Boat review Southern XP856 - Southern Boats - Alloy Boat ... XP856 02 14 lo res pg7-9.pdf · Turn...

Boat review Southern XP856

Southern Boats' XP856 is a big, offshore-capable, aluminium powerboat that continues a tradition of soft-riding hulls but benefits from new tooling and design improvements.

Stunning in black, the new

Southern Boats XP856

making a statement

on Pauanui Waterways

is the first of a newly

vamped line-up, following

Southern Boats' change of ownership

last year. Matched with Yamaha V8

outboard power, the XP856 goes as

well as it looks.

Peter Carlson has owned Family

Boats in Auckland since 1992. Family

Boats is New Zealand’s largest dealer

of the Southern Boats range, so when

Carlson and a partner purchased

Southern Boats’ Dunedin-based

factory last year, he was already

familiar with the brand. He and his

partner also knew how to make a

good range of aluminium boats into

an even better one. The all-black

XP856 featured here is an example

of the new breed. It reflects several

tweaks to the hull and a 2.8m beam.

Turn uP The volume The Southern XP856 is a huge boat

inside, especially configured with an

open-backed hardtop. The massive

chequerplate-decked cockpit, high

gunwales, heaps of freeboard and

a remarkable stability at rest make

the boat well suited to offshore

fishing; the capable, soft riding hull is

designed for bluewater use.

“Southerns have always been

good performers,” Carlson says, “but

since taking over the company we’ve

made many small changes to some

models. These include widening the

16 Boating New Zealand February 2014

Words by John eichelsheim Photos by Bryce Taylor

Heaps of freeboard and a remarkable stability at rest make the boat well suited to offshore fishing“

”

blackpanther

Southern Boats' XP856 is a big, offshore-capable, aluminium powerboat that continues a tradition of soft-riding hulls but benefits from new tooling and design improvements. chine flats, making the hull entry a

bit fuller, adding planing strakes and

redesigning the fibreglass hardtops,

which now come out of new moulds,

to make them even lighter.”

The XP856 benefits from these

developments, among others. The

strakes were subject to testing to

get them just right, but on the new

XP856 they work well, providing

a little extra lift to the bows, but

without noticeably hardening up

the ride. A slightly fuller entry,

compared to earlier Southern

models, and changes to the

reverse chines have resulted in a

stable boat, no doubt aided by its

considerable beam.

Enclosed hardtops are an

option with this model, but this

boat is configured for day trips; it

is without doors across the back, a

sink, fridge or cooker, all of which

are options. There is an electric

toilet in the forward cabin under

the squabs, with privacy provided

by a moulded fibreglass, sliding

cavity door in the cabin bulkhead,

lockable for security. There is also a

freshwater cockpit shower with an

owner-specified, 90-litre freshwater

tank under the floor.

Although overnighting probably

won’t feature in this boat’s

programme, the macrosuede

vee-berths in the well-lit, fully lined

subscribe online at www.mags4gifts.co.nz/boating-nz 17subscribe online at www.mags4gifts.co.nz/boating-nz 17

forward cabin are a good size. They

convert to a generous double berth

when the infill squabs are inserted. An

acrylic hatch in the cabin offers easy

access to the capstan, while a So-Pac

hatch in the collision bulkhead opens

into the anchor locker. Anchoring

is operated remotely from the helm

station; a Maxwell rope-chain capstan

raises and lowers a Rocna anchor

which stows snugged up against

the fairlead.

Drop covers close the hardtop

when required, which is likely when

the owners leave their waterfront

holiday home to return to Hamilton.

This particular boat has no trailer

because its owners don’t require

one, but a superbly built factory

aluminium trailer is an option. The

boat sits permanently on a Jet Dock

drive-on, drive-off floating dock in

front of the house – see sidebar.

BrillianT in BlackThere’s no denying the XP856 looks

stunning in black. It’s painted

in high-gloss, midnight black

above the chines with its black

fibreglass hardtop incorporating a

metallic fleck. It looks really good,

accentuating the boat’s graceful but

purposeful lines, and the paint’s

mirror finish is highly reflective. On

this boat the railings, rocket launcher

and dive ladder are also black rather

than polished aluminium – even the

VHF aerial and spotlight are black.

