It has been 10 years since the first Blackdog Cat rolled out of the workshop and this year will see the 300th hull of these unique fishing boats built. Grant Dixon checks out Blackdog Cat’s latest model, a highly spec’ed 620 Hard Top…
When you step aboard a Blackdog Cat, regardless of the model, you know it has been built by people who know their fishing and diving. Their latest model, the Blackdog Cat 620 HT, is loaded with features to help make those fishing and underwater missions successful.
Named Black Jack, this new model is one of the business partners, Johnny Ogles’, personal boat and reflects his interests in freediving and topwater fishing. The first thing that strikes you is the size of the cockpit. Being a catamaran, there is plenty of beam to work with (1.7m internally) and the uncluttered fishing and gearing up space is a feature.
The uncluttered cockpit space is a feature of the Blackdog Cat 620HT.
A practical two-drawer rigging/bait station takes centre stage on the transom, with the twin Century Yuasa marine batteries, fuel filter, isolation switches and VCR in their own separate locker beneath, but still well above deck level. Should the boat ever take on water during a bar crossing or beach launching, the batteries are as well protected as they possibly could be to ensure the power supply is maintained for as long as possible.
Beneath the battery locker is a small scupper to collect any water that comes on board as a result of diving, fishing or washing down. A bilge pump is situated in the scupper but is not fixed. This makes it easy to access when clearing the inlet and much less likely to be smashed by the thrashing tail of a kingfish or snapper.
On the port side is a decent livebait tank beneath the transom step-through and there is another hatch and storage area on the starboard side. Two tuna tubes are set into the starboard side transom.
A good-sized livebait tank is set into the transom.
Carpeted shelving runs the length of both gunwales with sections of deck matting lining the bottom to reduce the noise from items rattling against it. The gunwales themselves are a good height with good toe space, enabling the angler to get up close to the sides for support when playing a decent fish, or if the boat is rocking a little.
A handy place to put tackle out of the way of any spray is in the clip-on rod holders on the cockpit shelving.
While the cockpit floor is standard chequer-plate alloy, Blackdog Cat have utilised SeaDek on the gunwales, and everywhere else on the boat you are likely to step, to ensure a firm grip underfoot. A nice touch is the boat marque routed into a section of SeaDek that surrounds the tuna tubes.
Two 105-litre IceyTek ice bins double as upholstered rear-facing seating. These are secured in place in quite a unique way using a spare bin latch – this was the first time I have seen it done this way and it was quite effective. While you may not need two large bins on board – although you can never have too much ice – one can always double as dry storage for food and drinks.
Fuel is carried underfloor in two 75-litre tanks located in each pontoon. Sight gauges, set out of the way and slightly raised to prevent water and debris gathering around them, give a good indication of fuel levels, especially when coupled with fuel flow/usage info provided by the Garmin engine management system.
Marketing manager Luke Ogle says 150 litres matched with an economical 200HP Honda V-Tec four stroke outboard gives Black Jack all the range Johnny needs. The boat can carry up to 300 litres total, 150 litres a side. He says this option is popular for boats sold into the Australian market.
There is no shortage of rod holders. There are nine in the rocket launcher, five along the rear of the bait board and four on each gunwale. Add to this several sets of removable holders that fit snugly over the edge of the cockpit shelving and you have as much rod storage as you might find in a small tackle shop!
Johnny hopes to do more gamefishing this coming season and to this end Kilwell Chatfield-style outrigger bases have been set into the rooftop.
The cockpit is well-lit thanks to two Hella floodlights set on the roof line. There is a blue light in the bait tank. A Hella 470 Sea Hawk lights the way forward, mounted centrally at the front of the cabin. Also on the roof are two racks (the upper surface is lined with SeaDek) to which the likes of surf and wakeboards, or water skis, can be secured. It could also be used to store bulky items such as dive bags.
Racks have been set onto the roof to hold the likes of wakeboards.
