Senator 560

Boat Test – The Senator RC560

Rollos Marine in Hamilton has carved their own niche in the market by selling well thought out and finished customised Senator pontoon boats. Their latest offering is a cabin version of the 560 with which the new owner is so pleased he requested we test his pride and joy….

Senator Boats have been around for some years now and are no longer at the “cottage industry” level. Senator is a big business and the products are very highly regarded by their owners. During my time working at Rollos Marine I saw many owners trade to another Senator, often more than once. A recent example of that is one of our advertisers, Pat Adams, of “Fishey Business” charters in Taranaki who is changing his current Senator to an 8.6m model. The loyalty to the product is very intense. A builder is doing something right when that is the result.

Preliminary

Rollos have recently fitted out two fully customised Senators. The other is owned by one of our subscribers to this magazine and would be about the best 7m gamefishing vessel of its kind around, with everything including a full size Reelax game chair. It’s a story for another day. Rollos Marine has become more involved in electronic/fishing/custom fit-outs in the near four years since I sold them our marine electronics business. Their current projects range from small Haines/Buccaneer/Senator models through to a 20m power/sail catamaran which has around $200k of electronics and systems being installed. They have a very capable installation and management team in place. Their current chief installer is the best I’ve worked with. That is reflected in the level of detail of the finished product. It probably means I’ll be tougher in this test than most others I’ve done as I expect better than average.

The owner of this boat has purchased around 12 vessels from Rollos Marine. That speaks volumes about the level of service and professionalism he’s received over that time. Even more so when you consider he lives in Auckland and Rollos Marine is Hamilton based.

First Impressions

I hadn’t seen the boat for a couple of weeks and when Rollos Marine managing director, Gary Dutton, pulled up at the Westhaven boat ramp it made an impressive sight. Being equipped with a targa top and even radar, it was surprising to see such a low profile, fully covered, classy looking boat pull up. The metamorphosis from white chrysalis to full equipped sportfishing machine is better illustrated by the series of photos than I can describe in words. Suffice to say, the whole design was well thought out.

Sitting in the showroom earlier when the test plans were discussed, my first reaction on seeing the boat was “wow”. Considering I’ve had quite a bit to do with Senator models I was surprised at my own reaction. The paintwork and finish on the boat was exemplary and the design of the targa top by Total Trim Solutions and Waikato Stainless Steel was spot on. The same team built the unit on the magazine boat, as they do for a number of other manufacturers. It’s very hard to fault the lines they design. There are a few logistical problems with the use of both items but I’ll come back to that later.

I was joined for the test by Toby Kemp, writer for this magazine, qualified skipper and the person responsible for looking after Dreamboats vessels at Westhaven. He kindly arranged for us to use one of Dreamboats vessels as our camera boat. Our thanks to them for their generosity. Toby also gave up a day to join us on the water.

We helped Dutton launch the boat, a very simple affair indeed, and then we headed off for the photo shoot while we awaited the arrival of the owner.

The Rig

Senator builds the model in two configurations; the RH560 is the hardtop version, while the RC560, the model tested, is a cabin style. The overall length of the hull is 5.75m with a hull length of 5.4m. One of the differences between Senator hulls and other pontoon styles is the interior volume. This boat is no exception. The outside beam is 2.105m and internally it is 1.61m. There is good floor space considering its 5.4m length. Transom deadrise is a typical 17 degrees and the hull is built from 5mm alloy, the pontoons from 3mm. The specifications show an approximate weight of 480kg and a towing weight of around 1090kg.

Horsepower for the hull is 70-130hp with 90 or 115hp recommended. The test vessel was fitted with an Evinrude 115hp direct injected model. Being the smaller brother of the motor we have just changed on the magazine boat we are well acquainted with its performance. They are very economical to run so the underfloor tank of 130 litres is about right for the normal use this boat will receive.

An 8hp auxiliary motor has also been fitted. Notice anything unusual about it? It’s actually a Johnson four-stroke model. Rollos showed great attention to detail by having matching graphics made and it certainly looks good.

