Plate alloy boats are definitely one of the great things to come out of the tinnie revolution. And the Bar Crusher 760HT is one among them. Basically, they deliver the robustness and weight you need to handle true blue water conditions. And one of the best offshore-going plate alloy ranges around today is without doubt the Bar Crusher 760HT. Hailing from Victoria, but originally conceived in the rugged west coastal of New Zealand, Bar Crushers are serious offshore machines.
As the name implies, they’re designed to jump through ocean bars and get you into open waters safely. Modified for Australian tastes they’ve developed into one of the best offshore alloy boats you can buy. Key attraction of the Bar Crusher is the clever blend of deep Vee hull form and water ballast. Whilst the deep Vee bottom ensures great rough water ride, the water ballast system keeps the boat on an even keel when fishing. A water-ballast tank above the keel automatically fills as the boat slows down. This makes the Bar Crusher super stable, yet also not too heavy to tow.
Strongly built in plate alloy, Bar Crusher 760HT can stand up to many years of hard service. In this regard they make the perfect ‘last’ boat for many experienced boaties. No wonder so many owners become quite passionate about their Bar Crushers. They come standard with ‘goodies’ like self-draining cockpit, decent-size stern scuppers and three welded rod holders per side. You also get a raised cutting board for your bait preparation and an in-floor kill tank of Bar Crusher 760HT. In short, these are serious fishing machines.
Bar Crusher has certainly grabbed a big share of the offshore fishing market in recent years. And that share will get even bigger with the Bar Crusher 760HT model – the brand's most ambitious design to date. This is a true blue, offshore boat and one that’s sure to make inroads into the sport fishing tournament scene. Not that every buyer is going to be a marlin fancier, because Bar Crusher 760HT also cuts across the cruising market as well with a clever ‘mini’ galley and overnight sleeping/toilet facilities.
A semi-enclosed wheel house also means you can stand behind the helm with very good all-round vision. You can also enjoy the boat over a range of days because you’re not so limited by weather. The day we tested this new Bar Crusher 760HT beauty Melbourne’s Port Phillip was certainly not very pleasant - gale force wind gusts, white caps and arctic temperatures. “Lovely day for the ducks,” I thought stepping from the hire car. However, I need not have worried - the big Crusher made our test run far more enjoyable than expected.
More about performance shortly, but you’ve got to love this package for around $110,000- $120,000 ready-to-go. Powered by a single Suzuki 250hp four-stroke it’s quite a rocket ship while not also being too expensive to run. And with a galley unit you can do the odd cruise up the Gippsland Lakes, or the Hawkesbury. This added family-friendly dimension of the Bar Crusher 760HT is also sure to open Bar Crusher to a broader market than it’s reached before.
Design:There was no mistaking the distinctive Bar Crusher look – just check it out! The Bar Crusher 760HT has the same sharp bow entry, raked bow and purposeful look of the smaller ‘Crushers’ but is on far grander in size. True hull length is 7.6m or 7.8m overall with anchor bowsprit so we’re talking about a BIG boat here. It’s also an awesome sight on its dual axle trailer and stands a lofty 3.5m off the road. However, don’t worry if you don’t have room to park her at home. After all, there will be a few fishing mates willing to help out in that regard. And even if they don’t have the space in the Bar Crusher 760HT, there are always dry storage centres and marina dry stacks.
The package is also surprisingly easy to tow. The loaded weight of the test rig was around 2350kg with some fuel aboard. It’s going to be close to 2.5 tonnes fully-loaded, however, that’s comfortably within the range of Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol or some other four-wheel drives. Note also the beam is a road-legal 2.47m so there’s no problem with towing at night, and you won’t need a wide-load permit. The Bar Crusher 760HT certainly looks a treat on the trailer with her dark grey topsides. Offset by the white cabin structure and black window frames, all matched to the big black Suzuki 250hp four-stroke on the back.
A rear folding alloy ladder, stern landing platform and step-through passageway makes for easy access to the cockpit. You also have a slide-away rear bench seat that will double as a step or even a raised casting platform! Looking more closely at the Bar Crusher 760HT you also notice the deep ‘Wave Slicer’ bottom that incorporates a variable Vee bottom ending in 18-degree transom. This is a great shape for fishing because it cuts effortlessly through aggressive seas, yet stays quite stable when fishing in a seaway. We’ve been impressed with the finish on previous Bar Crusher models and this boat did not disappoint. The Bar Crusher 760HT is a very clean, meticulously finished craft with first-class paint job. Rubberized foot-treads on the side decks also mean excellent grip when you’re boarding from the dock, or beach.
