Smaller centre console craft are one of the main choice boats now for anglers looking to maximise their fishing time by being able to launch quickly and get out to the marks to get a couple of hours in either before or after work. The same craft also suits a longer serious session offshore, plus they fall in nicely as a family runabout at the weekends.

One such craft taking a lot of sales nationwide is the Terhi Vario F45, a boat manufactured in Finland that has apparently made inroads in to the USA as well as been a long term runner in the European market too.

There are two versions of the Vario. The T45 has the console positioned towards the rear, the F45 sees the console placed forward. I got to test the F45 version courtesy of Imperial Leisure based in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. This was actually the official Yamaha demonstrator, so I made a mental note to check how the boat had stood up to the abuse no doubt dished out by a multitude of different drivers.

BUILD FEATURES
Terhi boats are built from an ABS Thermosplastic material that takes no moisture penetration, is protective from UV light, ultra tough to knocks and blows, easily repaired when needed, and in the days of green concerns its also recyclable.

The hull is best described as a shallow V with a fast taper to the stern for stability and planing speed. It is well protected with heavy duty fendering in grey.

The engine sits on a tough alloy plate bolted to the stern that fully protects the transom from the engine brackets, plus spreads the weight of the engine more evenly.

Jumping inside the boat I was impressed to see a small very neat self draining live bait well built in to the bow at the point. This hinges rearwards for access and would hold a good dozen or more sandeels without problems. Either side of the bow you have tough looking T cleats for mooring off, plus a steaming light socket positioned starboard side of the rear edge of the live bait well.

Rear of the bow section is a cushioned seating area. Lift the cushion up and there is a large bow storage locker for anchor and ropes. This hinges forwards for access.

I was also impressed with the bow safety rail that flares upwards just forwards of the console to give added protection when working at the bow. This also goes back on the gunnel tops as far as the helm seat.

Coming to the steering console this features a slightly tinted screen that fully protects the seated helmsman, and is surrounded by a substantial grab rail. The whole upper console is hinged and can be levered forward to reveal it houses the battery with additional space for smaller items.

When seated and looking at the console you have a dead key switch positioned on the port side, with the top of the console having a small deep moulding protected by a clear hinged plastic lid. This has the tachometer positioned at the back, with room for small items like sunglasses and pens. You’ve just about room on the port side of the console to mount a small GPS/Sounder unit.

The throttle is on the starboard side and a comfy height to work when seated. I especially noted that the ignition key is mounted underneath the throttle out of harms way from being snapped off should somebody bump in to it. I also liked the wheel which is a round car type, but with a rubbery covering on that gives excellent grip even in wet cold weather.

There is a recess under the rear console that takes the helmsman’s feet, but also has a fire extinguisher that clips underneath out of harms way to the ceiling of the recess.

The helm seat surprised me as it’s actually a frame housing a removable Igloo Cool Box designed to keep beer, food, or I guess fish, cool during the day. The test boat sported a comfy upholstered cushion to sit on too, plus has a cracking backrest that really does add a lot more comfort when working the wheel for long periods.

The rear seat has been very well though out. It runs fully across the transom, but again has an upholstered cushion for comfort. Lift this up and there is a large locker 2/3rds the width of the boat that takes the fuel tank and possibly other items too. On the port side rear the seat covers a recess between the locker and the gunnel that goes deep to the stern and is ideal for storing buckets and the like, and in fact comes with a plastic storage basket. The deck drain well is positioned inside this recess too.

A safety rail runs along the rear gunnel and fully around the transom. This has two Swiss roll shaped back cushions on that can be unzipped for removing and cleaning.

In addition there are small hinged lockers mounted in to each stern corner useful for securing smaller items of tackle or equipment.

The splash well is deep and the transom high. You have strong T cleats either side on the stern corners for mooring off, plus another steaming/nav light socket mounted on the starboard side.

The deck area is ridged for drainage, plus has strategically placed grip strips for walking on.

The boat is smartly finished in grey upholstery with red trim, with the hull all white with red graphics.

