Despite the change of name, and relocation offshore, Noble International are still producing the same range and standard of plate alloy rigs that we’ve come to expect with the 5.10 Centre Console delivering on useful fishing features, a top shelf ride and sea keeping ability.

The Noble’s high performing design incorporates a deep Vee multi chine, 3mm sides and 4mm bottom, plate hull offering ample width, strong construction and a great deal of side depth. And a pronounced lift in the bow offers assurance during offshore work. The hull is strongly made, being totally sealed under floor, with ample air cavities to ensure utmost buoyancy.

Internally, the craft is virtually all fishing room. Carpeted floors and fishing areas both fore and aft of the console, and its two person storage box/bolster seat for skipper and mate, make this an angler’s heaven.

Up front a solid bowsprit and roller are set ahead of the open anchor well. I feel this could have been a bit more generous given the amount of warp that might be linked to a reef pick during offshore fishing. Nevertheless, there is another open, floor level, storage area below the anchor well, plus another two hatch covered under floor storage areas that could accommodate extra ground tackle.

A seat spigot is installed within the up-front floor, with paired rod holders within the wide non-skid decks just forward of the console. Surprisingly, a bow rail or front grab rail is not fitted.

The centre console sported a flat top with a handy lip and plenty of room for nav aids as required – on the test craft a compass was installed. The five spoke wheel (linked to Sea Star hydraulic steering) is centrally located with switches and marine radio to port, gauges to monitor the Suzuki 90 to starboard, and side mounted engine controls within easy reach of the skipper whether driving seated or standing.

A handy shelf is located within the console with further storage available on the floor below. Skipper and mate’s seating consisted of a generously padded bolster style seat mounted on a large storage box directly aft of the console.

In all, the console is small enough to be user-friendly to anglers but large enough for two people to be seated behind it.

As mentioned, there is sufficient standing room in front of the storage box for travel in rougher conditions; a grab handle being located on the port side of the console for the passenger’s use. Surprisingly, there are no further grab handles or rails about the console whatsoever, which is unusual in an offshore orientated craft.

Aft of the console, the carpeted self-draining cockpit floor had sufficient area for two or three anglers to work with ease. Angler-friendly features include a further pair of rod holders per side within the wide non-skid 750mm high transom decks, paired 2.5m long off floor side pockets with foot room under them to offer good support when hanging onto a stubborn fish with a deck wash located within the port pocket. Additional storage is provided via paired hatch equipped lockers mounted within the transom framework.

The craft’s live well to port within the transom is large and conveniently located next to the craft’s bait station. The bait station is equipped with a further four rod holders and cutting board and is of sufficient height to make work as efficient as possible. Worth noting is the fixtures and all corners of the craft are smoothly rounded to ensure the greatest comfort for those aboard.

Aft of the transom and across the stern of the craft are twin non-skid boarding platforms that are large enough for divers, with entry on the starboard section of the transom facilitated by the craft’s folding ladder. Transom grab rails are featured on both sides of the boarding area astern.

Noble have long used a hull design that has earned them a reputation for ride and handling of outstanding quality and it is pleasing to note that the same handling and ride characteristics have carried through with the move to offshore construction.

The hull’s design incorporates a super fine and deep fore foot, with an outer multi chine treatment that carries through the length of the hull to form outer reversed chines at the transom – all in conjunction with a 24º deep Vee aft – to offer sure tracking and great stability at rest. While the design is different to most plate alloy craft we see today it certainly works well on the water.

The hull planed easily and offered a very smooth ride in all conditions. It would perform well offshore and would lack nothing so far as sea keeping ability and easy ride in bad conditions are concerned.

The hull’s high bow rides well above the section of the fore foot that contacts the water when on the plane, which keeps occupants dry and smoothes out waves and chop taken at pace. Likewise, the hull’s 900mm high sides remained quite dry when heading into or running with seas; I’d also venture that only in strong cross winds might spray come aboard, same as in any other totally open boat.

Rated for engines from 50-130hp, the reviewed craft’s smooth running and very quiet 90hp Suzuki four-stroke performed very well. The rig planed at 18.2km/h at 3,000rpm, did 37.8km/h at 4,000rpm, and 48.5km/h at 5,000rpm – an excellent performance.

For a solid 480kg dry weight hull, the rig certainly handled very well under way and then settled nicely in the water at rest to offer ample stability for fishing or diving pursuits.

The Noble Boats 5100 Centre Console is a purpose-designed, four person, fishing rig with a lot going for it – as a centre console craft it’s virtually all fishing room – with the 90hp Suzuki an excellent power match. The craft is roomy and the fishing equipment levels are high. The ride will ensure users have an easy time on the water and the overall finish is good. On the single axle Sea Link trailer, as supplied, launching the rig is a one person effort.

I’d like to see a bow or grab rail up front, and at the centre console, for safety when offshore and perhaps a larger anchor well but this might not be an issue for other people.

Price as reviewed with all safety equipment, radio, battery box, bait board and registration is $45,700. With a Mercury 90hp two-stroke and similar appointments, the price varies to $39,990. A two year limited hull warranty is also part of the package

The reviewed craft is supplied by Cunningham’s Marine of Redcliffe, phone number (07) 3284 2342, fax (07) 3284 9155 or at www.cunninghamsmarine.com.au .

Technical Information