Boating New Zealand – April 2018

58 Boating New Zealand

PRICE AS TESTED

$POA

MANUFACTURED BY

Surtees Boats Ltd

http://www.surteesboats.com

Surtees 750

Game Fisher

sterndrive

length overall 7.5m

beam 2.5m

draft approx 0.6m

weight on trailer 2,700kg

approx

deadrise 20 o

construction aluminium

recommended hp 200-300

engine Mercruiser TDi V6 230hp

fuel 300 litres

water 100 litres

water ballast  530 litres

cruising speed 24-26 knots

max speed 34 knots

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight low in the

hull means the

boat feels securely

planted in the water

Excellent fuel

economy

Quiet runner

Layout works very well

for fishing and diving

HIGHLIGHTS

WATCH IT

even more securely planted in the water than

most. She certainly cut through the chop with

minimal fuss, burning just 23 litres per hour at

23 knots.

With a deadrise of 20° at the transom, trim

tabs are mandatory in any sort of crosswind and

to compensate for shifting bodies or unbalanced

payloads. Adjusting the trim tabs during our

extended run ensured the most comfortable and

efcient ride. Steering is hydraulic.

Like all Surtees boats, Undercover features a

fooding ballast chamber, which comes into its

own when the boat is at rest. With the gate in

the open position, the chamber flls with 530

litres of water, stabilising the hull. Once the boat

moves ahead and climbs onto the plane, the

chamber empties again.

If some extra weight low down in the hull is

desired – in rough conditions for instance – the

gate can be closed to retain the water in the

chamber. It’s a well-proven and efective system.

Our next stop was Aurora Caves, which

we explored, checking out the amazing fsh

life inside. Taking advantage of the backdrop

and the shelter ofered by the high clifs, we

launched the drone and made a few passes for

the camera boat.

GREAT SUPPORT

Te run back to Whitianga was just as pleasant

as the run out had been. Nick parked the boat

at home in the Sea Pen, where he told us how

much he had enjoyed the whole project, praising

Surtees Boats, Mercury Marine and Mark

Cosgrove and his team at Mercury Bay Marine.

He made special mention of his wife Hollie,

without whose support this project would never

have grown legs.

“I love the ride and the layout – it’s a proper

fshing boat – and I love how stable it is at rest.

I’m also satisfed everything about the boat has

been done right: the engineering, the build and

the design. Everyone involved has been great

and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”

Now Nick just wants to take his family and

friends fshing. BNZ

BELOW Owner Nick Gill

is extremely happy with

his new Surtees 750 Game

Fisher sterndrive.