AMF 565 Fisherman

The AMF 565 Fisherman is a no-frills machine built by River City Marine to handle rough conditions.

This is reflected in the construction, which includes full, pressure-tested underfloor buoyancy. By the time we put the AMF through its paces, there was a good wind-against-tide situation at the Tauranga Harbour entrance, producing some good-sized pressure waves. Here the boat performed well – the crew giving up in the rough water long before the hull! The deadrise is

18 degrees, with a fine entry. The compromise means this boat is a little tender at rest, but not uncomfortably so. Its ability to handle the chop at pace more than compensates for this. Power was provided by a Mercury XLPTO 90hp two-stroke engine spinning an 18-inch Vengeance prop. The motor was well matched to the hull, and given that the boat was only put in the water the day before, performed well. It was quick ‘out of the hole’ and appeared to be easily driven, perhaps reflected in the relatively low recommended horsepower range of 60-90hp.

The AMF Fisherman is an open boat with a very small cuddy area topped by a windscreen, making it more of a runabout style. Access to anchor for a big person is not that easy. The good-sized hatch is located in the centre of the foredeck and requires the crewman to duck under the windscreen section.

Once standing in the hatch, there is easy access to the anchor and fairlead. The AMF Fisherman as tested was very much a bare-boat package without a canopy or electronics, and this is reflected in the under $35,000 price tag, including an unbraked Voyager trailer.

The AMF Fisherman will appeal to those seeking an uncompromising fishing craft with a sound, rough water capability.

	This article is reproduced with permission of New Zealand Fishing News 2007 Re-publishing elsewhere is prohibited