series of lifting strakes and a runner plank along the keel to help planning. However, the strakes are soft edged so they don't make the ride too hard. Certainly the Cyclone 680 Centre Console seems very willing to pop on the plane, particularly with the maximum power of a 200hp motor on the back. With this power we dialed up 28 knots at 3500rpm, 37 knots at 4500rpm and 44 knots at 5500rpm. And that's with the engine not fully run in. Fully warmed up the boat would easily do 50 knots! Whether you really need to go that quick is a moot point. In fact, a 140hp V-6 would still deliver a high cruising speed and shave $4,000 off the price tag. Out of interest the price of the test boat with 200hp Mercury EFI and trailer is $52,000.
Looking at the trailing situation the Cyclone 680 Centre Console is going to be quite car-friendly. The hull weight is a relatively low 800kg so even when fully loaded the boat is only about 1500kg on the road. This places the Cyclone within the tow range of Falcon, Holden Commodores and many mid-sized 4WDs. Of course its length poses some parking space problems at home, but at least you can tow it with the good old Holden Ute.
Deck Layout:
The sporty approach is very evident in the Cyclone once you caste your eyes over its sleek fiberglass lines. The Cyclone 680 Centre Console incorporates a lot of familiar features like molded bowsprit/roller and bow anchor locker. However, it also provides fairly low handrails and fairly low console. The low handrails actually work well as they enable you to step aboard easily. The forward cockpit area features extra grab rails, rod holders and a padded seat across the front of the console. There are even some drink holders and a carpeted floor to keep you comfortable during long fishing sessions.
Moving aft there are mid-ship and stern mooring cleats for marina docking. You also get really good passenger access via the landing platform built into the fastback transom. Footsteps either side of the motor also make it easy to step aboard from the beach. However, on the ramp it's actually easier to climb over the sides - hence the inclusion of steps on the dual-axle trailer. Moving to the console we find an extension wing on the starboard side so the throttle box falls more naturally to hand when driving. This also houses recessed pockets for a fire extinguisher and EPIRB. Top points for that!
We found the Bermuda swing-back seat/fish box very comfortable and roomy enough for two people. My only criticism is the driving position isn't as good standing because the helm is a little low. However, the seating is so comfortable you don't worry. Vision is quite good from the helm, though you need to keep all electronics below eyesight so they don't impede forward vision through the screen. The console already has a glove box, 6-ganger switch, stereo radio and motor gauges. However, there's room to squeeze in a flush-mounted sounder/GPS and 27MHz radio.
Moving aft we find the main fishing space with rod racks under the gunwale and slide away quarter seat boxes. There's also backrest/knee pads and central tackle draw. Cutting boards are located on the stern deck and a Bermuda Fishing Essential live-bait tank was located under the deck. You slide the tank out when it's required. There are six rod-holders dotted around the boat so you're pretty much ready to go fishing once you take delivery. It's interesting to see how clean the boat appears on the water, even though it has all you'd need for fishing. Makes you wonder whether fishing boats always need to look like porcupines!
Summary:
It's great to see a different approach being taken to trailer boat fishing. The Cyclone 680 Centre Console is blowing a fresh approach into our scene and it's going to be welcomed by some anglers, particularly young guns who find the current designs a bit ho-hum and unexciting. The Cyclone really is a pleasure to drive and that's going to make it attractive as a general 'sports' boat. For example, it's going be right at home in other activities like skiing, or wakeboarding. The relatively compact size and economy of the Cyclone will also make it a much more suitable craft for estuary/lake fishing than others its size. This versatility will make it very appealing to those who live in the country areas and can't always reach the coast. While it doesn't have all the luxury touches of those American performance-fishing boats we see in magazines, the Cyclone is definitely less expensive. Dressed up with the right accessories and colour scheme this boat will make a pretty good substitute. Overall the Cyclone 680 Centre Console is an impressive newcomer to the fishing scene and one that will create its own market niche.
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