Scotland and South Africa may be worlds apart in many respects – one is famed for its endless sunshine, the other, sadly, is not. However, in terms of surf and high waves, there are indeed parallels between the infamous swells of the Indian Ocean and those of the North Atlantic.
The latest new design from StormCats, ‘Tope Hunter’ has, like all StormCats boats, a level of strength and resilience specifically measured for dealing with North Atlantic swells and unpredictable British weather conditions. The inspiration for the layout of this model however, comes partly from a different source – the South African surf boat. The most recent addition to the StormCats team, a Marine Engineer originally from South Africa, has brought extensive experience of boating in both places to help design the first product with this unique blend of influences.
Tope Hunter’s front console is a typical surf boat feature, which gives a better view of approaching waves and allows maximum control and protection against the elements. The exhilaration of tackling rough swells and the anticipation of surfing the waves safely, whether in sunshine or rain, is therefore heightened, and the deck area, which is self draining, is maximised.
This expansive deck space, along with a dynamic shape states clearly that this is a ‘Big Fish’ boat. She fittingly takes her name from the StormCats Islay Tope Fishing Festival, where experience proved that a good deal of uncluttered space is required for storage and to effectively control and unhook a small shark. The extra space is also ideal for rods, creels and potting.
The front console has a moulded dashboard for GPS, Sounder and VHF, and conceals a large, secure storage area. As for the cuddy question – whether to opt for the open sunshine and blue skies, or shelter from rain while steering, the Tope Hunter eliminates any dilemmas by providing a removable cuddy which can be attached or detached between the windscreen and the ‘A’ frame.
Cost efficiency has been an ongoing consideration throughout the design of this boat. Several other features have been carefully chosen so that the Tope Hunter is not only sturdy, versatile, agile, spacious, and easily manoeuvrable she is also affordable and economical. While the hull is based on the proven MonoStorm construction, the Tope Hunter comes as a 5m as well as 5.9m boat. Spray rail configurations have been altered, meaning she can plane higher and running costs can be reduced. The front helm console, two stern seats with buoyancy chambers and outboard well are all part of one complete moulding, which again reduces the overall cost of the boat, without diminishing quality or performance. During sea trials she exceeded all expectations: she planes at just 12 knots, and with two men on board she can reach 28 knots, which is an unusually high speed considering she is fitted with a 40hp Yamaha. She is not only an economical package to buy and insure, but also to run, and is a pleasure to drive.
Visit www.stormcats.co.uk for more details.