Edgewater 188cc Is The New Weapon

[Goldfinch]

I finally sold the Haines Classic 600 a few weeks ago and after looking at just about every boat on the planet between 5.5m and 6.5m over the past few months I ended up buying an American made 2011 Edgewater 188cc Fibreglass Centre Console (to be named ACES HIGH). Fortunately there were 2 of them for sale down near Newcastle so I chose the one best suited for my needs. After looking at both Aussie and American built boats in this size range, I hate to say it but IMO the Yank tanks are miles ahead in their quality of build and fit-out. The helm layout is spot on, everything feels like it's in the right place, even the left hand drive. There are no cheap components on this boat. All fittings are s/steel and everything feels rock solid. There is no timber in the hull, 100% composite and foam filled. I sea trialled the boat off Swansea Heads in NSW in 20knots of Easterly slop and 2m swell and the boat handled superbly in these conditions with minimal spray coming on board. Today I took it for a ride of Noosa in a stiff 15-20 knots N/Easter and the ride was excellent. Heading straight into 20knot wind and chop she skipped straight over the top with some trim tab adjustment. She is fitted with a Yammy 150 4-stroke and WOT is approx 41mph. Electronics are Raymarine C120 dual GPS and Sounder. Trailer is a USA Custom Aluminium dual axel float on setup. It's light and very easy to drive on and off. The only things I need to customise are a storage setup under the helm leaning post for easy access to tackle and a custom built bait board. Any suggestions on who can make this stuff for me on the Sunny Coast or in Brissy???

Watch out pelagic's, here we come!!!!!

Here's a few piccies.
Cheers, Dave

[littlemac]

hey dave,

thats a sweet looking rig you got now, a tad different to the haines. it looks in great condition. try greens stainless at yatla they do all sorts.

try this link to there site http://www.stainlesssteelfabrication.com.au/

cheers

brett

[Tangles]

Great looking boat,

With the Greens Stainless baitboard i had one made up, very reasonable prices as well but they may have a wait period as they are usually pretty busy with Cruisecraft SS work, here is a picture of mine along with the trolling rodholders..

Baitmate are also an option but i went with Greens as more in keeping with the boat with SS

[Hatwell]

Nice rig goldfinch .theres not many edgewaters in Australia . I have ordered a new Edgewater 205 express and it should arrive in Sydney in early November . I have ordered an aluminum float on trailer too.yours I would think would have no springs which I think is a plus .i haven't seen one in person but I liked the sound of them and emailed float on and they answered my questions promptly. What do you think of the trailer .? I would love to see a few photos of the winch post up against your boat? What does it tow like? I heard about Edgewater boats from a friend who went to the Sydney boat show and told me that he loved the fishing space as they are very beamy boats . So I got hold of josh Batterson from skeeter and Edgewater boats and booked in a weekend to fly to Sydney and do a water test . I'm very careful with other peoples gear so I took my school mate who is a cray fisherman with me and we tested the 205 cc on the Saturday on Sydney harbor and then the express on the Sunday on the hawks bury river and was extremely impressed with the boat the mouth of the hawks bury river had at least 4 ft waves and my mate was giving going flat out and locking up the wheel as fast as he could and the boat did not slam once.I'm a bit sus with sales people but josh Batterson was exceptional and just answered questions honestly . I would have to say the best weekend and best person I have dealt when buying a boat.i would have paid to do that weekend again I loved it and loved Sydney's waterways I didn't expect the beautiful scenery. I hope I haven't jinksed myself now. I hope that every thing goes as well when I pick the boat up. I would love to chat with you more and if yours goes half as well as what the 205 went you will be stoked . The 150 yam is a great motor I had one on my last boat. Thanks and have fun from andy

[Horse]

Nice looking boat Dave. It will look even better with a few Spanos on the deck

[preso]

That is pretty much what I am after. If its not too rude, how much landed.

[Boat Hog]

Wow! Nice boat. Very shiny - I like!

I would recommend the baitmate baitboards. http://www.baitmate.com.au/index.html

I had one custom made to sit over the livewell on the Striper. You can choose the amount of tackle drawers you like, number of rod holders etc. I went for the two drawer (side by side) set up but wish I had of gotten more drawers. You can never have too much tackle storage.

You could get a bait station custom made for the transom or, what I would choose, made to mount centrally over the livewell and leave the transom free so you can work a fish right around the boat.

Cheers, and have fun getting her all set up!

[Smithy]

Congrats!

Keep those spray jackets handy now you are in a CC!

If you went through Josh, do you have full warranty on everything?

What scupper system does it have? Are the in the centre of the transom, not the corners?

[Goldfinch]

Thanks for the ideas guys.

Hey Smithy...I bought it 2nd hand from a guy who bought it through the Aussie Dealer in June 2011 so it has full lifetime warranty on the hull, hopefully!!!. I tried to find back feedback about this boat and Edgewater on The Hull Truth, the only negative comments were about the high price. Everyone else might need spray jackets but behind the helm she is nice and dry with the clears on. They are great. Awesome vis and very dry. I hammered it straight into and side-on to 20knot slop yesterday and it was only slightly wet down one side. The centre of the transom drains to the scuppers. Didn't get any water on board yesterday at all. When I sea trialled, I got the guy to back up hard to see how much water came in the transom. It was not a lot and with some slight forward motion, it cleared very quickly. Impressive compared to other centre consoles I have been in.

[Back In Black]

Dave,
Sweet looking rig! Buy a BIG bottle of blockout cause I reckon a day on the Hards & you will be torched!!!!
See you on the water,
Tony

[madmackrel]

Nice cc finchy, got to love centre consoles mate , i had one for ten years and loved every minute of fishing from her.
Cheers MM

[Goldfinch]

Speaking of The Hards Tony....when r we going again????? You busy watering the flowers still ;-). You'll be pleased to know I'm naming the boat "Aces High" after the classic Iron Maiden song.

I love it already MM. Not sure why I had a cabin for so long. I feel right at home now.

Andy...I will PM you some pics of the winch setup. Be sure to check your Private Messages in box

[whatscracken]

Nice boat mate. I have been looking for a new boat for a while and I keep coming back to the Edgewater. Not many around though.

How heavy is it all fitted out?

[FisHard]

Hey nice rig mate! My mate, Peter, owns the other one in Newcastle (twin HDS 10s) he's very happy with it! (Only selling to go sailing for 6 months) I'm sure you'll get a great run out of it. Go the Centre Consoles!!!

[Goldfinch]

Whatscracken...all up it weighs approx 1900kg's with full tank of fuel. Hull dry weight is 930kg's then add Yammy 150 4-stroke, then trailer is 360kgs.

FisHard...I spoke to Peter about his boat as well. It just didn't have the T-top, clears, radio box, trim tabs, dual batteries etc. Still a nice boat though.