TABS Boats Release 2007 Range

by Media Services on 28 Nov 2006 Aluminium Plate Boat brand TABS has followed up its inaugural (full) model range release two years ago with a complete re-vamp of that range for 2007. Having taken the ‘plate’ side of the aluminium boat market by storm, TABS Managing Director Wayne Pearce sees the model re-vamp as a necessary move in order to continue the brands market-leading performance.

'We have made a number of significant aesthetic enhancements to our hull packages, mostly in the areas of upholstery, fiberglass dashes and the like, but along with these changes come a raft of other less obvious changes that make the package even more user-friendly. For instance, we have lengthened the side coamings on our cabin models to better envelope and protect the helm position, we have made a small hull modification that has further softened the ride of an already soft-riding hull, we have new extrusions for the gunwales and we have re-modelled our cabin tops,' Pearce explained.'

Aimed unashamedly at the ‘fiberglass’ market, the TABS range of plate boats perhaps more than any other available on the market today, capably bridges the gap between fiberglass and aluminium – both in handling as well as the distinctive styling and quality appointments. 'Along with these other changes already mentioned,' Pearce noted, 'we have also upgraded our stainless steel work, designed a new bait station, and added a number of family-orientated features that make the boat more acceptable to a family as well as a fishing audience. Our boats are ‘easier on the eye’ than most, and as such appeal to a now even wider and more discerning audience – typically a fiberglass audience.'

Entering its fourth year of operation the fledgling brand has caught the attention of Australia’s boaters in search of an all-encompassing ‘all-rounder’ range of boats built of aluminium. As people strive for a release from the plethora of American imported boats that have saturated the local market over the last two to three years, the Gold Coast manufacturer has risen to this challenge with their range they insist is more robust and capable – and specifically designed for the predominantly more rugged Australian conditions.

The TABS brand offers boaters a range of boats from 4.55 metres up to 6.50 metres, with plans by mid 2007 to complement the range with pressed models also, commencing at around 3.52 metres. Available within that range will be a spectrum of configurations that include Dory-style dedicated fishing models as well as Runabouts, Bowriders and Cabin models for the family. Hulls are high-tensile plate alloy, 4mm bottoms and 3mm topsides in models up to 5.1m, the 5.45 model has a 4mm/4mm combination and above that the hulls are 5mm/4mm. The rear deadrise is 14-degrees.

Spec’d to a level where you can still very much go to sea with the stock standard boating package, features include carpeted floor, planetary steering, windscreen, seating and upholstery package appropriate to model, bilge pump, navigation lights, anchor well, transom door, mooring cleats and bollards, storage side pockets, chine spray deflector, underfloor longitudinal and cross-braced girder system, and ABP-specified (Australian Builder Plate) flotation requirements. A generous range of optional extras to value-add to the occasion includes features such as live-well, kill tank, deck wash, shower, bait tank, bimini, rocket launcher, rear steps, boarding ladder, hydraulic steering, twin motor or auxiliary transom, rear lounge, and self-draining deck. Presented inside and out in ‘TABS white’ as standard (available unpainted, on request), the package is able to be further enhanced by the addition of a generous selection of striking colours for the topsides.

'What we are offering with this TABS branding is in fact the best of both worlds, with styling as well as the all-important performance and handling attributes,' Pearce commented. 'A quick look beneath the floor boards will confirm the construction expertise involved, but take it to sea and you will quickly appreciate the inherent unsurpassed handling ability along with efficiency by design. At home up any creek, river or inland waterway, it is also most adept, agile and most importantly stable (at rest or underway) in the short sharp chop of estuary situations, or out in genuine bluewater conditions. That is undeniably the bonus you enjoy in an aluminium plate boat situation.'

For Further Information Contact:
TABS Boats
PO Box 672, Ashmore City, Qld 4214
Ph (07) 5594 6333, Fax (07) 5594 7188
Email: sales@tabsboats.com.au Website: www.tabsboats.com.au