Profile 735H Boat Review

Trailerboat Trials

Profile 735H Napier’s Profile Boats is owned by Firman’s Marine, which also handles the fit-up and marketing of these popular aluminium pontoon hulls. 

Profile’s birthplace, Hawkes Bay, is a wide, open waterway with little shelter. Some of the better fishing and diving spots are well offshore or a fair run up or down the coast. Once you get away from the Napier-Clifton area, there are few formal boat ramps, although when conditions suit, surf launching with a tractor is popular at the many small beach communities up and down the coast.
What is needed in Hawkes Bay is a boat set up for fishing and diving that can cover the miles at a decent speed, rides comfortably and safely, and can be surf launched if required. The new Profile 735H ticks all these boxes and more. 

----- Advertisement -----


The 735H design incorporates a very fine entry (44 degrees), tapering to 25 degrees in the shoulders, and back to a still-decent 18 degrees at the transom. With a fine entry and a deep vee, this hull cuts through the water like a knife. In a standard monohull you would pay for this ability by the boat being a bit tender at rest, but in this case the pontoons stabilise the hull as soon as it comes off the plane. Once settled in the water, there is virtually no further list. Additionally, the pontoons taper nicely towards the bow; besides making the hull look smarter, this reduces any potential drag if the bow is trimmed down for any reason.

As far as surf launching goes, the 735H is a big boat, but with a suitably powerful tractor it is realistic enough. The big Profile has several design features that aid this. First, the pontoon configuration features a very decent level of reserve buoyancy located in six separate chambers – a great safety feature. Then there is the wave deflector transom design, which helps turn back the water if a wave or two is taken on the stern while launching or retrieving. Finally, the auto trailer release greatly simplifies drive-on, drive-off trailering, reducing the danger time in the surf zone.

----- Advertisement -----


Most of these aspects are desirable for boaties in all parts of the country, not just Hawkes Bay. This has seen Profile’s hulls in demand around the country and winning multiple awards at national boat shows. The company has increased build capacity to suit, and now employs 14 staff.

On the water

Company owner Brian Firman had a 735H (Hardtop) on display at the recent Auckland On Water Boat Show, so I grabbed the opportunity to put it through its paces. It was one of those unsettled spring days, with a pattern of blue-sky patches followed by stiff squalls with rain. The sea conditions varied from virtually flat to a steep one-metre chop when a squall opposed the tide.

The big Profile handled even the worst of the conditions easily. We stayed snug and dry inside the hardtop and the hull was a soft, dry rider. Ultraflex hydraulic steering and Yamaha’s fly-by-wire throttle/shift make this a comfortable boat to helm.

Recommended power is 150 to 260hp; the test boat was pushed by a middle-of-the-range 225hp Yamaha four-stroke with a Reliance 17-inch pitch prop. The performance figures (supplied) are shown hereabouts. With a 230-litre fuel tank, this should give a range, at cruising speed, of about 320km (172nm), allowing stay-away trips. The wide outboard-mounting pod can take a twin configuration if desired.

Performance

Yamaha F225 CXA, Reliance 17-inch pitch prop

RPM           Speed (Kph)               Fuel (Ltr/Hr)
1000             9                       5.4
2000            15                      12.1
3000            32                      22.3
4000            50                      36.1
5000b           66                      62.0
5800            80                      88.4

Stem to stern

In addition to its fish and dive applications (which we will get to in a minute), the boat is well set up for comfortable overnight trips. The Maxwell C6 winch feeds the warp and chain to an anchor-well in the bow. As it is controlled from the helm, there is little reason to get up on the bow, but for mooring, etc, it is easy to get there by walking around the sides of the cabin, aided by the cabin top’s grab rails, bow rails and non-skid footing. As an alternative, the bowman can work through the hatchway in the fore-cabin roof. 

The fore-cabin is fully lined and could sleep up to three adults when the berth infill is added. A Portaloo is fitted under the forward squab; an electric flush toilet is offered as an option. Stowage space is available under the berths and in side shelves.

----- Advertisement -----


The wheelhouse, protected under the open-back hardtop, is likewise lined to the deck. The decks themselves, along with the gunwale tops, boarding platform and live-bait-tank hatch are nicely finished in SeaDek - a non-skid, closed-cell EVA material that is available in brushed and micro-dot finishes and may be customised with logos, etc.

The wheelhouse boasts a decent-sized dash with lining, a rear lip and grab rail, while the console houses a Lowrance HDS 12 multi-function display, Yamaha engine gauges and a USB charging port. A Lowrance Link 5 VHF and Fusion MS RA70 sound system with Bluetooth are mounted overhead, along with dual grab rails. The ‘screens are toughened glass with clever side-sliders cut into them and Exalto wipers fitted. LED cabin lighting is fitted without.

Seating is provided by two king-and-queen units with swivelling-sliding upholstered bucket seats, and rear-facing bench seats with storage space underneath. The passenger seat hinges forward to disclose a two-burner stove, and a 70-litre Icey-Tek icebox fits underneath, with both items extending the stay-away capabilities.

Cockpit workspace is substantial, seemingly about half the boat length. Recessed rod and pole racks are fitted along each side of the cockpit above the side shelves. Rubber boots extend the length and help protect rod tips. 

A very large under-deck hold runs centrally between the seats – spacious enough to take big kingies, yellowfin, or maybe even an average stripy cut in half. The decks drain to a sump under the central transom, where any water is removed by a bilge pump. A deck-wash system is also fitted.

