Thursday, 19 August 2010 06:53
Simon Everett takes an in-depth look at the burgeoning British success story that is the Aquafish 23. If you're thinking about buying a boat, a fisher to be precise, read on... 
The British boat building industry boasts a diverse range of fishing boats for the leisure and commercial user. The many estuaries and creeks on the east coast of England have always been home to a busy marine trade and nothing has changed. The boat we have here is one of several built on the River Blackwater, called the Aquafish 23. She has proved to be a popular model, with 64 boats built so far, the majority operating on the south coast from Ramsgate round to Devon. There are also at least four in Guernsey and that bodes very well indeed for the seakeeping integrity of this fisher.
Cair Paravel, builders of the Aquafish, are a well respected moulding firm that work on top end plugs and mouldings for some of the best names in the marine industry, including Oyster Yachts, Windy and Princess powerboats. They even carry out work for Delta, one of the most illustrious names in the world of commercial RIBs, so there is no question as to the provenance of the Aquafish 23.
As for its versatility, the Aquafish can be supplied in various formats from the yard, from a bare boat ready to take the engine and be finished at home, through to a complete turn-key package. The boat we have on test here is a yard-completed boat, built to the owner’s specification and requirements but, as with any bespoke builder, small alterations to lockers and seating can easily be incorporated into the build.
The Aquafish 23 originally came into being when the builders inspected the state of the market. They saw lots of other, similar sized fishing boats at relatively high prices and they reckoned they could build a boat to a similar or higher standard and yet supply it at a significantly lower price. They started work, and by 2002, the first boat was in the water. Since then, they have had a regular flow of customers ordering boats, each with a slightly different layout or fittings to suit their own needs.
The wheelhouse is given an overhanging roof to provide a bit of shelter when standing outside underway. The helm is such that it provides a good handhold, but it doesn’t quite allow you proper standing headroom on deck. In the wheelhouse itself, however, there is plenty of height to the deckhead, as the cabin deck is lowered and protected by a storm cill in the companionway.
The wheelhouse is the hub of the enclosed area, with two seats behind the helm. Both are mounted on locker boxes, but if requested these could be pedestal types or even air suspension shock-mitigation seats. A rod rack on the aft bulkhead is a good idea for keeping rods tidy and is a feature that Mark, the owner, has retro-fitted himself. There is plenty of length in the berth area for casting rods to be stowed intact and rigged, ready for action. There is also the usual V-berth for two in the lower cabin section, but in reality this is more likely to be used as a gear store, unless you are a particularly tidy angler.
Out on deck, you will be amazed by the working area, especially given that this boat is fitted with the much larger Yamaha ME422 engine. This is a straight-six, rated at 260hp, instead of the more usual 165hp straight-four and the engine box has been turned into a useable feature, enabling you to sit and fish over the side in comfort.
Between the engine box seating and the wheelhouse, there is room to stand, so even for up-tiding, there is sufficient room for four anglers to fish without banging elbows. The gunwale is also topped with a rail that provides great security and somewhere to prop your rod, or clamp some rod holders.
The stowage boxes on either side of the wheelhouse provide another seat and somewhere for those items that need to be at hand. You could fit live-bait wells with ease and the gunwale run is also ideal for stowing landing net, gaff and boathook. Even rods could be put in longitudinal racks if you desired. There are plenty of options available here.
From the driver’s seat
The helm position gives excellent visibility. Even when heeled over in a tight turn, the cabin roof doesn’t block your view until you are at the most extreme mid-turn angle - and unless you drive her very hard indeed, this is not likely to be a problem you ever encounter. The two large after cabin windows also give good visibility astern for manoeuvering and that’s very useful indeed. Anyone used to coming stern-first into a marina will know the situation, when the boat on the opposite side to the helm disappears as you start to swing astern. In the Aquafish, the view behind you is never compromised and handling is straightforward with a good view through the port window and the wheelhouse door.
Underway, the solidity of build sees the boat remain stiff in the rough, with no squeaks or rattles from fitments at all. The ride is harsher than on some boats, but her rigidity means she can be battered through big seas without fear of working anything loose, other than your fillings. Running into a sea at speed with the motor trimmed right down to lower the angle of attack and cut the waves with the forefoot is more comfortable than trimming up for speed. In the latter instance, you present the bottom of the boat to the waves, creating a situation where the chines prevent the boat from dropping into the wave. Hard the ride may be but, trimmed well and driven sensitively, the experience is considerably improved.
Driving her is also very light and easy. The Yamaha power steering has plenty of capacity, making steering a one-finger affair. The fly-by-wire throttle is similarly responsive, offering you rapid adjustments, especially once on the plane where small helm inputs are all that are required to alter course.
Having said that, at low speeds, the combination of sterndrive and planing hull requires over-helming to get the boat turning. You get used to it though and, once you learn to get the wheel back to amidships swiftly after each correction, the job becomes a relatively easy one.
Verdict
The Aquafish offers a lot of value in its 23 feet. It has basic but useful accommodation, plus a standard Yamaha 165hp sterndrive for under £40,000. Compare that to some fairly similar craft on the market and it makes you wonder how they can do it. Perhaps that is why these craft have been so popular since the first one hit the water in 2002. Delivery time is pretty good too, at just ten weeks from confirmation of order and payment of deposit. Taken as an easy-to-customise package, the Aquafish 23 is a very serious tempter . . .
Specifications
Length: 7.01m
Beam: 2.54m
CE Cat: C (eight people + 600kg)
Weight: 1,750kg
Price: £39,995 (with Yamaha 165 sterndrive)
Contact
Cair Paravel
01206 865501
www.aquafish-boats.co.uk
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