Saltwater Boat Angling — December 2017

P

ower to weight ratio is more important

in boating than road transport, so any

weight saving is a bonus. The entire

Ocqueteau range of boats is built with

vacuum infused resin lamination, which saves a

significant number of kilograms per boat. This

special method of construction is usually reserved

for much larger, or more performance orientated

craft, because it takes longer to produce a hull

than a standard layup and requires skilled labour

to set it up. The result though is a hull that is much

stiffer and much stronger with the considerable

weight saving as it uses as little as 40% less resin.

This translates into greater fuel economy for the

same performance.

An ideal angling boat

The Ostrea 600 is an ideal angling boat that sits in

the popular 20-foot bracket, with the boat itself

only weighing 900kgs. Rigged with the Evinrude

G2 150hp outboard the all up towing weight is less

than 1.5 tonnes, even on a 4-wheel trailer making

her ideal for towing around the country to

different venues. This easy to live with aspect runs

throughout the boat, with all round deck access

thanks to the island wheelhouse. And what deck

space there is too, it seems like there are acres to

play with and it is all flat, there are no steps or

ridges other than the entrance to the wheelhouse.

Offset wheelhouse

For those who want to troll a spread of lures the

helm is situated to starboard with a sliding

wheelhouse doorway, so you can be on deck and

still work the wheel and throttle through the

doorway perfectly feasibly. Likewise, for

anchoring, working the boat is very convenient

single handed, leaving your fishing guests free to

sort their tackle while you manage the boat, or

they can lend a hand if they are feeling generous.

Spacious deck

The deck is very spacious and free of clutter, there

are only locker top seats outside the wheelhouse,

a stern bench including on the top of the built-in

baitwell, one on the main locker aft of the

wheelhouse and the jump seat ahead of the

windscreen. The seating in the wheelhouse is a bit

cramped except for the helm. The passenger perch

is a foldable seat beside the helm. It is enough for

what it is needed for, I prefer to stand when

underway myself.

Ocqueteau 600 Ostrea

Boat Review

68 Saltwater Boat Angling

Sponsored by

PRACTICAL

BOATING

The Ostrea 600 is light, roomy and has plenty of deck

space, Simon Everett finds out what she is like

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