Bar Crusher 670BR Review

Photos by - John "Bear" Willis

Bear's Best Boat Tests

The Bar Crusher 670HT (Hard Top) took my vote as one of my 10 best aluminium boats of all time. It also spawned the claim that it was one of the first Aussie built boats that rode better than many of their fibreglass counterparts!

The Bar Crusher 670 achieved glowing accolades in the 2012 Australia’s Greatest Boats competition for Trailer Boat Magazine. It left a field of contenders reeling in its wake, achieving a perfect 10/10 score from all five judges for its fishing suitability! In fact, kiwi-based judge Jeff Strang said, “this boat would put a horn on a jellyfish!”

The Bar Crusher 670 hull still dominates the trailerable aluminium market for experienced seafarers, sports fishers and divers. It is a dominant performer for the Melbourne based company, Bar Crusher Boats, whose models now include the cuddy (670C), centre console (670XS), rear centre console (670XSR), open hard top (670XT), walk around (670WR), the “Exocet” (670HT Special Edition) and all of them under the famous Bar Crusher banner of “Fishing Weapons!”

Fishing Weapon or Family Fun?

Yet there is more to boating than just fishing and diving, particularly for family-motivated boaters who want to add some watersports to their bucket list. Hence, that fabulous 670 hull evolved into the bowrider configuration, and she’s a ripper. Don’t be deceived; this model still has its underlying offshore abilities but adds to its function with the family twin console concept with a relaxing sun lounge up front. Sports fishos should take note that by inserting the carpeted infill into the bowrider, the 670BR also transforms into a functional lure-casting platform.

The 670BR is the big sister ship to the popular 615BR. Bar Crusher calls it a “High performance bowrider—a bigger and faster version of the ultimate crossover boat!” Their claims are certainly valid, especially when teamed with the exciting grunt of the Suzuki 200HP 2.867litre inline 4-cylinder 16-valve, DOHC, EFI outboard, which simply rockets the hull quickly onto the plane and progresses through high torque acceleration to put a big speedy smile on everyone’s dial.

The Ride

By the time we finished having lots of fun on the photo shoot, we had some fairly bouncy bay chop, so we tried to do the performance testing. We were loaded with four passengers, plenty of fuel, all the ski and wakeboard toys, and trim tabs, and we found that its “Waveslicer” deep-V hull typically loves to get up and boogie. She accelerates easily off the water, making pulling a boarder or skier a breeze.

The loaded package loved to cruise on a comfortable and efficient 4500RPM at 50kmh (27knots) which is also a fast cruise speed for offshore conditions. The Suzuki thrust us easily to a WOT (wide open throttle) 69kmh (37 knots) at 6000RPM using 1.0kml but we never really pushed it too hard with respect for the youngsters in the bow. I was very happy with the performance but please note that I am confident of greater top end speeds with trim tabs properly adjusted in more ideal conditions.

This hull never ceases to please, providing a quiet ride with very little slap or hull noise, certainly no banging into the troughs and just a little chine spray from the wind when rising to the plane. This boat loves to get up and boogy!

The Layout

The dual console layout certainly makes this bowrider a very functional package. There’s a huge rear deck with high freeboard (800mm) featuring Bar Crusher’s “Game Lock” combing design that allows secure toe holds under full length side pockets for added stability when fighting a fish. She has an easily maintained “Rigideck” fully sealed, welded checker-plate floor with engineered full depth framing that sets a high bar for durability and strength. The quality of the welding is something to behold!

I took special note that the floor stayed cool in the hot sun probably because of the large “Quickflow” ballast tank that adds dramatically to the excellent stability. The combings themselves are nice and wide allowing plenty of space for a good selection of strong alloy rod holders and non-skid tread. You will often find the combings a handy seat too!

The transom design provides a full width folding rear lounge with a padded backrest, plumbed live bait tank, a plug-in cutting board that removes to quickly accommodate a detachable ski pole, plus plenty of protected storage for the twin batteries and accessories. Out back is a full width platform with a detachable berley bucket to port side, and the starboard with a fin-friendly dive ladder and step-thru for easy access both on and off the water.

Twin console designs add just so much function and flow to a trailerable boat. Both consoles feature comfortable swivel bolster seating with footrests. Our demonstration boat had the standard aluminium storage boxes, including tackle lockers, and there are options available for combinations, including 70-litre IceyTek ice boxes with convenient twin lid construction and hygienic liners.

The passenger is treated to a strong handrail, recess with twin cup holders and the head unit for the booming Fusion sound system. The helm has a well-laid-out dashboard, including plenty of room for a 12” Raymarine multi-function colour sounder/GPS/ Plotter, Suzuki digital gauges, StressFree electric anchor winch controls, VHF radio, Lectrotab trim switches and an array of switchgear. The Seastar hydraulic steering provided smooth and confident control and the aesthetics are enhanced by the Marlin sports steering wheel.

Whilst the dashboards are reasonably high, I still found no trouble with vision both seated and standing. However, the windscreens are traditionally quite small but exceptionally strong. Overhead is a collapsible aluminium rocket launcher with the facility to store six fishing rods, which also provides a mounting position for navigation, work lights, etc.

Storage

Bowriders are traditionally a bit short on storage space, but with the full-length side pockets, transom locker, underfloor kill tank, combination seat boxes, and large cavities under the bow seating, the 670BR has addressed the issue with the smart function and finish we have grown to expect from this acclaimed Aussie manufacturer.

The Bar Crusher 670BR certainly has the looks to impress with a large 6.7m overall length, 2350mm beam and 6 passenger rating. Ours had beautiful Brooklands blue side panels with a combination of bold black decals and accessories, some natural aluminium wear points and white deck. She is constructed with a rugged 5mm marine plate alloy hull with 4mm topsides, a 230 litre fuel tank, maximum horsepower of 200 HP and a dry towing weight of around 1820kg plus options and accessories on its Easytow tandem alloy trailer.

Specifications

Length overall: 6700mm

Beam: 2350mm

Tow Weight: 1820kg (dry only)

Fuel Capacity: 230L

Water capacity: nil

Power:  Suzuki 200HP 2.867litre inline 4-cylinder 16-valve, DOHC, EFI outboard

The Wrap

I must echo Bar Crusher’s claim that the 670BR is a high-performance bowrider offering a seriously tough, all-in-one, family fish, dive and sports boat that will thrill from bow to stern. This truly is a family friendly fishing weapon!

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