Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
CLARK Aluminium Boats has a heritage stretching back several decades.
The brand has long been highly regarded by both commercial and recreational anglers. Clark’s current boat range encompasses over 70 models, with all the popular layouts and configurations represented. The smallest model is the 2.6m Punt and the largest is the 5.4m Challenger.
In between are open dinghies (Magnums and Pursuits), V-nose punts (Predators, Estuaries and Kakadus), open side and centre consoles (Fishmasters, Rebels, Dominators and Abalones), runabouts (Navigators and Bay Hunters), bowriders (SunSeekers) and cuddy cabins (Challengers).
The latest in the Clark Boats line-up is the 457 Rebel Side Console. It is an angler’s dream boat through and through and completes the Rebel series. It would be an ideal boat for a complete beginner yet just as useful to an old hand looking for a handy boat for a couple of mates to spend time in.
Featuring a full-height transom in the form of the Super Pod, the 457 Rebel SC stands out from the rest. With boarding platforms formed onto the engine pod’s outer extremity, the boarding rails extending from the transom make it easy to climb aboard, as does the port-side ladder. The starboard side rear deck is fitted with a plumbed live bait tank and four rod holders are fitted in the side decks.
Being a side console, this boat offers a large amount of fishing room within its modest 4.57m length. This is a solid rig with 3mm side and bottom sheets with fully welded construction all round. Within the bow, a bow roller and large open anchor well provide plenty of room for the anchor and rope. A 300mm-high carpeted casting deck features two hatches; one small and one large enough to fit a 40-litre tote fuel tank.
A seat spigot is located on the front casting platform between these hatches and provides both easy weight distribution and a comfortable fishing station. The alloy side console features a grab rail, windscreen, drink holder and glove box and offers a convenient mounting point for the gauges and sounder. Seat positions behind the console and adjacent enable the fitment of two fully upholstered fold-down swivel seats.
The boat comes standard with all the usual features such as a sports bow, side rails and side storage pockets. It also comes standard painted white (inside and out) and striped.
Extensive water tests on this new hull have found it to be very sure-footed in choppy and smooth water, with no overspray. Tried and tested, this is a proven hull that is wider than the competition. Optional extras on Rebel models include a 60-litre underfloor fuel tank, two-tone painted sides, electric motor bracket, cutting table, extra seat positon, extra seat and transom door.
You can also buy your Rebel unpainted or in a centre console configuration.
Clark prides itself on building a strong aluminium boat that is built to last, and the company is more than happy to meet customers’ individual needs. Getting your boat the way you want it is important to the team at Clark, and while the crew builds several models in many configurations, the boats are built to order, so you can get the boat you want, even with a 4mm plate bottom and sides.
For more information, contact Clark Aluminium Boats on 07 5500 6681, email michaela@clarkboats.com.au or visit www.clarkboats.com.au