The boat was very happy aboard its single axle DMW trailer. I don’t know whether it’s the nice new dedicated manufacturing plant they have or something in the water, but I’m sure the company has lifted its game recently, not that there was anything wrong with the product previously. I guess if you had seen the old shop (a tribute to them that such well finished product came out of such a difficult workshop) and compared it to the new plant on SH1 just as you come in to Hamilton (you can’t miss it, LHS going south), its easy to see how the guys and girls must be enjoying their work much more. The new graphics help of course. However, if this one is as good as the magazine boat’s cradle (faultless so far) then it will make for a very happy owner. When I think back to our early ‘70’s model DMW trailer which needed a gusset welded about twice a year, they can be very proud of their improved performance over the last 30 years.

The Cabin.

It’s a bit of a misnomer calling this a cabin version as the cabin is that in name only. It’s got about enough room to sit, store a bit of gear and that’s about all. Kemp and I spent a lot of the day detailing things we would do differently if we were setting the boat up for ourselves. In fact he wrote even more notes than I did…. The good part about our day was working with an owner who, even twelve boats later, had an insatiable thirst for ideas from people he believed knew what they were talking about.

First, the cabin is fine as is. It can be improved though. There was nothing to restrain the loose equipment such as lifejackets and life ring, clothing and bags. Adding luggage nets would help with a lot of the storage issues. The complete area was carpeted and a cabin light centrally fitted. The area behind the dash had a vinyl cover fitted, attached with Velcro, which did a great job of tidying the installation.

The “bunks” are very small on this model and will never sleep adults. If the boat was mine a central infill box would be fitted for extra storage and a place for the kids or a desperately sick crew member to curl up on.

The anchoring arrangements are all hands-free. A Lofrans model is fitted and it works well as there is a very deep and wide anchor well below it. Horses for courses, I wouldn’t have that particular setup as it’s far too slow to power out on a 70m tarakihi spot. However for the Gulf and Firth use this vessel will receive its ideal. A standard and substantial Weaver hatch is fitted through the foredeck.

The Cockpit

This is a fishing boat, no question, and it’s been set up for the job. The owner will use it to range from his beloved Gulf fishing to his passion of gamefishing. The cockpit has been kept relatively spartan, there are no bait tanks or tuna tubes fitted. A movable fishing box/seat takes prime position. This was planned to fit across the transom, while the bait board is cantilevered inboard meaning there is no stretch to reach it. Reality is, the box will probably be used long ways as a seat and the board mounts will probably be shortened up later on.

The transom area otherwise works very well. There is a full length clipped door covering a very spacious transom enclosure. A lot of extra room is created because the batteries are on the floor (in standard battery boxes). While you can debate the preference for batteries to be mounted as high as possible, the reasoning for this installation is sound, with the additional weight of a four-stroke auxiliary being carried. The three battery switches and winch breaker are tidily mounted to starboard and there’s lots of room for oil tank, toolbox and sinkers.

Moving forward there are good, wide side pockets above which are racks to suit the telescoping outriggers and any gaffs carried. Rod holders are adequately spaced through the wide, tread grip covered coamings. One issue with the pontoons is that you can’t just chuck another couple of rod holders in; where the holders are in side decks they are actually in the pontoons, so they need to be factory fitted to allow the airtight integrity to be retained.

The complete deck is covered with tube matting. Few products lift the look of a boat more. One of the issues with this boat, unlike its bigger brethren, is that the floor intersects the hull, meaning there is an angled panel outboard and no toe space. Previous experience with this hull has shown it to be less of an issue than the description may suggest. On this boat the situation was improved further by the addition of removable upholstered bolsters. That should have been the end of the problem but I did note the owner slip once when the tube matting moved a touch. It is superbly fitted but inevitably the pieces become smaller around the underfloor hold and therefore easier to move. I haven’t quite figured out the solution… The owner requested a couple of footrest seats behind the pedestal seats. It’s not me but I do have to say they worked very well in practice.

As mentioned, the area is enclosed by a targa top. The stainless work, including the radar mount, is of the highest quality. All the cables are completely contained and no issue at all when collapsing the frame for travelling. A special strut is supplied for the purpose. There is no rocket launcher, at the owner’s request, but there are rod holders fitted to the side frames making a very easy place for rod storage at hook-up time. Aerials are mounted to the cabin sides. A deck floodlight is incorporated in the radar mount, as is the anchor light.

