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Print versionBoat Review: Linder 400
The Linder 400 at 13’ 2” will interest anglers who fish inside sheltered waters such estuaries and harbours, but she also proves to be a seaworthy boat for working tight in to the coast, but is also quick so will also appeal to bass anglers looking for an easy to launch and handle boat that can get them out to fish the inshore reefs in the minimum amount of time.
The test day was ideal being a damp and overcast day with a strong wind from the southeast putting a fair chop on the water.
My test boat was fitted with a Yamaha 15hp 4-stroke engine. Easing the throttle in the boat lifts slightly at the bow, but is quick to drop as she hits planing speed and quickly settles to run evenly over the water. The ride is comfortable and hull noise minimal.
Turning the boat in to a tight turn with the power eased off, then adding power as you come out of the turn, the stern digs deep in to the water and showed no sign of slipping. Push the throttle fully forward and the boat leaps back on to the plane and hits full speed almost instantly.
Taking the sharp turn at speed the boat remains stable without throwing the passengers around. On the drift you can move about in the boat and she remains stable with minimum sideways rock. Ideal if you need to stand up for casting flies or lures.
Deliberately turning the boat in to the wind and powering up, once on the plane a little spray did reach back on deck, but it was nothing more than you’d anticipate in the conditions and the boat is actually very dry with spray pushed well out to side of the bow when attacking waves.
The gunnels are also high enough to keep the occupants feeling safe when seated, but are easy to reach the water from when landing fish.
Although normally supplied with the 9.9hp engine, I think the 15hp Yamaha on the test boat suited the boat well and gives excellent performance. Working with two people on board top speed is around 22-knots, with fuel consumption estimated about 5- litres per hour at 5700rpm.
The hull is built from high-specification alloy with a thickness of 1.8mm. It’s tough, durable and requires minimal maintenance. The alloy is protected with a lacquer coat for additional security too.
What stands out about the 400 is the thoughtful interior design that maximises the fishing efficiency of this craft.
The bow features a forward seat with a small dished area between the seat and bow point to carry the anchor rope and anchor. Just forward of the centre console is a full width bench seat. Both seats carry lightweight foam cushioning pads that are comfy to sit on, plus give good grip to stop you sliding about when manoeuvring the boat at speed. Both bow and middle seats carry hand grips at each end for additional passenger comfort.
Between the two seats the deck has a lift out section of treated wood planking that gets water away instantly, plus gives good grip underfoot.
The centre console, again made from alloy, is positioned towards the stern and features a splash screen for helm protection. This has a flat shelf area at the back easily large enough to fit your sounder on to, plus a small GPS unit. The wheel is a round type and coated for grip in wet conditions, plus your instruments can also be flush fitted in to the console face for easy viewing.
A neat feature is that the centre console also hinges up to the starboard side and is the fuel and battery locker.
The helmsman is seated on a bench type seat running fully across the stern. This also features the blue foam cushioning and grip handles at either side. Again wooden decking gives grip and separates you from any standing water. Seated at the wheel you have excellent all round vision, plus ample room to fish from when on the drift or at anchor.
The stern features a riveted engine plate for added strength and protection, plus has an alloy hand grip at each side, ideal for manhandling the boat, but also for attaching a trailer board to.
The boat is superbly finished with no sharp edges, has neat triangular plates to flush finish the corners, plus all the rivets and bolts are rounded off to avoid snagging on clothing and equipment.
CONCLUSION
Built from alloy the Linder 400 has the advantage of light weight in comparison to GRP, therefore is easy to launch and retrieve on your own, plus it can be towed behind the smallest of cars. The other advantage to alloy is that it needs minimal maintenance.
The boat is comfortable and spacious to fish from and is ideal for two anglers to fly fish or work lures from, as well as being a cracking boat for flattie fishing inside harbours and estuary channels.
The other asset is the boats speed. At 20-knots plus you cover ground very quickly, so the boat is adept at fishing areas over the peak time, then with minimal effort you can up anchor and move following the fish as they move on through the estuary system.
Being so easy to handle and very stable, she’s also an ideal first time boat for anglers looking to literally test the water and gain some experience before moving on to bigger boats. Alloy boats also hold their value better than GRP craft too.
I couldn’t pick fault with the Linder 400 and if you’re looking for a smaller craft taking up minimal storage space, but with stability and speed, then she has to be a serious consideration.
DIMESIONS
Length: 401cm (13’ 2”)
Beam: 164cm
Weight: 109kgs
Rec Engine: 6-10hp
Max Load: 420kgs
Category C – 4 persons
CONTACTS
Paul Martin, BHG Marine Ltd, Ampress Park, Southampton Road, Lymington, Hants, SO41 8LW. Tel: 0845 644 6645/01590 613600. Fax: 0845 644 6635. E-mail: paulmartin@bhg-marine.co.uk or sales@bhg-marine.co.uk Website: www.bhg-marine.co.uk
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