Anglers looking to fly fish or work plugs for bass will appreciate the clean open design of the Pembrokeshire Yachts Pirate 18 Centre Console. It offers maximum working room both at the stern and off the bow.

First thing you notice is that the tops of the gunnels are stipple finished for grip when stepping in to the boat. The deck is also stippled finished to avoid the chance of slippage when working on deck.

The gunnels are also recessed to take rod holders keeping stored rods inside the gunnel line for maximum use of space.

Moving up to the bow there is a stainless steel safety rail running from the front edge of the centre console to the bow, but split at the bow to give access to the stainless steel bow roller for ease of hauling anchor, plus stainless steel T cleats either side for tying off.

The bow section is flat and gives a large sitting and standing area ideal for casting fly, plug and spinning gear from. At the front edge of this standing area there are two storage lockers for stowing spare equipment.

The centre console features a tinted screen with a tough stainless steel grab rail surround. There is also a two man upholstered bench seat in front of the console that hides an additional storage locker.

The wheel is in the middle of the console with the throttle to the starboard side. All your switches are positioned to the left side, with necessary instruments neatly positioned above the wheel on a wide section of console for easy viewing.

A two man upholstered type bench seat with stainless steel frame proves very comfy for the helmsman and passenger, but this also hides another large storage locker, so all in all you’ve heaps of hidden stowage area to loose fenders, spare rope etc.

Standing on deck the gunnels are good and high with additional stainless steel safety rails added. You feel totally safe, but still have lean over access to the waters surface to grab or net bigger fish.

The transom also has space underneath to take at least four fuel tanks, this space being big enough to fully take the length of the fuel tanks so that you do not lose any working deck space.

The stern features a deep splash well with flip up access live bait wells at each stern corner, plus you have stainless steel stern cleats at each side for tying off.

Looking at the overall finish of the boat, it is superb with quality fittings and fixings throughout.

PERFORMANCE
The day proved tough with a short high chop on the water and a strong wind against tide, plus it was misty with rain steadily getting heavier.

The test Pirate 18 was teamed up with the Honda 90LRTD 4-stroke outboard giving the deep V hull a really impressive turn of speed. It can take engines up to 130hp too, if you’re a full on speed freak.

Sat in the helm seat it offers full forward viewing, so you can fully read the water at speed without having to stand up, plus it’s a comfy seat to sit on.

Throttle response is quick with the boat coming out of the hole almost instantly. Throttle back a tad and she settles down at the bow to cruise evenly across the water.

In a straight line and increasing speed, the hull skims through the top of the waves pushing spray out neatly to the sides. Even in to a strong head wind, only the occasional bit of spray made it back in to the boat. The ride is very solid for a relatively small craft, and hull chatter and slam minimal. It’s a comfy ride, even at speed over choppy water, for both the helmsman and passengers.

Turning the boat, still at speed, in to tight corner manoeuvres proves the hull has excellent grip. On the drift the boat remains stable even with people on board moving about, and stays stable at medium speeds with little wheel correction required if someone repositions themselves on deck and alters the balance of the boat. Two of you can also stand on one side to access a big fish without the boat leaning over to any real degree.

Her cruising speed with 90hp on the back is around 30mph, with a top speed in the region of 40mph. Expect a fuel burn rate around 2.5 gallons at cruising speed, and no more than 4 gallons when running at top speed.

 

THINGS I’D CHANGE
As an optional extra I’d certainly add a couple more rod holders to the tops of the gunnels as on the test boat there was only one positioned each side towards the console.

Other than that I can’t fault anything else!

CONCLUSIONS
This is a fast, highly manoeuvrable craft that’s ideal for two or three anglers to work offshore over reefs and banks for bass and tope, but also, due to its open working space on deck and at the bow, it’s ideal for general ground fishing both at anchor and on the drift.

It particularly appeals to the fly and lure fisherman as there is nothing bar the centre console to catch your gear on the cast, plus you can fully walk around the boat if you hook up on a large fish.

The craft also has excellent sea keeping qualities, is fast, comfortable and proves highly predictable in its handling.

SPECIFICATIONS
Total Length: 18ft
Beam: 7ft
Draft: 18ins
Internal Freeboard: 25ins
Weight: 570kg
Engine Size: 60 to 130hp

PRICE
The price of the Pirate 18 fitted with the Honda 90LRTD outboard is £16698.37 including VAT, with the trailer for this craft costing another £895.00 including VAT. It comes with a full 5-year structural warranty.

There are also numerous engine packages available, plus a full list of extras and upgrades to consider.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Howard or Ann Williams at Pembrokeshire Yachts, The Boatyard, Crossways, Honeyborough, Neyland, Pembrokshire SA73 1QY. Tel: 01646 602030.

Also check out their web site at www.pirate-boats.com and you can e-mail for more info via PYCboats@aol.com .