The AMM 7400 is built by an award-winning manufacturer and is the yardstick by which many other makers are compared. AMM have the runs on the board with 15 years in the industry and ongoing sales that inspire confidence in prospective buyers.
The 7400 is a shining example of the company's expertise: this rig won't just run offshore it will get there fast, in comfort and style and with 440L of fuel under the floor.
The big 7400 is one of those crafts that looks like it's going flat chat, even on the trailer. The sweeping design sees the ample cockpit length rise gently at the rear of the targa framework and then continue to form a gradual, but definite, lift in the bow to keep occupants as dry as possible under all conditions.
The sleek cuddy cab is set up with a large double bed, full-sized overhead shelving, and can be equipped with a marine toilet if required. It has a 33cm wide non-skid walkaround area with plenty of hand holds from the targa to assist if someone wants to move forward around the cabin.
In typical AMM style, the massive targa has a ladder framework aft so that a life raft might be secured up top. Eight rod holders adorn the rear of the targa, which are within reach from the cockpit. I was impressed with the zippers on the well made clears extending between the targa top and the craft's windscreen. Both clears and zips were of a very heavy-duty design and are obviously made for the long haul.
Mounted directly above the windscreen in a neat console attached to the underside of the hard top were radio/CD player and marine radios; easily reached but totally out of the way. Good design.
A handy flat storage area was located behind the windscreen. The shelf was carpeted and had a decent lip that accommodated of host of smaller items.
Seating was by Reelax – a name synonymous with quality. Both the Skipper and First Mate sit on extra strong and very supportive seats mounted on storage boxes, the First Mate's is also set up as an ice box. A grab handle and footrest is provided for the passenger as well.
Visibility was simply unlimited from those very superb seats, but if one needed to stand to drive it was very easy; just a matter of sliding the seat back a tad.
On the Skipper's side of the craft, the dash area was highlighted by a Raymarine C120 Sounder/Plotter with main Yamaha multi function gauges that was set lower but clear of the steering wheel. A set of switches below the gauges were for the forward controls of the twin 150 Yamaha four stroke. The instruments were mounted neatly on a raised section directly ahead of the Skipper's starboard armrest. And on top of the Raymarine C120 was the ever present compass.
A large under floor dry storage bin was located between both seat boxes and would be capable of swallowing up a lot of gear.
Workroom is important in a dedicated fishing craft and this rig has room in spades. At around 3m in length and almost 2.5m in width, the 7400 Weekender's cockpit is a superb work area. Blessed with a self-draining floor and almost a metre high sides, the cockpit spoils anglers with sheer space and useful features.
There's a live well set into the transom to starboard, coaming on sides and stern, three rod holders per side, a bait station with further rod holders centrally aft, plus full length side pockets easily able to accommodate a gaff, tag poles and similar. Naturally, a flooding kill tank is also standard.
A deck wash was situated in the starboard pocket, the craft's freshwater hose and shower rose was located in the transom adjacent to the boarding gate to port. One might stand or sit at the gate and enjoy a handy wash down after a hard day on the fish.
An underfloor floodable fish box was located ahead of the bait station, and it would be a mighty job to fill the box.
Twin swim platforms, boarding rails, ladder plus QL trim tabs were all features aft of the transom.
Rear seating assignment is left to the buyer and set up accordingly.
The AMM 7400 Weekender is rated for engines from 200-350hp, and with 300hp on the transom the rig really could get up and boogie. With a top speed of 82km/h and acceleration from 10km/h to 50km/h in 3.6 seconds, the power was impressive. Equally remarkable was the craft’s ability to run at modest revs, cover water quickly and at a minimal fuel consumption.
In carrying out this review I was fortunate enough to be able to access the performance data we recorded, courtesy of Glen Gibson of Yamaha. The results obtained from the twin 150hp four strokes were very enlightening; at 3000rpm a speed of 37km/h was recorded with a fuel use of 29.1L per hour. At 4,000rpm saw 52.5km/h recorded with fuel use of 49L per hour. At 5,000rpm saw 67.5km/h on the GPS and 6,000rpm saw 77.8km/h. A burst of WOT (6,100rpm) recorded 82.5km/h. Forget the fuel usage: who cruises at that sort of speed?
The data indicated that if an owner cruised at 3000rpm – and I would see this highly seaworthy rig maintaining that speed in a wide variety of sea conditions – the fuel consumption would be a modest 1.31km/L while travelling at 37km/h or around 20 knots, which is excellent economy for a 300hp twin installation.
The overall weight of the hull and motor was around the 2,600kg mark, and the big 7400 Weekender was as steady as a rock under all conditions. Whether powering hard into a swell near Cape Moreton or skimming over bay chop the ride of the 20º deadrise hull was simply outstanding.
Stability was also exceptional. The hull levelled almost instantly from hard turns and once the Weekender settled into the water at rest the 30cm wide reversed outer chines gripped steadily, with three of us on one side having very little influence on the hull at all.
Not surprisingly, the high bow and cuddy cab screen and clears combination prevented water from coming aboard. Sea conditions would need to be very bad before anyone got wet in this craft.
This superb eight person offshore rig is the stuff of serious angler's dreams; it is an extravaganza of power and capability. The smooth riding hull would also be well powered with a 225hp on the transom, which would add some savings as a bonus.
Finish throughout is absolutely top notch. Build quality is outstanding with near invisible welds, highest standard of fit and finish plus extra heavy-duty upholstery. The two pack polyurethane paint job was certainly eye catching as the sides matched the colour of the twin Yamaha 150hp outboards; a nice touch.
It's been often said that all boats afford compromises of some form or other. If so, then this big 24 footer certainly minimizes them.
Cost of the rig as reviewed was $129,000. A 225hp four stroke on the transom would see the craft come home for around $83,125. Australian Master Marine can be contacted on phone (07) 38897380 fax (07) 38813595 or at --e-mail address hidden-- .
Technical information
Length: | 7.4m |
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Beam: | 2.5m |
Construction: | 6mm plate, sides 4mm plate |
Deadrise: | 20º |
Weight hull: | 2000kg |
Fuel: | 450L |
Water: | 90L |
Engines: | 200hp to 350hp |
Engines fitted: | Twin Yamaha 150hp four strokes |
Towing: | Large four wheel drive or F truck |