BAR CRUSHER 560C BY JOHN HESELWOOD

It's a solid fishing machine I was told when I was asked to take the Bar Crusher 560C for a test on Brisbane's Moreton Bay on a day that produced just the right type of weather to put a boat such as this through its paces, A 15 knot south-easter against an out-going tide at the southern end of Green Island soon shows you how a boat handles.

I had heard so much about these Bar Crushers with their unique features like "Waveslicer" deep-v hull, 'Quickflow' stability ballast system and 'Rigideck' floor and sub-frame construction, so I we keen to try it for myself.

The hull has no lifting strakes, providing a smooth uninterrupted surface and the 115 Yamaha lifted it out of the hole and on the plane within seconds. On the test day we managed a top speed of 63kph, but an average day cruise would be 40kph at 4000rpm while burning 15 to 18 litres of fuel per hours. At that rate the 150 litre fuel tank gives a great range for offshore fishing.

At rest in the very short chop I quickly experienced the 400litre under hull Quickflow stability ballast system at work. And it did work like this – there is a cavity running the full length of the keel which is open at the transom and at the other end there are breather holes in the anchor well. At rest this cavity fills with water adding weight to the hull lowering it in the water so that the submerged chines act as stabilisers. When you head off this water is released and the boat is back on the plane.

The 560C is definitely set up with fishing in mind and the best way to describe the layout is functional. Starting at the transom there is a solid bait table set at a perfect height to make a great workstation. The table is plumbed to drain overboard and is removable. A transom door gives access to a big platform right across the width which could be used for fighting fish. It is also home to a decent sized burley bucket and fold up boarding ladder.

The rear seat folds up completely out of the way to close off the transom door leaving a nice deep cockpit. This seat also hides the above floor batteries and master switch directly beneath the bait table area. The fuel / water separating filter is also raised and fitted to the starboard cockpit side pocket away from salt spray.

Fishing rod storage is taken care of with six angled cockpit side coaming rod holders, as well as three holders across the back of the bait table. The overhead rocket launcher style rod holder mounted on the targa frame stores rods away when not in use.

The helm offered good protection from the elements and it is evident that a lot of thought has gone into its simple design. The throttle is in perfect place when the skipper is either standing or sitting. The dash was the right height and both driver and passenger have grab rails mounted on the rear of the cabin sides and a full width dash mounted rail for additional safety. The armchair seats were to say the least comfortable and the bases provided storage. Seating either side of the centre well provides refuge in case of rain of other nasty weather. There are also large cabin pockets, big enough to store all safety gear or other gear in the dry. The cabin has a 12v light, and all behind dash electrics are neatly fitted and well hidden.

Access around the sides of the 560C cabin is difficult so the anchor must be dropped or retrieved from the forward cabin hatch. The cabin cushions are removable for this purpose. The boat is fitted with twin bollard to the bow and the anchor well is big enough for offshore use.

The big feature is the folding hardtop rocket launcher and windscreen system. The hardtop is set up on gas struts, and the front actually drops down to meet the windscreen when needed to keep out the spray or raised to let in the breeze. The whole hardtop unit folds down to allow for easier storage in normal height garages.

Built from 4mm plate bottom and 3mm plate side there boats are very strong. Built into all Bar Crusher boats is the 'Rigideck' system, incorporating the floor and sub frame, designed for superior strength. The whole under floor section is built utilising six longitudinal stringers fully welded to cross frames, forming a structurally strong, triangulated sub floor frame. To this a full checker plate floor is welded in, making one solid frame utilising the entire under floor area, giving it unusual strength.

The Bar Crusher method of construction is certainly over the top, but when you are caught out in the rough and face a long slow trip home you will be glad it is built like the proverbial tank!