When a company makes changes to an existing model the usual form is to change the name, call it a Mk2 or something similar and then extol the virtues and benefits of the ‘new’ model. Now while sometimes the changes are no more than cosmetic, for Street Marine, builders of the Fyran, the new 2000 model year Fyran 600 may still retain the same name tag, but there are significant differences in both aesthetics and construction, to justify calling this a genuine new model.
Most notable is the change from a 4mm pressed to 5mm plate bottom and a whole new construction method, based on a sound under-floor structure, making for an easier-to-produce boat. The key to the new 600 is the keel extrusion with an integral keel bar, which ensures that the backbone of the boat is straight, stiff and immensely strong. The bow sections of the 5mm plate bottom are pre rolled and slotted into channels, which are fully welded both sides, the entire length of the boat. The swaged line running parallel to the gunnel of the 3mm sides gives the particular Fyran appearance to the 600 and also adds a little more stiffness to the hull itself.
The sub-frame has been changed to rationalise the stringer spacing and to fit in better with the new transversely laid floor panels. The longitudinal stringers are welded to the hull and the bulkheads are welded to the stringers to minimise flexing and increase strength. The change from a pressed to a plate bottom has also reduced the time it takes to build the boat. The only offset is that the 600 now weighs about 110 kg more, which in a boat such as this is not a bad thing and has done a lot to improve the ride of the boat in the moderate to rough water.
Underneath, the boat is a little wider than the previous 600 and due to the welded plate bottom the chine flat has been carried a lot further forward. The chine extrusion, which joins the plate bottom to the sides, also acts as an extension of the spray rail and although the deadrise remains the same at 17 degrees at the transom, the whole rear end above the waterline has come in for special treatment.
Instead of welding on an outboard pod to the transom, Fyran run a full plate from inside the boat through to the engine bracket. This doubles as a storage tray inside and the boarding platform aft and also adds a huge amount of stiffness to the transom area. This means the force exerted by the outboard on the bracket now goes through to the stringers and is not just on the transom. There is also a new gunnel extrusion complete with a rubber belting which has enabled the hull sides to be raised 40mm.
More Features
The new 600 comes with a few more standard features than the previous model, from the drop-down transom ladder and transom door to the moulded dash panel and stainless roller fairlead. The cockpit layout in the model I tested (#3 off the line) was fitted out in its stock standard form, although like all Fyrans there is a multitude of seating and accessory options available. Standard seating is a pair of rotationally moulded polyethylene swivel seats complete with similarly constructed bases. These have the added bonus of being a lot more durable than the alloy bases which tended to get knocked around and scratched with the myriad of fishing and dive gear that brushed past. While this very simple seat configuration may appeal to fishos who can appreciate the openness of the cockpit, there is also the option of back to backs, single pedestals on Softrider bases and removable rear bin seats for those who want more.
The helm has also come in for a change with a moulded dash fashioned to take all the gauges and switches you’ll need. There is no provision for flush mounted electronics, but this is more than made up for with ample space above the helm for a whole shopping list of fishfinders, plotters and GPS. With the cabin sides carried further aft and the new shape acrylic screen there is more protection for both the driver and front passenger than on the previous Fyran 600.
The cockpit layout is simple yet effective, with dedicated storage provided in full length side trays which I personally felt were a little narrow, a large under-floor wet locker fitted just ahead of the 115 litre under-floor fuel tank and in a couple of small storage areas forward. A transom locker gives access to the battery and oil tank and there is enough space under the rear deck to carry a couple of tote tanks out of the way. Unfortunately, installation of a bait tank in the transom would necessitate repositioning of the battery on the cockpit sole. Nautolex over plywood is still used on the sole, with each panel removable in case access is needed. Under-floor cavities are all filled with polystyrene foam to assist the 600’s buoyancy factor.
But this is a cockpit that can fish four anglers quite happily. Wide flat side decks are a bonus and the 600 now comes standard with four flush mounted rod holders. If you don’t have a rocket launcher, storage racks fitted above the side trays would be ideal and are long enough to stow most size boat rods.
Plenty of Privacy
With the foredeck profile raised the Fyran 600 now provides better headroom in the fully lined cabin, although with the rear bulkheads retained in the same position the internal volume is much the same. Under the three thickly padded foam squabs there is excellent storage available and this is complemented by side trays. Although not strictly a weekender, the full length squabs would allow a couple to stay out overnight and a portable head can be fitted between the berths. The addition of lockable louvered timber doors would provide plenty of privacy.