If there’s a downside, black paint

shows dirt, sea spray and the inevitable

dings and scratches but other colours

are available. This boat had already

clocked up 30 hours in just over a

month, much of that time chasing fish

out of Tairua Harbour, so there was

the odd blemish, fish scale and some

The well finished interior looks and feels spacious. Comforts include a plumbed toilet and a freshwater shower. The boat's vast cockpit is large enough for a game of tennis, but it's uncluttered layout and high gunwales are ideal for offshore fishing. The carpet is easily removed for cleaning

Family Boats is the New Zealand agent for Jet Dock docking systems, a modular drive-on,

drive-off boat storage system for boats and personal watercraft.

Constructed from UV-stabilised PVC, the dock system uses interlocking blocks to build an infinitely expandable platform with cradles that will accept outboard and sterndrive boats up to 50ft long. For larger craft weighing more than 2.5 tonnes, Jet Dock adds adjustable air assist to supplement the platform’s natural buoyancy. A winch and pulley system secures boats and watercraft in their cradles.

Driving on is easy – simply slot the bow into the plastic vee of the cradle, apply some throttle and the vessel will slide up onto the cradle until the engine leg comes up against the base of the platform, then secure the vessel with the winch cable. To drive off, lower the outboard/leg until

the cavitation plate is in the water, start the engine, release the winch cable and back off.

Jet Dock offers the convenience of stepping on and off your boat or PWC with dry feet. Once on the dock, boats can be washed inside and out and it’s an easy matter to supply electrical power. The ability to add sections makes it simple to expand the size of the dock to accommodate a second boat, a personal watercraft or floating lounging area.

Unlike most other floating dock systems, Jet Dock can rest on the hard when the tide goes out without damaging either the dock or the boat.

Jet Dock has minimal moving parts, is expandable and its rugged PVC construction is virtually indestructible. Family Boats, www.familyboats.co.nz, [email protected], Phone 09 274 0511

Jet Dock docking systems


0214

86

Southern Boats pride themselves on presenting you with one of the finest handcrafted Alloy boats available today. The team of skilled boat builders, upholsterers and painters based at Southern’s Dunedin manufacturing facility have spent thousands of hours perfecting their craft to bring you a boat with proven performance, handsome good looks and heavy duty durability. Contact us or drop into your local dealer and start making your dream a reality today.

subscribe online at www.mags4gifts.co.nz/boating-nz 19

bait residue, but the boat still looks

great inside and out. Fit and finish has

always been good on Southerns and

this boat ups the ante still further with

its careful attention to detail.

Removable grey and black striped

marine carpets offer bare feet some

relief from the chequerplate decks

while grey cockpit lining and grey

and black upholstery ensure the

boat’s interior isn’t too sombre. Grey

neoprene is used to good effect

on the swim steps and coamings,

breaking up the black and adding

warmth and comfort.

With so much cockpit space, it’s

easy to fill this boat with whatever you

like. The owners have taken advantage

of its generous storage to stow fishing

tackle, including a longline and other

gear that stays on the boat semi-

permanently. We combined reviewing

the Southern with photographing

and reviewing a Brig RIB sport boat,

which will appear in a subsequent

The remotely controlled spotlight comes in handy when negotiating the channel to Pauanui waterways in the dark. A Rocna anchor and Maxwell capstan take care of anchoring duties. Yamaha V8 power delivers snappy performance, as well as an appealing soundtrack

“The XP856 could be a serious offshore weapon if that's your thing… but it's also a big, comfortable family cruiser…”


issue of Boating NZ. We filled the

XP856’s cockpit with props for the

shoot: paddleboards, a kneeboard,

fishing rods and tackle boxes, beach

umbrellas and a picnic set, two full sets

of scuba gear and our photographic

and personal gear. The boat cockpit

and cabin easily swallowed all of this

with acres of space left over. Carlson’s

11-year-old daughter Charlie also

joined us for the day.

FiShing, diving and FamilyThe XP856 could be a serious offshore

weapon, if that’s your thing. It has all

the credentials for serious fishing and

diving, including gamefish trolling,

but it’s also a big, comfortable family

cruiser that should keep everyone

safe and dry if things cut up offshore.

From Tairua, day trips to Mayor

Island or the Mercury Islands are

easily achievable, and there are lovely

secluded bays and beaches where

you can go ashore or anchor off to

spend time with the family.

