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BUCCANEER 685 EL DORADO HT REVIEW WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW ONLINE www.boatmags.com/buccaneer685 12 months after Barry Thompson checked out the all-new Buccaneer 685 El Dorado centre cabin walkaround with a bimini top, he went back on the water with the company’s first hardtop version. 44 PACIFIC POWERBOAT JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016 HEN the 685 El Dorado Centre Cabin was unveiled at the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show in 2014, designer Gerry Gerrand told me that a hardtop version was already under development. It was to be in every way identical to the open version but with a lid on. Also, the first of the new model was to be Gerry’s personal boat, so it was destined to be extremely well rigged for fishing. Really, that’s what the hardtop version is all about. It’s taken the ‘open’ El Dorado, which is unquestionably designed for the serious fishing market and moved to another level. There are aspects of the El Dorado that will not suit

The new hardtop version of the 685 El Dorado brings the boat to a whole new level. and while the hardtop model is not expected to be one of Buccaneers top sellers, it will (and already has with the open version) find a specialist niche of clientele. "What we wanted to achieve with the new 685 El Dorado was what we have done in the past with boats like our Billfisher range and our larger hardtop models, is a fishing machine that is capable of handling the sort of seas we get off our coast and be set up for any form of fishing", says Wade Gerrand from Buccaneer Boats. About the Billfisher,...

The cockpit has also had a tweak, with the vinyl side panels replaced with fibreglass panels with a soft vinyl pattern. They look just like the real thing but are more durable and long wearing. Another change in our hardtop model was the central live bait tank was missing and has been replaced with an extra large teak bait board. Both are options so you can have what you want. In Gerry's boat, he also changed the starboard side locker to incorporate a pair of tuna tubes, but still retained the live bait in the transom step-through. Underneath is hatch access to the batteries and cut-off...

Take a look inside 1. The cabin is suitable for overnighting or just somewhere to relax during the day. 2. The large teak bait board replaces the island live bait module. 3. Great place to sit when underway or waiting for the fish to bite. 4. With the rear curtain you can close in the hardtop. 5. Wide deep bulwarks make access forward safe and easy. 6. The new moulded seat bases come with a fridge and tackle box. WWW.BOATMAGS.COM 47

replaces mechanical control cables with a digital fly-by-wire system to eliminate friction and resistance in the controls. The system provides smooth and precise control along with crisp, immediate shifting that are particularly helpful during low rpm operation (such as trolling for trout) and when manoeuvring. The four cylinders of DF 200A displace a total of 2867 cc (175 cubic inches) with a perfectly square bore and stroke (97x97 mm or 3.82 in). The high compression ratio of 10,2:1 grants a good torque at low revs, therefore, fast acceleration. The aesthetic restyling also comes from...