Smartwave SW4200 CC

Smartwave boats are not new. Designed and built to CE certification, these moulded polyethylene hulls were developed in Rangiora in the South Island by Advantage Plastics with well-known boat designer Scott Robson. The range was successful, and as well as domestic sales, boats were exported around the world, including Australia, the Pacific Islands, the UK and many other countries.

However, agricultural products and traffic barriers are Advantage Plastics core business and in October last year Galloway International Ltd, the makers of Mac Boats, purchased Smartwave Boats, moving the production to Auckland. Galloways, of course, have over two decades experience in manufacturing rotationally-moulded polyethylene boats, and were the ideal fit for Smartwave.

True colours

Smartwave agents Silverdale Marine (just north of Auckland) kindly provided a test boat, a Smartwave 4200 (4.300m LOA) centre-console, powered by one of Tohatsu’s upgraded 50hp four-stroke outboards, the MFS50AW. This outboard is lightweight for a 50hp, at 95kg. It has electronic fuel injection (EFI) giving good fuel economy, and an improved gearcase with a lower gear ratio, giving increased low-end torque. Another useful feature is a variable idling speed control, from 650 to 950rpm in 100rpm increments.

These outboards now come in two colour options: Aqua Marine Blue and Beluga White. The test boat was fitted with the Beluga White option – a nice colour match with the grey and white styling of the hull (eight hull colours are available) and upholstery – turning a 14-inch pitch propeller.

On the water

I met with Galloway’s sales manager Mark Cunningham and, upon launching the boat at Gulf Harbour on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, the first thing I noticed was how quiet the rig was underway. The four-stroke Tohatsu outboard runs quietly and smoothly, and the double-skinned polyethylene hull also helps deadens the sound.

Because there is a bit of ‘give’ between the two hull skins, the ride is softened as well. Despite the lowered gear ratio, with two adults, 50 litres of fuel and a bit of other gear aboard, the boat easily achieved 46kph (25 knots) without much fiddling around with the trim.

The hull is not all polyethylene; the central section of the deck is aluminium plate, with marine carpet overlay. The underfloor section between the two plastic skins is filled with expanding urethane foam, and along with the naturally buoyant nature of the polyethylene, you have a hull that won’t sink, even if you cut it in half with a chainsaw. The plastic is extremely tough and incorporates a high level of UV protection.

It was a calm spring day with only about five knots coming out of the north-east, but with a run-out tide quartering on the wind, and boat traffic, there was enough slop on the sea to convince me that the Smartwave was a stable and soft rider. I was sheltered behind the console with its polycarbonate ‘screen and seated comfortably on the 65-litre padded top chilly bin that doubles as a helm seat. Mark lounged on one of the forward seats and neither of us took any spray. The boat was fitted with a bimini top, mounted on Railblaza StarPorts, but it was such a nice day we decided we didn’t need it and removed it after the photo shoot.

Front to back

For the sort of work this boat is designed for, the open anchor well and moulded-in fairlead is perfectly adequate. Twin seats are moulded into the bow with upholstered tops and storage lockers underneath – a useful spot for storing a drogue. There are a couple of drink-holders moulded into the front seat, as well. Curved bow rails help when handling the boat in the surf and serve as bases for Railmounts to attach rod holders (and other accessories), as do another pair of rails closer to the stern – one had a baitboard attached via Railmounts. Several other Railblaza StarPorts around the gunwale tops allow attachment of a range of other fittings, including more rodholders.

The centre console is of a decent size, but the hull is stable, so it is not hard to get around. Behind the protection of the polycarbonate ‘screen is a Lowrance Hook5 sounder/GPS, a Uniden UM355 VHF, Tohatsu rev counter, trim indicator and engine hour meter. The switching unit includes a USB charging port. Steering and throttle/shift are both cable-operated and mounted on the side of the console along with the nav lights.

We carried two 25-litre tote tanks of fuel, one inside the console and one between the rear seats. Both are on the centreline of the boat, helping with the trim of the hull. The battery could also be mounted in the console but was in its optional position under the starboard rear seat. The port rear seat is set up to be easily fitted out with a livebait tank underneath it, if required.

There are several optional extras for this boat (which is also available in an open boat configuration) and blind inserts (and some backing plates) have been added during the moulding process so options can be easily added if required. These include mounts for an electric outboard, a ski bracket and a boarding ladder (this last had been fitted to the test boat). A bilge pump can be fitted if required.

Wheels and meals

The trailer was supplied by Silverdale company Ultra Trailers and features a galvanised cradle ‘A’ frame design with leaf-spring suspension, wind-down jockey wheel, two keel rollers and two support benches. The tow weight of the rig is only 565kg, so is easily pulled by the average family car.

It was a lovely day for boating and it is one of my rules never to travel unarmed, so Mark and I had a bit of a drift around with a couple of Kabura jigs over the side. It was a bit early in the season for the fishing to be firing in close (although the Army were), but we managed a feed of pannie snapper. The boat was stable and comfortable to fish from. We could safely walk around the hull and the centre-console configuration kept us both separated and safe from the other bloke’s casting.

The SW4200CC is a cool boat – robust, stable and with a high degree of reserve buoyancy – that is easy to tow and launch. Polyethylene is a plastic that can be welded for repair or alteration, and I have seen this material hit with a sledge hammer without visible damage. You don’t have to repaint it either. A great two-person inshore or lake sportfishing boat.

Specifications

• Material: polyethylene
• Configuration: centre console
• LOA: 4300mm
• Beam: 1930mm
• Hull thickness: 10mm
• Deadrise: 16.5 degrees
• Recommended hp: 50hp
• Test engine: Tohatsu 50hp four-stroke
• Prop: 14-inch pitch
• Trailer: Ultra Trailers, Silverdale
• Tow weight: 565kg
• Reserve buoyancy: 1357kg (empty boat)
• Price: packages: from $19,995 (two-stroke 50hp)
• Price as tested: $25,995.00 (four-stroke 50hp)

Test boat courtesy of Silverdale Marine