cruise craft 575 outsider review

Cruise Craft Outsider 575 Review

The first new generation Cruise Craft Outsiders 685 and 625 are brilliant boats. There’s no other way to describe them.

They have received many accolades including 2000 Fishing Boat of the Year for the Outsider 685 and finalist in the 2001 Fishing Boat Of the Year for the Outsider 625.

Some readers think this is hard act to follow, but it doesn’t take long hanging over its gunwale to see that the new Outsider 575 is more than up to the task. It’s basically a more compact version of the first two Outsiders. And while bigger is normally better, out in the real world, where those who work for a living buy boats, being 10 grand cheaper than the 625 makes this new boat a lot more attractive.

Back in the good ol’ pre-metric days the Outsider 575 would have been considered an 18 footer, which puts it onto the bottom step of serious offshore fishing boats. But 18 footers also get plenty of use for family outings. They are just the right size for a couple with two kids.

So when evaluating this Outsider 575 the Modern Boating team looked at this boat as a total family boating package. Not simply as a full-blown offshore fishing rig for the tribal alpha male and his associate.

Two features that puts the Outsider 575 streaks ahead in the family boating strakes, is its transom door and folding boarding ladder. When the rug rats are onboard it makes it a simple affair to back the boat up to a beach, anchor fore and aft and let them on and off via the stern. This feature also aids the purchasing process when the alpha female is involved.

“Great family boat dear, look we can get out onto the beach with the kids easy.” No unladylike gymnastics, or lifting kids up and over, just open the door, fold the ladder down, and step out.

“It’s only an 18 footer, so the bunks are a bit small for adults to sleep on for extended periods, but they’re perfect for the kids when they get tired or want to play out of the sun. Oh and look at this, there’s a place built in there for a toilet…”. The brownie points keep stacking up.

We’ve been making fun of winning favour with the better looking half of the family, but in all seriousness, just having a place for a ‘loo, and that transom door/ladder, make the Outsider 575 one exceptional 5.7m family boat. And before getting onto the fishing side of the house, there’s no doubt this is one good looking boat. The curved hipped sheer line, introduced in the Outsider 685, and continued in the 625, looks every bit as good here.

But we fish heads don’t buy a fishing boat on looks alone. Even though nobody will make derogatory remarks about this boat’s looks. The neighbours will also probably comment on how good your new boat looks. That’s until they have a go at you for shattering their Sunday arvo snooze by washing out the engine after the latest fishing trip.

There are several good 5.7/5.8m offshore fishing boats on offer in this country and a couple of those are extremely good. Which boat is the best is a subjective thing and will always remain a matter of opinion. But there’s no doubt the Cruise Craft Outsider 575 is a real contender. Anyone who decides on another similar boat without giving this vessel serious consideration would be the proverbial bloody idiot.

Coming down to 5.7m from 6.8m has an effect on cockpit space. But by clever work with the gunwales, Cruise Craft have retained a similar internal beam to its bigger sisters. But for serious fishing the 575 has a two person cockpit; three at a pinch.

Its high sides, made more comfortable in the test boat by optional padded side coamings, has full toe-in along the cockpit sides and across the working area of the transom. There’s a big livewell in the starboard top sides, while the oil bottle and a second battery are hidden away in another locker worked into the aft end layout.

Extra cost options on the test boat included the padded sides, a targa top and the bait board. A cabin liner also adds to the creature comforts as does the ‘loo.

This boat can be fitted out as a basic workhorse or dressed up with all the mod cons depending on personal preferences and of course budget. The carpeted cockpit, 160 litre underfloor fuel tank, transom door and ladder are all standard features. A lounge across the transom, which folds away when not in use to become cockpit padding, is also a standard fitting.

Cruise Craft have done a remarkably good job on this boat to figure out what to fit as standard and what to offer as an option. Helm and passenger seating is not as plush as they are in the larger Outsiders, although they aren’t exactly bare benches. The same can be said for the textured vinyl bunk cushions.

You can see where Cruise Craft have worked at keeping the price down. But we do acknowledge that this has been achieved without introducing the slightest hint of cheapness. Put bluntly the Cruise Craft Outsider 575 is a classy piece of work.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of taking Cruise Craft boats for granted. You know the grab bars will be where they’re needed. You know it’ll be easy and safe to get at the anchor. As with all Cruise Craft boat there are no loose ends. The presentation and finish are superb.

What, no negative comments regular readers may ask? She nearly got a clean bill of health. But, like the 625 Outsider we were uncomfortable with the closeness of the above screen grab rail to the driver’s face when standing. But anyone a round 170cm mark like me, would be more comfortable after making a few adjustments to gain some space here.

It would also be a tight squeeze to get a reef pick, large enough to hold the 575, into the small anchor well on the foredeck. Although most serious reef fishers carry their reef pick, rope and retriever buoy in a crate inside the boat and handle it from the cockpit. Apparently that bow well is there to hold a Danforth for when you’re anchoring off the beach.

The Cruise Craft Outsider 575 is an excellent all rounder that makes no compromises. It’s just at home out wide chasing sportfish as it is taking the family out for a day’s island hopping. The finish and level of fit-out ensure this boat stands out in the field.

Even before you consider the reduced overall cost and the fact that it can be towed by your average family car.

Cruise Craft were not able to give the final hull weight figure of this new vessel at the time of testing, but have assured us this boat can definitely be towed by a Holden Commodore or similar vehicle.

The cost of the test boat was $47,500 including options and accessories.

