Trade-A-Boat — 490 2017

I

’m often asked to recommend

an ideal first boat. It’s almost

impossible to answer as the

ideal boat depends on so many

variables, not least being the

budget and intended use. I usually find

I’m inclined to suggest a secondhand

Quintrex as they can be affordable and

reliable starts to the boating life – after

the decent inspection I’d advise you

give any preloved purchase.

But what of fibreglass? It’s a more

difficult medium to work with than

alloy and therefore more costly, but

the softness and warmth along with

the quieter ride make it a better

introduction for many first-time

owners. With that in mind, when Alan

Whittley suggested the Clearwater 1650

was the perfect introduction to family

boating in the comfort of ’glass, I had to

find out for myself.

Wow! ‘Fun’ isn’t enough to describe

the little 1650. I had the pleasure of a

few hours with the boat on Lake Eildon,

Victoria, and fell in love. We all know

someone who reckons their boat rides

‘like it’s on rails’ or that it ‘feels like a

go-kart’ but I’ve not tried anything that

comes close to the 1650. It darts around

confidently and without fuss. In terms

of fishy business, you could shove three

on board at a pinch, though it’s really a

two-up boat with transom corner spots

the places to be.

The hull’s origins go back to the

1600, a super-popular model that

evolved from the Savage Centurion,

itself a hull with a strong pedigree.

What’s moved the design forward is the

additional length and beam as well as

handy new features – some optional

Video at

See

.com.au

The boat you want is easier to find tradeboats.com.au^63