Tropical Australia has certainly had a big influence on our local fishing boat designs. In fact, it's produced a unique style of craft that really is genuinely Aussie - the wide bow coastal fishing machine. While there's no generic name for this craft all the major tinnie manufacturers are producing at least one, if not many models. The Allycraft Kakadu Karrier 5.25, seen here, sums up the concept very nicely with its beamy hull and raised casting deck for bass/barra action. The 'pointie' bows ensure the Karrier can punch through coastal wind chop when needed, while the roomy interior provides loads of space for unhindered fishing.
At present the Karrier range covers five models including the Allycraft Kakadu Karrier 5.25 tested here. Not surprisingly they're all beamy, stable hulls with raised interior flooring. In standard trim they're tiller-steered to maximize interior space however you can have a side console as a factory option. The hulls have more freeboard than a punt and naturally suit coastal boating conditions. It also means these boats can coast-hop between river systems when needed and can reach reefs close to shore. Being an open deck craft it naturally suits warm-water fishing, however it doesn't rule out southern impoundments, or even an alpine lake.
In short, the Karrier would suit anywhere you can utilize lure or fly fishing techniques. Even the console version provides impressive interior space and would easily hold six people. Not that you'd have that many aboard unless you were bottom bashing. Most of the time this boat will have a small crew because they'll be lure, or fly-fishing. The elevated casting deck is particularly useful for 'sight fish' but still kept low enough to be safe in open waters. This is where the Karrier really differs from punt style designs.
Performance:
Going for a spin on Pittwater was an interesting experience, given we had a fair bit of wind chop by the time we got afloat. I'd have to say the ride was bumpy at times but perhaps not quite as hard as you'd expect in such a shallow bottomed boat. The fuller bows don't make a lot of difference to the actual ride in Allycraft Kakadu Karrier 5.25, particularly since they're out of the water most of the time. Perhaps the biggest difference is you can't use bow-down trim to soften the ride.
The ride can be wet at times, particularly if you run side onto the wave pattern, however that's not uncommon with most open boats. What I did like is the comfort of the ride in the helm seat or the passenger seat alongside. The small aerodynamic windscreen of the Allycraft Kakadu Karrier 5.25 works surprisingly well at deflecting wind, or spray off and naturally won't snag your line when casting. Eventually we dialed in the right speed (16 knots) for the conditions and found the ride improved noticeably. As with any tinnie you just have to cut speed back at times if you don't want the bucking bronco experience!
The two pedestal seats can also convert to fishing use, particularly when relocated to one of five floor positions. One of these is in the middle of the casting deck so you can fish the bow area in comfort. Meanwhile the fiberglass helm dash provides plenty of room for motor gauges as well as an LCD sounder. You also get a low Perspex windscreen, sports steering wheel and a four-gang switch panel. Our test boat was also fitted with a GME 27MHz radio as well as navigation lights, 12-volt take-off and fire extinguisher.
Design:
Apart from the full bows it's the generous freeboard you really notice about these boats. Hull depth is a healthy 122cm, though the actual draft is quite shallow thanks to a soft Vee dead rise in the transom area. There's no pod on the stern so the motor mounts directly onto the transom. However, the Allycraft Kakadu Karrier 5.25 that we tested had the optional side console that certainly makes driving easier and gives you the added safety of a closed-in outboard well. Visually the Karrier is pleasing to the eye with its clinker-patterned topsides, low aerodynamic console and low side rails. It also has all the usual anchoring gear of a coastal craft including short bowsprit, anchor well and Tee bollard.
Moving back from the bows you find full-length handrails on which you could fit clamp-style trolling brackets, or tie keeper nets. Hull strength is certainly geared to coastal conditions with 3mm bottom and 2mm topsides. Internal framing and wide side decks further reinforce the hull. And if you are about to trail this boat off into the sunset for Kakadu you'll be pleased to know it can be towed by your car, or smaller four-wheel drive. Total trail weight of 960kg (with fuel) is within the range of most medium-sized cars.
Layout:
The carpeted cockpit provides plenty of fishing space and room to dump your tackle gear. The raised casting deck is also very roomy and gives you plenty of room to mount a pedestal seat. Stowage is well catered for with a large floor locker under the casting deck and raised side pockets back aft. There's also a raised battery/oil bottle shelf back aft and a live bait tank in the stern quarter. However, these stowage compartments won't take all your fishing gear. Most of your tackle will be bought aboard as carry-on luggage and taken ashore afterwards. The keep-it-simple approach is very evident in this design, however Allycraft Kakadu Karrier 5.25 do provide four rod-holders and a 115-litre in-floor fuel tank as standard.
Power:
Judging by our test run the 60hp would do an adequate job, but with any sort of load you'll need a motor closer to the maximum power range of 75hp. Our 60hp Yamaha two-stroke achieved a respectable 28 knots, but gave me the impression we'd need a bit more if you were battling strong winds and stronger currents. Just what motor you would pick for the Allycraft Kakadu Karrier 5.25 is an interesting question. I'd be particularly tempted to go for a 70hp four-stroke provided it wasn't too heavy for the transom. The four-stroke would give you the added range for fishing up in northern Australian waters. Up there it's not uncommon for anglers to do a 100 nautical mile round trip in one day. With few places to get fuel if you run out, maximizing range is very important!
Summary:
This is a pure fishing machine so don't buy it if you're after a family boat. However, if you are a keen angler who is really addicted to lure/fly sport fishing this is probably your dreamboat. Certainly Ally craft Kakadu Karrier 5.25 has incorporated most of the features you'd want in this style of craft and presented it well. You get a painted hull with smart decals as part of the package along with under-floor foam flotation, side rails, internal keel and carpeted cockpit. All you need to bring along is the soft plastics and you'll be ready to party!
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