Morningstars are somewhat unique plate alloy boats, being manufactured in a Korean automobile factory. There are actually significant benefits to employing this technology, including some very innovative metal forming and rolling, the likes of which I’ve never seen in plate alloy rigs. This is particularly evident around areas such as the decks and underwater surfaces.
The decks are sleekly rolled from the gunwales down over sides, while the bottom is formed from a single plate formed under immense pressure. The end result is a neat reversed outer chine and no keel whatsoever.
Construction of this style, plus a really great paint job, gives the Morningstar 460 Bay Rover the appearance (at first glance) of being a glass rather than plate alloy craft. A closer inspection reveals plenty of neat robotic welds throughout, while a high standard of overall finish completes the picture of a boat that would fish a family. It could easily tow behind the family’s sedan or wagon as well.
The reviewed Morningstar 460 Bay Rover was provided by Stefan Boating World of Coomera. Complete with a 40hp Yamaha two-stroke outboard, this well set up rig came stock standard with quite a few features that the average angler would appreciate.
Starting up front, the Morningstar’s interior features included a step under the centre hinged, rail-equipped windscreen to allow easy anchor well access without leaning forward.
Top shelf forward seating saw deeply padded bucket-style seats offering slide as well as swivel capability, complete with bolster front sections and sprung pedestals to deliver the best ride at all times. You could either stand against the uplifted bolster section or choose to remain seated to drive; the visibility is fine either way. Rear seating consisted of a drop-down padded bench at the transom.
The Morning Star’s dash area provided ample room for a sounder/GPS to be fitted atop the area set aside for the steering wheel and instruments. Aft of the seating, a carpeted cockpit floor provided room to fish, and there was the addition of a substantial fish box to stow the catch or tucker for the day. I noted reasonably long but fairly narrow side pockets along each of the rail-equipped sides. At the transom area, a bait station came set up with paired rod holders to complement the paired holders in the aft sides. A plumbed live well was installed to port, while very large boarding platforms were set up on each side of the 40 Yamaha.
I saw the rig as an easy going outfit entirely suited to an absolute beginner to boating in that it drove without vice. The mechanical steering was very light, and the craft very sure footed. Admittedly, the three-cylinder 40 Yamaha two-stroke was a fair step away from top power of 90hp, yet the rig ran so capably, with myself and David Robinson of Stefan Boating World aboard, I’d see it also being suitable for family-style boating with mum, dad, and a couple of youngsters.
A top speed of almost 47km/h was recorded at 5000rpm, while 4000rpm saw a very frugal and sensible cruising speed of 34.5km/h. It was good to see just how easily the Yamaha 40 lifted the rig onto the plane, powered out of sharp turns, and cruised easily without excessive noise or vibration.
The Bay Rover’s generous cockpit area had enough room for an ice box, which would free up the drained under-floor compartment for the catch. I found the craft, with its 19 vee hull, to ride pretty well, not inclined to pound or bash when heading over wash in the Coomera River. And, thanks to the well-formed reversed chines on the bottom, the rig was just as stable underway as was at rest.
This is a quite roomy five-person craft with a length of 4.65m, beam of 2m and depth amidships of 700mm. With a fuel capacity of 60L it would suit family boaters and more dedicated anglers equally well.
With a 40hp Yamaha two-stroke and Brooker braked trailer, the Bay Rover comes home for $25,999. With a 60hp Yamaha four-stroke the price would be $29,999. For more info shoot an email to --e-mail address hidden-- visit www.stefanboatingworld.com.au or call (07) 5665 8400.
Facts
SPECIFICATIONS
| Capacity | 5 persons |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.65m |
| Beam | 2m |
| Max hp | 90hp |
| Packages from | $25,999 |
A contemporary mix of sleek design and innovative manufacturing techniques ensures the Morningstar Bay Rover looks outstanding, thanks to the innovative technology involved in the plate hull’s manufacture. Note also the large, sealed boarding platforms af
The Morningstar is a plate alloy craft like no other. High pressure forming machinery sees the decks, sides, and even the under hull sections pressed into shapes that would normally be found only on glass boats. Fewer joins make for fewer welds, and fewer
There are some very interesting design features in the Morningstar Bay Rover’s hull, not the least being this very impressive looking forefoot section. It gives the hull an axe-like entry into waves and chop.
Is this the future shape of plate alloy craft? Designed and formed in an automobile factory, with its huge dies and hydraulic presses, the Morningstar features lines usually seen in fibreglass boats of this size.
When it’s necessary to stand at the helm, the Morningstar makes it easy. You just flip up the bolster section of the skipper’s seat and then brace against the very strong pedestal seat. Note the interesting axe-like forefoot section at the bow, designed t
With David Robinson at the helm, the Bay Rover exhibits a clean pair of heels in a sharp turn to starboard. With its large and well-formed reversed chines on a 19° vee hull, the craft is just as stable underway as it is at rest.
With engine ratings as high as 90hp, the 40 Yamaha 2-stroke was modest power. However, the 3-cylinder engine did such a good job of powering, I believe it would be well suited to family boating in both bay and estuary waters.
There’s ample room up front of the Bay Rover for the skipper and mate to enjoy time aboard. Note the forward step to facilitate anchor work, the hinged to port centre windscreen section and grab rails on all windscreen sections.
Morningstar have excelled in their Bay Rover’s seating. It’s rare to see a small alloy craft such as this with such well formed, strong and versatile seats for skipper and mate. In this photo the bolster section of the mate’s seat has been lifted up.
The Bay Rover’s dash layout provides ample room to install a good-sized sounder/GPS combo. Note the easily monitored position of Yamaha and other gauges, plus the forward controls being right by the skipper’s arm.
Flexibility in layout is always a bonus in a good fishing boat. A drop-down, three-person rear bench seat gives the Bay Rover’s skipper the ability to provide more work room when necessary. There’s also a very handy bait station, plus a live well, to make
A shot of the Morningstar’s flexible aft seating in the lowered position. Set up in this way, the seat becomes a handy brace point for someone working on a big fish astern.
