READY FOR COMBAT
The Warrior range have made quite a name for themselves over the past few years. It could be argued that they are now the most popular choice amongst first time buyers, and with more experienced crews looking to upgrade in the size of their boat.
I was down in Swansea at Cambrian Boat Centre to test the highly popular Warrior 165. The weather was bang on too, with a steady force 4 to 5 easterly blasting up the Bristol Channel and putting a nice chop on the water. Couple that with bright sunshine and you’ve got pretty much the perfect test day.
FIGHTING TALK
Nosing our way out through the channel between the breakwaters, we instantly felt the full force of the wind that was slowly increasing in strength. Turning the bow starboard we headed west towards Mumbles.
With one of the CBC lads at the wheel I first took the opportunity to have a wander around the deck. I deliberately shifted my weight to the same side as the helmsman. The boat obviously does heel over a little with the added weight of two average sized blokes on the one side, but she initially dips then stops and stays well within the bounds of safety. She’s got high gunnels too, the ones I favour that reach right up to upper hip height and with an added 3-inch safety rail. You feel safe!
I was impressed with the amount of working room on deck. The test boat was fitted with two forward seats, but you’ve still loads of room from the seats to the transom to work in, and more importantly to land, unhook, tag and release big fish like tope in.
Parking my backside in the helmsman seat I eased the throttle forward and the 60hp Yamaha 4-stroke purred in to life, the 165 lifting her nose for a second before jumping forward. The power increase is instant, but not dramatic, the boat almost gently coming up on the plane and then settling back to ride evenly across the surface as you ease back a touch on the throttle. It’s deceiving actually, just how fast you really are accelerating.
Making exaggerated turns at speed the stern digs in and grips without any sign of slip. Whip the wheel back to true just a little and the boat instantly comes back for you. It’s very responsive.
There was a nasty beam on swell to contend with heading towards Mumbles, and deliberately working the boat at speed against the angle of the waves I needed only occasional wheel correction to bring the bow back and keep her on course.
I found an area where a submerged bank caused the waves to pile up short and sharp. Easing back on the throttle and swinging the nose to starboard I completely killed the power. I watched how the boat reacted to the stern on sea. The 165 doesn’t suffer too much swing of the stern as I expected she might, and she actually holds herself pretty straight.
Whipping the engine in to reverse I backed in to what where quite substantial 3-foot waves. The boat sports a deep splash well, and I wasn’t surprised to see no water made it back deck side, even though I pushed up a big bulb of water against the stern.
Back in to forward, bring the bow around to face the waves and wind and give her some throttle. This time I was looking for just how much splash got back over the cabin and maybe the gunnels when travelling at a reasonable speed in what was now quite rough water. Lifting over the top a growler and whacking down in to the trough between two waves is not recommended, but only a hint of misty spray occasionally makes it back over the cabin, and I was working the boat harder and faster than I would in normal circumstances.
One thing I did find was that although visibility was okay when sat in the seat looking through the forward cabin windows, it wasn’t good enough to remain seated. I needed to stand to be able see enough of the water to identify any floating debris. I find this on most small boats though. Both seated and standing the throttle was easy to locate without having to take your eyes off the water.
Continuing forward at a sensibly chosen speed for the conditions the boat lifts over the waves and settles easily in to the next one. No sudden pitching that might unbalance somebody on deck, and little wheel correction needed as you ride in to a trough.
Coming around again I ran the boat under minimum throttle with the waves, and again she holds her course really well, with just an occasional twitch of the wheel to bring her back on line.
You can see why this craft has become so popular, she’s easy to work with, has lots of deck space, and takes a decent sea very well. She’s ideal for two anglers, though I know lads who fish three from these without standing on each other.
I didn’t have the sea conditions to fully test her for true performance figures, but suffice to say she’s very fast and cruises in the upper 20-knot bracket. The trusty Yamaha engine is also pretty miserly. Used sensibly you’ll be very hard pushed to burn more than four gallons an hour.
Having chucked the boat about a fair bit, I’d be interested in sticking the Yamaha 80hp 4-stroke engine on the back. The boat is quoted for up to 80hp motors, and I think this combination would give startling performance figures in ideal sea conditions. If you push out long range in calm weather, then the Yamaha F80 4-stroke would make up a fabulous outfit.
