AMM takes small plate boats upmarket into ‘Sea Class’

by Matthew, Barton Thomas - Australian Master Marine on 8 Jan 2015 Multi award-winning Queensland plate alloy boat builder, Australian Master Marine is undertaking a major transformation of its small boat range to provide even better hull performance, as well as sportier styling and greater levels of convenience.

The transformation is being applied across all four hull lengths in the small plate boat range – 4.5 metre, 4.9 metre, 5.2 metre and 5.7 metre lengths.

(AMM also builds a large boat range of Tournament and Weekender models up to 10 metres in length as well as customised, specialist application commercial and recreational craft).

The latest series of models in the small plate boat range can be identified easily by the addition of AMM’s distinctive Sea Class branding.

Among the major modifications being incorporated across the range are a new transom layout with a larger engine pod for better performance; a raised self-draining floor; elegant new sheerlines rising for’d on higher side plate sheets; greater fishing room integrated into the designs; larger storage compartments and sleek, extended side plate wings in the aft quarters.

None of the more radically shaped wings or transom pods are counted in the nominated hull lengths which are measured from the bow to the transom.

That means the 5.7 metre AMM Sea Class actually has an overall hull length of 6.1 metres but is marketed as a 5.7; the 5.2m is actually 5.6m; the 4.9m is 5.3m and the 4.5m is 4.9 metres in length.'

AMM Director and designer, Mr Barton Thomas said: 'Our small boat range has always delivered a superb ride and outstanding strength due to a number of key factors including the underwater sections, side sheets and decks all being constructed from 4mm thick plate alloy.'

'The Sea Class branding reflects those inherent qualities along with even greater innovation in terms of comfort, convenience and styling.'

'Sea Class is a higher class of boat.'

'It further widens the gap between AMM’s design philosophies and those of the mass production, pressed aluminium boat manufacturers.'

'While they bring important factors into the equation like easy access to entry level boating, and appeal to the widest possible target markets, AMM’s focus is on boaties who have higher expectations and higher demands in terms of the on-water distances they are prepared to travel; ride quality when the water starts getting nastier; long term durability after years of hard use and far greater levels of comfort and plushness.'

'Many of the features and their advantages are immediately apparent,' Barton said.

'But others, such as having a fully integrated longitudinal and lateral axis sub-frame engineered into every hull, may not be so obvious once the floor has been welded in,' Barton said.

AMM which is based at Brendale on Brisbane’s northside, is developing tiller, side console, centre console, centre cabin, cuddy cabin and bow rider versions of its Sea Class boat range.

'Obviously not all versions will be available across all hull lengths,' Barton said.

'The innovation of our centre cab concept is widely acclaimed – it works sensationally well in the 5.2 metre and 5.7 metre hulls, but is simply not practical in a 4.5m.'

'In a related vein, the sheerline is more restrained in a tiller steered 4.5 metre so you don’t lose sight of where you are going when punching to the plane.'

'It’s that commitment to design integrity in every individual boat, which gives AMM its clear edge with boaties who base their decisions on real boating considerations, rather than faked ‘I’m catching a fish’ pictures in brochures featuring this season’s latest colour schemes,' he said.