The Stabicraft 1410 Explorer will suit people seeking a stable and well performing runabout. It has huge reserves of buoyancy within pontoon and underfloor compartments and the craft’s high side coamings and hand rails offer just that bit of extra freeboard and all round convenience.

Suited to crabbing and fishing purposes, or even as a heavy duty roomy tender, it’s built to the usual high Stabicraft pontoon boat standards. Fitted with the expected features – a GME stereo, marine radio plus a Garmin GPS Map 451S combination – the compact Stabi combined many of the desirable features we see in their larger craft. Stability, low speed planing and roominess were all there in the 4.3m package.

Its quality finish, very neat welds and joins, and overall presentation was very impressive. And, with the 40 Yamaha four-stroke on the transom, it was no slouch underway.

In every sense, an open boat, the 1410 Explorer still managed to pack a fair few features into its modest 4.3m length, 1.7m beam. Up front a split bow rail sat each side of the bow sprit, roller and cleat with two levels of forward shelving offering both storage space plus an anchor well.

In usual Stabicraft style the entire main floor area of the boat, between transom and floor level forward shelf, featured a raised (5mm high) tread plate surface to provide sure footing. The raised section naturally saw any water channelled to a drain on each outer side so that it could be easily removed via a duck bill venturi system in lieu of standard scuppers, which from my experience tend to allow unwanted water aboard unless a hull has a very high floor.

A central cushioned thwart would see a couple of anglers fishing side by side. Making things easy for them were a grab rail, a rod holder each side, plus a handy side storage shelf running almost the full length of the craft to ensure easy access storage for personal items. To give some idea of the capacity of this shelf the craft’s paddles were neatly stored in the area to port opposite the skipper’s seat.

Aft seating was again well-padded and to assist the skipper while driving the craft a side mounted instrument panel was within easy reach to starboard. A set of switches for various functions was closest; a GME VHF marine radio next, GME FM radio also handy.

The craft’s Garmin GPS Map 451S was also fixed to the starboard side and within easy reach of the skipper. Completing the Stabicraft 1410 Explorer’s layout were paired rod holders in aft decks, a tote tank of fuel plus the craft’s engine battery. In all, a well set out boat for up to four anglers to enjoy.

The 1410 Explorer, with two aboard and driven through some fairly nasty wind chop, exhibited the usual Stabicraft ability to provide a quiet and soft ride. Only when heading across chop with the wind on the quarter did water make an unwanted appearance, as you might expect in an open boat of this style.

The Explorer hull (weight is 145kg) showed no tendency to pound or bash. The Stabicraft design ensured that only the central section of the hull with its fine entry and 16º deadrise aft made water contact while under way. The outer pontoon areas provided both lift from trapped air plus reserves of stability in turns or, of course, when stationary.

The Stabi went very well indeed with the maximum power 40hp Yamaha four-stroke on the transom; the craft could whip in or out of turns rapidly and without prop ventilation.

Handling was spot on, with the craft being quite responsive. Planing occurred at 9 knots, a steady cruising speed of 18 knots saw the Yamaha doing it pretty easy. A top speed of 29 knots was recorded on the Garmin unit.

Driving the Explorer was simplified by the Yamaha 40’s multi-function tiller arm and well positioned gear lever, which, being on the arm, made things easy. I liked the arm’s integral power trim too, and once an owner has enjoyed this feature with a small craft it would be hard to step back to manual engine control.

Stability is one of the big Stabicraft features and when the Explorer’s pontoon style outer sections touched the water, all tendency to lean stopped immediately. I found two of us on the one side made no difference to the hull’s attitude.

As a small, open, but highly stable craft the 1410 Explorer offers a lot. There are definite limits to the bells and whistles one can fit to a boat of this size and configuration, but about the only thing I could see missing was a live well; a smart DIY owner could soon organise something there. There was plenty of room for an esky aboard.

Rod holders, some storage and plenty of comfort underway were standard fare. Finish and overall presentation were of a very high standard expected of Stabicraft.

The hull’s interior work area is 3.6m long, 1.26m in width so there’s plenty of room for anglers to enjoy. Factory quoted reserve buoyancy of 687L is comforting giving this craft a very high safety rating.

As a general purpose small boat the 1410 Explorer would be ideal for impoundment, river, estuary or even bay work. Internal side height is the same as the external at 600mm so there’s ample freeboard. The well finished hull with its full and well smoothed welds is rated for four persons. Crabbing or prawning would be fun, the crew would enjoy the stability and work room while on the job, and then just hose her out on return home!

Supplied by Northside Marine cost as reviewed on a single axle Redco trailer was $21,172. Contact details are ( 07) 32658000 or go to --e-mail address hidden-- on the net.

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