Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
AUSTRALIAN plate aluminium boat manufacturer Bar Crusher has added two more vessels to its arsenal: the 490C and 490WR.
Aimed squarely at entry-level boat buyers and those looking to step up from pressed-aluminium tinnies, the 490 hull series brings Bar Crusher’s renowned quality and performance within reach of more people with its mid-$30,000 pricetag (depending on options).
Measuring 4.9m overall with a 2m beam, the 490C and 490WR are built on Bar Crusher’s industry-leading Gen2 hull design with Delta Flare.
The high-tech Waveslicer non-pounding, deep-V hull delivers an ultra-smooth ride, the expertly engineered Rigideck sub-floor system creates maximum hull strength and Bar Crushers exclusive Quickflow water ballast technology ensures the 490C and 490WR are extremely stable at rest.
Bar Crusher director Peter Cleland said the new 490 series would completely change the way many people looked at sub-5m aluminium boats.
“Our design philosophy behind the 490 series was based on providing anglers with a smaller boat that had all the engineering of the larger Bar Crusher models at a very reasonable price,” Cleland said.
“Extensive testing has proved the 490C’s on-water performance is outstanding… it handles 20 knots of breeze and messy wind chop like it’s a much larger boat.
“Our aim is to always produce a segment-leading product, and we believe the new 490 models certainly hit this high benchmark.”
Lending itself to family fishing, the 490C is a tough all-round cuddy cabin boat that will handle the punishment first-time boaters often inadvertently dish out to their boats.
Offering great performance and being easy to tow, launch, retrieve and maintain, it’s destined to ensure people stay involved in boating too.
The walk-around centre console 490WR will prove popular among lure casters and trollers.
Fresh water, estuary and inshore, it’s the baby Bar Crusher many anglers have been waiting for.
Incorporating a 60-litre underfloor fuel tank and rated to carry a 40-70hp outboard, dry tow weights of the 490C and 490WR are 840kg and 800kg respectively, ensuring they are easily towed by smaller vehicles.
Cast aluminium rod holders, a heavy-duty boarding ladder, berley bucket and muncher, LED lighting and other items are among the list of standard features, while owners can customise their boats from an extensive options list.
The 490C and 490WR are each packaged on a custom-designed trailer, which ensures towing, launching and retrieving is a breeze.
Self-centring and aligning perfectly every time, Bar Crusher’s innovative Bar Catch system also allows for single-handed launching and retrieving.
For more information, call 03 9792 2999 or visit barcrusher.com.au
**Expect more details in an upcoming review in Bush ‘n Beach Fishing magazine.**
Oh man the 490s look like everything you could ever want! I’ve wanted a new bar-crusher for a while now. I’m always jealous when I see them out at the docks. In particular I like the way they’re shaped that makes them seem like they would never get capsized even in a typhoon. Thanks for the interesting post!