Stabicraft’s latest open boat offering carries the ultimate endorsement of New Zealand’s extreme fisherman Matt Watson.
The open-style centre console boat Matt Watson Signature 1720 is an evolution of the 389 Matt Watson Limited Edition the company launched in 2008; but this time the boat is bigger and collaboration with the ITM Fishing Show host is even closer.
The collaborative result – like all good design – is deceptively simple. The MSW 1720 demonstrates the ultimate in the clean lines of the no-nonsense Stabicraft together with a myriad of fisher-friendly features literally packed in the gunnels.
The MWS 1720 has everything an extreme fisherman could ever want. Like casting platform, over 600L of stowage, auto bilge pump, live bait well, 105L Ice-Tek fish bin and hydraulic steering, just for starters.
The real benefit of the feature packed boat is that all the deck space is usable – making it perfect for both fishing and filming, Matt Watson said.
“On its first trip we had four people; two lots of dive gear; camera gear and underwater camera gear. The 75HP E-tec motor had plenty of power and we were never crowded for room. Basically, the whole floor is available, right from the front to the rear of the boat. All the space is available for soft baiting or bait fishing.”
The larger centre console of the MWS 1720 delivers more protection from the elements – although it’s essentially an open boat, Matt’s version has an impressive range of top of the line electrics from GPS and 19 rod holders to fish finder to “the little bit of extravagance” – a Stress Free electric winch.
Best of all the MWS 1720 has Matt Watson’s favorite hull – delivering the ride, stability and performance the extreme fisherman has trusted to get him safely into and out of extreme fishing experiences for more than eight years.
“My maiden voyage in the 389 Matt Watson was 100km off the West Coast of the South Island to catch a 500lb tuna – the last fish we caught in it was a 500lb Black Marlin – and in between times we caught just about everything.”
Like Stabicraft Marine, the Kiwi fisherman, is on his way to becoming a global brand. The ITM Fishing Show Matt Watson launched in New Zealand is now in production for its eighth season. In the USA he’s known alternatively for the Mad Man of the Sea and Man Vrs Fish with Matt Watson – across Australia, the UK, Eastern Europe, Italy, and much of Asia he’s the star of the Stabicraft Ultimate Fishing Show.
Stabicraft Marine managing director Paul Adams said Matt Watson was the perfect ambassador for the Stabicraft brand having been a user of the boats long before he became media star.
“We never want to be in the position of paying for someone to say good things about our product. We want honest feedback so we can ensure our boats are the best they possibly can be. And we want meaningful endorsements from people who know what they’re talking about.
“We know Matt as a straight shooter who walks the talk. And that’s why we’ve been happy to extend our sponsorship relationship, both in New Zealand and now, this year, in Australia.”
Stabicraft Marine pioneered positive buoyancy boats, turning out the first rigid-hulled aluminium pontoon boat from a back street workshop in 1987. Today, they’re New Zealand’s largest trailer boat manufacturer.
Initially designed for open seas, Stabicraft are made for heavy water and heavy handling.
Even when swamped they float, level and upright to meet the top flotation standard of the Australian Builders Plate which, in addition to stating the maximum number of people, the maximum loading weight, the maximum outboard size, has a buoyancy flotation rating describing how the boat behaves if it’s swamped.
MWS 1720 at a Glance
Length: 5.25m
Max Adults: 5
Recommended HP: 75HP
Fuel Tank: 100 L
External Beam: 2m
Internal Beam: 1.4m
Deadrise: 17.5 degrees
Tube Thickness: 2.5m
Hull Thickness: 4mm
Reserve Bouyancy: 1100l
Tow Weight: 950kg
Length (on trailer): 6m
Height (on trailer): 2m