There is plenty going on at the helm station. A Garmin 8412 12” touch-screen sounder/plotter dominates the instrument panel. A unique feature of Black Jack is the Lenco transducer lift system. The height of the 1kW transducer can be controlled from the helm. It can be lifted for beach launching and shallow water operation, then dropped down when moving slowly while on the hunt for fish and deep foul.
The view from the helm station is excellent.
The Garmin engine management system provides all manner of useful feedback such as range, fuel usage, battery status and other important information. A ZipWake boat trim system ensures the boat is run with the optimum trim for both pitch and roll, automatically taking into account load and sea state. This is done using two actuators, or blades, that slide up and down, as opposed to the tabs used by conventional trim systems.
A Bluetooth Fusion sound system provides the on-board entertainment and the Maxwell Tasman drum winch is also operated from the helm. Blackdog Cat has developed their own fairlead, the design of which ensures an effective freefall of the ground tackle, important when you want to be anchored perfectly over your favourite fishing spot.
A Garmin VHF and a double switch panel complete the helm controls which are all in close reach of the helm seat. Speaking of which, high-back BLA seats have been fitted. These are comfortable and supportive in a bumpy sea. The other seating consists of two squabs facing astern located on top of the IceyTek bins. Wide cockpit gunwales are a good size to sit on during those quieter fishing sessions.
The top of the 105-litre IceyTek bin provides the base for the Queen seat.
The all-round view from the seats is excellent, with wipers on either side of the triple angled screen keeping the spray under control. Sliding side-windows add to the air flow during the warmer months.
Inside the cuddy there is room for two burly crew to sleep across the boat, as opposed to length-wise which was the case with the traditional v-berth arrangement.
An infill helps create the sleeping space and beneath the squabs is more dry storage for spare lifejackets and any manner of clutter us boaties are good at accumulating aboard our craft.
There is no shortage of hand holds around the boat, conveniently placed for the safety of the crew be they sitting or standing.
As mentioned in the opening paragraphs, the Blackdog Cat 620HT is a well thought out vessel, fit for purpose. There is a lot to like about it as a fishing/diving platform.
Anyone interested should check it, and the new BDC 500, out at the Auckland On Water Boat Show, October 3-6, where both boats will be available for demo rides.
Price as tested $134,600 (including alloy trailer)
Packages from $80,000
Length OA: 6.2m
Maximum HP/weight: 200/209kk
Transom height: 25 inch
External beam: 2.27m
Internal beam: 1.70m
Gunwale height: 70cm
Pontoon thickness: 4mm
Hull thickness: 4mm
Hull weight: 1400kg (approx.)
Tow weight: 2000kg (approx.)
Trailer: Tandem axle alloy BDC
This article is reproduced with permission of |
Tasman and Golden Bay snapper still running hot We are not far away from daylight... Read More >
Variety is the spice of life On one recent trip, the plan was to spend a... Read More >
Fish where the fish are! Catching fish or just going fishing? I tackle this issue... Read More >
Thoughtful tactics required for better fish Over the course of each year the fishing varies,... Read More >
John Eichlesheim writes an article about selecting the right equipment for softbait fishing... Read More >
Techniques, tips and tricks of softbait fishing – getting the most from your soft baits.... Read More >
Gary Kemsley helps sort out the necessary gear for intending surf fishers.... Read More >
Squid fishing is a rapidly growing aspect of fishing - Paul Senior shares some hints and tips to get started.... Read More >
Comments
Latest Articles
Gear Preparation for Marlin
March 2024Ben Brown shares his tips and tricks for prepping gear for marlin fishing... Read More >
One-pan Tomato Poached Snapper with Leek Recipe
March 2024A one-pan tomato poached snapper recipe is shared... Read More >
How Social Media Is Influencing Fishing
March 2024Social media is changing people's perception of fishing, writes Sam Boothroyd... Read More >
Raymarine Axiom Pro Fishfinder/Chartplotter and Cyclone Radar Review
March 2024Nick Jones Reviews the Raymarine Axiom Pro Fishfinder/Chartplotter and Cyclone Radar... Read More >
Brent Condon - Fishing Art
March 2024An artist profile on illustrator Brent Condon... Read More >