760 Bar Crusher scoops the Tassie fishing pool
by Jeni Bone on 13 Apr 2009
In calm waters. MIAA
The brand new model from Bar Crusher, the heavy-duty 760, has taken home top honours in the recent St Helens game fishing Classic, held over the March long weekend, 7 & 8 at the game fishing capital of Tassie’s east coast, and Coles Bay Classic, just 100kms south, two weeks later.
The back to back wins have never been done in the event’s history.
Anthony Wolfe of Coastal Marine, Bar Crusher dealer in Tasmania, says that the boat was the envy of all competitors and the only boat to snag a Blue Fin tuna over the competitions.
“The new beast is simply smashing the opposition to pieces,” he says proudly. “It was a very good result, a combination of good crew and an amazing boat. There were 63 boats in the St Helens comp and about 35 in the Coles Bay in very rough conditions, and the Bar Crusher 760 pipped them all.”
Despite the rough seas over the two days of competition at both events, the team was still able to trawl side on “due to the awesome performance of the 760 Bar Crusher”, as Anthony explains.
“We were the only boat to raise and catch a Blue Fin Tuna at Coles Bay. It won heaviest game fish overall at 23.8kgs.”
The Bar Crusher crew also won the tag and release category at both events. “The new model attracted a lot of interest,” says Anthony, adding that the boat was equipped with twin 150 4-stroke Suzukis.
According to the Bar Crusher crew, the boat was tested in flat water 300L of fuel, 14 game rods, big esky with ice, 4 large tackle bags, food, drinks, wet weather gear, and 4 blokes on board spinning 14 3/4 x 23' props and it will pull 6000rpm and 87km/h. They had it cruising at 4200rpm and 60km/h.
Says Anthony: “Tuna trolling speed is achieved at 1800rpm, so a full day which is 9 hours cruising out 20 nautical miles in the morning, trolling all day with both engines, and full bore all the way back in, we used 115l for both engines for the entire day!
“I have also had it in 3m and 30knots and it is simply rock solid and very confidence inspiring in those conditions. If it wasn’t a competition day, you wouldn't be out there, but it enabled us to fish hard and bring home the bacon in both comps. Onboard, the layout in the cab is spot on. It’s the finest offshore boat I have ever been in.”
Coastal Marine has also achieved good sales so far since its launch, selling three 760s over the month of March. According to Anthony, the Tasmanian boat market is somewhat insulated from the mainland and the global financial crisis.
“Despite tougher times, people still want to get out and enjoy themselves on the water. We are not as exposed in terms of mortgages and debt as perhaps Victoria and New South Wales. People move here for the lifestyle, we’re surrounded by water and some of the best fishing, cray fish and lobster waters in Australia. So it’s natural that Tasmanians are all keen boaters.”
The dealership hosted an in-house boat show over the weekend 4 & 5 April, which Anthony reports was very successful.
“We had six sales over the weekend. The shop was busy and people told us they intend to buy. There were plenty of enquiries and floor traffic. Customers are champing at the bit to get in to the new boat. It has created a storm.”
More at www.barcrusher.com.au and www.coastal-marine.com.au
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