I’ve reviewed several craft from Offshore Marine Masters in the past and have been impressed with their combination of high standard finish, excellent sea keeping ability and quality ride and handling that makes them such good value for money. And their new 6m offshore rig didn’t disappoint.
As the OMM 600 WA (Walkaround) Ultra Vee Allrounder backed off its Sea Link tandem wheeled trailer in the Pumicestone Passage at Caloundra, I was impressed by her good looks and high functionality. And once aboard the craft, the sweet lines were backed with features that just seemed to keep on coming.
As a centre cab craft, the Ultra Vee offers plenty of room within the fully lined cabin to sit out of the weather, stretch out on a bunk of the Vee berth or, with an infill in place, have a sleep. Plush bunk cushioning, ample floor depth and head room and an overhead light plus side and front windows ensured that the cabin was an enjoyable place to spend time.
Below bunk storage was standard fare. A zippered fabric door was fitted to this craft, along with a standard marine toilet, which can be fitted as extra options at the owner’s specifications.
A wide, quite deep and carpeted walkaround area on the 600 Ultra Vee Allrounder allows access up front for fishing access or just to enjoy the front seat ride. Safe movement in suitable conditions was made easy thanks to handholds on the cabin’s roof, a sturdy side rail extending to the bow, and a plush coaming on the outer side area under the grab rail. Heavy duty carpet covered all floor areas of the craft.
This craft was made for offshore work and the forward cockpit area is well designed for this pursuit. The overhead hard top is a decent height so skipper and mate can stand while under way or enjoy the ride on the well-padded slide adjustable seating. Clears fitted above the windscreen had a zip open frontal section for hot weather conditions.
The craft’s marine radio and radio/CD player were under the roof of the hard top within easy reach while speakers for the sound system were set into the side frame of the hard top above skipper and mate.
The wide and carpeted, and drink holder equipped, flat area aft of the windscreen is handy for either skipper or mate and is ideal for storage of personal items. The first mate also has a grab handle, foot rest, plus two levels of storage as a bonus.
I had the option of either driving from a seated or standing position, depending upon sea conditions. Both modes of control offered easy monitoring of the compass plus Garmin GPS Map 750S on the broad shelf aft of the windscreen, as well as the gauges mounted below across the top of the upright dash section of the craft.
The sports style steering wheel, linked to hydraulic steering, was set right in front of the driver with a bank of switches for items ranging from the under deck and hard top LED lighting, nav lights, through to controls for the deck wash and bait tank pumps being set lower and to port. The craft’s winch controls and QL trim tab switches were also within easy reach. Forward controls for the 175 Suzuki were side mounted in the usual manner.
Skipper and mate’s seating on the well built OMM consisted of very strong, sliding, adjustable and swivelling hand rail equipped seats mounted on soft lined storage boxes. The passenger’s seat box was equipped with five tackle trays.
Lined cockpit side pockets were a great feature. The starboard pocket was set up with the craft’s deck wash and easily accessible fuel filter, while its port counterpart was storage orientated. Work area within the cockpit was ideal for three or four anglers to enjoy their fishing. Although the reviewed craft was equipped with a full width, four person transom lounge, it could be dropped down out of the way, or left out entirely, to provide extra fishing space.
Internal height within the 2.4m wide cockpit was 730mm (external freeboard was 990mm). It is ideally set up for offshore fishing given the heavy duty carpeted floor and soft gunwale coaming all around.
Other cockpit features included fully self-draining capability and four rod holders per side, with another two in the transom bait station and a cutting board. An in-floor, plumbed, kill tank of large proportions was built into the floor astern, and the craft’s plumbed live well was situated within the transom to starboard.
Grab handles and stern rails and cleats completed the upper transom fittings. A boarding ladder to port and berley muncher to starboard were set into the paired water line boarding platforms located each side of the 175 Suzuki four stroke.
The Suzuki 175 was top power for the 600 WA’s foam-filled hull, and so I expected a lively performance and was not disappointed. It was whisper quiet at idle and hardly produced any intruding noise into cockpit conversation at any revs, thanks to its location well down below the transom.
The Suzuki planed the hull at 3000rpm at 18.1km/h, powered along sweetly at 41.4 km/h at 4,000rpm with a brief burst to 5,000rpm saw 60.8km/h on the Garmin 750 GPS unit. No doubt, a fully run in motor would see speeds approaching the 68-70km/h mark at WOT. Spinning its 16x21” propeller, power for the big 175hp was virtually instantaneous with any forward movement of the throttle lever seeing the craft surging forward rapidly.
As an offshore rig this craft shines. The combination of a sweet riding hull mated to a responsive motor was impressive, especially on our test runs in the Caloundra bar area where the craft was given the opportunity to strut its stuff.
In the confused water I noted that the hull, with three aboard, rode very well with no tendency to bang or produce uncomfortable impact. It simply cut through waves with ease and at no time did any displaced water find its way over the gunwales or transom; factors that will suit offshore or all weather bay anglers very well indeed.
Sure tracking and at-rest stability from the big 6m plate alloy rig was of a high standard. The ride was enhanced by the large spray chine up front plus a wide outer reversed chine astern, and with three people on board it produced no appreciable lean from the hull at rest.
OMM 600WA Ultra Vee All-Rounder is an outstanding craft in so many ways. There’s a smooth blend of easy performance, terrific ride and handling, reliable sea keeping ability all matched by top shelf finish and angler friendly features.
As an offshore craft or all weather bay rig it will have a lot of appeal. Like other craft from Offshore Marine Master, it is a custom built rig in many respects. Price as tested was $78,900.
Contact Details are phone (07) 5492 6555, fax (07) 5492 6566. Email is --e-mail address hidden-- or on the net at www.offshoremarinemaster.com.au
Technical Information
Length:6.1m
Beam:2.45m
Deadrise:18º
Construction:6mm bottom, 4mm sides
Engines:150-175hp
Fuel:200L
Hull Weight:850kg
Trailer Height:2.95m
Trailer Length:7.8m
Towing: Large 4WD
| Capacity: | Up to six persons |
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The 600 WA cabin is designed for comfort. Note the plush finish plus great floor depth.
The catch goes in here! A big under floor, plumbed, kill tank is standard in this craft.
Marine and pleasure sound systems are tucked up under the lined hard top for weather protection.
Storage box mounted chairs spoil skipper and mate with their high comfort levels.
Performance and looks combine beautifully in this plate alloy offering from Offshore Marine Master.
A frontal view of the OMM Vee hull in action. There’s little displaced water thanks to a hull design incorporating a big spray chine up front.
Leaving the OMM to enjoy time on the beach is as easy as walking forward to exit via the split bow rail up front.
There’s a lot of attention to detail with in the craft: The non skid material around the anchor well, plush side lining and deep carpet, side coaming and well-made front cushion on the cabin.
Able to seat up to four people, the OMM’s removable lounge makes a lot of sense in a serious fishing craft.
Live well to port, bait station central, OMM make the most of their wide transom. Note that the transom door is standard.
