95
(and upgraded to the awesome Big Tiller with
troll control feature). I also went for the heavy
duty Command Thrust gearbox that provides
maximum torque and durability.
With 20 hours on the engine, preliminary
speed/fuel data indicates a pleasant cruise of 20
knots at 4000rpm uses 10lph. At wide-open
throttle (5400rpm) the boat is travelling at 28
knots and using 18.9lph. A slow troll for natives
or trout at about 1-2 knots uses less than 1lph.
I’ll provide full performance and technical
specs on the four-cylinder Merc 60 after its
20-hour service. So far it’s proven quiet,
powerful and efficient. To be honest, I probably
didn’t need to go for max HP – a 40hp would
have been perfectly adequate – but there’s
nothing like a bit of grunt, is there?
I purchased a 12-volt 55lb MotorGuide
Xi5 bow mount electric for the CXC. At the
time of writing, MotorGuide had enjoyed
huge orders for its GPS models so I’m
making do with a standard unit until a new
shipment arrives. As soon as I get the
upgrade I’ll do a review so you can get an
idea of performance and features.
I also fitted the boat with a Power-Pole
Micro Anchor, which I sourced from the guys
at Hobie. This unit is mounted on the
transom and uses internal bearings to drive an
8.5-foot fibreglass composite spike firmly into
sand, mud or gravel to hold the boat safely
and quietly. So far it’s proven fantastic when
casting poppers for bream and whiting on
shallow f lats and when pulled up on the beach
or bank. My “real” anchor hasn’t even seen
water yet ... The unit is controlled either by a
remote on a lanyard, another remote which
can be mounted on the boat or via buttons on
the unit itself. It’s pretty handy and ideal for
small sportfishers like my CXC.
As mentioned, the boat sits on a custom
alloy trailer made by Queensland-based CNC
Trailers. Enlightened provides fairly basic
Sea-Trail trailers as standard with its hulls but
now offers the CNCs as a much higher quality
option. Full alloy construction, qualityworkmanship and high grade fittings make
one of these trailers the logical choice if, like
me, you plan on doing a fair bit of towing.
The lightness of the CXC hull means the
tow package comes in well under the 750kg
level, meaning there’s no need to muck about
with braking systems.
So far I’m extremely happy with the CXC
4.3. It’s a very well built hull ideally suited to
the estuary/impoundment/inshore sportfishing
I enjoy The gutsy and efficient Merc 60 makes
it exhilarating to drive and the layout and
features allow for safe, productive and
enjoyable fishing. All up, it’s a little ripper!CLOCK WISE FROM ABOVE: The new Fisho boat
in action on Wyangala Dam chasing yellowbelly;
With its lightweight hull, launching and retrieving
is effortless; The hull design and construction
ensures a smooth ride in most conditions; The
open layout is well planned and leaves loads of
space for fishing.PROJECT BOAT REPORT FISHO’S CXC 4.3 & MERCURY 60 FOUR-STROKE
IMAGE: SCOT T THOMAS