
Yellowfin’s extended cabin is the next evolution in the brand’s offshore fishing range, writes Scott Thomas.
Queensland-based boat brand Yellowfin recently unveiled its Extended Cabin models at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. The latest Extended Cabin models from the iconic 40-year-old boat brand are a relaunch of one of its most sought after models, the Southerner range. The switch from Southerner reflects the brand’s demand for this style of boat all across Australia, not just the south. The latest range – the Extended Cabin YF-70 and YF-76 – are loaded with new innovations and features. The result is a seamless mix of comfort, fishability and performance.
With the help of modern technology and customer feedback, the Extended Cabin models are the next evolution in the brand’s offshore fishing boat range. Lloyd Jaber, Marine Product Manager at Yellowfin, says the marine industry is constantly in a state of change with new technologies being released all the time. “It’s our responsibility to keep pace with that change and give our loyal customers a reason to upgrade. In the five years since the launch of the Southerner, we have gathered plenty of great feedback from our customers and dealer network and we have incorporated it into the new Extended Cabin range,” says Jaber. “Having a brand with such strong lineage, we celebrate our 40th anniversary this year by elevating one of our best-selling offshore fishing boats to offer premium features as standard plus more space (over 40 per cent larger cockpit than the preceding model), as well as improving the core technologies which give our brand the advantage it has over the competition. We are lucky to exercise our manufacturing capability and experience to be able to offer all this at a value that cannot be matched. Fishos will be proud to know that our very own fishing ambassador, Michael Guest, has inspired us to also release a special Fishing Edition version of our boat which offers exclusive features and takes fishing to the next level,” says Jaber.
So, what sets Yellowfin’s Extended Cabin range ahead of the competition? According to Jaber, Yellowfin has built a reputation for offering great-value Australian-made boats, which are packed with features and boast solid hand-built hulls to tackle all sorts of weather conditions. “As for the Extended Cabin in particular, to our knowledge we are the first production plate boat manufacturer to offer U-Dek flooring as standard,” he says. “We decided to do this for several reasons; it’s softer underfoot, it’s warmer in colder climates, cooler in hotter climates, it makes the boat quieter, it’s less slippery which is important when you’re fighting a fish or when the deck is wet, and ultimately it looks great. Of course, there are going to be people who still prefer the traditional checker-plate floor, so our customers can option the boat up with one if they prefer.”
The new models were well received at the recent Sanctuary Cove Boat Show with the first of the new boats being sold within hours of the show opening. “Many of our existing Southerner owners came to say hello and to check out the new boats, with plenty of positive feedback leading to trade-in valuations and new quotes for many of our dealers around the country,” says Jaber. “Not
only did the launch attract our existing owners, but we spoke to many people who had not previously considered purchasing a Yellowfin Plate Boat but were so impressed by the fit and finish and overall value of the boats. To say we are excited about the rest of the boat show season is an understatement!”
What’s onboard?
Let’s look at some of the standout features on the new range. As the name suggests, the new models feature up to a 45 per cent increase in cabin space. The hard-top configuration and increased room makes it a perfect option for serious offshore fishing where protection from the elements is a must. It allows all of your crew to stay safe and dry when under way and there is plenty of space
for the family to stay dry or protected from the sun on those family outings. It’s worth noting, this added cabin space includes extra height and width and doesn’t come at the expense of fishing room. There is, however, slightly less space on the gunwale if you plan to walk alongside the cabin towards the bow.
These models are truly built for game fishing and feature the essentials offshore fishos expect in a modern boat. Starting at the transom, we find a live bait tank with a clear window, while in the centre of the transom, Yellowfin has installed a neat cutting board without taking up too much space. There are also some rod holders here for bait fishing or holding gear while rigging or cutting up bait. On the starboard side, there’s a walkthrough door for convenient entry and exit from the boat.
The floors are lined with EVA Matting and the same matting is also placed in key areas such as side decks and side panels. It’s a handy product that’s grippy, cool and reasonably soft under foot. There’s plenty of space for fishing in the cockpit and some additional storage in the side pockets and more storage under the two seats. The starboard seat box has a hatch that holds containers and the port side has an ice box that slides in and out under the seat. Each one of these seats also has a rear facing section with a cushion for passengers. It makes long hauls far more comfortable with everyone onboard having a seat.
Moving into the cabin, and as expected with a name like “Extended Cabin”, it’s a larger size than previous models and has plenty of space to move around and find protection from the elements. The Extended Cabin range has a newly designed dash with enough space to accommodate a 19” and 16” sounder side-by-side. Ample dash space is a must these days with the availability of larger fish finders and chartplotters. It’s great to see boat brands such as Yellowfin recognising the trend and producing boats with enough dash space for high-end gadgetry.
As mentioned above, the cabin has up to 45 per cent more space than previous models and the hard-top configuration makes for a roomy space. There’s space in the bunk for extra gear and enough space to sleep. Finally, moving towards the bow and Yellowfin has included a trolling motor bracket. It was only a few years ago when these were just installed on smaller open tinnies and punts. The evolution of high-end trolling motors designed for offshore fishing has opened up a new purpose for this handy technology and boat manufacturers have followed suit. Deepening on the type of fishing you’re looking at doing, having a trolling motor makes a boat such as this more versatile and capable of catching a wider variety of species.
The Extended Cabin range is full of features and is clearly designed for one thing… serious offshore fishing. The standard fit out still comes equipped with plenty of mod cons, while the Fishing Edition leaves no stone unturned. There are even suspension seats! It’s a big boat and the perfect size for fishing with four or five people. The large size also allows you to take it offshore safely in most conditions and still comfortably fish.
Clever hull design
The latest Extended Cabin models feature Yellowfin’s latest hull design in the Offshore HD-R Hull. Building on the success of the renowned Offshore HD Hull, the HD-R Hull incorporates the strategically engineered design and takes it to another level. Refined planing strakes and an overhauled cabin structure achieves an improved centre of gravity, enhancing overall performance.
An updated sub-frame structure offers increased strength, with 6mm plate bottom sheets, 4mm topsides and a sharp 20 degree variable delivering both strength and impressive ride performance. The Offshore HD-R Hull exclusively features on the Extended Cabin range. It’s also worth mentioning that the Extended Cabin range features a self-draining floor.
The ultimate offshore beast
The Yellowfin Extended Cabin is described as “the ultimate offshore beast” and according to Jaber, when it comes to offshore boating, there are many things to consider; safety, comfort, strength and handling to name a few. “The Yellowfin Extended Cabin range delivers on all of this and more. Take for instance the hull of the boat; it’s constructed with a 6mm bottom sheet, 4mm side sheet, a single piece keel and chines (each welded four times), the new Inter Lok Core subframe which features full height, interlocking stringers and gussets and commercial grade flotation foam as per the AS1799 build standards,” he says. “In addition to all of this, the Extended Cabin comes standard with a fully sealed, self-draining deck, long-range fuel tank, U-Dek flooring, offshore compass, ZipWake trim tabs and a Garmin electronics package consisting of a GT54 transducer and 5” MFD, ready to integrate with your engine and sounder of choice.”
As for power and fuel, it has a maximum horsepower of up to 300hp, and a fuel tank size of up to 380l. The combination of 6mm bottom sheets, variable deadrise, ZipWake trim tabs, foam-filled hull and U-Dek, make for a very soft riding, stable and quiet boat. “Not only does it make you feel safe and comfortable, but you feel like you’re in a boat that should be twice the price. We think it’s the best offshore boat on the market, dollar for dollar, feature for feature,” says Jaber.
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