Story & Photos by Warren Steptoe

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TEST: CRUISE CRAFT EXPLORER 575

At any ramp there are a number of boats that will stand out from the crowd, and just two of them are the Cruise Craft 625 Outsider and the 625 Explorer. They’re the sort of boat that many might aspire to own. Certainly they’re not the cheapest boat on the block but they are models that exude quality in workmanship and design. My well used adage of ‘Rolls Royces are never cheap’ works well here. Their popularity and desirability to own can be measured by the healthy resale price of these and other Cruise Craft models. These two boats are by no means at the top end in trailer-sized rigs but they are large. And, for a variety of reasons, some people are precluded from crossing the line into the Cruise Craft 625 model ownership circle. A couple of these reasons are: its size could make it difficult to manage for older people at wind swept and swell prone ramps, and fitting it into some driveways and undercover stowage areas could be difficult. If you’re sitting back wishing to yourself ‘if only’, the light at the end of the tunnel is reflecting off the Explorer 575 - a rig that will lay to rest those and no doubt many other concerns of pondering buyers. This 575 has been modelled for 2006, and was released at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in 2005. Its predecessor has been on the water for about three years.

ROOMY AND WORKABLE The revamp sees the helm station bulkhead moved forward 130mm with a stand-alone anchor well introduced. This results in a roomy, workable cockpit for serious anglers and families that like some space around them on weekends at the beach. The latter will find damp stowage space for togs, towels and the like under a central hatch in the deck between the swivel bucket seats. Back inside the cabin, its liner, surround pockets and bunks are moulded in one for smoothness of lines and inherent strength. This vee-berth is available with an optional infill to make a bunk which, at a squeeze, could fit two small adults for a kip. It sits two or three comfortably with a leg well of decent size when the infill is removed. The usual stowage is available under the berth cushions. The ugly spaghetti associated with the rear of a lot of helm stations is shrouded with a moulded fibreglass hinged and clipped lid, making for a neat finish in this section. A two-tier step-up to get one’s torso through the ample cabin roof hatch to work the ground tackle is nicely designed, height wise, for the average person. The cockpit liners are also fully moulded, featuring the same full-sized side pockets incorporating rod and gaff holders as this boat’s big brother. The dashboard at the helm has also been improved, with an increase in size and the sensible location of instrumentation to enable the flush mounting of a couple of large sounder and GPS cabinets. There really is nothing more frustrating than finding a sparse spread of instruments that make installation of serious fish finding and navigation equipment impossible! Those very same serious anglers will appreciate the full size live bait well that sits in the transom, emulating its big brother in size once again. A bait rigging station featuring a sink under the cutting board with rod holders inserted within rounds off a nice work platform. A full beam drop down and removable rear lounge against the transom bulkhead makes the transition of this boat from fun to fishing machine a simple operation.

STABLE AND SPRIGHTLY We took the 575 out on Moreton Bay on the eve of a strong wind warning. Northerly winds of 20 to 25 knots and the threat of a thunder squall had the low tide waters rolling from a swell to a chop of green pea soup closer in so we opted for the calmer waters of the bay. With a 140hp Mercury two-stroke, this rig was very sprightly. With correct trim, the mechanical helm was easy on the elbows and the boat very manoeuvrable at speeds. If strength of the crew is one of the reasons you would look for a vessel of these dimensions do them all a favour and get hydraulic steering, which makes life so much more comfortable, especially when working at speeds just off the plane in tight confines, perhaps manoeuvring at jetties and piers or working around big seas. Also noticeable was how dry the windscreen remained with so much wind and chop coming from the forequarters. Some spray was generated when the rig was pushed purposefully hard into the oncoming sea but, all in all, the faces above the built-in grab rail surrounding the windscreen remained relatively dry. Running along the chop and swell, the 575 tracked without error and was equally at home running with the sea, showing no broaching whatsoever. Stability dead in the water was good and, moving about the boat, it remained at a good attitude, with the chines holding onto the surface. With only the bare safety equipment aboard, stability would rise with increased payload. Due to the prevailing conditions I opted not to wind the Mercury out to its limits but it feels like a ‘75’ boat without too much trouble. A comfortable cruise speed of 45km/h was realised at 3000rpm and, typically Cruise Craft, it was just a nice boat to be in. And the finish? Impeccable, as expected.

WHAT WE LIKED Looks and handles like its bigger brothers, the 625 Explorer and Outsider

NOT SO MUCH Nothing

Specifications: Cruise Craft Explorer 575

HOW MUCH? Price as tested:    $51,715.00 Options fitted:    Stainless steel targa bimini, front and side clears      Sliding shade extension, stainless steel seat      Frames, deluxe bait board, padded side      coamings, live bait tank and saltwater      deckwash, 27meg GME radio and aerial Priced from:    $49,788.00 (BMT)

GENERAL Material:    Fibreglass Hull design:    Moderate ‘V’ mono hull Length overall:   6.097m Beam:     2.37m Deadrise:    20° Weight:    About 1740kg (boat, motor (130hp) trailer)

CAPACITIES People:     6 Fuel:     160lt

ENGINE Make/model:    Mercury    Type:     V6 carburetted two-stroke Rated hp:    140 Displacement:    2507cc Weight:    184kg Gearbox ratio:    1.87:1 Propeller:    19in

SUPPLIED BY Cruise Craft Boats Pty Ltd, 1308 Lytton Road, Hemmant, Qld 4174. Phone: (07) 3390 4877 Fax: (07) 3390 5756 Website:    www.cruisecraft.com.au

Originally published in TrailerBoat #203

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