Once aboard you notice the spacious cockpit and room to fight a big fish either with standup tackle, or a fitted game chair. Yes – the cockpit is that big! The sense of being on a big cruiser is further reinforced by the tough checker-plate alloy flooring and deep cockpit sides. Certainly, you should feel pretty safe the Bar Crusher 760HT. You’ve got pre-stressed 5mm bottom panels and 4mm topsides. This further enhanced by six full length alloy stringers and cross frames. This makes the bottom super strong and rigid and ensures the seaworthiness of this large trailer boat. Experienced boaties also appreciate the attention to detail like the high quality marine wiring, dual batteries with isolator switch and hydraulic steering – all standard.
Performance:From the moment we launched, I was glad of the hardtop protection! As the rain blasted against the windscreen I stayed snug and dry in the Reelax helm seat, enjoying the view. From the very outset, I was also impressed by the ease of launching such a large craft. And for a single engine boat it’s remarkably easy to handle at close quarters. Most boats in strong winds blow about with the gusts but the Bar Crusher water ballast ensures she sits right on track and doesn’t get blown about.
I’d certainly be interested to see a twin-rig version of the Bar Crusher 760HT, however, I have to say the single four-stroke configuration is very impressive. And let’s face it – modern motors are so reliable today there’s very little concern about going offshore on a single motor. Certainly, we felt quite safe heading out into rough bay waters on this boat. Despite a steep one-meter plus wind chop, we were able to run fast and not suffer too much pounding. As I sat in the helm seat I was able to enjoy the light steering courtesy of the hydraulic steering. A comfortable footrest also meant you could brace yourself through the joggle, while the big windows gave a clear vision at all times.
Particularly on cold, rainy days you will appreciate these big glass windows, rather than vinyl ‘clears’ that often fog up and get cloudy. Overall, the Bar Crusher 760HT is an impressive boat to drive, more so because you have the protection of an enclosed wheelhouse. At rest even in the windy, choppy waters of our test she sat very stably and we could have dangled a few lines if we wished. The helm position will keep the skipper happy with a soft-grip sports wheel. Illuminated switch panel, recessed instrument panel and a flush-mounted Garmin GPS color-sounder chart plotter.
You also get VHF and stereo radio units in an overhead console, plus optional spot lights for night navigation/fish spotting. These Bar Crushers are also fitted with the latest LED navigation and cockpit lights. These are not only brighter at night but also draw less power from the battery.
Power:The Bar Crusher 760HT is rated to 300hp size outboards of extra long shaft length. However, it performs quite admirably with a 250-hp V-6 Suzuki – as proven on our test. This combination really gives the big Bar Crusher quite a lively performance with very good hole-shot performance. I was frankly surprised by the strong acceleration from this four-stroke motor and would be very happy with the following performance figures:
Strongly built in plate alloy, Bar Crusher 760HT can stand up to many years of hard service. In this regard they make the perfect ‘last’ boat for many experienced boaties. No wonder so many owners become quite passionate about their Bar Crushers. They come standard with ‘goodies’ like self-draining cockpit, decent-size stern scuppers and three welded rod holders per side. You also get a raised cutting board for your bait preparation and an in-floor kill tank of Bar Crusher 760HT. In short, these are serious fishing machines.
Bar Crusher has certainly grabbed a big share of the offshore fishing market in recent years. And that share will get even bigger with the Bar Crusher 760HT model – the brand's most ambitious design to date. This is a true blue, offshore boat and one that’s sure to make inroads into the sport fishing tournament scene. Not that every buyer is going to be a marlin fancier, because Bar Crusher 760HT also cuts across the cruising market as well with a clever ‘mini’ galley and overnight sleeping/toilet facilities.
A semi-enclosed wheel house also means you can stand behind the helm with very good all-round vision. You can also enjoy the boat over a range of days because you’re not so limited by weather. The day we tested this new Bar Crusher 760HT beauty Melbourne’s Port Phillip was certainly not very pleasant - gale force wind gusts, white caps and arctic temperatures. “Lovely day for the ducks,” I thought stepping from the hire car. However, I need not have worried - the big Crusher made our test run far more enjoyable than expected.