The transom wall features a step-through with drop-door. Over the stern is a good-sized boarding platform, with non-skid finish, grab rail and fold-down boarding ladder making life easy for divers and swimmers – or just getting aboard when the boat is on the trailer.

Fishability

A large bait-station takes up two-thirds of the transom’s width. It houses twin batteries, an isolation switch and fuel filter in three lockers. Above this is a large filleting/cutting board, split so either side lifts independently and can access stainless and polyethylene sinks. Six rod holders are built along the back of the bait-station, five of them with cup/sinker holders.

A rocket launcher on the hardtop has a further seven rod-positions, with an additional eight rod-holders (four per side) fitted through the gunwales, set up for bait-fishing and trolling. This makes a total of 21, not counting the five, recessed, pole or rod holders along the cockpit sides.

A live-bait tank is built into the transom step-through. There is plenty of room for another after-market ice bin for the catch if the one under the seat is not big enough or is full of food and drink. Other fishing options include outriggers and a cray-pot davit with winch.

On the road

This a substantial rig with a towing weight of around 2400kg. It is carried on a tandem DMW Premier trailer - a galvanised cradle A-frame design with zinc-protected leaf-spring suspension. It features: a wind-down jockey wheel; hydraulic braking; a dual coupling; submersible LED lights; and dual-ratio manual winch. Seven pairs of wobble-rollers, plus three keel-rollers, aid the launching and retrieving.

All in all

The Profile 735H is an excellent traveller and looks smart. The pontoons ensure great stability and load-carrying ability. There is lots of cockpit room, good footing, and flat gunwale faces to lean on when working fish. The finish and styling are smart, and there is the added benefit of being able to over-night in the boat. 

A host of options are available, depending on your priorities. Although a great hard-core fish and dive boat - and definitely blue-water capable - this hull would be just as happy used as a dive platform, a bottom fisher, or to enjoy a stay-away family holiday. An extra-nice one from Napier. 

Specifications

Material: Aluminium
Configuration: Open-back hardtop
LOA: 7.35m
Beam (external): 2.31m
Beam (internal): 2.05m
Bottom: 6mm
Pontoons: 3mm
Deadrise (transom) 18 degrees
Recommended power: 150-260hp
Test engine: Yamaha F225 CXA 
Prop: Reliance 17” pitch
Fuel capacity: 230 L approx.
Trailer: DMW Premier tandem
Tow weight (approx.): 2400kg
Key-turn packages from: $149,990
As tested: $159,000
Test boat courtesy of Profile Boats, Napier. 

Rate this

Comments

Post a Comment

Required Field

Latest Articles

Gear Preparation for Marlin
March 2024

Ben Brown shares his tips and tricks for prepping gear for marlin fishing... Read More >

One-pan Tomato Poached Snapper with Leek Recipe
March 2024

A one-pan tomato poached snapper recipe is shared... Read More >

How Social Media Is Influencing Fishing
March 2024

Social media is changing people's perception of fishing, writes Sam Boothroyd... Read More >

Raymarine Axiom Pro Fishfinder/Chartplotter and Cyclone Radar Review
March 2024

Nick Jones Reviews the Raymarine Axiom Pro Fishfinder/Chartplotter and Cyclone Radar... Read More >

Brent Condon - Fishing Art
March 2024

An artist profile on illustrator Brent Condon... Read More >

Fishing Reports Visit Reports

Saltwater Fishing Reports
Top of the South Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Tasman and Golden Bay snapper still running hot We are not far away from daylight... Read More >

22 Mar 2024
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Bay of Islands Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Variety is the spice of life On one recent trip, the plan was to spend a... Read More >

22 Mar 2024
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Fish where the fish are! Catching fish or just going fishing? I tackle this issue... Read More >

22 Mar 2024
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Inner Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Thoughtful tactics required for better fish Over the course of each year the fishing varies,... Read More >

22 Mar 2024

Fishing bite times Fishing bite times

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Fishing Reports, News & Specials

Recent Posts Visit Forum

279 Active Users online, 278 Guest(s), 1 Member(s)
Pretty crap weather for long weekend unfortunately
in Fishing Reports
2 hours ago
Pcj

Sunday looking good for firth...

Port Waikato/sunset beach
in Landbased & Surfcasting
15 hours ago
Reel Deal

Hey, try the search function on this site some great info on fishing spots and baits etc for that area. Cheers. Let us know how you...

Out With The over 12's & Under 20's
in Fishing Reports
29 hours ago
BananaBoat

Fiji indian fala at work does steaked fish that I gift him.They do Fiji indian style masala fish, it's really good especially kahawai. Doesn't matter if...

Wanted
in Buy Sell Trade or Exchange
42 hours ago
marc0758

Hi I am looking for a Cresta Craft 900 dash insert, Hopefully the jpeg photo is readable.Or does anyone know where these were made, I know...

Bass hit and run!
in International
43 hours ago
smudge

Naughty bass!...

Popular Articles

Softbait Fishing - Part 1 - gear selection

John Eichlesheim writes an article about selecting the right equipment for softbait fishing... Read More >

Softbait fishing Pt 2 - tips and tricks

Techniques, tips and tricks of softbait fishing – getting the most from your soft baits.... Read More >

Surfcasting - setting yourself up

Gary Kemsley helps sort out the necessary gear for intending surf fishers.... Read More >

Squid - How to catch them

Squid fishing is a rapidly growing aspect of fishing - Paul Senior shares some hints and tips to get started.... Read More >