SERIOUSLY FUNCTIONAL AND MINIMALIST BY DESIGN
I first noticed the new McLay Sportsman 621 Hard Top at the Hutchwilco Boat Show a few months ago. Despite not being the largest boat on the McLay stand, it certainly stood out with its bright red and white paint job and colour matched ‘racy’ Mercury 150R V6 outboard. Spotting Steve McLay, I wandered over to greet him and find out more about this vessel. Why was I so interested (and not just because of the colour scheme)? Being very familiar with the McLay brand and their range of trailer boats and knowing that one of their best-selling boats in this size range is the 591 Hard Top (HT), I wondered aloud, why a 621 HT, as that’s only a length increase of 30 cm (an average man’s foot size)? So why bother? Especially considering that the larger McLay 651 HT is only marginally longer (30 cm) than this new 621 HT.
So, the inevitable question arose: “Okay, Steve, why a 621 HT when you’ve got two best sellers in the existing 591 HT and 651 HT?” Allow me to quote Steve:
“This vessel has been developed to bridge the gap in our popular Sportsman Hardtop range. It sits comfortably between the smaller 591 and 591XL and the larger 651 models, offering a perfect blend of space, functionality, and performance. Starting at $83,000, which includes an impressive standard package comprising a 9-inch GPS/ Sounder, VHF radio, a Mercury 115 CT outboard, and a highquality Toko trailer, we feel that this package offers outstanding value and performance in its class. And note that it is only $6,000 more than our 591 HT. And note that it is only $1,000 more than our 591XL HT when specifications match.”
Keen to point out the features and benefits of this new model, Steve invited me aboard, where I was soon to discover that the 621 HT provides 50mm more cabin space and 250mm more deck space than the 591Hard Top, along with additional 20mm inboard width, 30mm inboard, side height and a cabin height increase of 15mm, making it a spacious and versatile option for boaties. Built to appeal to a broad market, the 621 should suit almost everyone, from dedicated offshore anglers to families who enjoy inshore boating. It is designed with both performance and practicality in mind, making it an ideal all-rounder, especially at its price point.
Moreover, McLay offers a comprehensive range of optional accessories for those looking to personalise their vessel to suit individual preferences and boating needs. The model on show at Hutchwilco, and the same one we tested out on the Hauraki Gulf later in June, was fitted with several standout additions, including the newly released Mercury 150R V6 outboard in a striking white/red colour scheme, black, U-DEK® closed cell foam decking and a painted cabin that matches the engine – giving it a sleek, head-turning appearance.
After a comprehensive inspection of this craft at the Hutchwilco Show, Steve was eager to get Pacific PowerBoat (i.e. me) out for sea trials. Steve, the quintessential optimist, says to me, “Ron, I’m going to be up in Auckland (McLay’s facility is located in the small South Island town of Milton, south of Dunedin) on June 11th, so let’s do the boat test then”. “Okay”, says I, “But you do realise Steve, that Auckland weather during late autumn/early winter is notoriously fickle?” “Sure,” Steve replies, “I’ll stay an extra day, just in case.” You’ve got to love Mainlanders!
As it turned out, after almost 36 hours of horrible weather before the date of the scheduled sea trials, we were blessed with a glorious test day, encountering only moderate winds from the NE and, depending on where we manoeuvred during the day, relatively calm to lumpy seas – perfect for our purposes. Launching from Half Moon Bay marina along with a McLay 701 Cruiser Gen 2 craft, brought along as the photography/drone support boat, we set out with Peter Brown and his colleagues from Mercury Marine NZ, who wanted to witness first hand how the new Mercury 150R V6 outboard would perform when matched to this new Sportsman 621 HT.
However, before proceeding, I should mention something that, at the time, seemed inconsequential. I recalled Steve’s reply to me when, as I was about to board the boat after launching it from its trailer, I asked him, “Should I take my soft-soled street shoes off? “Ron, it wouldn’t be a family boat if you had to worry about footwear, especially with kids around,” Steve replied. I liked that, as it spoke to the fact that this is a tough, well-constructed boat built for enjoyment – not pampering.
