AN ADAPTABLE ALLROUNDER FOR EVERY ADVENTURE
September had arrived, and with it, we expected more settled spring weather when we had eagerly arranged to review the recently released Buccaneer Six Fifteen Hard Top.
Wade Gerrand of Buccaneer Pleasurecraft had travelled up from the Waikato to Gulf Harbour, and we had our drone videographer on-site, ready to go, even though outside the breakwater awaited a one-metre chop with a 30 kph souwesterly blowing straight into the bay.
Having previously reviewed the smaller sister ship, the Buccaneer Five Seven Five HT, earlier in the year, I was expecting very few issues with the Six Fifteen HT’s capabilities. It was more about the crew’s comfort, drone launching and retrieval (at sea), and the drone’s ability to keep up with the boat in strong winds.
We were ready, so we headed out, busting through the rough conditions, looking for smoother waters to perform fair performance and fuel data readings.
Heading straight out from Gulf Harbour, we took the sea pretty much on the nose. Keeping the boat trimmed down a little more than usual, allowed more of the forefoot to take on some of the work of cutting through the chop, making the trip much more pleasurable. We had to head west to the more sheltered east coast bays to conduct the performance and fuel data readings, which meant taking the brunt of a quarter-on-sea. This, however, caused little concern, with a little trim tab adjustment to counter the side wind catching the hard top. I was expecting a little shudder as the quarter-on swell hit us, but thanks to the construction system—a full stern-to-bow fibreglass hull liner (hull-within-a-hull with foam filling) – the boat remained rigid and resilient to what was being thrown at us.
At the helm, the steering did seem a little heavier than usual, a result of the resistance from the Autohelm fitted, an option that was a personal choice for the owner.
Once we arrived in the calmer waters, while Mat, our videographer, set up, Wade explained more about how the Six Fifteen HT had come about. Basically, through customer feedback, there had been an increase in interest among boaters wanting a little more protection, allowing them to extend their boating season with the added protection of a hard top; this would extend their boating season into the cooler months and the added benefit of protection from the sun in the hotter summer months. So, based on their everpopular Buccaneer 605 model, Buccaneer listened to this feedback and swung into action to deliver such a craft. It was not simply a matter of throwing
a hard top onto the existing 605; the additional 200 kgs of weight and aesthetics also had to be considered. As a result, the 605 hull was extended by 150mm at the waterline (the transom angle was also increased to 22 degrees), offering the additional buoyancy required (+5%) to carry the extra weight and maintain the boat’s balance. Also considered was the need for buoyancy for up to four fishermen fishing from the cockpit at any one time. The other significant aspect of the design process was raising the sheer line, not just for aesthetics but also to provide additional headroom in the hard top. From our day out on the water, performance-wise, they got both the design and balance right. The boat, coupled with the warm fusion-coloured Mercury (matching the Buccaneer gel coat), looked great, too!
LAYOUT
Looking forward down into the fully lined cabin, there is good headroom with accommodation for two adults (and possibly one small child). The upholstery and infill are made of hard-wearing outdoor-grade material. There are generous side pockets along the cabin’s length, offering good dry storage for items that need to be protected from the conditions. Additional storage can be found under the bunks, where there is also provision for a portable toilet, a must addition ‘for some’ when overnighting or long days out. Overhead, good light is provided through a Cule hatch, which also offers access to the foredeck; access to the foredeck is also available via the side decks. Up on the foredeck is a Maxwell RC6 winch; which feeds into a deep anchor locker offering storage for 100 meters of rope and ten meters of chain; Buccaneer has also added an optional shelf within this anchor locker, a handy shelf, ideal for those panic moments trying to locate a dock rope.
Positioned at the helm, the Six Fifteen offers excellent visibility all around. As with the Buccaneer Five Seven Five, which we reviewed earlier this year; it is fitted with Sandbrook twin screens; our test boat had a wiper for the skipper, while an additional port-side wiper is optional. Adopted from the Billfisher range, the helm’s dash provides generous and well-planned accommodation for the 12-inch Raymarine Axiom PRO MFD which sits proudly with Mercury gauges above and GME stereo and VHF below the steering. The Maxwell winch control, a rode counter, and a handy wireless phone charger are to the right. Other electronics include the Connex switch panel, a battery condition monitor, controls for the Raymarine autohelm, and a ‘Doug Proof ’ easy-use rotational control for the Sea Star Trim Tabs. The design team has placed a cupholder at the top right of the helm, which also leaves provision for a joystick control option.
