530 WARRIOR CUDDY

BOAT REVIEW

Polycraft boats, made in Queensland, have now been around for 24 years. They come from National Poly, the same company that makes those massive rainwater tanks and a host of other tough plastic products for agricultural and domestic use. At the magazine we’ve been Polycraft users, on and off, for a part of that journey, and we have always found the experience rewarding and enjoyable. It’s a fact that plastic boats will never be for everyone, but there is no doubt Polycraft has found its market niche, and current sales figures indicate that niche might be expanding – slowly but surely.

Regular readers will know exactly how Polycraft’s rotomoulding process works. I’ve explained it in detail several times, so I won’t go into it again here. Suffice to say that it’s a pretty clever system that delivers a super-tough boat hull made from UV-stabilised plastic that has been embraced by both commercial fishers and recreational anglers right around the country.

There are now six models in the Polycraft range, varying for 3-6m and in several configurations. The 530 Warrior hull comes in three optional layouts – centre console, cuddy cab and bow rider – and it’s the 530 cuddy that probably offers most to local anglers who enjoy chasing whiting, crabs, gar, calamari and, when they become available again, snapper.

The 530 is quite a beamy boat, which assists greatly in stability and opens up the cockpit area for serious fishing. The cuddy cab is spacious enough to offer some protection on a less-than-perfect day, and also a good measure of dry storage. As a general purpose rig it’s more versatile than either the bow rider or centre console, and is comfortably the best seller for family boating.

Like most Polycraft, the Warrior is presented in quite basic form from the factory. There are two pedestal-mounted seats with storage, a fold-out aft lounge, a couple of small rear storage boxes and a carpeted floor. Side pockets don’t come with the standard package, but Sports Marine had added these to the test boat from the optional extras list. Also included in the tow-away package as tested are hydraulic steering, marine radio, battery isolator, Viper electric winch, stereo, bimini and clears.

There are eight hull colour choices with all Polycraft packages, varying from a bright and garish yellow through to more subtle greys and white. The colour is impregnated into the plastic as it’s being moulded and, due to UV stabilisation, doesn’t fade over time. The physical toughness of Polycraft hulls is now legendary, and although it’s possible to ‘ding’ the plastic with a heavy hit, compromising its structural integrity is close to impossible. Among other traits, this inherent strength and durability is what makes Polycraft so popular with commercial fishers and aquaculture operators.

It’s all neat, uncluttered and functional up forward

There’s a small bait well at the transom

The aft lounge drops away

Sports Marine had set up the 530 Warrior Cuddy with a 115hp Mercury four stroke and a stainless prop. They had loaded it onto an Evolution galvanised tandem trailer and included a few optional extras to make the package more useful and efficient. Presented in gull grey with contrasting black striping, it looked both tasteful and workmanlike, which is exactly the way most serious anglers prefer.

Polycraft rates the 530 hull to a maximum of 140hp, but most I have seen around the traps have been fitted with 90-115hp engines. I could see the need to go for max power in certain situations, most often in commercial applications where heavy loads were the norm. However, for general family cruising and rec’ fishing the 115 option is just about right. Merc’s 115 four stroke is a top class four-cylinder SOHC engine that weighs a manageable 167kg and is renowned for its exceptional fuel economy.

Conditions for our test run off North Haven back in April were light, with just a moderate south-easterly breeze and sunny skies. As part of our new digital approach, we shot quite a bit of on-water drone footage of the boat underway, providing readers with a first-hand look at the way it performs. This is something we’ll be doing quite a bit from now on, and is yet another benefit of moving to the digital platform. Simply click here for the YouTube clip.

The Warrior’s beam and weight provide better than average stability at rest – a fact that’s immediately obvious as you climb aboard. There’s comfortably enough room to fish mum, dad and the kids out back, and sufficient space in the cuddy to hop in and have a break if the bite is slow or it’s a bit wet. As already mentioned, this model is by far the most suitable family option.

Acceleration from rest is quite spritely, and top speed in the light conditions was around 32 knots – reinforcing my assertion that the Merc 115 is right in the slot as a power option. The 530 hull handles pretty much like most of the larger Polycraft; it’s very predictable to drive and responds noticeably to motor trim – as do most boats with a broad forefoot and moderate deadrise.

The Warrior drifts nicely in conditions like this, which will be a boost for serious squidders, and sits nicely at anchor. It really is a great all-round fishing rig for both gulfs. Polycraft aren’t cheap boats by any stretch of the imagination, but you can be assured you are getting a tough, durable and very functional rig for your money.

Merc’s 115 is optimum power for the 530 hull