Trade-A-Boat — 490 2017

THE WRAP

It’s a simple but well laid-out centre

console that can easily be tricked-up

tosuitdifferentfishingstylesorfamily

days on the water. Light enough to

tow with a standard ute, this is a boat

thatwon’ttakeuptoomuchspace

at home and at around $55,000 it’s

competitively priced.

PIONEER 197 SPORTFISH

For those seeking better offshore

capabilities in a bit more a looker

that’s still a versatile family boat, the

197 Sportfish would be the way to go.

At a glance, it’s a handsome centre

console with typical American lines

and styling, while at 6.04m long with

a 2.49m beam it incorporates more

storage and fishing features, with

comfortable seating options and

decent on-water performance.

For family boaters the layout offers

dual transom seats, a double console

seat, removable Esky/seat, a padded

and bolstered front cast deck, and

a step down into a console that’s

spacious enough to have a Porta-Potti

and also benefits from T-top protection

from the elements and heaps of storage

hatches. W hether for a day on the dam

skiing and tubing, or a trip on the bay

with the family, the 197 is spacious,

comfortable, and provides a smooth

ride to keep the family happy.

Fishos get the same layout plus

dual gunwale rod racks, T-top with

rod holders, casting deck in the bow,

stainless toe-hook rails, fully bolstered

gunwale coamings to lean into, and

a nice tackle station with sizeable

livewell behind the console seating.

How does it rate?

Average

1 SUITABILITY FOR PURPOSE

2 INNOVATION

3 DESIGN AND LAYOUT

4 QUALITY OF FINISH

5 HANDLING AND RIDE

6 STABILITY AT REST

7 ERGONOMICS

8 STANDARD EQUIPMENT

9 VALUE FOR MONEY

10 X-FACTOR

Pioneer 197 Sportfish

HIGHS

• Good-looking centre console


• Comfort on board for family boating


• Great console seat/tackle station and livewell

LOWS

• Low motor well at transom


• Trim tabs as standard would be good

58 trade aboat.com.au