Bar Crusher’s Raider series is the latest release from the popular Melbourne- based plate boat manufacturer. The special edition series includes three models: the 670HT Shelf Raider, 670C Bay Raider, and the 670XT Reef Raider.
Fishing World was lucky to have a loan 670XT Reef Raider for a couple of days as part of our live Catch & Cook event. The event was a collaboration between Fishing World’s On The Sauce Podcast and MOTackle. The plan was to spend a day on the water around Coffs Harbour catching some fish to prepare the following day at the event.
Bar Crusher supplied the boat and Isuzu was kind enough to loan us a D-MAX for the drive between Sydney and Coffs Harbour.
As a vehicle/boat package, it was hard to beat! The weather, on the other hand, had other plans! Big seas and strong wind were forecast. The forecast didn’t get any better and our crew turned up at Coffs boat ramp before sunrise to sounds of a large swell and drizzly weather. We were the only boat at the ramp all day! Thankfully, the southerly swell allowed us to exit the northern facing harbour, and despite the conditions, we decided to fish.
What’s onboard
The concept behind the Raider series was to offer serious fishos the ultimate boat package with all available options onboard. No stone is left unturned!
The XT model is a centre console with T-Top configuration. The open boat was designed for northern climates for fishing the reef or islands up and down the coast. It’s also a versatile boat in southern climates, offering 360 degrees of fishing area and a hull capable of handling most sea conditions.
This special edition model has an exclusive matt black satin finish and shadow chrome hull graphics. The engine is a 200hp Suzuki four-stroke (electric shift 200APX); that’s the maximum horsepower and a good match to this hull with plenty of power and good fuel economy. Under the floor there’s a 230 litre fuel tank.
On the transom, there’s a bait station with drawers for tackle storage. It’s reasonably compact and doesn’t impede on internal space at the transom. The side pockets are fully carpeted and offer ample storage for tackle and ropes etc.
Moving forward and there are two comfortable and adjustable bolster seats. Under the seats there’s an IcyTek ice box that sits out of the way.
The Raider series has the option of Garmin or Raymarine electronics. This boat had a 16” Garmin GPSMAP 8416XSV fitted and there was still plenty of space left for adding other accessories.
Above the console, the T-Top has a marine radio fitted and on top has 12 rod holders. There are also four rod holders on the bait station and the usual gunwale rod holders. The T-Top on the Reef Raider has a Garmin GMR Fantom 18x Black Radar and FLIR M232 Thermal IP camera with pan, tilt and zoom. The radar and FLIR camera make an awesome combination for safe travelling after dark. Radar is also useful for fishing and general safety around the water. It’s not for everyone, but remember, this boat has everything fitted as standard – and radar is a fantastic accessory on a trailerable fishing boat that in the past was only fitted on much larger rigs.
Moving forward and there’s a spacious lockable casting platform at the bow. There’s ample storage underneath and there’s also a 36 volt lithium battery wired to power the Garmin Kraken electric outboard. The Kraken connects to the onboard Garmin electronics and can be operated via a remote or the screen itself. The Kraken is an essential addition to this boat and would be perfect for remaining on track and silent while casting stickbaits or quietly manoeuvring over reef.
There’s a Garmin GPSMAP 8412XSV on the bow for anyone fishing up there or using the
trolling motor. Bar Crusher has also fitted a Stress Free anchor winch on the bow.
Seakeeper Ride
The Raider Special Edition boats come standard with Seakeeper Ride. I had only one previous experience with Seakeeper Ride and that was on a Bar Crusher 670HT, a demo boat at last year’s Sydney Boat Show. At the time, I took it for a ride around Sydney Harbour and while the Harbour on a busy day can be bumpy, it’s nothing compared to a full day at sea in rough conditions.
Seakeeper Ride mounts to each side of the transom in a similar placement
to trim tabs. That’s where any similarity between it and trim tabs end. The idea behind Seakeeper Ride is to control pitch (up and down movement) and roll (side-to-side movement) automatically
and incredibly fast and efficiently. Using its own software, it reacts to movements in the boat and corrects them in a way that would be impossible if you did so manually. From getting on the plane to bashing through chop or driving in a following sea, Seakeeper Ride’s software takes care of business.
As mentioned above, we had some ordinary conditions with a sizeable swell and chop coming from all directions. You could feel the Seakeeper Ride working throughout the day in variable conditions. It made the boat easy to drive, and more importantly, safe, especially in a following sea. The Seakeeper Ride in this case made a good hull even better and safer.
The wrap up
We were fishing four onboard and using a combination of lures and live bait. Given its spacious floor area and walk around configuration, it wouldn’t feel crowded with four or five people onboard.
Stability in these conditions was exceptional thanks to Bar Crusher’s Quickflow ballast system and the Reef Raider’s high gunwales kept all occupants safely inside the boat.
It goes without saying, being an open boat in sloppy conditions, we got very wet. All open boats get wet in these conditions. It’s a trade-off between fishing space and accessibility and comfort. Sure, we would’ve liked the protection of a hardtop on this day, but the additional space and ease of fishing. on the casting platform next to the Kraken is hard to beat. Even so, importantly, we never felt unsafe and fished most of the day without any problems. The combination of a well-designed hull, Quickflow ballast, Seakeeper Ride and a state- of-the-art fit-out turned an otherwise unfishable day into a success story while others stayed home.
To find out more about Bar Crusher’s Raider Special Edition series, visit www.barcrusher.com.au.