ARMED TO THE TEETH
Regards fittings, starting at the stern, the splash well as mentioned is deep and the transom high, the outside lower edge of the splash well fully protected with alloy angle. The transom carries a round live well with clip down hatch at each side, plus a push in rod holder, and there is a stainless steel T cleat at each quarter for tying off.
The stainless steel safety rail runs along the gunnel top, the gunnel flaring up towards the cabin to give a very neat appearance to the craft.
Heading up for the bow you notice that the cabin windows are poly-carbonate, fitted oversize and bolted in for strength. I feel this is highly important as a wave on widows fitted with just a rubber insert can cave in to just minimal pressure. In all there are five cabin windows.
A stainless steel safety rail runs from the gunnel by the middle of the side cabin window to the bow, the two rails formed separately to leave a gap in the middle for anchoring etc. The anchor locker is spacious and secured with two hatch doors opening opposite ways.
For anchoring and retrieving there is a large size stainless steel bow roller and a strong pedestal type cleat for anchoring to.
The test boat was fitted with a quality stainless steel gantry carrying the VHF aerial and the Navigation lights. There was loads of room for additional plates on the gantry top to take a GPS receiver and an additional aerial if required.
Jumping on deck, the petrol tank is housed in the drain well under the transom, with the battery secured in a battery box under the starboard corner. There is enough room for a second fuel tank under the port side corner. These are far enough back so that your feet miss them when working tight up against the transom, such as when fighting a big fish.
The deck is painted a dark matt grey to minimise light reflecting back at you, and I found the finish gave a good grip.
Moving forward the helm and passenger seats are well padded and very comfy finished in blue and white upholstery. These swivel around to face the stern. You also have substantial lockers underneath the seats inside the seat consoles which open out on to the deck.
The helm seat and steering console is on the starboard side. The wheel is a car type with an excellent plastic heavily grained grip that is a joy to use. To the right of the wheel is the switch panel, which gives easy access.
Above the wheel there is a flat face on the console which carries a tachometer and has enough room for additional instruments. Above this is a flat shelf area which is ideal for housing your GPS and sounder on bolted on brackets. I’d fit my VHF to the cabin roof inside and above the console area for ease of access and protection from the elements. You also have additional locker storage inside the wheel console.
Glancing inside the cabin the port side seating area carries a further large locker storage area. The bench seating goes all the way around the cabin and looks like it could accommodate four quite comfortably. The middle seat at the bow hinges up. This gives comfortable access to haul anchor through the Houdini hatch window towards the bow.
She’s formed over a solid hardwood keel, with under deck buoyancy chamber and a foam filled bow. The test boat was finished with a dark blue hull and white topside. She’s a very smart looking boat, with the gantry especially adding to her overall looks. The quality of finish was very high, and I was really impressed with the quality control on the Warrior.
WOULD I CHANGE ANYTHING?
There are two stainless grab rails fitted along the rearward facing edge of the cabin right in front of the helmsman and passengers face when stood up for improved observation. Working the boat in to a rough sea and deep into troughs, which were the conditions I had, these come too far forward and several times nearly took my teeth out as we rode the waves. I’d fit these rails to the cabin side uprights to eliminate this problem.
Beyond that I’m struggling to find fault.
MY VERDICT
This is a proper sea boat that used with commonsense and in the right conditions can work way offshore. She’s fast, stable, and predictable when turning, and handles a sea well.
To get the very best from her, as with all small boats, pay attention to trimming the boat spreading the weight of tackle and equipment evenly around her.
She’s also easy to launch and retrieve, and can be towed with a family type car.
DIMENSIONS
Length overall: 16-feet 5-inches
Beam: 7-feet
Freeboard: 32-inches
Draught: 10-inches
Dry weight: 550kgs
If you need further information on the whole Warrior range, or want to arrange a Warrior boat test, or check out alternative Yamaha engine packages or electronics, the Sales Director at Cambrian Boat Centre is Robin Vaughan on 01792 467263, or Fax 01792 467263. You can also e-mail Robin at robin@cambrianboats.co.uk or check out the Warrior boat range on their website at www.cambrianboats.co.uk