More about performance shortly, but you’ve got to love this package for around $110,000- $120,000 ready-to-go. Powered by a single Suzuki 250hp four-stroke it’s quite a rocket ship while not also being too expensive to run. And with a galley unit you can do the odd cruise up the Gippsland Lakes, or the Hawkesbury. This added family-friendly dimension of the Bar Crusher 760HT is also sure to open Bar Crusher to a broader market than it’s reached before.
Design:There was no mistaking the distinctive Bar Crusher look – just check it out! The Bar Crusher 760HT has the same sharp bow entry, raked bow and purposeful look of the smaller ‘Crushers’ but is on far grander in size. True hull length is 7.6m or 7.8m overall with anchor bowsprit so we’re talking about a BIG boat here. It’s also an awesome sight on its dual axle trailer and stands a lofty 3.5m off the road. However, don’t worry if you don’t have room to park her at home. After all, there will be a few fishing mates willing to help out in that regard. And even if they don’t have the space in the Bar Crusher 760HT, there are always dry storage centres and marina dry stacks.
The package is also surprisingly easy to tow. The loaded weight of the test rig was around 2350kg with some fuel aboard. It’s going to be close to 2.5 tonnes fully-loaded, however, that’s comfortably within the range of Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol or some other four-wheel drives. Note also the beam is a road-legal 2.47m so there’s no problem with towing at night, and you won’t need a wide-load permit. The Bar Crusher 760HT certainly looks a treat on the trailer with her dark grey topsides. Offset by the white cabin structure and black window frames, all matched to the big black Suzuki 250hp four-stroke on the back.
A rear folding alloy ladder, stern landing platform and step-through passageway makes for easy access to the cockpit. You also have a slide-away rear bench seat that will double as a step or even a raised casting platform! Looking more closely at the Bar Crusher 760HT you also notice the deep ‘Wave Slicer’ bottom that incorporates a variable Vee bottom ending in 18-degree transom. This is a great shape for fishing because it cuts effortlessly through aggressive seas, yet stays quite stable when fishing in a seaway. We’ve been impressed with the finish on previous Bar Crusher models and this boat did not disappoint. The Bar Crusher 760HT is a very clean, meticulously finished craft with first-class paint job. Rubberized foot-treads on the side decks also mean excellent grip when you’re boarding from the dock, or beach.
Once aboard you notice the spacious cockpit and room to fight a big fish either with standup tackle, or a fitted game chair. Yes – the cockpit is that big! The sense of being on a big cruiser is further reinforced by the tough checker-plate alloy flooring and deep cockpit sides. Certainly, you should feel pretty safe the Bar Crusher 760HT. You’ve got pre-stressed 5mm bottom panels and 4mm topsides. This further enhanced by six full length alloy stringers and cross frames. This makes the bottom super strong and rigid and ensures the seaworthiness of this large trailer boat. Experienced boaties also appreciate the attention to detail like the high quality marine wiring, dual batteries with isolator switch and hydraulic steering – all standard.
Performance:From the moment we launched, I was glad of the hardtop protection! As the rain blasted against the windscreen I stayed snug and dry in the Reelax helm seat, enjoying the view. From the very outset, I was also impressed by the ease of launching such a large craft. And for a single engine boat it’s remarkably easy to handle at close quarters. Most boats in strong winds blow about with the gusts but the Bar Crusher water ballast ensures she sits right on track and doesn’t get blown about.
I’d certainly be interested to see a twin-rig version of the Bar Crusher 760HT, however, I have to say the single four-stroke configuration is very impressive. And let’s face it – modern motors are so reliable today there’s very little concern about going offshore on a single motor. Certainly, we felt quite safe heading out into rough bay waters on this boat. Despite a steep one-meter plus wind chop, we were able to run fast and not suffer too much pounding. As I sat in the helm seat I was able to enjoy the light steering courtesy of the hydraulic steering. A comfortable footrest also meant you could brace yourself through the joggle, while the big windows gave a clear vision at all times.
Particularly on cold, rainy days you will appreciate these big glass windows, rather than vinyl ‘clears’ that often fog up and get cloudy. Overall, the Bar Crusher 760HT is an impressive boat to drive, more so because you have the protection of an enclosed wheelhouse. At rest even in the windy, choppy waters of our test she sat very stably and we could have dangled a few lines if we wished. The helm position will keep the skipper happy with a soft-grip sports wheel. Illuminated switch panel, recessed instrument panel and a flush-mounted Garmin GPS color-sounder chart plotter.
