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New Hooker
  |  First Published: November 2004



Hooker Boats in Cairns is in the middle of producing its fifth hull design in the six years since John Margetts, the owner of Hooker, started his own company. In that time Hooker Boats has built in excess of 300 boats, mainly for the north Queensland market, but word is spreading fast and they now have rigs sprinkled all over Australia. What started as predominately a commercial boat building company has, through demand, changed its focus to where it now produces 90 % of its outfits for the recreational market.

In six years of production Hooker Boats have built an impressive reputation for quality boats with excellent sea handling capabilities, at an affordable price. The finish and workmanship throughout is top notch and the ability to have boats so readily customized has seen Hooker Boats gather a strong following in a relatively short time.

Hand built, using fiberglass rovings over kleggacell foam, the 8m Hooker has foam beams, foam filled voids and a glass laminate bottom. The self draining deck will have all positive flotation under the floor. The large centre console will house hydraulic steering, a front seat and side access to a porta-pottie contained within the console. The extra large moulded helm seat will have a cushion top, under seat storage, live bait tank on top and a built in tackle box on the side. Shade cover will come via a stainless steel framed targa top.

A bow rider style front lounge will comfortably seat four. Under the seats will be two large fully insulated eskies. The bow holds twin anchor wells large enough to easily house two completely separate anchoring systems.

A full width rear fold down lounge will add a touch of luxury and offer passengers a choice of three seating areas - the nose, in front of the console and at the rear, so they can position themselves for the most comfortable ride in the prevailing conditions. The fold down rear lounge means that when the action is on it will be out of the way for fighting fish or boarding and alighting over the stern. The extra deep V, which fades back to a wide transom, and a beam of 2.45 metres, will produce a comfortable ride with good stability at rest.

The transom has a timber core to take the huge force produced by the maximum rating of 500 horsepower. The Hooker will take single or twin outboards and have a fuel capacity of 850 litres. The extremely large fuel capacity makes the 8m Hooker ideal for both commercial and serious recreational use. The boat is aimed at the commercial dive and charter industry, as well as the recreational market, and will come in survey to order. A standard deck wash will make keeping the boat sparkling a much easier job.

The first 8m boat is expected to be completed by January next year and judging by the success of the 6.7m Hooker, where 15 boats have already been built, it won’t be long before John will be rolling a few more 8m Hookers out of the factory. Watch this space for a review of the finished product, early next year.

For more information on the 8m Hooker contact Supply Resources Marine on (07) 40580644 or check out the Hooker website at [url=http://www.hookerboats.com/]

Facts

SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall - 8.0m

Beam - 2.45m

Max hp - 500

Underfloor fuel - 850 litres

[CAPTIONS]

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The deep vee will provide a soft ride.

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The vee carries right through to maintain a soft ride while the reverse chine will give extra stability at rest.

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The new Hooker will hold two completely separate anchoring systems.

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John Margetts with the centre console in the foreground and helm seat behind, ready for painting.

Reads: 1931

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