This boat is not specifically set up

for game fishing, though the owners

are keen on fishing, using the boat for

shorter trips to the Aldermen Islands

and other locations. Tairua-Pauanui

is close to a multitude of exceptional

fishing and diving venues.

Equipped with a well angled rocket

launcher with integrated grab rails,

six through-gunwale aluminium rod

holders and a removable bait board

with additional rod holders, there’s no

shortage of fishing rod storage. Full-

length, triple-tier side pockets provide

still more stowage for long items and

they’re wide enough for dive bottles

too. Pipe tie-downs below the side

pockets are a useful feature.

The transom features a couple

of lockers for dry stowage, a good-

sized live bait tank to port and a

step-through transom with pull-out

door to starboard. The T-bar dive

ladder, also black, is mounted on

the starboard side too, where it’s

easily seen from the helm. Batteries,

switches, pumps, filters and

associated wiring and plumbing are

tidily installed under the transom

lockers behind an aluminium door

for protection. Access is good.

The cockpit drains to a sump,

pumped out by a 1250gph bilge

pump, there’s a saltwater washdown

on the starboard side and room for

fish bins, tackle boxes and other

large items on the floor under the

bait tank and transom step-through.

Normally an underfloor wet locker

is standard, but on this boat an

extra-large 450-litre fuel tank, plus

the water tank, leaves no room for

a wet locker. The fuel tank reduces

the frequency of refuelling, which

has to be done using drums or a

trailer-borne fuel tanker. A new

marina under construction at Tairua

will include refuelling facilities for

New ZealandSealegs International Ltd

Ted DixonPh: +64 9 414 3086

InternationalSealegs International Ltd

Damon JolliffePh: +64 9 414 3084

www.sealegs.com

Sealegs has been the answer to our dreams for our island beach-house. We need no trailer, no winch or moorings and don’t need to worry about coming into a wharf. We drive up and down the beach at any tide and park on the front lawn.-Brett Lornie, NZ

“I spent 25 years of my life looking for good fi nancial investments and now after buying a Sealegs boat I am going to spend the next 25 years of my life enjoying one of the best lifestyle investments I’ve made so far.-Phil Briggs, NZ

“

“ “02

1457


petrol boats, but it’s still six months

off completion.

v8 grunTWith a shallow harbour bar to

traverse, getting in and out of Tairua

Harbour can be challenging at times,

but the big Southern is as safe a

boat as you could wish for. Plenty

of power, predictable handling and

an amazingly soft and level re-entry

should you become airborne take

a lot of the anxiety out of heading

through the bar.

We headed back and forth through

the harbour entrance several times

for the camera, Charlie squealing with

delight whenever the boat leapt over

the waves. Conditions were quite safe,

but even on a nice day the bar can

break, especially at low tide.

What was immediately evident

is the amount of available torque

from the big Yamaha four-stroke.

The XP856 slides onto the plane

with minimal throttle, the 350hp V8

holding it there right down to 11 or 12

knots. Put the hammer down and the

2.5-tonne boat, full of gear and fuel,

leaps forward, the engine growling

authoritatively, if remarkably quietly.

The engine note is quite distinctive

but never intrusive. There’s plenty of

power on tap: top speed is around

41 knots at 5000rpm and a cruise

speed in excess of 30 knots is easily

CleatsEasy tie-off points

Hull Track Recessed area guides and straightens your craft on the dock

Buoyancy Beam Provides lateral support and extra lift when needed

Aluminum Structural Beam For strength and rigidity across the dock, reducing friction and stress points on your craft

Fasteners Create a strong, stable platform

Pivoting pedestal winch Makes pulling and launching your craft easy

KDS System Lifts the keel during drive on

Bunk System Cradles your craft like a boat trailer

Winch-assisted launch system. Z - Pulley design pulls craft backward for launching

249 Ti Rakau Drive, Pakuranga, Auckland, N Z. PO Box 51340 Pakuranga.Ph: 09 274 0511 Fx: 09 274 0108 [email protected] www.familyboats.co.nz 0214

86

0214

72


Yamaha’s F350 V8 four-stroke is the most powerful outboard the company produces. A

large displacement but compact narrow vee design, it was developed specifically to power large, heavy offshore powerboats.

