Sydney Marine Brokerage owner Andrew Withers went looking for a new workboat when he discovered Smuggler Marine, and realised he had not only solved his own boating choice but had also found a new solution for others in the same boat, so to speak. Andrew wanted a safe but fast vessel that could carry prospective clients to his listings of moored vessels around Sydney without doing damage to the vulnerable hulls.
Smuggler is a boutique builder from New Zealand and its new Strata 580 mixes a quality finish with the practical design of a rigid inflatable. Enjoy sea trials over the Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo.
Welcome the Strata 580, the Smuggler Strata 580 has reached the twin goals of both light-weight and strength using a multilayered laminate with full-length bearers and triaxial structural glass. And at only around 600kg hull weight, it is easily pushed to impressive speeds by modest engine power.
The 580 is Smuggler's latest release, coming from a demand for a larger version of the popular 550. Significant chines and pronounced running strakes along each side can be seen in the photos hereabouts, and provide lift and stability to fibreglass running surfaces flowing to a deep 23° deadrise at the transom. Meanwhile, the 500mm tubes add to the impressive steadiness when at rest.
Like all rigid inflatables, the Smuggler sits close to the water, but a neatly moulded optional hardtop over the helm area gave a more substantial presence to our review model. The centre console layout provides the most efficient use of space, allowing restricted access past the helm position on both sides.
Smuggler Strata 580 Ebony Hard top
Smuggler Strata 580 Soft Top
Facts & Figures
SMUGGLER STRATA 580
OPTIONS FITTED
Hypalon upgrade, 90hp Yamaha engine, custom all-over cover, esky, Railblazas, radios, hardtop, and more
PRICE FROM
$49,940
PRICE AS TESTED
$88,000
GENERAL
TYPE Rigid inflatable boat
MATERIAL GRP hull and liner, Orca Hypalon tubes
LENGTH (OVERALL) 5.8m
BEAM 2.4m
WEIGHT 600kg
CAPACITIES
PEOPLE 7
FUEL 90L
WATER N/R
ENGINE
MAKE/MODEL Yamaha F90
TYPE Fuel injected inline four-cylinder four-stroke outboard
RATED HP 90
DISPLACEMENT 1832cc
WEIGHT 166kg
GEAR RATIO 2.15:1
PROPELLER 16in
MANUFACTURED BY
Smuggler Marine, Auckland, NZ
SUPPLIED BY
Sydney Marine Brokerage
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club,
Suite 2, 14 Mitala Street,
Newport NSW 2106
P (02) 99977907
W sydneymarinebrokerage.com
