A decade ago, most small boat angling was covered by craft in the 15 to 18-foot categories, mostly used for middle to long range fishing for general species. In the last ten years though, the situation has dramatically changed.
The biggest switch has been the number of small boat anglers moving in to lure and fly fishing for bass inside the estuaries and over inner shoreline feature. The latest trend looks set to be estuary fishing for flatfish, a species which have developed a growing cult of devotees over the past couple of years. Mullet anglers are also finding that getting afloat and fishing the quieter areas of harbours and estuaries has vastly improved their catch rate.
This change in fishing pattern is seeing increased popularity in aluminium boats for the UK market, an area where alloy craft have traditionally struggled to get a foot in the door. Alloy construction has been popular in many other countries since the 1950’s, especially Australia where the “Tinnie” is one of the biggest selling craft.
Take a second to think though, for the bass, flattie and inshore angler, you have an ultra tough, very lightweight boat that requires a cheaper to buy and run smaller engine, but with the massive advantage that maintenance is virtually non-existent.
We recognises the rapid growth of this sub 15ft market and will be periodically looking at craft suitable for estuary and inner coastal fishing. To get us underway, let’s look at the Linder 440, a boat making its mark with bass anglers.
COMPANY HISTORY
Linder boats are based in Kanotleden, Tyngsryd, Sweden and have been manufacturing various craft for around 40 years, initially around the construction of fibreglass canoes. By 1981 the GRP canoes hade been superseded by aluminium and were selling like hot cakes.
Come 1983 they branched out in to manufacturing the original Linder 410 rowing boat, followed quickly by the 440, which is now one of Europe’s biggest sellers.
BHG Marine based in Lymington, Hants have been quick to realise the expanding market for alloy craft, not just in angling but in all water sports and now stock the full range.
FEATURES
The aluminium used in the construction is similar to that used for building aircraft and gives an overall hull thickness of 1.7mm. Use a knuckle to tap the hull and you get a strong “dunk” sound that suggests strength.
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Checking out the underside of the hull the keel, being deep and full length, is the dominant feature. This instantly suggests that this boat will achieve good grip in the water. The U shackle to take the winch strap also looks over size for increased strength and durability.
Both stern corners and the apex of the bow have additional strengthening triangular braces bolted to the main structure. There were no T cleats on the test boat for tying off, but these would be easily fitted to the gunnel tops at both stern corners and at the bow.
A quick glance at the stern reveals that the engine bolts to and sits on a hardwood support bracket. You also have an alloy handle grip mounted either side of the stern to handle the boat when manually lifting and manoeuvring.
The outer gunnels are protected by a blue and tough looking fendering, and fitted for rowlocks as the boat comes complete with a set of 9’ oars. Having the option to row in to a quiet area can have a big advantage when targeting spooky fish like bass and mullet.
The attention to detail and the amount of thought having gone in to the boat come to the fore when you step inside.
At the bow you have a recessed flattened area where you can stow a small anchor and anchor rope. Just rear of this is an alloy bench seat or thwart. The seats have a tough blue coloured foam on, the foam separated in to sections with gaps in between to allow water to drain off. The foam is both warm to the touch and judging from my time aboard remains pretty dry too.
You also have a middle situated seat, plus a stern seat for the helmsman, again both with the foam padding on. The rear seat hinges up giving a spacious storage area for all the bits and pieces required during the day, including spare fuel. Just rear of this stern seat is another full length recessed splash well area.
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A thoughtful touch is that all the seats sport grab handles on positioned at each end of the seat. These give passengers a much more stable and secure ride if you’re punching in to a steady wave pattern.
The test boat was fitted with a flat pine open plank decking, which though part of the add on options list is absolutely superb, and I feel helps set off the boats superb looks. The shortened separate rear part of the decking lifts out easily to allow the rear seat locker to hinge upward.
If you look below the pine decking you can see that the alloy has been fitted with long blue grip strips to give sound footing if you’re working the boat without the additional pine decking.
Having taken the odd painful cut when working aboard aluminium boats during a period working in Australia back in the 1970’s, I risked some more by running my hand along the full length of any sharp edges on the underside of the seats and other obvious edges, but the finish is superb throughout and to a very high degree of workmanship. No cuts!
Measuring 14’1” and weighing in at just 84kgs two people can easily man handle the boat on to a trailer, even transport the 440 on top of the car roof if you have a suitable roof support loader.
PERFORMANCE
The test 440 was fitted with the Yamaha Four-Stroke 4hp F4AMHS engine, obviously tiller steering.