Yamaha claims the big bore 5.3-litre, double overhead camshaft (DOHC), 32-valve engine provides up to 45% more thrust than 250hp V6 outboards. Launched in 2007, the big block F350 was designed to produce 350hp at the propeller with less strain on internal components than small displacement, high output engines.

Four oversize valves per cylinder increase engine breathing efficiency and boost power and torque, while seven sophisticated sensors constantly measure atmospheric conditions and engine functions so the ECM can precisely and instantly adjust the fuel-air mixture for optimum performance and economy. The ECM also precisely controls the 81mm air intake; cylinder air intake tracks are ‘pulse tuned’ to provide air at the precise volume and timing for maximum density and power, and dual, in-bank exhausts exit through the centre of the engine between the cylinder banks.

Variable camshaft timing

increases power and throttle response at low and mid-range engine revolutions, ensuring plenty of sustained torque between 2500 and 3000rpm – just the ticket to smoothly propel large, heavy boats onto the plane. A range of propellers has been developed specifically for the F350 and the lower unit is engineered with additional hardened surfaces, ultra-durable shafts, gears and special bearings to withstand the engines power and torque, as well as the demands of pushing large, heavy craft.

Despite its impressive power and large displacement, the F350 four-stroke meets emission targets around the world. It is three-star rated for ultra-low emissions by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the toughest emissions agency in the world and fuel efficient for such a large displacement engine. At 6000rpm (full revs) Yamaha claims the F350 burns 31.7 US gallons per hour (139 litres per hour), depending on the application, but average fuel consumption is much less in normal operation. The Southern XP856 returned an average of 25 litres per hour on her four-hour delivery voyage from Auckland.

Yamaha F350

Lusty & Blundell proud supporters

Ask about our complete range of fishing charts to suit our entire range of multi functions screens. Combo packages are available to suit both

large and small trailer boats at affordable prices!.

Contact your local Raymarine dealer or call L&B: Auckland 09 415 8303, Whangarei 09 438 6353, Tauranga 07 927 9270 www.lusty-blundell.co.nz

A NEW SPECIES OF SONAR

View the world beneath your boat with the photo-like clarity of

DownVision™ sonar, the first high-resolution imaging sonar for anglers

to use CHIRP technology. Dragonfly’s dual channel CHIRP technology

lets you explore structure and target fish like never before.

See all that Dragonfly can do for you online at www.raymarine.com/ga

The New Dragonfly Sonar/GPS with CHIRP DownVision

Imagery for illustrative purposes only.

CHIRP DownVision™

Dragonfly (UK) 105 x 297.indd 1 21/02/2013 15:06


View the world beneath your boat with the photo-like clarity of

DownVision™ sonar, the first high-resolution imaging sonar for anglers

to use CHIRP technology. Dragonfly’s dual channel CHIRP technology

lets you explore structure and target fish like never before.

See all that Dragonfly can do for you online at www.raymarine.com/ga



CHIRP DownVision™

Dragonfly (UK) 105 x 297.indd 1 21/02/2013 15:06



explore structure and target fish like never before.

See all that Dragonfly can do for you online at

View the world beneath your boat with the photo-like ™clarity of DownVision sonar, the first high-resolution

imaging sonar for anglers to use CHIRP technology.

Dragonfly’s dual channel CHIRP technology lets you


CHIRP DownVision™

www.raymarine.com/ga


Raymarine ASIA Pty LtdSuite 301, 2 Minna Close, Belrose, NSW, 2085T: 02 9479 4800

www.raymarine.com.au

Dragonfly Advert 230x300 0213 HR

Wednesday, 20 February 2013 5:20:56 PM


explore structure and target fish like never before.

See all that Dragonfly can do for you online at

View the world beneath your boat with the photo-like ™clarity of DownVision sonar, the first high-resolution

imaging sonar for anglers to use CHIRP technology.

Dragonfly’s dual channel CHIRP technology lets you


CHIRP DownVision™

www.raymarine.com/ga


Raymarine ASIA Pty LtdSuite 301, 2 Minna Close, Belrose, NSW, 2085T: 02 9479 4800

www.raymarine.com.au

Dragonfly Advert 230x300 0213 HR

Wednesday, 20 February 2013 5:20:56 PM

The CP100 now brings Dragonfly’s DownVision photo like sonar imaging to all contemporary Raymarine MFD displays using the intuitive LightHouse user interface.

