STACER OCEANRANGER 659HT

BOAT REVIEW

A few years back we tested Stacer’s flagship model in the Ocean Ranger series, the magnificent 759 Hard Top. There are four boats in this range, all of which are ideal for serious offshore fishing in SA waters. While the imposing 759 sits proudly at the top of the pile, the 659 version will also fit the needs of many serious blue water anglers. It’s still a big, beamy and extremely capable rig that will take you out wide of Port MacDonnell when the ‘barrel’ bluefin are on, or out to Greenly Island in search of kings and samsons.

Hard top boats are difficult to go past when you’re serious about heading well offshore in a range of potentially uncomfortable conditions. Stacer has put a lot of thought and effort into its hard top design, coming up with something about as good as any you’ll find in the plate alloy market. The front screen is three-piece construction, with sliders to port and starboard for ventilation and excellent all-round vision. The hard top is tough, spacious and, without doubt, a very comforting addition when you’re running home on a less-than-friendly day — especially in early winter down at Port Mac’ with the air temperature struggling to stay in double figures and Southern Ocean spray cascading down the windscreen!

Built on Stacer’s proven EVO hull, the 659 is indeed a substantial lump of boat. It’s constructed from 5mm aluminium (bottom) with 4mm topsides and transom. Dry weight is around 1044kg, and the Sea Ranger is designed to work with engines of 150-200hp. The test boat from Sports Marine had been fitted with mid-range power in the form of a new 175hp Mercury four stroke, one of Merc’s most popular models for larger trailer boats. It’s a V6 dual overhead cam engine with a displacement of 3.4 litres and weighs in at a more than reasonable 215kg. These V6 Merc’s have developed a great reputation for fuel economy, as well as plenty of torque and holeshot power.

As soon as you climb aboard the 659 Hard Top and have a quick look around, its fishing credentials become obvious. Starting at the blunt end, there’s a decent size live bait tank (with clear front panel) on the port side, a handy bait table with four rod holders in the centre, and a boarding gate to starboard. Access to batteries, pumps etc. is via a hinged compartment directly beneath the bait board, and there’s a self-draining kill tank in the aft end of the cockpit floor. It’s all very neat, tidy and accessible back there.

Both the helmsman’s and passenger’s seats are mounted on top of sturdy frames, which enable a couple of ice boxes to be slid in and secured to keep food, bait and fish in good shape. I found the standard swivelling seats pretty comfortable. The dash doesn’t provide a lot of mounting room for electronics, as the cabin entry point is quite substantial, but there is enough room around the helm console to accommodate a couple of large-screen displays, VHF radio and switch panel.

The Telwater alloy trailer is a beauty

That’s a very neat and functional transom

The live bait tank is spacious enough

Batteries are readily accessed under the transom

Stacer’s bait station is simple, but functional

Full length side storage shelves are standard

There is ample space up forward in the cabin to overnight two in comfort, with plenty more dry storage volume beneath the berths. A decent size hatch is set in the front panel of the cabin, and the anchor well is easily big enough to handle an electric winch of appropriate size.

Stacer has gone to great lengths to build both strength and ruggedness into the 659. All deck hardware is heavy duty, which is pretty much a prerequisite in any boat used to tackle big, feisty gamefish like tuna, kingies and sharks. The welds are neatly finished, and paintwork appears quite resilient.

Stacer includes quite a bit as standard equipment with the Ocean Ranger package, such as a berley bucket, dual battery system, dual transducer brackets, windscreen wiper, self-draining deck, hydraulic steering and a 12-volt power outlet. The optional extras list is also comprehensive for those who have a little extra cash to play with. I’d be looking at a deck wash system, carpet lining in the cabin and maybe an aft boarding ladder to make the rig just that bit more user friendly.

The Ocean Ranger comes on a Telwater Alloy 2600 ATM tandem braked trailer with full rollers. It’s an easy drive-on/drive-off set up that enables solo launch or retrieve if so desired, which is exactly what you’d expect in a rig of this quality and pedigree. You’ll need a substantial tow vehicle to pull all of this, of course, such as a larger SUV or four wheel drive ute like Ford’s Ranger, Nissan’s Navara or VW’s Amarok.

Stacer’s hard top design is truly first class

You can mount two displays in the helm console if desired

Mercury’s 3.4 litre DOC V6 four stroke is a brilliant engine choice

As anticipated, the Ocean Ranger slid effortlessly off its trailer at North Haven and out onto a relatively calm St Vincent’s Gulf. As was often the case at that time, there was still a bit of residual roll as we exited the marina, with a blustery afternoon sea breeze forecast to kick in after lunch.

Immediately noticeable as I pointed the Stacer southward and dropped the throttle was the instant power from the big Merc’ four stroke. We were up and planing in the blink of an eye, despite the three substantial bodies and quite a bit of gear on board. I could see no reason at all to look beyond the 175 four stroke to power this hull.

Just like its bigger sisters from the Ocean Ranger stable, this one handles a turn of pace beautifully, rocketing to a WOT speed of around 42 knots and cruising effortlessly at 28. The hull settled nicely into a typical trolling speed of 7-9 knots without dropping off the plane, which has to be good news for those who enjoy dragging lures for bluefin when they are about. The 659 hull is also extremely stable at rest, enabling us to move around comfortably and safely — another winning attribute for serious fishing situations.

There’s plenty of room up front for overnighting and dry storage

She’s quick at WOT, pushing up to around 42 knots

The fuel capacity of 168 litres isn’t enormous for a boat of this style and likely applications, but should be sufficient for a day’s tuna trolling out of Victor Harbor or Cape Jervis. There’s no doubt Stacer’s 659 Ocean Ranger Hard Top is well worth considering if you are in the market for a big trailer boat with serious offshore credentials.