450 DRIFTER SIDE CONSOLE

BOAT REVIEW

They say there’s no such thing as the ideal boat, regardless of size, configuration or hull construction, but I reckon Polycraft’s 450 side console comes pretty close in its given class and areas of application. This is far and away the most popular model in the entire Polycraft range, especially in the eastern states where inshore/estuary fishing is at the top of the pile. There’s simply nothing like a decent side console for all-round sportfishing, but this hull is also available in bow rider (Front Runner), runabout, centre console, side console and open configurations for those with different ideas and aspirations.

Here in SA I can see the 450 fitting straight into dozens of situations – from gulf whiting, crabs and gar to lure casting for cod in the Murray or live baiting for winter mulloway in the Port. It’s also the prime choice for the thousands of South Aussies who love drifting for squid, offering plenty of cockpit room and the capacity to carry heaps of gear and eager young anglers. And, being plastic, the boat is super easy to keep clean – always a bonus during and after a serious session on the calamari.

The 450 Drifter comes in quite basic form, with a neat and unobtrusive console located to starboard, a pair of transom hatches for storage, split hatches up front and a good-sized bow casting platform. It’s neat, uncluttered and functional, which is essentially what boats of this style are all about.

Honda’s BF60 is a truly superb mid-range outboard

There’s a heap of room in the Drifter

As is nearly always the case, Sports Marine had dressed up the test boat in accordance with the needs and desires of potential buyers. The inclusion of an underfloor fuel tank, bilge pump kit, spray chines and a rear deck insert add a little to the initial purchase price, but certainly make the whole rig more appealing to serious anglers.

As is the case with most Polycraft hulls, the 450 is quite beamy at a whisker under two metres. Compare this with some alloy boats of the same length and you’ll be quite surprised. You’ll notice the advanced level of stability as soon as you hop in, which has to be good news in a rig that promotes a fair bit of moving around for casting, pulling nets or, if you’re lucky, dragging big fish over the gunwale!

Polycraft rates the 450 Drifter to a maximum of 60hp, and in this case I’d recommend going for top power under any situation. At around 320kg dry and with the ability to carry five people and their gear, I feel anything less than a 60 would struggle to get the hull up and running as it was intended. Sports had fitted the test boat with a Honda BF60 – one of the sweetest mid-range outboards ever produced and a personal favourite of mine. It weighs 108kg, features a three-cylinder SOHC power head, and works with programmed fuel injection. Like all Honda engines used in recreational applications, the BF60 comes with a full seven-year warranty.

The side console is compact and unobtrusive

Above average stability is something that’s quite significant with side console boats, particularly when used solo. Plonking a 100kg guy on one side will always cause some serious listing, which is often very obvious in lightweight alloy hulls. However, it’s far less noticeable in the beamy and relatively heavy Polycraft 450, and it’s far easier to organise improved trim with judicious placement of gear, iceboxes and other required equipment.

Conditions for the test run were close to copybook for a boat of this size and style. It would have been the ideal squid drifting day, with crystal clear water and just enough south-easterly breeze to keep the boat mobile.

More storage beneath the casting platform up front

There are dual storage compartments aft

I’ve been in several Polycraft 450s over the journey, all powered by 60hp motors, but this would be my first experience with the side console Drifter. It gets up well enough with one on board, rocketing over calm water at a tad better than 30 knots, which is ample in a rig of this style and size. Cruising at around 20-22 knots would enable you to cover a lot of water with 70 litres under the floor, particularly with a genuine fuel miser like Honda’s BF60 on the transom.

The 450 hull is a pleasure underfoot, providing plenty of stability and an amazing amount of room for serious fishing. I can see it being absolutely spot on for fishing in the Coorong, the Port River, the Murray or out on the gulf when conditions are right. Is it the perfect boat for inshore sportfishing? It may just be worth investigating to find out!