Victorian built Bar Crusher boats have definitely carved themselves out a solid niche amongst discerning plate aluminium boat buyers nationwide.

You can get tied up as much as you like in the registered and trademarked features on the website and catalogue, but the long and the short of it is that they have a reputation for making quality boats from quality materials and the self-draining hull combined with the water ballast system ensures that the compromise between ride and stability at rest is bridged as well as possible given current materials and technology.

The fact that you’ll break before a Bar Crusher does is just a bonus.

So with that in mind, let’s state first-up that there’s absolutely nothing different between the previous iterations of the 730 hull and this model. As they say, ‘if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it,’ but there’s a suite of changes above the waterline and 20º transom deadrise that will enhance your boating experience in this, the Hard Top (HT) model.

Warren Cleland took the time on a recent boat test to take Fishing Monthly through the changes.

Most of the noticeable alterations are in the hard top itself. It’s been redesigned to drain better (and not dump sheets of water on your head), look better and to accommodate your marine radios and stereo systems in the space above the windscreen.

The dash is more upright and this lends itself to better visibility of your electronics – both from the helm and from the cockpit where all of the fishing action happens.

Also, there’s three versions of the hard top that can be ordered – from open cabin, through to a roller-door lockable cabin and right through to a fully enclosed pilothouse.

Smaller changes, like a graduated folding on the inside of the gunwales to eliminate harsh angles and make the edge more comfortable to lean against, will be incorporated into more and more models without much fuss, but all the time adding to the angler experience.

Although the test day on Port Phillip Bay was awesome for confirming the rough water chops of this boat, it didn’t allow us to gauge any of the performance statistics from the 730.

With that in mind, the factory claims low 70km/h top speeds with the Suzuki 225. Guiding the rig through the washing machine seas, the motor definitely felt powerful enough while spinning a 16” three-bladed propeller.

Warren navigated the nasty conditions with ease and offered some tips on driving boats in rough seas.

“It’s best to keep the boat just above or just below planing speed and with your engine trimmed out as far as possible,” he said, “but remember that if your propeller starts ventilating then you need to trim back down a little.”

This keeps the bow up as high as possible and lets the hull do the work.

Supplied on Easytow twin-axled trailer with an I-beam frame, the 730 used Bar Crusher’s superlative Bar Catch system to truly make this boat able to be launched and retrieved by one person.

With a dry weight of around 2,200kg, it’s able to be towed by most twin-cab 4WDs, although a larger tow vehicle will make life easier on the dodgier ramps around town.

With packages starting from low $100Ks, the test model weighed in at around $125,000.

For more information on all Bar Crusher boats, visit your local Bar Crusher dealer or go to www.barcrusher.com.au, where you’ll find extensive collection of videos, reviews and the ability to sign up for regular updates.

• Quoted performance figures have been supplied by the writer in good faith. Performance of individual boat/motor/trailer packages may differ due to variations in engine installations, propellers, hull configurations, options, hull loading and trailer specifications.

SPECIFICATIONS