Advice & Info: Smuggler Stealth 695 Hardtop

The name ‘Smuggler’ has a long history in New Zealand, with the first versions of this David Mortimer design appearing around 30 years ago.
 

It built a reputation as a legendary rough-water hull, and a set of the moulds made their way to Australia in 1987 as a result of Rob Muldoon’s disastrous boat tax (which caused havoc in the NZ boat-building industry). As the original design became more and more dated, New Zealand production trickled to a halt in the late 1990s. 

Five years later, David Pringle, with a 25-year history in the boat-building industry and a respect for the sea-performance of the Smuggler, bought the moulds, and with wife Pauline set up Smuggler Marine, now operating out of a new 929-square-metre purpose-built facility in Henderson, West Auckland.

The company retained the radical 27° deep-V hull, but according to Dave “...we took the topside moulds to the tip and started from scratch to bring the Smuggler into the modern day.”

The result is the Smuggler Stealth 695, available in both windscreen (‘Open’) and Hardtop versions. The same bottom design has also been incorporated into a new rigid inflatable.

The Hardtop version was the one I had a look at. The test boat was destined for cruising and light trout fishing duties at Lake Taupo, and was consequently set up for comfort more than hard-core fishing, but Dave Pringle explained that much of the interior fit-out can be customised to suit the owner, including those who want a boat more dedicated to coastal fishing and diving.

Construction

As mentioned, the new Smuggler Stealth 695 has retained the trademark deep–V hull profile. At 27° it was radical when first designed, and is still pretty radical when compared with the more standard 17-19° of most contemporary designs. This has a number of effects: the greater wetted surface needs the addition of planing strakes to achieve the required lift (the hull has six good-sized strakes), and the hull needs a reasonable amount of power to push it. This second requirement has been greatly eased in the new version by stretching the length (giving more wetted surface and allowing a modern portafino stern), and by a considerable reduction in hull weight, achieved by advances in resin and glass, and Pringle’s state-of-the-art lay-up techniques.

The hull is solid GRP, with two fully-encapsulated laminated wood and ply bearers. Laterally, there are ten bulkheads plus the transom build. The hull has two layers of triaxial glass and five layers of chopstrand mat. A shallow false keel, running the length of the hull, adds further rigidity and allows a drainage pathway for the forward stepdown and two underdeck holds.

Other design changes from the original are stern recesses for the trim tabs, walk-through transom, and a self-flooding 150-litre ballast chamber extending forward through the portafino stern, under the transom.

The very deep-V profile of the hull allows a lot of under-deck space, which translates to a very high volume of reserve buoyancy. Pringle calculated this at approximately 700kg, housed in two chambers. The integrity of these chambers is further enhanced by the false keel, isolating them from any breach along the keel line.

Dave Pringle and his team of six are also custom launch builders, and their experience shows in the very high level of finish on the test boat. I really could not fault a thing in that department.

Power and performance

The Smuggler is rated for 150 to 300 horsepower, and the test boat was pushed by a Yamaha 225hp four-stroke outboard turning a 19” stainless saltwater-series prop. A 300-litre underfloor fuel tank provides good range.

On a flat-water run we achieved 79kph (42.6 knots) at 6100rpm in a brief squirt (didn’t want to thrash the new outboard too much!), so a comfortable cruising speed is nicely in the ‘economy’ rev band.

Flat water was a problem in fact – a glassy calm Waitemata harbour did not allow me to really try the Smuggler’s rough water performance to any great degree, although with the amount of ferry and other shipping traffic around, we did find a few wakes to jump. Although the effect of the strakes was noticeable when landing, the hull certainly took the sea well, and the hardtop provided a high level of comfort.

Handling was excellent – very controlled – with the hull going exactly where it was pointed and showing no inclination to deviate in a cross-sea. It heels a bit when cornering – a result of the extra-deep-V – but again, in a very controlled way. I certainly felt very secure helming this boat.

I would rate the hull as moderately tender, the built-in trim tabs helping control the lateral trim of the boat while under way. At rest, the self-flooding ballast tank also helps control this aspect.

Anchoring

Anchoring duties are taken care of by a Simpson-Lawrence Sprint 600 electric winch, cleverly mounted under a hatch in the bow. A permanently-mounted 15lb (6.8kg) plough-type anchor fits in a short bowsprit between split bow rails (one-piece rails are standard). The control is at the helm, and access down into the anchor well is through the hatch on the bow. To get there, the bowman can climb around the cabin sides (grabrails are fitted to the outside of the hard top) or work through the hatch in the roof of the forecabin.

