Fyran 760 Pursuit GT

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Fyran 760 Pursuit GT

Author : Freddy Foote

MORE THAN A TINNIE

Newly released is the latest version of the Fyran 760 Pursuit GT, the largest model that Fyran produces from its East Tamaki factory. Freddy Foote took this big roomy hardtop out for a test on Auckland Harbour.

 

Fyran Boats is a name that has been associated with aluminium boat building in New Zealand for decades – in fact the company has been around for just over 55 years! When you mention an aluminium boat, the word Fyran is usually the first name that people mention.

Whilst the company’s bread and butter in recent times has been the typical kiwi ‘tinnie’, with a domination of the 5 – 5.5m cabin boat market, the company has slowly been developing its hardtop offerings with a number of Pursuit GT models now available from 580, 600, 650, 705 through to our test subject the 760 Pursuit GT.

So what is different about this new 760 Pursuit model, compared to the previous model which had been in the Fyran line-up for a number of years? Well, the new 760 has the same overall length, but the waterline length has been increased by shortening the pod. Also, a new transom design is a bit different from the previous box type. It also now boasts a 6mm hull, which is standard on 760s.

The extended hull gives extra waterline length and buoyancy aft for great acceleration out of the hole and eliminates stern drop in the process. The extra aft buoyancy also helps with 4 fisherman on the transom and big 4 stroke engines and auxiliaries.

Also new are the hardtop and cabin sections. The hardtop on previous 760 models was GRP, and this remains unchanged on the 760, but new is a GRP cabin top. Also added to the option list is the enclosed cabin which is becoming more and more popular with the hardtop segment of the market.

The seating which we saw on this particular boat consisted of the optional twin bolsters, with a fridge located under the portside passenger seat. Additional storage is located under the helm seat. The toilet, fridge, live bait tank and wash down pump are also listed as optional extras.

Room to Move

The layout is fairly much that of your quintessential kiwi alloy hardtop. Forward in the cabin, there is storage space available underneath the side squabs, while there is provision for a toilet under the centre squab. Additional storage inside the cabin is available via side shelves. The bunks themselves are quite lengthy and will adequately accommodate a tall adult to lie down if necessary. An infill is also available to make them into a full double berth.

A hatch is located in the foredeck, giving access to the anchor well, and if required, an auto rope/chain capstan is fitted, allowing all anchoring duties to be performed at the helm. The helm area itself is very tidy, with a clean and tidy one-piece moulded dash, which is fitted with an array of Honda gauges.

This particular boat was fitted with a large multi function combination unit from Navman, which was flush mounted into the dashboard.

Storage pockets are available on both the driver’s and passenger sides, which are lined with carpet and are ideal for storing those small miscellaneous items such as wallets, keys and cellphones.

Carpet lines the GRP ceiling above and a Sony CD/Stereo unit is mounted into its forward section, while speakers adorn the forward cabin area.

Immediately in front of the passenger is a grab rail – an ideal handhold when water conditions get a bit rougher. I would have liked to have seen a further grab rail, maybe one that would run horizontally across the edge of the cabin entrance, perhaps.

There are large full-length side pockets on both sides of the cockpit, ideal for rod and gaff storage, a live bait tank is located in the port corner, below the transom walk thru, and for clean-up a wash-down hose pulls out of the transom. A boarding ladder is located on the port boarding platform, and a duplicate boarding platform on the starboard side means you could easily build in a tuna tube or berley pot if you decide.

Aft facing bin seats are located in the front corner of the cockpit and provide storage underneath. The standard ‘open’ hardtop model layout comes with twin pedestals for the helm and passenger, though you can opt for a king/queen seating layout if you wish. The benefit of the king/queen option is that it provides additional storage space underneath the seats.

Our test boat was fitted with the new enclosed hardtop layout, which had stylish aluminium doors that open outwards into the cockpit.

The 760 is unashamedly targeted at the fishing market, albeit with a few added creature comforts to appeal to fishermen and families alike. A true fishing machine, it has plenty of storage capacity, with large side pockets running each side of the cockpit, as well as a rocket launcher along the top edge of the hardtop. Six rod holders are also located around the cockpit, three on each side. The cockpit itself is open and very spacious and whilst we didn’t get a chance to do any fishing ourselves, it would provide ample space for 5 or 6 anglers.

Honda Power

Our test boat was fitted with a Honda 225hp four-stroke outboard, which I thought was pretty much the perfect match for the 760 hull. When putting the throttle down, the boat was quickly up onto the plane and up to speed. We managed to squeeze a top speed of 44mph @ 6000rpm, not bad for a big 7.6m alloy hardtop, although bear in mind that we only had two passengers onboard and a fuel load of less than half of the 190L underfloor tank. If you’re a price conscious buyer, then a 200hp outboard would also make the boat perform well, although I was interested to learn that the 760 is only rated for outboards up to 225hp, as I’m sure it would easily handle a 250hp motor just fine. The 760 is also available in a sterndrive configuration, with a diesel engine being an option.

As you would expect from a big, modern V6 four-stroke, engine noise while underway was quite minimal, and we were able to converse quite easily. With the doors shut behind us it was even quieter. A little extra cabin ventilation is available via the sliding side windows on both sides.

Water conditions on the day varied over the few hours we spent exploring Auckland Harbour and a few of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. In rougher conditions, the 760 handled fairly predictably. I had driven the previous 760 model, which was also fitted with a 225 Honda and from what I can recollect from that boat, this new model seems to benefit from the extra weight and stiffness and seems to make for a better riding boat and in a moderate to rough Auckland Harbour chop with the wind opposing the tide. The ride itself was quiet, with very little banging noise coming through the hull. I had the trim gauge set about 1/2 way and we skipped across the tops at around 30 mph without any discomfort. With the varying wind and sea conditions, trim tabs were a must, and it took me a little while to find the optimum settings for the boat. I noticed that the controls were quite sensitive to adjustment, but once I figured out just what the boat liked, it was all simple stuff.

We took a little bit of spray on the windshield, due to the varying conditions. There is a wiper on the driver’s side, but it was not in line for the drivers eye unless you stand up to steer. This is because of the limitations of the sweeping curved windscreen.

Standing up to steer in rough conditions is often the preferred option anyway.

The driving position wasn’t quite to my liking although the footrest can be positioned to suit. This can easily be done in the factory. The bolster seats are also adjustable forward and aft to get the personal driving position just right.

Overall, the 760 Pursuit GT was well put together. I’ve seen a lot of aluminium production boats and I’d have to say that this one would rate pretty highly as far as finish goes. There are a lot of boats on the market that fit this size range, most of which are customizable, and carry an appropriate price tag. However, if you’re looking for a 760 where most of the thinking has been done for you, then this one’s worth taking a good look at.

Specifications

  • Make: Fyran
  • Model: 760 Pursuit GT
  • Price as Tested: $125,000
  • Packages from: $101,000
  • Designer : Fyran Boats
  • Material: Alloy/GRP
  • Type:  Alloy Hardtop
  • LOA:   7.7m
  • LOH:   7.1m
  • Beam: 2.5m
  • Deadrise: 17 degrees
  • Trailerable Weight: 2380kg est.
  • Height on Trailer: 2.45m
  • Engine Capacity: 200-225hp
  • Power Options: Outboard/Sterndrive
  • Fuel Capacity: 200L

Engines

  • Make: Honda
  • Model: A6 XD 25″
  • Horsepower: 225
  • Cyl. Config.: V6

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