FISHABILITY & FEATURES GALORE
I can recall when I first met Pauanui based boat builder Mike Bush, it was just after the Covid impacted year back in 2020, and I tested his very first 440 centre console. We took the boat out off the Coromandel coast to Slipper Island and for a small boat, it really impressed with its stability, sea worthiness and fishability.
Mike has been a busy builder since that troubled year, developing a range of pontoon boats which continue to impress and in 2024 they have released a couple of new designs, the first being a new hard top model ready for spring, the Oceanpro 620HT. This boat was quickly snapped up by his Auckland dealer, Family Boats who fitted it with a Yamaha F150hp, so I organised to meet up with Mike to take the boat for its first on water run in the gulf.
HAURAKI GULF RUN
I met Mike at Halfmoon Bay just as he was launching the boat and the new hard top looked stunning in white up close with its full 3m vinyl wrap. The 620 is also the first in the model line-up to receive a good-looking, fresh style pontoon design. This new pontoon design retains the Oceanpro signature shear line, but now tapers at the bow. This results in a higher pontoon at the bow, and therefore provides a higher hull plate to handle those rougher sea conditions.
The 620 is their largest model which has a large deck area providing great space for anglers for four adults, with a clever fold down bench seat under the live bait tank/bait station for the kids when needed. The 2.42m of internal beam gives the impression of a much larger vessel when climbing into it and the generous U-DEK dual layer decking throughout the boat gives it a practical space for users. I also liked the wide gunnels and high sides, something you always want to lean into when fishing for bracing against.
We loaded up the gear and headed out towards the islands around the Hauraki Gulf in perfect boating conditions, with a clear blue sky and a calm sea. Mike wanted to give the boat a good run and film footage using a drone while I skippered the boat, this sounded like fun to me!
The Yamaha 150hp is an ideal outboard for this boat which sounded great as Mike gunned it out wide at speed. Mike was enjoying himself as he put the boat through the wake of the large Waiheke ferry to test its hull landing ability and as I braced for the impact, it was good and a soft landing. He then put the boat into some tight turns at speed as the hull dug in, we came smoothly out of the sharp angles with the Yamaha’s power keeping us in command of the vessel.
Throttling back down to a cruising speed of 23 knots the 150hp was only using 21.3L per hour, a respectable fuel consumption for a speed most boaties would look to sit around when out on the water. Mike headed into an island to jump off on the wharf to set up the drone while I took over the wheel to take the boat on a few runs in and out of the bay while he filmed.
FISHABILITY
While Mike was setting up the drone, I familarised myself with the boat and liked the pedestal seating and view out the windscreen from the helm. The overhead hard top provided good head space for taller crew members and the helm was uncluttered, I’m not a fan of having dozens of needless buttons or switches.
There was also a respectable number of grab rails for the crew, one in front of the passenger seat, two rails up on the top of the roof in the cabin and along the length of the 8-rod rocket launcher. Always handy to have these within arm’s reach when going offshore in search of bigger fish and those larger swells that can arise.
Looking around the cockpit, the space is excellent and would easily accommodate 4-5 crew or anglers and again the 620 provides that “fishability” aspect I seek in a boat that also appeals to a lot of boat owners looking for a 6m+ pontoon boat.
The boat also comes with a long list of features including; washdown pump, live bait tank, windscreen wiper, two swivel seats with bolster, two seat boxes to suit chilly bin storage, carpeted roof and dash, carpeted front cabin to pontoon line, cabin forward hatch, cabin storage shelves, alloy fairlead, bow, roof and transom rails, telescopic ladder, rear boarding platform, walk-through transom door, 6 rod holders, bilge pump, 2 LED cabin lights, 6-way switch panel and 4-way switch panel with USB socket, single battery with switch and hydraulic steering. Mike had put a lot of the extras that a 6m+ boat needs for those successful day outings or weekend trips away with family or friends.
Mike was now ready with the drone, and I drove the boat at speed around the empty bay and out into the channel in flat calm conditions, pushing the boat through tight circles and figure eights. It was fun as I got a good feel for the boat and the Yamaha, and it really is a good package that gives you confidence when boating. Although I wished we had headed out further into the gulf and gone fishing, but putting blood and fish scales all over a brand-new boat isn’t high on the agenda for most boat builders!
After twenty minutes the drone filming was done and Mike jumped back into the boat as we headed back to Halfmoon Bay at a fast rate of knots. Mike advised he is pleased with the finished 620 result and is excited to continue the roll-out of the new models in late 2024 and into 2025, with an upcoming Oceanpro 570 hard top on the plans and 535 centre console to come. I will make sure I stay connected with Mike and put my hand up to take one or both out, and maybe we can stay out longer for a bit of fishing next time.
SPECIFICATIONS
Hull Length 6.23m
Length OA 6.38m
Beam OA 2.42m
Beam Internal 1.72m
Deadrise 18 deg at transom
Fuel Tank 200L
Hull Weight 1225kg incl outboard and fuel
Packages from $106,000
PERFORMANCE DATA
RPM KNOTS L/h L/NM Range
2000 8 7.5 0.94 190
2500 9 11 1.3 130
3000 15 15.1 1.1 160
3500 19 18.3 0.97 180
4000 24 23 0.96 180