Layout

Set up for lake cruising, the emphasis of the test boat layout was on comfort. The fully-lined forecabin had plush upholstery and could sleep two or three adults with the berth infill added. There is stowage space under the berths, as well as a central space designed to take a toilet. Large side shelves doubled as back rests when the berths are being used as seats. Adjustable halogen lights are fitted, and dropboards and a sliding top make the fore cabin lockable.

Lightly tinted, curved toughened-glass ‘screens and sliding side windows allow good visibility either standing or sitting on the very comfortable king and queen seats, which were upholstered by Southern Upholstery.  Other seating options are available.

The helm console is set up with full instrumentation, flush mounted in a graphite weave face. Electronics include a Lowrance X107c sounder, Globalmap 6500c, Cobra marine DSC VHF radio, and sound system (mounted in the companionway). On the passenger side of the companionway are two deep storage wells, one of which is designed to take a small spirit stove. A dark finish on this top would help reduce internal reflection on the ‘screen. The passenger also gets a grabrail to hang onto.

Stowage is well catered for, with two levels of side pockets (the lower has pole/rod racks fitted) and two dry stowage areas in the seat units, which are easily opened with hinges and gas stays to help support them. The sole flaw in the layout is that the helm seat just catches the throttle/shift lever as it is lifted, setting off the trim/tilt control. This is easily fixed by shifting the seat unit out 10mm or so. Additional stowage is available in two underdeck holds.

The deck has marine carpet matting over a non-skid finish. The matting is domed in so it can be easily removed for cleaning if necessary. The sealed deck drains to the rear hold, where it can then be pumped by a 1000gph bilge pump.

The cockpit sides are finished with padded panels, capped with a teak finishing strip that laps out to protect the top edge of the vinyl. Good use is made of the transom wall. A small sink is set into the helm side with both fresh water (fed from an 80-litre underdeck tank) and salt water shower nozzles. The central portion mounts (in this case) a classy teak bait station or a ski pole. On the passenger side is a transom walk-through (drop boards can be fitted). Three hatches give access to the inside of the transom wall, where the twin batteries are mounted inside protective boxes.

Over the transom is the engine mount, with a boarding platform on each side. These are fitted with teak strips and grab rails, and a fold-down boarding ladder on the passenger side.  

Fishability

You normally have to pay for deep-V performance with a degree of hull tenderness, but considering the massive 27° of deadrise, this aspect is not too bad. With two adults on one side, a modest list resulted, but once the flat chine went in (and with the affect of the ballast chamber), there was no further heel.

Footing was good, and the padded gunwales gave support at the top of the thighs, with plenty of toe room. The transom offers two alleyways to fish astern – one either side of the engine and bait station. The helm side has a padded face at mid-thigh, and the passenger side has the transom walk through. There is no toe recess at the transom.

Four through-gunwale rodholders are offered as standard, and two more are available as add-ons with the classy looking teak bait station. Rod racks are incorporated into the side shelves. Other fishing fittings on the option list include a rocket launcher, outriggers and extra rod holders.

As mentioned, the test boat was set up for lake cruising and trout trolling, and saltwater anglers would probably take other options. This is a very comfortable boat, ideal for its freshwater role, partly because the design has sacrificed some cockpit room for the larger protected wheelhouse and forecabin. 

Trailering

The Smuggler is supplied on a tandem-axle DMW Premier trailer. This is the usual cradle A-frame with keel entry bay. There are eight pairs of wobblers per side, plus three keel rollers. The frame and rims are galvanised and the leaf-springs are zinc treated.

Other fittings included an optional spare wheel and bracket, a wind-down jockey wheel, dual coupling, hydraulic brakes and an optional electric winch.

Tow weight for the rig (dry) is 1950kg.

All in all

The level of finish on this boat is very good indeed. Although conditions on test day did not allow me to really try the Smuggler’s rough water performance, the original hull had a reputation for taking a beating and delivering safe passage when things were not too flash. I found the layout very comfortable, with good seats and plenty of shelter in the big hardtop. A wide range of options are available.

The cockpit is not big but would fish two (ideally) or up to four at a pinch. If you are looking for a comfortable cruiser for tasks like lake trolling and saltwater bottom fishing, diving and family fun, the re-born Smuggler Stealth 695 is well worth looking at.