PERFORMANCE
Generally, I leave this part of any given boat test, towards the end of an article, but in this case, I’m starting with performance. Why? Because one lingering impression of this craft is that it accelerates like a scalded cat! I’ll get back to that.
After idling out of the Tamaki Strait, once past the 5-knot speed zone, we headed towards Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands, looking for an open stretch of water to ‘play around on’ in order to test the boat in as many variable conditions as we could locate. Finding ideal conditions on the SW side of Motutapu, Steve and I set out on the 621 HT to have some fun and to see how this new craft performed.
Navigating through choppy waves at about 25 knots with the 621 HT up on the plane and heading towards calmer water, the mild banging of the alloy hull was both expected and predictable. Despite the comfortable helm and passenger seats, I elected to stand, back and buttocks braced against the flip-up bolster on the passenger seat. Over the years I’ve come to appreciate that your legs can absorb more impact than your spine, thus I’d recommend the standing position to anyone whenever you’re slamming into waves at speed. This is not criticism, as most alloy boats will exhibit the same tendencies in these sorts of sea conditions. Having said that, the 621 HT did cut through the sharp chop better than expected. I can only surmise that the pronounced and extended deep vee hull design, especially in the bow, contributed to its ability to slice through the waves with less ‘slam bang’ than similar craft of this length. What was notable as we hammered through the waves is that very little water came aboard, the wave spray deflected nicely by the shape of the forward topsides. Any water that did splash over the cabin windscreen was quickly wiped away be the Exalto wipers with Pantagraph arms.
Reaching our destination at the somewhat sheltered side of Motutapu Island, Steve handed me the helm and, after asking him, how hard I was allowed to push things, he simply said; “Go for it”. And go for it I did!
But first things first. Remember my comment about “scalded cat acceleration”? Needless to say, I wanted to personally experience this first hand with me in control. Seeing a long clear stretch of water ahead, we alerted the crew aboard the 701 to get ready with the drone and, ensuring that Steve was well braced and hanging on, I gunned it. Superlatives escape me. Suffice it to say, I had never experienced this sort of whiplash acceleration on a trailer boat! This may be a family boat, but it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing when it comes to straight line, hammer down acceleration. This was ‘can’t get the grin off your face’ fun.
I will mention more about the new Mercury 150R V6 outboard on the 621 HT, but my personal conclusion was that this motor is the ideal unit for this boat. However, a hollow statement if you don’t also examine the Performance Data. Mind blowing acceleration is one thing, but if you need to take out a 3rd mortgage to pay for the petrol used during a day out fishing, it kind of defeats the purpose of a family boat, doesn’t it? After running the 621 HT through various speeds and rpm trials to formulate a performance data chart it can be seen that you will get the best of both worlds with the McLay 621 HT/Mercury 150R combination.
Okay, I hear you say, ‘Neck Brace Required’ acceleration (bit of hyperbole there) is one thing, but what about all-round performance? I thought you’d never ask. Remember Steve saying,
“Go for it”? Well, I went for it! Tight turns, trying to make the stern let go, rapid port/starboard ‘S’ turns, let’s see how she goes through that large wake created by a passing ferry heading to Waiheke Island – I did it all. Scan the QR Code at the end of this article to see for yourself. There was one instance where the stern exhibited a loss of control, likely due to my actions. It is unreasonable to expect any boat or its outboard engine to maintain traction when navigating aerated water from a wave while at the same time performing a sharp turn into that boat’s own wake. This occurred despite the automatic support provided by Mercury’s Active Trim control system, which obviously can only handle so much tomfoolery.
The 621 HT is one mighty little performer as well as being highly practical, as you will discover as I start describing the interior of the boat.
