SL2400 Sportfishing Magazine - Whittley - #1

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in the country that pays as much attention to detail as

Whittley. All 'glass work,

interior joinery, upholstery and metal fittings are top shelf and it's on these aspects that the company has built an enviable nationwide reputation.

The SL2400 is a fibreglass monohull with a

deadrise of 23 degrees. It's

a deep vee built to provide a soft, dry ride and that's exactly what it delivers. It

is based on a New Zealand

design, which suits our local

conditions nicely. Despite

the deep vee configuration, the hull displays a high level of stability at rest, which is essential in any serious offshore fishing platform. Broad chines provide excellent handling at high speed and there's enough bow flare to ensure efficient spray disposal.

My test run out from Beaumaris on Port Phillip Bay reminded me closely of gulf conditions back in Adelaide, with a short, sharp chop that sorts out hard riding hulls in a hurry. Whittley's deep vee

MOTOR OPTIONS

• Horse Power range Twin outboards 90hp to 150hp

• Single outboard 175hp to 250hp

• Sterndrive maximum 320hp

• Recommended optimum hp 225

• Recommended minimum hp 150

carves its way nicely through conditions like this and I was

able to trim the big Yamaha

four stroke well in and push

up to 35 knots without

having to consider throttling back.

Despite the annoying chop, the SL2400 hull disposed of unwanted water nicely. With the motor trimmed well in, I was able to push into the sea without copping a drop of Port Phillip Bay on the

windscreen. Running beam

SHANE MENSFORTH

Whittley SL2400

The name Whittley has long been synonymous with quality in trailer boats and that's exactly what Shane Mensforth found when he tested the SL2400.

It always makes a pleasant change to test a locally-built boat in its home waters and that's exactly what I did recently while in Melbourne. I'd heard quite a bit about Whittley's new SL2400 and jumped at

the opportunity to take one

for a spin with JV Marine's Barney Friend on Port Phillip Bay. The Sea Legend is a purpose-built fishing rig,

designed for those who like

to travel far and wide, and it

comes with plenty of angler-friendly features.

It's a big, beamy boat that would be ideal for those who regularly run offshore to chase tuna or billfish. There are now four models in the Sea Legend

stable, from 6m-7.3m, and

each is fully rigged for the

angling enthusiast. As is

the case right across the Whittley range, the new 2400 is superbly finished. I doubt there's another manufacturer

SFI

SPECIFICATIONS

54 SPORT FISHING