Supersized and speedy

CSB Huntsman Sotalia. Photo / Supplied.

One of the South Island's most successful GRP boat builders, CSB Huntsman Boats has offered models in the 5.5, 6.2 and 7m ranges. In response to the tougher economic times, they recently added the 5m La Plata.

They have increased their model range again, using the 5.85m Sotalia to fill the gap between the 5.5m Dorado and the 6.2m Series 600.

"There hasn't been a new fibreglass production boat of this size released on to the market for a few years," says managing director, Geoff Robinson.

"If someone wanted to move up from the popular Dorado, they had to go to at least the Series 6000. At 6.2m, that was just a little too big, in all aspects, for many."

Robinson says the idea behind the Sotalia (named after the Amazon River dolphins) was to create a bigger boat that was still suitable for a single axle, non-braked trailer without needing a 4WD to tow it.

"It had to be big volume, with maximum beam and freeboard and as big a cockpit and cabin layout as we could fit into the available space."

Robinson has not only met his design criteria, he has possibly created the largest and best performing boat of this size.

The key appears to be in the extra beam. The Sotalia is 200mm wider at the gunwale than the Dorado and carries 100mm more beam than the Series 6000, even though it is 350mm shorter. (The Sotalia has the same beam as CSB Huntsman's 7m Crusader.)

Despite the extra length and beam, the Sotalia's hull weighs less than the Dorado. Even with a bigger outboard on the transom, the extra towing weight is only about 150kg and, compared to the Series 6000, is lighter by around 400kg.

Robinson has taken the Crusader's hull shape with the same planing strake structure and opposing chines to the keel to ensure it planes easily while providing exceptional stability at rest. With a 21.5 deg deadrise at the stern, rough water handling is also a given.

Although the Sotalia is rated for outboards in the 115hp to 200hp range, it is hard to imagine when one would justify the extra expense, weight and cost of running a 200hp on this easily-driven hull. Something in the 130hp-150hp range seems far more practical, giving good top end speeds, plenty of low-down punch and good fuel economy.

In testing on Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu and Ashburton's Lake Hood, Barry Thompson and the Powerboat magazine test team ran the Sotalia with two Evinrude ETECs: a 130hp and a 150hp.

With rough water on the former and mirror-glass smooth on the latter, they found a boat that outperforms many of its peers.

Thompson says he found a hull that works as it is designed to, with a slippery transition on to the plane and a marginal bow lift. "It also reaches maximum speed quickly."

With the ETEC 130 on the back and a 19" Viper propeller on the bottom end, the Sotalia hit at 35.6 knots at 6000rpm while the 150, with a 17" Viper, topped out at 42.6 knots at the same revs. Both offer a comfortable cruise around 4500rpm with reasonably good fuel economy. There is the option of 20" or 25" transom heights and the transom moulding has been designed to take a variety of mechanical steering styles.

While the larger beam helps create more space, it is also great for stability, making it easy to transfer weight around the boat.

The combination of beam and hull shape also means there is minimum heel and, in the high-speed turns, it really hangs on, gripping and turning flat - with enough bite to dislodge any unsuspecting passengers.

The standard seating package is for five with a single skipper seat, a portside back-to-back and two rear seats. However, there is enough space to replace the single helm seat with another back to back; alternatively, one can install a brace of single swivel seats forward and really open the cockpit up for fishing.

As is common these days, the rear seats double as fish bins. However, in a clever touch, these have been designed to slide out of the way under the aft deck when not in use.

Those using the Sotalia for fishing, diving or towing skiers or water toys will be pleased the cockpit is an impressive 300mm wider and the coamings 150mm higher than the Dorado. That increased coamings height will also be welcomed by those with young families.

The dash is a fairly simple affair, however, there is enough room for three large digital displays and an up to a 7" sounder/plotter/GPS as well as space for a stereo and VHF.

Stowage-wise the Sotalia is well served. There is a large area under the port back-to-back seat and another under the cockpit sole; this latter is ideal for wet gear. Both side shelves have rod holder racks for rods up to 2.2m and there are smaller shelves forward for keys and sunglasses.

The rear bin seats, if not used as fish bins, provide more stowage.

A locker for the battery and oil tank, high off the cockpit between the rear seats, has a hatch that doubles as a small cockpit table.

Standard features include two coaming-mounted rod holders, a pair of flush-mounted drink holders, moulded armrests for the rear seat passengers and a 100l underfloor stainless steel fuel tank.

With a base price of $48,925 (most rigs are $10,000 more), Robinson has produced a well priced, well-performed and economical model that boasts a huge amount of useable internal space.

He believes it will outsell the Dorado and, with the latter already at more than 800, that will be no mean achievement.

CSB Huntsman Sotalia

LOA: 5.85m

Beam: 2.35m

Deadrise: 21.5 degrees

Hull Configuration: Deep V

Trailerable Weight: 1200kg

Engine Fuel Capacity: 100 litres

Capacity: 115hp - 200hp

Packages from: $48,925

Want to know more? Check out Barry Thompson's Sotalia boat test in the December/January issue of Propeller magazine