NOVEMBER 2008
The latest edition of Modern Boating magazine is out now! To get your copy delivered to your door, simply click on the link be
The latest edition of Modern Boating magazine is out now! To get your copy delivered to your door, simply click on the link be
Modern Boating and Big Hat Productions head out for a glorious day on the water to give the Seawind 1160...
The Modern Boating forum is the place to have your say about all things boating.
Check out the latest discussion topic: Chrysler 135hp
There are currently 1778 members registered forum members.
Clearwater revival
WORDS + PHOTOS: ANDREW RICHARDSON
This classic will have you humming on the water.
The Whittley Clearwater 1750 certainly lived up to its name because the water on Botany Bay during the review was like a millpond. Oddly, once I put the camera down and the review was over, a strong and gusty sou'-wester suddenly spread across the bay.
Perhaps this Clearwater 1750 has special powers? But a 115hp Yamaha was all the power it really needed. The tested craft revved out to 6100rpm and felt like it could go higher, even though the rated rev range for this two-stroke oil injected Yamaha was 4500-5500rpm. We clocked a maximum 38 knots but with a different prop combination the Whittley would probably deliver a top speed in the 40-knot plus arena, with a slight loss in hole shot. In its 'as tested' set-up, the 19in SST delivered excellent acceleration— from 3-30 knots in less than 10 seconds.
PERFORMANCE
Once up the Clearwater required little attention to leg trim and she held her bow high without any tendency towards porpoising. With glassy conditions during the review all I could do was cross the photo boat's wake to establish whether there was any excessive spray through the chop and, overall, she seemed quite dry. Later, once the wind picked up it was confirmed that the flared bow and high topsides delivered a dry ride.
read on below advertisement
The Whittley Clearwater 1750 stands out as a classic Aussie half cabin family runabout—small enough to tow and big enough to take the whole crew out for the day. The boat we tested was a just-released 2009 model with cutting edge looks. The Clearwater range has been a growing component of the Whittley stable and with several new models, including a 1600 and 1750, they expect to produce around 400 Clearwaters in the next year—pushing the Victorian based Whittley Marine overall output close to 800 vessels per year.
LAYOUT
The layout is multi-functional in that it delivers a relaxing day boat and a handy fishing platform. Wait a minute! This boat is set up with rocket launchers, has a fish finder and live bait wells, so perhaps it is more like a fishing runabout. There's a roomy cabin with a comfortable V-berth, which is great for a snooze when the fish aren't biting.
The vessel's 'fishability' is also extended by the nice flat combings, long side pockets for rods and nets, foot room under the side pockets and drop down aft seats that create a large uncluttered cockpit. Perhaps one of the biggest giveaways that the Clearwater 1750 is targeted at the fishing family is the integrated tackle box located across from the helm.
next page »
« go back
This classic will have you humming on the water.
The Whittley Clearwater 1750 certainly lived up to its name because the water on Botany Bay during the review was like a millpond. Oddly, once I put the camera down and the review was over, a strong and gusty sou'-wester suddenly spread across the bay.
Perhaps this Clearwater 1750 has special powers? But a 115hp Yamaha was all the power it really needed. The tested craft revved out to 6100rpm and felt like it could go higher, even though the rated rev range for this two-stroke oil injected Yamaha was 4500-5500rpm. We clocked a maximum 38 knots but with a different prop combination the Whittley would probably deliver a top speed in the 40-knot plus arena, with a slight loss in hole shot. In its 'as tested' set-up, the 19in SST delivered excellent acceleration— from 3-30 knots in less than 10 seconds.
PERFORMANCE
Once up the Clearwater required little attention to leg trim and she held her bow high without any tendency towards porpoising. With glassy conditions during the review all I could do was cross the photo boat's wake to establish whether there was any excessive spray through the chop and, overall, she seemed quite dry. Later, once the wind picked up it was confirmed that the flared bow and high topsides delivered a dry ride.
read on below advertisement
The Whittley Clearwater 1750 stands out as a classic Aussie half cabin family runabout—small enough to tow and big enough to take the whole crew out for the day. The boat we tested was a just-released 2009 model with cutting edge looks. The Clearwater range has been a growing component of the Whittley stable and with several new models, including a 1600 and 1750, they expect to produce around 400 Clearwaters in the next year—pushing the Victorian based Whittley Marine overall output close to 800 vessels per year.
LAYOUT
The layout is multi-functional in that it delivers a relaxing day boat and a handy fishing platform. Wait a minute! This boat is set up with rocket launchers, has a fish finder and live bait wells, so perhaps it is more like a fishing runabout. There's a roomy cabin with a comfortable V-berth, which is great for a snooze when the fish aren't biting.
The vessel's 'fishability' is also extended by the nice flat combings, long side pockets for rods and nets, foot room under the side pockets and drop down aft seats that create a large uncluttered cockpit. Perhaps one of the biggest giveaways that the Clearwater 1750 is targeted at the fishing family is the integrated tackle box located across from the helm.
next page »
« go back