We launched off the slipway at Lymington in to a steady force 4 gusting force 5 further out in The Solent. Seeking water compatible with an open dinghy we headed up the inlet towards the Isle of Wight ferry terminal.
I sat up in the bow initially to get the passengers viewpoint and found the boat stable underway, even when we turned to take the waves and wind bow on. I was also impressed to see that very little in the way of spray came up over the bow and forward gunnels to reach back inside the boat.
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To further check the stability I stood up in the forward bow area and placing my feet apart gently rocked the boat from side to side. Though I wouldn’t normally advocate standing in a craft of this size the 440 is extremely stable and not prone to suddenly tipping to one side should someone shift their weight from one side to the other without first warning other people aboard. Her good stability was further illustrated when Carl from BHG and I swapped places and I took the helm.
Easing on the throttle, and with Carl at the bow the 440 rides smoothly nose down and makes a clean cut of oncoming waves pushing water outwards and creating little room for any wind to lift the water upwards and back towards the helmsman. You do get some gentle spray reaching you at the tiller, but it was much less than I expected on the day given the wind, as I was initially anticipating a soaking.
She holds a course well with no need for repeated adjustment of the tiller to keep her straight.
Easing off the throttle a little I turned the boat hard to starboard. The benefit of that deep keel came to the fore, the boat gripping the water like glue and showing minimal lean to starboard even at this quite tight turning circle. She’s also smooth to return to her original course.
If my passenger moved at all the boat showed no tendency to veer off course and again was stable during all manoeuvres.
Putting the motor out of gear and letting the boat drift gives you the impression that you feel safe and secure sat inside on the raised seats. The gunnels come up a good way to give you that sense of security. Stability wise, then you have no problems repeat casting a fly or lure as she is an excellent platform to work from. You can also reach fish easily, either by hand, or via a landing net.
Carl reckoned that the 440 takes around 5-inches of water to float, and that looked about right to me too.
It’s also worth mentioning that Linder quote the 440 as being unsinkable, even when waterlogged with 4 people aboard. Handy to know!
Though the boat is quoted for engines between 2 and 5hp, I felt the 4hp was ideal for general estuary and calm weather tight inshore fishing. If you did need to work back against a tide current, then the added horsepower is a big advantage and you don’t need to use it all the time, meaning you’re not constantly working a smaller engine hard. If you look at the fuel consumption between the 2hp and 4hp per hour, there is a difference of just 0.1 litres in favour of the 2hp, so like I said the 4hp would be my preferred option for any estuary or coast hugging fishing in flat calm seas.
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Looking at basic performance figures, with the two of us aboard I guessed the 440 was running at around 5-knots, maybe 6-knots tops, which is plenty. It is quoted in the Linder catalogue as being capable of 10-knots with a single person aboard. Overall fuel consumption you’d expect to be a miserly 1.6 litres an hour with the 4hp Yamaha.
THINGS I MIGHT CHANGE.
I’d look to add small cleats for tying up to at the stern, and a cleat at the bow for anchoring to. That’s it!
CONCLUSION
I see the 440 perfect for two keen fly fishers or lure anglers working inner estuary marks, estuary bar areas, and shallow reefs along the edge of the tide line out from beaches on those lovely flat calm summer nights. Throw in a little mackerel bashing, flounder and plaice fishing in the main estuary channels, plus some harbour fishing for mullet and it gives you an idea of the versatility and fun this boat could offer.
You also have the option to motor most of the way, then switch to oars for that silent approach early in the morning when the bass are herding fry in the shallows.
The strength of aluminium and her minimum draft also means that she’s ideal for working in really shallow water allowing you to fully work the shallowest of reef hot spots.
Its light weight means you can easily launch on your own and can tow behind a small family car. It takes up minimal storage room too. Now I’m getting older, and I’d like to think a little wiser, that lack of maintenance is also highly appealing.
What a little cracker!
ALUMINIUM
Aluminium is given the chemical name of Al and an atomic number 13. It is quoted as a Metallic Element accounting for 8% by weight of the earth’s crust. It has a density of 2.7g/cm3 is extracted from bauxite.
Boats constructed from Aluminium should never be painted below the waterline with alkali paints containing copper, lead or quicksilver. These compounds can create galvanic currents which can cause corrosion. Always carefully read the paint can and check with the supplier and manufacturer if in any doubt.
DIMENSIONS
Length: 431cms
Beam: 164cms
Weight: 84kgs
Category: D
Max Load: 400kgs
Max Persons: 4
Rec Outboard Size: 2-5hp
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 Website: www.bhg-marine.co.uk