Although the forward hatch has been increased in size I still found it a little tight, although if I had to do the anchoring in a choppy sea, I would at least be snug and secure. There is space allowed to fit a capstan or automatic rope chain winch if you don’t want to do the manual bit.
In accordance with the CPC horsepower standards, the 2000 model year Fyran 600 has had its maximum outboard rating increased from 130hp to 135hp. We chose to go to the lower end of the rating with a Yamaha 115hp 4 stroke, which gave the 600 a maximum speed of 42.2 mph @ 6000 rpm. For the test we ran a stainless three blade 19” Yamaha propeller with the engine set two holes up on the transom. This compares favourably with the 50mph I was able to squeeze out of a previous and lighter model Fyran 600 powered by a Suzuki 115EFI.
As I have found before on other boats (See Buccaneer 550 Billfisher test this issue) the 4 stroke Yamaha 115 doesn’t exactly hurl you back in your seat when you wrap on the throttle from idle, but it certainly makes up for it later. Acceleration from the mid range was good and I liked the positive response and ultra-quietness of the engine.
The extra weight and stiffness of the Fyran 600 makes for a better riding boat and in a moderate to rough Auckland Harbour chop with the wind opposing the tide, that ‘tinnie’ noise was certainly no longer evident. This is a boat that doesn’t mind the extra weight and rides better for it. In a steep, short 1.5m head sea the 600 performed brilliantly, with the hull landing straight and level. I had the trim gauge set about 1/2 way and we skipped across the tops at around 30 mph without any discomfort. In the following sea however it suffered from lack of bow lift and therefore a lot of bow steer when the hull fell into the deep troughs. Some changes to the engine set-up and even propeller selection may alter this however. The full-bodied bow shape did have the added bonus of keeping the majority of the water out of the cockpit and apart from some residual spray in the rear of the cockpit, we all remained pretty dry.
Conclusion
First introduced in June 1997 at the New Zealand Boat Show, the Fyran 600 is aimed at the fishing market and with over 150 on the water has been an unprecedented success for Street Marine. Despite the introduction of the Fyran 620 in 1998, a model that was designed to replace the 600, sales have continued at a steady pace, with over 40 built in the last 8 months. It was obvious that any thoughts of discontinuing the model would be counter-productive, so the company instead chose to re-release it in its new form. The new style also brings the 600 into line with the new range of Fyran boats from the 450 through to the 750. The decision to go to full plate bottoms has been the right one and has certainly improved the boats ride and handling. The Fyran 600 is destined to be one of Fyran’s timeless classics.
HULL
- Model: Fyran 600
- Price (Boat Only): $22,500
- Price as Tested: $46,308
- Designer: Street Marine
- Material: 5mm/3mm aluminium
- Type: Cabin
- LOA: 6.10 m
- Beam: 2.21 m
- Hull Configuration: Semi Deep Vee
- Deadrise at Transom: 17 degrees
- Trailerable Weight: 2020 kg
- Engine Capacity: 115 to 135 hp
- Power Options: Outboard only
- Fuel Capacity: 115 litres
PERFORMANCE
600 rpm 2.7 mph
1000 rpm 4.4 mph
1500 rpm 6.5 mph
2000 rpm 7.2 mph
2500 rpm 9.2 mph
3000 rpm 17.5 mph
3500 rpm 22.5 mph
4000 rpm 26.5 mph
4500 rpm 30.1 mph
5000 rpm 34.0 mph
5500 rpm 37.8 mph
6000 rpm 42.2 mph
All speeds are recorded using an Eagle GPS and rounded off to the nearest 1/2 mph.
NOTABLE STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Hi Tech plastic seats and bases, rod holders, boarding ladder, CPC rated.
NOTABLE OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Bait board
ENGINE
- Make: Yamaha
- HP: 115
- Model: 4 Stroke
- Cyl Config: 4-in-line
- Max RPM: 6000
- Propeller: 19”
- Retail Price: $16,938
TRAILER
- Make: Hoskings
- Braked: No
- Suspension: Springs
- Rollers: Multi roller
- Std Features: Dip lights