Seems logical to start at the stern for two reasons. One, this is where you normally board and two, there sits the Mercury 150R, resplendent in red and white livery. This outboard comes with the full suite of Mercury Marine’s V6 platform features, including Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS), which gives drivers precise, seamless engine control. Fuel economy also is optimised through built-in, GPS-enabled features like Mercury’s Active Trim, Adaptive Speed Control, and Advanced Range Optimisation which delivers precise fuelling throughout the operating range. Unlike other performance outboards, the 150R operates on Regular Unleaded (91 RON), saving fuel costs. Oh, and did I mention that wicked colour scheme?
Always of the belief that an image speaks a thousand words (or at least a few dozen), I’ve included as many captioned images in this article as my ruthless editor will allow in order to illustrate the many features on this boat, as tested.
STERN COCKPIT AREA
Looking aft, uncluttered functionality is seen. Boarding the boat, whether climbing aboard after a swim or SCUBA dive or from a marina berth, there is easy access onto the large swim platform either using the flip down, three rung boarding ladder or by simply stepping aboard. From the swim platform, enter the cockpit via the low, port stern step, which incorporates the live bait tank, and the boarding ladder neatly stowed when underway. By design, the impressive Mercury 150R outboard allows unimpeded use of the generous swim platform.
A removable bait station (clever!) is easy to disconnect when not required. Ample rod holders adorn the stern transom. With the bait station removed, a ship-shape stern area, dominated by black, soft underfoot and functional U-DEK®, is revealed. Once the bait station is back in place, there is still easy access to the battery and general storage lockers, while a coiled, salt-water wash down hose is conveniently located.
FORWARD COCKPIT AND HARD TOP CABIN INTERIOR AREA
Looking forward from the stern, orderly cockpit functionality greets the eye. The hard top cabin encloses two forward swivel seats and aft facing passenger seats while a large, slide out chilli-bin sits unobtrusively beneath the port, rear facing seat. The comfortable, swivel helm seat, incorporating a flip up bolster offers excellent lumbar support, when standing at the helm is preferable in rough seas or to improve vision over the bow. The simple flip up/flip down passenger seat, also used when relaxed fishing is desired, is located behind the helm seat. The helm station is simply laid out with all controls ergonomically accessible. The gauges and Garmin 953XSV 9” MFD are easy to see and read at a glance.
BOW CABIN AREA
The roomy forward cabin with twin day beds allows easy access to the bow via the large alloy hatch. While there is adequate space for either a plumbed-in or portable toilet, the test boat was not equipped with one. Straightforward access to the anchor locker, containing the Savwinch rope/chain drum reel anchor winch, is available via the cabin hatch. Alternatively, one easily accesses the bow utilising exterior, high side and foredeck grab rails and handles on the cabin roof.
EXTERIOR
More deck space, rugged construction and great manoeuvrability. With increased cockpit space, the 621 HT is an ideal fishing, diving and/or family boat. There are lots of rod holders and an ingenious sun canopy, that even when fully extended into its fixed position, still allows access to the ‘rocket launcher’ atop the cabin, via a semi-circle shaped, zipped section of the canopy.
CONCLUSION
The McLay Sportsman 621 Hard Top is destined to be a popular and well-regarded boat and as is true for all McLay boats, renowned for its strong build, good handling and stability. It is designed to be a versatile all-rounder, suitable for both offshore fishing and family boating. The 621 HT sits nicely between its smaller and larger siblings, the 591 HT and 651 HT respectively, offering a good balance of space, functionality and performance.
SPECIFICATIONS
Overall Length 6.30m
Beam 2.20m
Freeboard 710mm
Approx Tow Weight 1800kgs
Transom Deadrise Variable 18V
HP Required 115-175
List Price Base Model NZD $83,000inc GST
Price as tested NZD $134,789inc GST
PERFORMANCE DATA
RPM KM/H KM/L RANGE
600 5.5 1.1 165
1000 8.0 1.25 187.5
2000 14.0 2.2 330
3000 36.0 2.2 330
4000 56.0 1.6 240
5000 71.0 1.4 210
5200 72.0 1.4 210
