GEN 2
It has been a staple of the Smuggler range for 20-years, and now, the Smuggler Strata 750 has had somewhat of a birthday. Freddy Foote steps aboard to experience the Gen 2 of this hardcore blue water performer.
If you are in the market for a high performance RIB, Smuggler should always be at the top of your list. The family owned, Henderson based company has been building the range here in New Zealand for over 20-years, and in that time over 70 of their 750 Strata models have been built for clients all over the world.
With the hull shape remaining the same, the new model 750 now features Smuggler’s all-new Gen 2 console with a toilet located under the helm console and an onboard WAECO refrigerator under the helm seat. Other changes include upgraded seating, a re-designed Targa top and stainless structure, as well as the addition of new removable side clears to provide extra protection from the elements. “It’s been a successful model for us, but like anything we’re always looking for ways to make it better, so we’ve made some styling and functionality improvements throughout the boat,” says Smuggler Marine Managing Director, David Pringle. “The Strata 750 appeals to a wide variety of buyers. We’ve sold a lot offshore, as high performance super yacht tenders, or chase boats for sailing syndicates. In fact, there are a few clients we’ve never met. But it also appeals to those who want a high performance RIB for fishing and diving excursions. A number of Strata 750’s have also gone to Western Australia.” As with most of the Strata range, the internal layout can be customised to suit an owner’s needs.
Step aboard, and you’ll notice that the seating at the helm is now comprised of two Captain’s style seats, with lift up seat bolsters and foldable armrests. However, should you wish, the traditional bench seat with the moveable back rest bolster is still available. Aft, three lockers are set into the base of the transom. In the port corner is a live bait tank, which is accessed from above. When not in use, a squab fits over the top and makes a seat for passengers. A pull out salt water wash down hose is also available. There is an option for a freshwater washdown, which is supplied via an 80-litre onboard tank. In the starboard corner is additional storage space for miscellaneous items, while the middle hatch houses water pumps and fuel lines/filters.
Under the cockpit floor is a large storage area, which is selfdraining and is ideal for wet gear, or your days catch. This boat also came with a 56 litre Ice-Tek removable chilly bin, with a fish measure on-top finished in U-Dek. The U-Dek is also a finish throughout the boat. Despite all the underfloor storage available, the 750 still boasts a healthy 300-litre fuel tank, and with a modern high-tech outboard, is going to provide plenty of boating on a tank of fuel. In the bow area there is a forward facing seat, with a sun pad further forward of that, as well as another underfloor storage locker. The helm was neat and stylish, and housed a large 12” Simrad multifunction display, however there is room for twin 12” display should be required. As well as the regular engine instruments from Yamaha, trim tab controls were also fitted within easy reach. A Fusion stereo provides sound to two six inch speakers which are located in the bow area. The Bimini Targa top also accommodates a rocket launcher above with storage for up to six rods. A large LED light bar is located on the forward section of the hardtop, providing illumination at night should you need. Removable side clears a located either side of the helm. Easy to zip into place, they provide added extra protection from the elements. Or simply open them up to have the wind in your hair!
PROVEN PERFORMER
The Strata 750 has Smugglers well proven 27 degree deep-vee hull. Arguably the deepest vee on the market. Quite simply the boat just goes. It’s the type of boat on which you can just hold the throttle down all the way, and hold on and enjoy the ride. It’s a very easy boat to drive, as it does all the work for you. The harder you push it, the better it goes. Traditionally, the Smuggler hull loves horsepower and this example is no different, with the latest Yamaha F250hp V6 four stroke on the transom and was a lively performer.
Top speed with the single Yamaha F250 four stroke, was 50 knots @ 5800 rpm with a fuel consumption of 95 litre per hour. Drop that back to a more sedate cruise speed of 23 knots @ 3000 rpm and the fuel usage drops to a very acceptable 25lph, and giving a range of 240nm based on 300L of fuel.
We elected to cruise at a higher speed, of 32 knots at 4000rpm, and in the choppy conditions, the Smuggler deep vee hull just ate up the chop with ease. The quietness of the Yamaha was amazing, allowing you to talk to your passengers alongside you at the helm normally, even when underway at around 4000rpm. While it’s more than capable of tackling rougher waters, it’s equally at home, cruising from bay to bay with a full crew of family and friends, and all in supreme comfort. At rest, the 750 is exceptionally stable. The aft section of the tubes sit in the water and don’t let the boat lean to one side. This is down to the hull featuring a flooding keel, in which around 150 litres of water is taken into a cavern built into the bottom section of the hull, holding the boat down in the water, and thus extra stability at rest. For a boat of its size, it’s actually very light, with a trailerable weight of just 2000kg, meaning it’s relatively easy to launch and retrieve with minimal effort. Will the centre console layout suit everyone? No, but Smuggler does have a variety of other configurations for the 750, including a ‘Mid Cabin’ model and a ‘Super Sport’ which is essentially a bow-rider type configuration. And if the boat isn’t big enough, the company has other models and configurations 8 metres and above.
Overall, a fantastic boat for its purpose, and I can see why Smuggler have now built over 70 hulls of this configuration. Will a high level build quality, and an equally high level on performance on the water, the Strata 750 RIB should be at the top of everyone’s list in this centre console RIB segment.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Make & Model: Smuggler Strata 750
- Price as tested: $189,160
- Type: Centre Console
- Construction: GRP/Hypalon
- LOA: 7.5m
- Beam: 2.75m
- Deadrise: 27- degree
- Height on trailer: 3.61m
- Trailerable weight: 1600kg
- Test Power: Yamaha F250 Four-stroke
- Power options: Outboard/Sterndrive
- HP Range: 175hp-300hp
- Fuel Capacity: 300L
- Trailer: Tandem Axle
- Manufacturer: Smuggler Marine
PERFORMANCE | ||||
RPM | Knots | L/h | L/NM | Range (NM) |
1000 | 5 | 5.2 | 1.1 | 240 |
1500 | 7 | 8.6 | 1.3 | 200 |
2000 | 9.6 | 14 | 1.5 | 180 |
2500 | 16.5 | 19 | 1.2 | 220 |
3000 | 23 | 25 | 1.1 | 240 |
3500 | 29 | 32 | 1.2 | 220 |
4000 | 32 | 40 | 1.3 | 200 |
4500 | 36 | 49 | 1.4 | 190 |
5000 | 41 | 60 | 1.5 | 180 |
5500 | 45 | 66 | 1.5 | 180 |
5800 | 50 | 95 | 1.9 | 140 |