You also get VHF and stereo radio units in an overhead console, plus optional spot lights for night navigation/fish spotting. These Bar Crushers are also fitted with the latest LED navigation and cockpit lights. These are not only brighter at night but also draw less power from the battery.
Power:The Bar Crusher 760HT is rated to 300hp size outboards of extra long shaft length. However, it performs quite admirably with a 250-hp V-6 Suzuki – as proven on our test. This combination really gives the big Bar Crusher quite a lively performance with very good hole-shot performance. I was frankly surprised by the strong acceleration from this four-stroke motor and would be very happy with the following performance figures:
- 3500rpm 21 knots
- 4500rpm 30 knots
- 5500rpm 37 knots
Flat out, we were travelling closer to 38 knots and perhaps would be even faster in smoother waters and less wind. Nonetheless this was an impressive performance and I would only be going for the 300hp motor if I were carrying a heavy load on a regular basis. Bar Crusher 760HT has a strong alignment with the Suzuki brand these days, but customers are by no means locked to this marque. If you do want to match the boat up with something other motor brand that’s not a problem. Indeed, our local Sydney agent, Blakes Marine regularly fits the boats with Evinrude E TEC and they work quite well those motors as well.
And talking of power – the Bar Crusher 760HT is well-equipped for offshore work. You get a generous 300-litre in-floor fuel tank with sender kit and top filler. And if that’s not enough they even offer an option 500-litre fuel tank for long range operation. Northern Territory boaties take note! Bar Crusher 760HT also go to a lot of trouble to make sure fuel supplies are secure. They custom-build the alloy fuel tanks into the boat so they are supple, strong and almost impossible to crack. They also locate the filler on the top of the tank so there is little chance of dumping fuel into the bilge from a broken fuel line. Dual batteries and an isolator switch also round out a very safe rig for offshore use.
Deck Layout:There are all the good features you’d expect of a top class rig on the Bar Crusher 760HT including welded bowsprit, split bow rail and bow anchor locker. The package also includes a Sarca anchor, and Stress-Free electric anchor winch. A large fore hatch means you can reach the anchor position from within the cabin. This hatch also provides good light below and an escape route in case of danger. Moving back from the bow you find a reasonably wide side deck access on the Bar Crusher 760HT and grab rails on the cabin roof. You’ve also got good non-skid surface and tinted cabin windows.
I also like the cabin dash with its curved surface that keeps all the gauges high and easy to see. Meanwhile, the helm seats sit atop stowage boxes that provide that extra stowage when needed. The passenger side actually has a padded seat box under which is located a plumbed sink, water pump, 65-litre fridge and optional gas burner stove. However, if you don’t like this set up of Bar Crusher 760HT you can have the conventional pedestal seat atop a storage box. The cabin features two 2.1m bunks that also have cushions and infill to form a very comfortable double berth. This cabin will be more than comfortable to have the family below for lunch.
Moving back into the cockpit you find plenty of toe-under recess below the large, raised side pockets and side decks wide enough to sit when waiting for that big kingfish hookup. We also love the slide-out lounge bench seat that doubles as a step and raised casting platform. It has the same rubberized non-skid as the side decks.
Fishability:
No doubt about it – Bar Crusher has done it again with this superb flagship model. The Bar Crusher 760HT is for serious offshore fishing, or long-range fishing adventures. The good news starts with the large, well designed, self-draining cockpit that works beautifully in rough weather. Then there are the six rod holders, and the overhead 8-pack rod rack, big side pockets for gaffs and other gear. And don’t forget the in-floor kill tank, cutting board and optional high pressure deck wash of Bar Crusher 760HT.
Verdict:
Bar Crusher is out to make a mark in the blue water sport fishing scene with this boat. However, you don’t necessarily have to buy it for going in tournaments because it will be right at home just bottom-bouncing the offshore reefs, or enjoying a mix of surface and bottom fishing for a feed. Best of all, the big Bar Crusher 760HT is a craft you can trail easily. And whether you keep her at home or leave her at a marina or suburban dry storage centre, it’s still going to work. Either way it’s an attractive package, even moreso because it has the added potential to be a very comfortable family cruising boat as well.
My guess is that a lot of buyers of this boat will add the galley and toilet facilities – thereby getting maximum value out of the craft. By the way, if you can’t quite stretch the dollars to this maxi model, then check out the smaller but equally appealing Bar Crusher 760HT version with hardtop. It’s a beauty as well.
Post a Comment