Excellent visibility is available both standing and seated, and good airflow is easily created via the sliding side windows. The sliding bolster seats are mounted on a fibreglass pedestal and are reversible—great for days spent trolling or socialising. Under the standard port pedestal is an optional Engel 12-volt fridge complete with a 230v plug to chill down before heading out. Available as an option are the rear-facing seating port or starboard. The other seating offered on our test was available through the removable upholstered fish bins, which provide storage for bait or food and can be moved or removed altogether for extra cockpit fishing space when required.
The generous cockpit area (CPC rated for seven passengers) offers more than enough space for up to four anglers. The Six Fifteen gains an extra 100mm in the cabin and 400mm in the cockpit over the Five Seven Five. The cockpit sole, as is most of the boat, is covered in SeaDek, with any surplus water onboard draining through to the hull and pumped out via the bilge pump. A good-sized storage locker in the cockpit sole can easily accommodate up to 3 dive tanks. Forward of this is the 165-litre fuel tank, with a 205-litre long-range option available if specified. Down each side of the cockpit are side pockets, each able to hold three rods/gaffs/paddles, etc.
To the port side of the transom is a live bait tank/aerator with a washdown pump. Starboard is a storage locker that can also be converted to accommodate tuna tubes, ticking more boxes for the most serious fishermen.
There are plenty of handrails in the cabin and cockpit, as well as rod holders—I counted four in the coamings, four on the generous-sized bait station, and three on each of the cabin side mounts—fourteen in total—so there is certainly no need for a rocket launcher, which, for the vertically challenged like myself, can sometimes be difficult to reach on a hardtop boat.
The boarding platform has a telescopic ladder and robust cleats for tying off. Domes are dotted around to secure the side clears and backdrop for security, waterproofing, and the ability to convert into an overnighter. Add a solar panel, a portable toilet, and an optional 35-litre water tank, and you could easily enjoy a long weekend.
Weighing in at 1820 kgs (with . fuel), the Six Fifteen HT (1660 kg dry) was easy to tow behind the Range Rover Discovery on the Enduro tandem axle trailer.
PERFOMANCE
The Six Fifteen HT, with half a tank of fuel and four passengers onboard, performed effortlessly; powered by a 3.4 litre 200 HP V6 Four Stroke Mercury, she was quick to get up on the plane and offered a cruising speed of 22 knots (burning 23.7 LPH) with a 14.6×17-inch 4-blade prop, a four blade prop is a preference of the owner, who preferred the earlier planning speed and extra lift offered and helped keep the boat up on the plane at slower speeds, albeit at the cost of a few knots at the top end. Since our day out on the water, the team at Buccaneer has experimented with props and, with a 19” Inertia 3-blade prop, achieved a top speed of 46 knots at 5,800 rpm.One could consider a 150 HP outboard as an option. Still, for me (petrol head aside), for the little extra spend, I believe having the additional horsepower would undoubtedly take some of the load off the engine and give you that little extra oomph when needed, whether it’s the extra load for diving and fishing or getting out of the hole easier when enjoying water sports with the family.
SUMMARY
I came away with a sense of satisfaction; the Buccaneer Six Fifteen HT is an adaptable allrounder, whether for fishing, overnighting, water sports, or family boating in general. After our day out (one of the more unpleasant days one could get caught out in weather-wise) I am very confident in the Six Fifteen HT’s abilities. It’s undoubtedly one to have on your shopping list if you are considering a 6-meter GRP hard top.
SPECIFICATIONS
Make & Model Buccaneer Six Fifteen HT
Price as tested $185,000
Type Hard Top
Construction GRP
LOA 6.78m
Hull Length 6.15m
Beam 2.34m
Deadrise 22 degrees
Trailerable Weight 1820kg
Test Power Mercury 200HP Four-Stroke
HP Range 150HP-200HP
Fuel Capacity 165L
PERFORMANCE DATA
RPM KNOTS L/h L/NM Range
600 2.8 2.2 0.790 180
1000 4.3 3.4 0.800 180
1500 6.1 6 0.990 150
2000 7.5 10 1.400 100
2500 13.5 12.9 0.960 150
3000 18.4 15.4 0.840 170
3500 24 20.5 0.860 170
4000 29.1 29 1.000 140
4500 33.5 38.4 1.200 120
5000 38 53 1.400 100
5500 41.4 64.4 1.600 92
