As mentioned, this is the smallest of the Offshore Side Console models, with others between 5.7m and 6.75m overall length. So if you are after a big boat with good performance and heaps of fishing room, it would be worthwhile checking out the Sea-Rod range. Another positive is they are Australian built for our harsh conditions. I was very impressed with the quality of work and in particular the welds. The wide gunwales are fully …

To get water out of the Scamper, all you need to do is lift one end and roll it over. There is no lip to trap water at either end, so it’s easy to wash out. Different models are available in the Scamper range, including the solo I have mentioned and a two-seater. The two-seater is slightly heavier at 20kg, but both craft …

You could see the wake behind the outriggers and stern of the boat, which gives a good indication of speed. Again, you may not use the sail every time but it does add to its versatility and turns this canoe into a multi-use craft. So if you are after more than just an ordinary canoe and want to expand your …

Even though these boats are price oriented, they still have a long list of standard inclusions. Things such as self-draining anchor well, carpeted floor, side pockets, raised carpeted casting platform with storage hatch, underfloor fuel tank, and upholstered swivel seats are all included in the price of the 4.7m model. In fact there is a lengthy list, with everything you need to hit the water including rego and safety gear. Obviously you can deck Procraft boats out a …

And first impressions were good, with plenty of punch out of the hole and a nice low planing speed of around 21km/h at 3000rpm. Wide open it hit just under 70km/h at 6000rpm, and even though very stable and safe you wouldn’t run it at this speed for long as the fuel burn would be quite high. Instead somewhere around …

Although I don’t have top speed figures, it was relatively quick and much faster than you could paddle. The advantage of having a powered vessel is that you have both hands free for fishing. Whether standing up and hitting specific snags with lures or trolling the drop-off, both were easily done one up and even easier as the passenger. Another …

Trekka At first glance the Trekka probably isn’t as aesthetically pleasing with its sharper lines, but I personally like this type of boat. Retaining some of the more traditional features of a punt with the flat bottom and wide beam, the Trekka is a good choice for a car topper. Available in models from 2.95m through to 4.3m, it is …

There are a number of different reasons people choose to put twin engines on their rig and one is the added safety factor. However this doesn’t mean being able to plane, it means being able to hold or make headway against tide or wind and safely make your way to shore. This line of thought is quite different to what …