PERFORMANCE
It was a snotty day, intermittent heavy rain, then sunny with a fresh to strong southwest wind hammering in off the southern Irish Sea.

My test boat was fitted with the highly popular Yamaha F40 40hp – 4-Stroke motor capable of whipping the Vario across the sea at a good 30mph plus.

Heading out inside The Haven off Neyland it only took me a couple of minutes to get the feel of the boat. She was lively on the throttle with power instant when asked for. Taking a straight line course at first I opened her up and figured we were purring along at over 30mph with more left in the engine.

The hull feels solid under your feet but with little vibration, nor is their much in the way of hull noise.  Being that bit further forward you can barely hear the almost silent Yamaha burbling away in the background, it’s just the wind whipping past your face.

Shutting down to a stop, then hitting the throttle the Vario is up on the plane in an instant. A full speed and whipping the throttles back, the boat slows fully in just a couple of seconds and without throwing people or gear all over the place.

Pushing the boat in to the weather, then very little spray gets back inside. In fact I had to really push the boat hard to get spray even attempting to lift up to gunnel height to get blown back by the wind. I did prefer to steer stood up though, but visibility is okay when seated looking through the screen.

At speed and banking the boat over she takes a gently lean then holds her line. If you change direction at speed using a tight turn there is no sign of the stern skidding when trying to find grip either.

Looking for a few waves I ran the boat at an angle across the flow looking to see if the hull slipped sideways back down the wave, but she climbs up and over with little if any slippage to the side.

I got Rob from Imperial who was with me to back the boat at speed in to the sea and wind. The lower third of the splash well fills with water but climbs no higher and next to no water splash lifted by the wind got back inside the cockpit during this manoeuvre.

When it came to put the boat back on the trailer there was a force 5 to 6 lateral wind blowing, but I drove the boat back on to the trailer with surprising ease. She catches little wind and handles well at very low speeds, in fact better than I expected.

Under slow or fast speeds, a person walking about from side to side makes little if any difference to the stability of the boat, nor is the steering course compromised to any great degree.

Having chucked the Vario around for some time, I came to the conclusion, that though the Yamaha 40hp motor suits the Vario well, I think if I was buying one I’d go for the bigger Yamaha F50 50hp unit with the electronic ignition. I think this boat and engine marriage would be well suited to each other giving absolutely sparkling acceleration and a top speed close to 40mph at a guesstimate. For general work the motor would only be working at half pace and still give superb performance and economy.

You’ve plenty of room for two to fish comfortably, but that’s as many as I’d fish with for safety and ease of working.

Given that this was a well used demonstrator that’s been all over the country, it’s stood up to the knocks and inevitable misuse more than well. It retains its good looks, has minimal damage anywhere and still feels like a new boat.

THINGS I’D CHANGE
I found the deck was a little slippy underfoot and this would be worse with fish slime and dropped bait on it. I’d be inclined to improve the grip on the deck with deck paint or even loose rubber mats. Pity Terhi don’t put a stippled finish for better grip on the deck as standard.

I’d remove the rear backrest cushions and add removable rod holders for use when trolling.

I can’t think of anything I’d change regards design or fittings. It’s a very well thought and proven boat with a quality finish.

CONCLUSION
It’s a cracking boat, just the right size for easy launching and towing, but with real weather performance used sensibly. It handles like a dream and is a safe boat should you do something stupid. I was also impressed with her overall stability.

She’s ideal for inshore fishing in calmer conditions for bass, tope and rays, and being a forward console bang on for uptide casting, fly fishing and lure work. She also has the speed to belt out a fair way to fish the hotspots, but get back in in a hurry when needed. In her size she’s a top buy!

SPECIFICATION
Length: 14’ 7”
Beam: 6’ 1”
Weight: 659lbs
Passengers: Category C 5 persons

CONTACT
You can get information on the Terhi/Yamaha packages wherever you are by ringing the Yamaha brochure hotline on 01932 358121 or at www.yamaha-motor.co.uk.

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