Cyclone Boats

[JIMMY80]

Hi guys,
I am looking at getting a 540 or 640 side console Cyclone Boat mainly for reef / shoal fishing off townsville. Ihave contacted the builder and have all the info from them. But i really want to hear about the opinions of cyclone owners (i notice there are a few on here? and anyone else who has been in one, etc.

like fuel econ, speed, ride in like 15knots or so, etc

there are hardly any reviews on the web from independant sources, so any reviews by people on this site would be great.

Jimmy

[cyclone]

G'day Jimmy I own a 540 side console and I'm very happy with it. If you can afford the 680 get it especially if most of your work is offshore. The 540 handles really well for it's size outside and is a very safe boat I try to use mine in under 10knts mostly mainly for comfort but 15 is not a problem for it and I have been caught in some very ugly stuff and always felt confident in the way the boat handled. The side console can feel a bit light in the front going head on into the sea I have overcome this by adding trim tabs to keep the nose down and working, these also have the bonus of leveling the load of the boat out. In 15 knots the boat will still comfortably travel at about 35klms but you will get a bit of spray as in any open boat but a lot better than most. The boats have the ability to travel very fast in rough water if you are brave . Fuel economy is quite good on mine it's powered by a 90hp carby merc and it burns approx 60ltr for a 5hr/hour metre trip to the reef. If I had the choice I would fit a 115 opti or etec definatly if thinking 4/stroke 115 only because the boat can easily cope with the speed and at a general cruising speed the fuel economy would be even better. I also improved storage space by building glass compartments in the front of the boat gave me a lot more dry storage and kept things of the deck. Overall it does everything I want it to and dosn't cost me a fortune to run. If you want to go fast ofshore in any conditions get the 680 but the 540 is a great little boat build quality is excellent and have not had any problems with mine. hope this helps. A couple of photos of my set up.Any specific questions give me a pm for ph. no. take you for a run if you can get up to Cairns. Andrew.

[cyclone]

Addition to front.

[Sportfish_5]

PM Craigie - hes got one ;) ;) ;)

[JIMMY80]

Yeah i can't PM Cragie until i have reached 10 posts!!! :'(

Can someone bring this thread to his attention!! :-/

[tim_flyin]

Hey Jimmy,

About 12 months ago I bought a 540 centre console, and have'nt looked back.
For my money the cyclone is great compromise boat. It is very very capable rough water fishing boat, and a pretty handy ski/family boat.

If I had to pick things I didnt like I could only really think of 2.

1. In my experience they seem to be quite sensitive to load distribution. This is not a big drama, but I think trim tabs would make the world of difference.

2. Because of the fairly radical hull shape, deck/internal space is sacrificed. I think this is particularly eveident in the large centre console (the one I have).

To sum up. I did a heap of research and bummed a ride on a many different glass boats as I could.
IMHO no other open glass boat is as soft and dry in ugly conditions.

I am in Brisbane and you are welcome to come for a run if you are local.

Cheers
Tim

[cyclone]

Yeah! Tim fit the trim tabs won't matter where you park that esky full of reds then. Andrew.

[craigie]

Craigie has found the post !!!

Will give comprehensive details and pics as soon as I get a chance.
Got a bit of work to do for the next couple of hrs.

Craigie.

[slugger]

Dean @ Formset on Ingham Rd T'ville has a 680 cc I think with a 200 Optimax, give him a call. From what he told me he loves the thing. cheers.

[JIMMY80]

Cheers tim_flyin, I agree there is bugger all storage but i think i might go something similar to cyclone's setup.

I am surprised that you mention that they are bad for weight distribution i assume you mean only when on the plane, as it is fairly beamy compared to the hookers. and i would have thought that they would be alright when at rest.

jim

[craigie]

Jim,

I too have a Cyclone 540 Side Console, fitted up with a 115 hp Mercury Optimax with the addition of the Smart Craft Gauges.
Great performance, top speed is a tick under 40 knots, which is quite exhilerating in this sleek open boat !

I'm more than happy with the Fuel Econ from the 115 Opti.
The boat hops onto the plane at around 3100 revs, where it uses 13 litres per hour with the speedo showing 18 knots.
3500 rev Cruise Speed is around 20-21 knots, burning 16 - 17 litres per hour.
4000 rev cruise speed produces 24 knots at approx 20 litres per hour
5800 flat stick uses 37 litres per hour.
At the other end of the scale, idle at 650 revs burns .7 litres per hour !! use stuff all if slow trolling !!!

A lot of my fishing & Boating is based around Moreton bay, so a 10 -15 knot day are the type of conditions I look for when hitting the water.
The Cyclone just loves it !! I can power across the Bay to Moreton Island (about a one hour run) in relative comfort. When conditions start to get up to 20 knots and 1m white cap waves as a short sharp chop, it's time to back off the speed and head for home.

I have had several guys from Ausfish out for a run, as far as I know they walked away fine with no back complaints 8-).

I originally had the boat built for Estuary/Bay fishing with a touch of Offshore in mind when the weather was perfect. Also use the boat in the dams for lure fishing for Bass and Yellowbelly.
The boat is also equipped with Ski Hooks which have come in handy for a bit of towing of tubes etc. The boat has plenty of grunt for these activities and could no doubt tow a Barefoot enthusiest if required !!