The outriggers mount into their own holders on the side deck. Being forward of the water deflector the mounts take in any water that is around, directing it straight into the sidepocket. When the outriggers are removed a bung will be essential. The outriggers were fitted with endless cords, attached through a small block and bungee cord. One of the recessed lifting rings from Marine Direct (see the last issue with how these work for ‘rigger mounts) is set into a teak block each side and mounted on the water deflector.

Finishing at the stern, a simple fold-up diver's type boarding ladder is fitted, with a full length handrail either side, the electric trim tabs are neatly installed cut through the platforms, while rounding out the back is a platform-mounted Tenob rise and fall auxiliary bracket. The two motors stayed connected together via a removable and adjustable steering link arm.

The Dash

The dash is fairly traditional in its layout. Starting at the top, the windscreen has a distinct turned back deflector on it. It gives life and shape to what would otherwise be square lines. You either love it or hate it. Personally I think it looks great and helps give the Senator its own distinctive character. It’s difficult to mistake this boat for one of its competitors.

There is good space to mount electronics on top. Our test model had a Furuno 1623 radar and Furuno 7000 plotter/sounder fitted. The next level down holds the Bombardier gauges; the white and chrome trim really sets off well against the paint and carpet. Below the gauges reside the switches for trim tabs, auto capstan control, the switch panel, cig socket and the Sitex VHF radio. The fit out is rounded out with a Suunto compass mounted centrally. The boat was fitted with cable steering and a very nice stainless wheel. The whole arrangement was very low in profile and unobtrusive.

Two standard seats are fitted on Softrider pedestal units; the driver’s seat also has an adjustable slider, with the aforementioned footrest seats fixed behind. Seated driving position is not bad. There is reasonable visibility through the screen, considering the screen is so low in profile and even with the electronics taking a fair chunk of the available space. It felt good and the footrest was suitably placed. Standing was also very good. The throttle fell well to hand and it felt secure. There is a pocket behind the throttle with room for keys and glasses. Everything was carpeted.

A glance behind the dash showed a very neatly secured wiring arrangement with all fuses quickly accessible without the need for an engineering shop. Definitely one of the better small boat setups I’ve seen. One problem, and its rapidly becoming my signature bitch, is the port and starboard nav lights. Once again they are on a curved part of the cabin top meaning each is visible from the wrong side. Imagine the confusion if you could see a car’s headlights and taillights at the same time. The ability to accurately track a boat’s direction is essential to safe navigation. While the problem is easily fixed with a wedge, how come none of the world’s manufacturers has made a set where the light swivels in the base so it can be set at the right angle? Pretty simple engineering I would think….

Back aboard and on the port side, another slider-equipped pedestal seat resides. There is a handrail forward and it is a comfortable arrangement, which includes another footrest on the bunk. The stereo was also mounted here. It wasn’t supplied by Rollos and looks marginal for waterproofing.

Performance

We started our day with a photo session before the owner arrived. Sitting on the roof of one of Dreamboats vessels and watching Dutton put the boat through its paces was revealing. If your thoughts have been that pontoons are big flat sleds that push plenty of water then the photos here should change your outlook. The water sheds well back and pushes little more than a mono hull. However, one thing that is different with a pontoon is the action of the boat down sea. It is a different feel, almost like the hull slows as it runs into the wave in front. It’s not a fault or problem, just a different characteristic of these hulls and very quickly you’ll find you don’t even notice it. Something I’ve found with all the Senators I’ve run is that they have a feeling of solidity beyond their size.

I think that has something to do with the stability. As we noted in an earlier test, this boat initially appears to be even more stable than its bigger brother. The “jumping on the gunwale” test shows this. What happens is that the pontoon does its thing and no amount of swinging will move it further. The bigger 620 model exhibits the same traits but leans a little more before the pontoon locks up solidly.

We took the opportunity to give the boat a run while we waited for the owner. Very quickly we found faults with the targa top; as soon as we accelerated the bottom of the front clear lifted above the deflector. The method used to secure it was a single cord through the bottom, clipped at each end. Basically it doesn’t work as is but will be quickly fixed with a couple of tags secured with canopy stays. The zip used to create the opening panel seemed a little on the light side as well; experience suggests that when front clears are stretched the zips cop a hiding. They are usually the first to break.

