It’s not every day you get to test a boat that can be made into a configuration that allows the installation of a bow mounted machine gun. Granted, it’d be great for when you get to the secret snapper spot and your so-called ‘mate’ that you took fishing last week is anchored up, hooked up and pretends to not speak English.
I did check with Alan Whittley, however, and that version went overseas. You can’t get it locally.
What you can get is an outboard powered version of this popular sized hull that’s eminently suitable for both inshore and offshore fishing. Built in Australia and refined from decades of feedback from Australian boaties, the CW2150 is a popular model in the range, boasting the walk-through configuration to give access to the bow of the boat without having to crawl around the gunwales.
Powered by Yamaha’s stalwart F150 four-stroke outboard, which is at the lower end of the range suitable for this hull, fuel economy mirrors the fact that it’s working hard to push the hull. Not that modern four-strokes don’t like the load – in fact there are thousands of Yammys on the water that cherish the workload. Regardless, expect around 1.5km/L of unleaded burned for this rig.
From the cockpit, you’ll see that this is a beamy boat with high gunwales. You feel safe in this boat out on the ocean. It’s only 2cm narrower than the maximum legal width (without having to tow with an oversize sign) and it has gunwales as high as anything I’ve tested in recent times.
The rear lounge seats are fully removable, allowing you to change from ‘family mode’ to ‘fishing mode.’ In fact, this version of the hull does both pretty well. The front cabin is well designed and spacious and honours the Whittley heritage of making comfortable cruising boats.
Looking back from the helm, its fishing chops become evident. The bait station is large and simple. There are three ways to store rods: vertically and horizontally in the side pockets and up in the rocket launchers.
Bait tanks in the transom corners solve your live bait storage problems and a big kill tank under the floor deals with the issue of icing down your catch.
You know what else I like in a boat? Somewhere to put your keys, wallet and mobile phone without fearing that they’ll be lost or drowned. You could fit 50 of each in the open glove compartment storage on the passenger side of the helm, along with a couple of coldies in the drink holders.
Driving from the helm is comfortable and there’s space to flush mount all necessary electronics. For me, that’s a must in a 21st century boat.
For more information on the CW2150, visit a Whittley dealer or www.whittleymarinegroup.com.au online. You can also Like Whittley on Facebook and make sure you scan the QR code on this page to watch the full video test on this boat.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Length | 6.5m |
|---|---|
| Beam | 2.48m |
| Boat weight | 1020kg |
| Max hp | 230 |
| Fuel | 205L |
PERFORMANCE
| RPM | Speed (km/h) | Economy (km/L) |
|---|---|---|
| 600 | 4 | 2 |
| 1000 | 7 | 2.3 |
| 2000 | 13 | 1.8 |
| 3000 | 22 | 1.1 |
| 4000 | 44 | 1.5 |
| 5000 | 57 | 1.5 |
| 5500 | 65 | 1.0 |
*5.4 seconds to plane with Solas 17” propeller
Reads: 3523
At 6.5m long and just under 2.5m wide, the Whittley CW2150 is a big, deep, beamy boat that’s just as comfortable offshore as it is inshore.
If it takes a Porta Potti to get the family out on the water, then there’s a receptacle for one in the 2150. And the cabin is big enough to ensure that there’s plenty of shady room for the family.
We’re seeing these Relaxn seats more and more in Australian-built boats. They’re good looking and comfortable.
Spacious side pockets are made even bigger by the high gunwales. This one has both vertical and horizontal rod storage and a deck wash.
Rarely do we test a boat of this size without an anchor winch.
The canopy, clears and rocket launchers all work together nicely to free up space and provide shade – a must in Australian conditions.
The CW2150 is easily towed by any of the twin cab utes that are so popular amongst anglers.
Considering Whittley’s heritage, it’s not surprising that the 2150 boasts a flash, functional cabin.
Clever use of the available storage space is a Whittley hallmark. See here what you can fit under the cabin seats.
On the plane in 5.6 seconds, the Yamaha F150 four-stroke pushed the test boat to 65km/h at 5500rpm.
The 2150 is high sided. Peter Jung and Alan Whittley are both tall guys, even if unable to catch snapper on demand.
Economical cruising speed is between 4000 and 5000rpm. The best fuel economy delivered is around 1.5km/L of fuel burned.
All Whittleys are delivered with a five year hull warranty for peach of mind.
The split windscreen and lift-up cabin hatch allow the walkthrough access to the anchor.
This is one good looking boat. You won’t be feeling any of that boat ramp jealousy with this beaut.
The passenger helm station has a massive dry space for your personal electronics and drinks. Radio and stereo are also mounted this side.
The entire rear lounge is removable, allowing you to swap between a family-friendly layout and a fishing-friendly layout.