See all that Dragonfly can do for you online at www.raymarine.co.nz

021434


➤ loa 8.6m➤ beam 2.8m➤ draft approx 0.5m➤ weight 2750kg (dry)➤ construction aluminium➤ engine Yamaha four-stroke V8 350hp➤ propeller 19-in SST➤ deadrise 20° at transom➤ fuel 450 litres➤ water 90 litres➤ cruising speed 30 knots➤ max speed 41 knots➤ price as tested $239,000➤ Manufactured by Southern Boats, www.southernboats.co.nz➤ supplied by owner and Family Boats, www.familyboats.co.nz email [email protected] phone 09 274 0511

Southern XP856

maintained provided sea conditions

are reasonable. They were pleasant

for our review.

On the four-hour delivery voyage

from Auckland across the Hauraki

Gulf, through Colville Channel, past

the Mercury Islands to Pauanui, the

V8’s fuel consumption averaged 25

litres per hour. A V6 300hp would

be adequate, according to Carlson,

or you could fit a pair of V6 200hp

outboards, taking things out to the

XP856’s maximum power rating.

Diesel sterndrives are also an option.

The XP859 is strongly built. The hull

features 6mm bottom plates, seam

welded on both sides, with a 6mm

keel strip providing extra protection

along the keel line. The boat’s sides

are 4mm aluminium with the decks

and superstructure a mixture of 3mm

and 4mm sheet metal. Longitudinal

beams, cross members and stringers

support the hull and decks and the

sealed decks are pressure-tested in

the factory, which offers a six-year hull

structural warranty.

The comfortable ride comes

from the boat’s variable deadrise

hull that tapers back to 20 degrees

at the transom. Its handling is

equally pleasant: in sharp turns the

amount of heel is nicely controlled,

and for a big boat it feels nimble

and responsive to the helm. Trim

tabs were fitted but not used in the

conditions and there was little need

to adjust engine trim attitude most

of the time. All in all the XP856 feels

safe, fast and capable.

Helming the boat was a pleasure.

Visibility is excellent thanks to

narrow window mullions and the

newly designed pedestal seats

provide comfort and support for

the driver and passenger. A single

wiper keeps the screen clear of spray

on the driver’s side. The moulded

fibreglass dash console can take a

flush-mounted 12-inch display – this

boat had a Lowrance HDS10, but

there was room left over – along

with the usual electronic engine

gauges, anchor and trim tab controls,

switches, VHF radio, Fusion stereo

head unit and the latest iPod dock

without looking overcrowded. It’s

a big, tall boat and I couldn’t reach

the footrest seated at the helm, but

it’s positioned to suit the owner’s

driving position, not mine. Sliding

side windows were appreciated on

a sunny day – it was quite hot inside

the hardtop despite its open back.

Fibreglass seat bases provide lots

of stowage. They’re a new design

using fresh moulds. With two

pedestals and two aft-facing seats

there’s fixed seating for four, but

a pair of padded and upholstered

insulated ice boxes provide additional

seating if required. We left one of the

bins on the dock.

concluSionThe fast and capable Southern

Alloy Boats XP856 is strongly

built and well finished. It’s a good

example of the current breed of

large aluminium craft, most of them

trailerable, now filling the niche once

occupied in New Zealand by small

motor launches. That said, boats

of this size and quality command

launch-like prices, and while this

XP856 is not set up for launch-style

stay-away boating, Southern’s option

list is vast and includes enclosed

heads/showers, galley and bi-fold

wheelhouse doors.

Configured as a large day boat,

the Southern XP586 still has a lot of

appeal. The ability to berth it clear of

the water on the Jet Dock offers all

the convenience of a marina berth

without the expense of antifouling

and marina fees. From its Pauanui

base, the boat’s owners are within an

hour or two of virtually anywhere in

the western Bay of Plenty, and with a

boat of this size, they can also explore

further afield if they wish.


Boat review Southern XP856 - Southern Boats - Alloy Boat ... XP856 02 14 lo res pg7-9.pdf · Turn...

Documents

Transcript of Boat review Southern XP856 - Southern Boats - Alloy Boat ... XP856 02 14 lo res pg7-9.pdf · Turn...