Trade-A-Boat 496 2017

Signature 495F

facts & figures

PRICED FROM

$37,699 BMT package with Suzuki

DF60

OPTIONS FITTED

Suzuki DF90 ATL, bow rail, gas strut on

forward hatch, two-tone hull, ladder,

transom steps with rails, bimini, M50

battery, Garmin Echomap CHIRP 55CV

PRICE AS TESTED

$47,699

GENERAL

TYPE Family/bay/light offshore

MATERIAL GRP

LENGTH 5.09m

BEAM 2.01m

WEIGHT 705kg (hull only)

TOW WEIGHT 1180kg (approx)

DEADRISE Variable 21-33 ̊

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE 5

REC. HP 70hp

MAX HP 90hp

FUEL 75L

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL Suzuki DF90 ATL

TYPE DOHC 16-valve four-stroke

WEIGHT 156kg (L) 160kg (X)

DISPLACEMENT 1502cc

GEAR RATIO 2.59:1

PROPELLER 19in

SUPPLIED BY

S I G N AT U R E B OAT S

140 Viking Drive, Wacol, Qld 4076

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

PHONE +61 7 3271 4400

EMAIL [email protected]

freeboard and gunwales maintained

through to the stern are also great

for the extra stability when fishing,

and having two good-sized bait wells

definitely appeals to me. Although

lacking a decent kill tank, you could

get away with chucking some ice into

one of the bait wells, or just add an

Esky as there’s enough deck space.

POCKET ROCKET

On the water this little pocket-

rocket is impressive – fitted with

the maximum 90hp rating the 495F

gives a healthy 34-36kt in varying

conditions, with economy around

35L/h at WOT. For a civilised cruise

the 495F performs best between 17

and 24kt and, surprisingly for its size,

produces a very comfortable, stable

and dry ride in rough conditions.

Signature’s Variable Deadrise Hull

(SVDH) is ubiquitous through the

range and works exceptionally well –

a good ride, quick to plane, and good

economy on the 495F.

For the more budget-conscious

boater not chasing performance,

the 495F is rated from 60hp, which

apparently doesn’t do a bad job. It

would lighten the transom a fair

amount and probably run a bit

lighter on fuel – not that it chewed

gas with the 90hp. More power suits

me and were I buying, the 90hp

Suzuki four-stroke would stay.

THE WRAP

As a family boat, bay cruiser, a boat

to pull the kids on tubes, and not a

bad little fishing weapon for bays and

light offshore work, the Signature

495F ticks plenty of boxes. For me,

it’s all about multi-purpose use – it’s

an easy tow with a medium-sized

vehicle, you don’t need extra hands

to operate it, and it’s pretty good

value for money, starting at $37,699,

especially when you consider the

quality and standard inclusions.

Like any boat, upping the power

and ticking options will bump the

price, but fully loaded with extras

and the maximum horsepower as

tested, she’s still yours for under

50 grand, which just ain’t bad at

all considering the attributes,

accessories and quality.

60 trade aboat.com.au

Signature 495F