The internal layout is complete with no less than 5 underfloor compartments, these include the main storage/esky in the centre of the boat, a kill tank in the stern. The main feature of the bow is the Casting deck which has a live well built into it. This area provides ample room for safety gear etc when not used for live fish retention. It is fully plumbed for Tournamnet use if required. Forward of the Live Well is a large Anchor Locker that has room for several spare anchores and rope. Finally built in the very front of the Bow is the main anchor storage area. All hatches are covered with non slip matting and flush mount latches.
Also has a Plumbed Live Bait tank, built into the drivers side rear quarter.

I've had the whole package for a bit over 2 years now and still shake with excitement when backing it into the water. 420 hours on the Optimax, it all gets plenty of use 8-)

Just recently I ran the boat 60 k's offshore from Mooloolaba to fish the wide deep reef systems as my taste in fishing seems to be heading in that direction. The boat performed well and I would certainly do it again, although wind and swell conditions have to be perfect to ensure the safety of myself and crew. For the record, we covered around 125k's for the day, burning only 68 litres of fuel. I had 3 people and a heap of gear on board for the trip, inc a 130 litre esky full of ice (but very few fish ;D). I did notice on this trip that I needed to push the esky forward to the centre of the boat to help with weight distribution and getting the boat to plane better in offshore conditions.

I have contemplated selling my 540 to move into something bigger as wide offshore fishing has got a stronger grip on me since the original purchase.

Feel free to ask about any thing I may have forgotten to mention.

Cheers
Craigie.

I have added carpet & Canopy etc to the boat since purchase.
also added Rod Holders, Sounder and Downrigger.
Total outlay to date is about $45 000.

[craigie]

on the trailer, prior to another mission ;)

[craigie]

Front view, showing casting deck and hatches.
The boat resembles an "Arrow" from this angle !!

[craigie]

Close up of hull, showing 22 degree V.

[craigie]

rear angle showing internal space, hatches, horizontal rod storage

[cyclone]

Jimmy yes the stability thing is when on the move because of the deep v on a smallish boat. It rides on the plank when on the go and if you have someone wieghing 150kg in one seat and 75kg on the other side the boat will sit a bit lower on one side. This isn't really a concern but the fitting of trim tabs makes it easy to counter this and also has the added benefit of not having to move your esky forward as Cragie mentioned. Andrew.

[JIMMY80]

Thanks Cragie,
That helps me out heaps, I was going to ask what you had paid roughly but you have answered that. :D

I am sort of leaning towards the 680 mainly so i can take out 3 + me to the reef in comfort. But they cost a bucket load (worth it i am sure) and any way when you can travel 125k's for the day, burning only 68 litres of fuel who cares if you can only take two mates.

Cheers guys.

Now all i need to do is take one for a test drive, oh n see the bank! :o

[Robbo_Townsville]

Jimmy I had a 540 side console for a bit over 12 months. Only sold him so I could bash the creeks and bash the lovely boat ramps we have up here in Townsville ( no pontoons or beach to the side of the ramp).

I still today miss it. Very quick and looks like its going fast whilst still on the trailer. I would go out in about 15 - 20knots around the cape (very choppy) sitting on 30 plus mph and get her airbourne much to my delight but to the terror of the passengers.

Purchased it off J & B Marine at the fishing expo for mid 30's with 115 Merc 2 stroke (carby).

[JIMMY80]

Help Help, all cyclone owners!!

I have owned my cyclone 540 large centre console for over two years now it is a 2002 model. I am wondering how i would go about replacing the fuel pick up line from the water fuel seperator to the under floor fuel tank. As there is no access panel and it is completely glassed in!!??

I recently got fuel problems out at the reef, it was only for a passing yathie (Mick on board Calliope many thanks!!) who loaned me two jerry cans i connected the fuel line directly to the water/fuel seperator into the jerry can and made it back in.

The fuel pick up line connected to the underfloor tank looks on the way out, i am wondering how this can be replaced with out major surgery??

Has anyone run into this problem, of no access to the tank??

Cheers Jim

[TJ Bear]

Not being familar with Cyclone boats but being a boat builder I might be able to help a little. Most fibreglass trailer boats have no access to the fuel sender or pickup/returns, best thing you can do is call CC boats and get a measurement from the transom to where the pickup should be located then carefully with a small hole saw (No bit in arbour) cut a say 50mm hole in the floor. Now if you are not on top of the pickup you should be able to see or feel where it is. Go to your nearest chandlery and buy a good quality 316 stainless 6" spinout, cut a hole with a jigsaw around where the pickup is (located through th 50mm holle) make the hole big enough to fit your new spinout. You should now have room to replace the fuel line, when this is done fit the stainless spinout into the floor so you always have access this area. Do not use one of those cheap plastic spinouts as it will crack, they have no place on boats.

[chucknduck]

Jim,

I have the same model and built in the same year. I will be checking my fuel line now!
Have recently replaced almost everything else on the boat recently including the electrical wiring and donk. Those glassed in tanks were always a worry for me for access.

Mick

[JIMMY80]

Cheers TJ i was hoping not to have to cut, it seems like the only option though.:(