The Stabicraft Story: A 20-Year Evolution of Excellence

For over 20 years, I've had the incredible privilege of selling, testing, driving, and reviewing some of New Zealand's finest Stabicraft boats. I'm truly grateful for the adventures they've taken me on, from the wild depths of the Southern Ocean off Tasmania to the challenging waters of "The Rip" in Victoria's Port Philip Heads, and up the beautiful New South Wales coast for some unforgettable game fishing in Port Stephens. Through it all, Stabicraft has never let me down.

When Stabicraft first arrived in Australia back in 1994, I'll admit, I wasn't entirely sure what to make of them. But it didn't take long for me to see the light. The launch of the 759SC Sport in 2008, with its revolutionary Gen 3 pontoon design, was a revelation. I experienced firsthand the dramatic improvements in on-water performance and the welcome reduction in "shoulder slap." From that point on, I was hooked. I've come to truly appreciate Stabicraft's dedication to safety, their incredibly tough construction, and the exceptional seamanship built into every boat. And I have a memory that perfectly encapsulates all of that – catching an Australian record Broadbill Swordfish off Tassie's Tasman Island in 2014. That was one of the absolute highlights of my life, and I did it in a Stabicraft.

Bear's Australian record Swordfish on a Stabicraft 759

Setting New Standards in Design Milestones

Following in the footsteps of those groundbreaking designs, the 2750 Ultra Centrecab XL stands out as a truly exceptional vessel and one I won't be forgetting any time soon. That's especially true after fishing in it – the experience really brought its capabilities to life for me. It's no surprise that the 2750 Ultra Centrecab XL has earned such a stellar reputation, making a name for itself across Australia, New Zealand, and even internationally.

For serious trailer-able fishing or those needing a seaworthy boat for mooring or stack storage, I highly recommend exploring this impressive and current model. It's a full-on arsenal of fishing capability, proven in the challenging waters of Southeast Tasmania—a true proving ground for any boat and the fishermen who brave them.

A serious offshore aggressive beast - and so is the boat.

Exploring the Capabilities of the 2750 Ultra Centrecab XL

One of the first things I noticed about the 2750 Ultra Centrecab XL is its presence. Despite its size, it's trailerable (within the 2.5m legal width). And while I'd need a serious tow vehicle capable of handling approximately 3.5 tonnes, its potential justifies the effort. Built with 6mm alloy and a 21.5-degree deep-V hull, it's clearly designed to handle challenging conditions. I was particularly impressed with how Stabicraft's innovative Game Chaser transom and Arrow Pontoons provided excellent stability and lift, especially when paired with the now-discontinued Evinrude ETEC G2 250HP V6.

The Ultra Centrecab XL also boasts Stabicraft's sealed life-ring chambers, which not only enhance structural integrity but also provide segmented buoyancy for added safety – a feature I find particularly reassuring. It's easy to see why its robust design and reliability have made it a popular choice for commercial operators, including Coast Guard, Police, Marine Safety Services, SES, and fire authorities, as well as recreational boaters like me undertaking extended offshore voyages.

A Boat That Performs as Good as It Looks

Let me tell you, this boat isn't just a pretty face; it's a serious performer. We had the formidable twin Evinrude ETEC G2 250HP V6 engines pushing us to the max, and the Captain really put the "big beast" through its paces. With a full load – 500 litres of fuel, six (mostly very large) passengers, and all our tournament fishing gear – we hit a WOT of 46 knots at 6000 RPM. Impressive, right? But honestly, what struck me most was how responsive it was throughout the entire rev range. It just jumped into action without any hesitation.

Beyond the raw power, the layout of this boat is clearly designed by people who actually use boats. It's practical and intuitive, with a big, wide walkaround that makes fishing so much easier and gives you incredible flexibility. This Ultra Centrecab XL is truly versatile. It would be just as at home cruising around a harbour as it would be diving, fishing, or just being a family fun boat. Personally, I loved spending time in the bow peak. I clocked countless hours up there spotting bait balls, snapping photos of the stunning Tasmanian scenery, soaking up the autumn sun, and even sneaking in a nap after a few too many "sherbets" the night before. It was absolutely glorious. And a special shout-out to the owners for the SeaDek flooring – it looked fantastic, provided great non-slip, and was a welcome touch of warmth in the cool mornings.

Stabicraft's popular walk around platform provides loads of usable space

My Impressions of the 2750's Interior

Stepping inside the 2750 Ultra Centrecab XL, my first impression was how well the design balances the need for a wide walkaround with a surprisingly spacious and comfortable interior. While the wide walkaround does mean the cabin is a tad narrower, I never felt cramped. The upright "trawler" style windscreen, large sliding side windows, and especially the innovative angled rear windows (that meet the rear "French" doors) create a bright, airy feel with excellent visibility. The almost open-air configuration makes moving around the cabin easy and natural. Up front, the large V-berth is more than comfortable for overnight trips, and I particularly liked the fold-down extension pads. They're a clever touch, doubling as retainers for all the gear you inevitably end up stowing up there while underway.

The cabin provides excellent visibility and a small but efficient helm

The helm is quite a simple affair harnessing the efficiency of the Simrad NSS EVO3 16” Multi-function display with its 2 x 1kw thru-hull CHIRP transducers, radar, GPS/plotter and auto-pilot providing exacting “real-time” information to the driver. There’s plenty of nick-knack storage on the dash shelf, and the driver and passenger are treated to a pair of beaut bolster style skipper’s seats on integrated aluminium seat boxes, with Air Wave soft rider suspension. A convenient galley occupied the starboard side, complete with a Wallas Diesel cooktop/cabin heater, a 12-volt oven/pie heater, a sink, and plenty of large drawer storage in a neat timber finish. The port side remained open, awaiting the owners' combination portable fridge/freezer and dive tank racking.

Out on deck, this big Stabicraft is an absolute sportsman’s delight with its well-structured launching pad for affirmative pelagic action. The deep freeboard with wide combings keeps you safe and secure in the most difficult seas but is still at a very fishable height. The transom features a small entry with a step/seat and dive ladder on the driver’s side, the famous Stabicraft Superfish transom box with a large cutting board/bait station, rod holders and storage, inbuilt slimy tubes, plus a deep live bait tank with a clear view window. There are extensive side pockets for storage and a rod holder in every warranted position. In short, the deck is ultimately fishable and secure.

This big rig has excellent fuel capacity, holding tank underfloor, and more space than imaginable

Specifications

Length overall: 8.4m

Beam: 2.49m

Weight: 3500 kg (approx. BMT)

Fuel capacity: 500 litres

Water capacity: 60 litres

Power: 2 x 250HP Evinrude ETEC G2 3.44 litre V6

Hadley Deegan doing the Titanic fly - she's stable!

The Ultimate Fishing Machine

I've fished on a lot of boats, but the Stabicraft 2750 Ultra Centrecab XL stands out as a true offshore predator. It's the kind of boat that inspires confidence, whether you're battling a giant tuna or just enjoying a day out with friends. This Stabi is more than just a boat; it's a trusted partner in the pursuit of fish.

If you want to experience the same kind of exhilaration and satisfaction I've had with Stabicraft over the years, I highly recommend exploring the 2750 Ultra Centrecab XL. Contact Deegan Marine in Ulverstone, Tasmania for more information and pricing.

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