POLYCRAFT 485 SPORTS CUDDY BOAT REVIEW

Tough, durable cuddy cabs of 4.8-5m are among the most useful on-water tools any serious fisho can have. SA’s coastal geography offers a myriad of locations in which a versatile small boat can operate safely and comfortably, and Polycraft’s wonderful little 485 Sports Cuddy fits nicely into that category. The 485 hull is offered in several configurations, including centre console, bowrider, aft console, side console and cuddy. Each has its own set of strong points that appeal to different sectors of the small boat community.

We have had a fair bit to do with each of the cuddy options, and in practically every case these great little boats have come out on top. I really appreciate a small boat that can handle a wide range of conditions and situations, and I’m a huge fan of not having to worry too much about looking after it with kid gloves. This doesn’t mean totally neglecting my boats, of course, but I’m certainly not into spending hours cleaning and polishing them either. To my way of thinking at least, aesthetics play a far less significant role than functionality and durability, and these are where Polycraft really shine.

While the console and bow rider versions of the 485 hull certainly have their place (and their own fan clubs!), for me the cuddy offers the highest levels of functionality and versatility. There is a surprising amount of dry storage under the cuddy (compact dual lockers), and at a pinch you can slip into this space for a rest. I’m not saying you can overnight, of course, but it’s handy to have a small amount of shelter if you need it.

The overhead drone shot demonstrates clearly how much cockpit space is available in the 485. It’s quite surprising really, enabling three to fish quite comfortably. There’s ample room at the helm for larger operators, and you can mount displays of reasonable size without cluttering things up excessively. It’s all pretty basic up there, but things seem to work nicely. Sturdy grab rails are a feature up front, including an aluminium wrap-around rail that follows the windscreen line and a smaller one positioned directly in front of the passenger’s seat.

As is the case with all Polycraft models, you don’t get a heap of tricky bits and pieces in the standard package. However, what you do get is a limited list of useful fittings that are well designed and built not to break, even in extreme situations. The aft lounge folds out when needed, two aft storage boxes are perfect for bait, dual auto bilge pumps are installed for security, and four sturdy rod holders are positioned perfectly.

Although the optional extras list isn’t exactly exhaustive either, I’d be looking at swapping the standard mechanical steering out for hydraulic, I’d drop in a custom bait table, and I’d also opt for full length cockpit side pockets. Interestingly, Polycraft offers the cuddy hull built to survey standard, which will interest some commercial fishers and even estuary charter operators.

I like the fact that Polycraft delivers the 485cuddy with an underfloor 70 litre fuel tank. This provides a very useful operating range for a boat of this style and size, eliminating the need to include a back-up tote tank in all but the most extreme circumstances. Fitted with a modern, high-tech four stroke, you could fish all day without having to worry about your fuel load.

Due largely to the combination of extreme buoyancy and exceptional stability, the 485 Sports Cuddy is rated to carry an impressive maximum payload of 480kg (or six average people). That’s a lot of weight for a little plastic boat, but I can tell you the cuddy copes admirably with surprising loads in a variety of situations.

Maximum power for the 485 hull is 90hp, but most I have ridden in or driven have carried 75 or less. The hull is certainly no lightweight at 560kg dry, and I guess opting for the top number could be justified if heavy loads were to be a regular thing. SCUBA divers, for example, should definitely consider a 90 with the volume of heavy equipment they carry on a regular basis.

As mentioned, one of Polycraft’s real deal-breaking features is the incredible toughness of all boats the company turns out. I’ve explained the roto-moulding process in detail before, so I won’t delve too deeply into it again here. Suffice it to say you won’t find a more durable boat building material than rotomoulded polyethylene, particularly in the small boat market. This stuff takes knocks, bumps and scrapes in its stride, which is why so many commercial operators keep buying Polycraft – year in, year out.

Sports Marine had set up the 485 Sports Cuddy we got to test with a new 75hp Honda and on an Evolution galvanised trailer. We ran the rig out of North Haven on an average spring day with fair conditions and, as expected, it performed flawlessly. This hull makes you feel extremely confident when there’s a bit of chop around, bounding along effortlessly at a spritely 24 knots and throwing spray well clear at all angles to the sea. It drifts nicely and sits comfortably on the pick, displaying the sort of stability that comes with weight and a moderate deadrise hull.

Polycraft offers this model in eight different colour options, but I feel the regal blue, as tested, is the pick of the bunch. A lot of commercial guys go for yellow or apple green for ultimate visibility in workplace situations, but these are way to garish for me! You will have picked up on the fact that we at SA Angler are pretty big Polycraf t fans; have been for ages and probably will be forever. They truly are great little boats!