Total Trim Solutions have a reputation for first class work. In fact the workmanship on the items on the boat was very good. They also completed the work on our magazine boat and it is faultless. I have recommended friends and our writers to them. Recently they acquired another highly regarded local firm, Auto Trim Services. I will forgive them some minor errors this time as they go through the process of amalgamating arguably Hamilton’s two best upholsterers. I know also that owner, Tim Marrafio, will quickly take aboard constructive criticism. He is very good at his job.

The targa frame also has a problem to fix. The lines are superb and the construction perfect but the side stays have too long a reach, meaning there is a lot of lateral movement in the top, even in calm conditions. With a radome hanging off the top this is most undesirable. The solution is exceptionally simple; two short removable stays will easily bolt to the existing points, then fix back to the spray deflector. That will be problem solved.

After a year with the direct injected Evinrude on the magazine boat I am a convert. They are quiet, smooth and the power stays on tap through the range. The 115hp is no exception and appears perfectly matched to this hull. Mindful that we were giving it its first run, I quickly ascertained that the hull is even more responsive to trim than the bigger 620 hull. Of course, it’s even more obvious with cable steering; get the hull just right and it would track without any load on the wheel. Considering that we drove all day with the auxiliary and main motor attached, it went very well. Personally though, I think a $75,000 boat should have hydraulic steering.

After a slow speed run to observe the Team New Zealand boats at very close range, we took a run towards North Head. The usual harbour mix of wakes and light chop was no problem for this baby. The boys happily bounced on their pedestals while I sat happily ensconced on the fish box. No problem with the performance and it gives a complete sense of confidence in its sea keeping ability. A touch of tab was barely required to correct trim.

Returning to the drystack, we picked up the owner. The face told it all; one very happy customer, and rightly so. The busy Dutton had to return and deliver another new boat, this time to Taupo, so after borrowing an extra rod from Terry King at Smart Marine we loaded up the bait and shifted into real test mode.

Kemp proved to be a master of close quarters manoeuvring, as he should be when he does it all day, and the boat proved to be nimble and precise in tight berths. The plan was to throw whole piper at the harbour beacon kingfish populations. On the way out I ran the hull through a couple of tests. The Garmin Geko GPS showed an economical looking trolling speed of 7kn at 2300 RPM. We elected not to wind the motor right out but we easily reached 30kn before we gave it away, while 3800RPM gave a very comfortable 20kn cruise speed.

Arriving at the first beacon Kemp showed his casting skills with an overhead reel. I was left to exhibit my boat handling ability by trying to hold a position 15m off the buoy in the current and wind. Kemp was probably more accurate than I was; cast six saw the first kingfish follow and about the tenth saw the first hook-up. The boat’s first fish was soon after safely released. We moved to A-buoy and repeated the exercise. It wasn’t until writing this that I realised we had spent a lot of time with all three of us on one side of the boat in up to 3/4m of wind chop without even thinking about it. But then, that’s one of the key reasons for buying a pontoon vessel.

The boat wasn’t difficult to control on station, although I refer to the comments on hydraulic steering, and while the wheel and throttle both come to hand very well the wheel is a fraction too close to the throttle as my knuckles did attest. To be fair to Rollos, the owner changed from the originally fitted wheel to the bigger stainless model after the fit out.

We tried fishing a horse mussel bed for snapper with few takers, had another session on the kings (by now getting wise and biting the tails) and finished up near the bridge for a final shot. It had been a hard week in the harbour and our poor results were typical. That’s fishing.

Summary

I guess the fact that we spent most of the test looking for faults or seeing how we’d change things to suit ourselves says much about the boat. As its stands there is little to change. I’d happily run it in this configuration. The faults we found are minor and easily fixed. Kemp’s list consisted of minor improvements that would improve things further. One that would be regarded as essential for this owner would be a float switch and a separate switched power supply to the bilge pump. The boat will be stored a lot of the time in a drystack and the reassurance of being able to leave a live bilge pump when leaving the boat on the jetty overnight (as we did) will pay of in less sleepless nights. It’s not hard to find happy Senator owners. I recently spoke to two who have the same hull (in hardtop configuration) and both had nothing but praise.

Rollos Marine has a very thorough knowledge of the boats, it’s the only aluminium range they currently sell, and they have fitted many that have gone to all parts of the country. Their knowledge of the product is obvious from the attention to detail on the vessel they presented to test. Add this one to the list of boats I’d happily own.

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