Trade-A-Boat — 490 2017

Whittley Clearwater 1650

facts & figures

PRICED FROM

A$37,990

OPTIONS FITTED

Front & side clears; S/S bait board;

Raymarine DragonFly7 GPS/FF

PRICE AS TESTED

A$40,490

GENERAL

MATERIAL Fibreglass

TYPE Cuddy

LENGTH 5m

BEAM 2.14m

WEIGHT 525kg (hull only)

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE 5

FUEL 60L

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL Yamaha F70LA

TYPE Fuel-injected inline four-cylinder

four-stroke

RATED HP 70

DISPLACEMENT 996cc

WEIGHT 119kg

GEAR RATIO 2.33:1

PROPELLER Alloy 14-K

SUPPLIED BY

WHITTLEY MARINE

99 Freight Drive

Melbourne, Vic

PHONE +61 (3) 8339 1800

WEB http://www.whittleymarinegroup.com.au

Two options I would consider,

especially for the fishing-focused, are

the plumbed livewell, as seen in the

test boat, and the Viper bait station I

spied at the factory. It’s a work of art,

both robust and well laid-out, and fits

the look of the boat well.

The factory supplies a Mackay trailer

with every 1650 and they don’t skimp

on it. All feature a spare wheel, decent

tie-downs front and rear, and are set

up by the factory for a perfect fit. The

only gripe we had was that the draw

bar on our test boat’s trailer was much

too short – however, I’m told this has

now been remedied.

Starting from A$37,990 ex-factory

with the reliable Yamaha F70 and

Raymarine DragonFly7, plus rego

and safety gear, makes the 1650 a

real bargain – especially with its

standard inclusions. Even if you add

some options, it will take some effort

to break A$42,000, which remains a

sharp price. When you think about the

weekly cost, based on leveraging your

house, it’s nothing – hardly a couple of

slabs of beer, for which you get a new

and fully warrantied BMT to get the

kids or your mates out on the water.

THE WRAP

The Whittley Clearwater 1650 is a great

prospect for the new-to-boating for

its ease of use, the young family for

its adaptability and those looking to

spend quiet days on the water, simply.

Its affordable, comes ready to go with

almost everything I would have in a

boat and with a five year hull warranty,

the most important part of boating

peace of mind.

“We recorded 51km/h, and while

the hull is rated to as much as

90hp, I think the 70 will be enough

for most”

66 trade aboat.com.au

Clearwater 1650