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Boat review Southern XP856
Southern Boats' XP856 is a big, offshore-capable, aluminium powerboat that continues a tradition of soft-riding hulls but benefits from new tooling and design improvements.
Stunning in black, the new
Southern Boats XP856
making a statement
on Pauanui Waterways
is the first of a newly
vamped line-up, following
Southern Boats' change of ownership
last year. Matched with Yamaha V8
outboard power, the XP856 goes as
well as it looks.
Peter Carlson has owned Family
Boats in Auckland since 1992. Family
Boats is New Zealand’s largest dealer
of the Southern Boats range, so when
Carlson and a partner purchased
Southern Boats’ Dunedin-based
factory last year, he was already
familiar with the brand. He and his
partner also knew how to make a
good range of aluminium boats into
an even better one. The all-black
XP856 featured here is an example
of the new breed. It reflects several
tweaks to the hull and a 2.8m beam.
Turn uP The volume The Southern XP856 is a huge boat
inside, especially configured with an
open-backed hardtop. The massive
chequerplate-decked cockpit, high
gunwales, heaps of freeboard and
a remarkable stability at rest make
the boat well suited to offshore
fishing; the capable, soft riding hull is
designed for bluewater use.
“Southerns have always been
good performers,” Carlson says, “but
since taking over the company we’ve
made many small changes to some
models. These include widening the
16 Boating New Zealand February 2014
Words by John eichelsheim Photos by Bryce Taylor
Heaps of freeboard and a remarkable stability at rest make the boat well suited to offshore fishing“
”
blackpanther
Southern Boats' XP856 is a big, offshore-capable, aluminium powerboat that continues a tradition of soft-riding hulls but benefits from new tooling and design improvements. chine flats, making the hull entry a
bit fuller, adding planing strakes and
redesigning the fibreglass hardtops,
which now come out of new moulds,
to make them even lighter.”
The XP856 benefits from these
developments, among others. The
strakes were subject to testing to
get them just right, but on the new
XP856 they work well, providing
a little extra lift to the bows, but
without noticeably hardening up
the ride. A slightly fuller entry,
compared to earlier Southern
models, and changes to the
reverse chines have resulted in a
stable boat, no doubt aided by its
considerable beam.
Enclosed hardtops are an
option with this model, but this
boat is configured for day trips; it
is without doors across the back, a
sink, fridge or cooker, all of which
are options. There is an electric
toilet in the forward cabin under
the squabs, with privacy provided
by a moulded fibreglass, sliding
cavity door in the cabin bulkhead,
lockable for security. There is also a
freshwater cockpit shower with an
owner-specified, 90-litre freshwater
tank under the floor.
Although overnighting probably
won’t feature in this boat’s
programme, the macrosuede
vee-berths in the well-lit, fully lined
subscribe online at www.mags4gifts.co.nz/boating-nz 17subscribe online at www.mags4gifts.co.nz/boating-nz 17
forward cabin are a good size. They
convert to a generous double berth
when the infill squabs are inserted. An
acrylic hatch in the cabin offers easy
access to the capstan, while a So-Pac
hatch in the collision bulkhead opens
into the anchor locker. Anchoring
is operated remotely from the helm
station; a Maxwell rope-chain capstan
raises and lowers a Rocna anchor
which stows snugged up against
the fairlead.
Drop covers close the hardtop
when required, which is likely when
the owners leave their waterfront
holiday home to return to Hamilton.
This particular boat has no trailer
because its owners don’t require
one, but a superbly built factory
aluminium trailer is an option. The
boat sits permanently on a Jet Dock
drive-on, drive-off floating dock in
front of the house – see sidebar.
BrillianT in BlackThere’s no denying the XP856 looks
stunning in black. It’s painted
in high-gloss, midnight black
above the chines with its black
fibreglass hardtop incorporating a
metallic fleck. It looks really good,
accentuating the boat’s graceful but
purposeful lines, and the paint’s
mirror finish is highly reflective. On
this boat the railings, rocket launcher
and dive ladder are also black rather
than polished aluminium – even the
VHF aerial and spotlight are black.
If there’s a downside, black paint
shows dirt, sea spray and the inevitable
dings and scratches but other colours
are available. This boat had already
clocked up 30 hours in just over a
month, much of that time chasing fish
out of Tairua Harbour, so there was
the odd blemish, fish scale and some
The well finished interior looks and feels spacious. Comforts include a plumbed toilet and a freshwater shower. The boat's vast cockpit is large enough for a game of tennis, but it's uncluttered layout and high gunwales are ideal for offshore fishing. The carpet is easily removed for cleaning
Family Boats is the New Zealand agent for Jet Dock docking systems, a modular drive-on,
drive-off boat storage system for boats and personal watercraft.
Constructed from UV-stabilised PVC, the dock system uses interlocking blocks to build an infinitely expandable platform with cradles that will accept outboard and sterndrive boats up to 50ft long. For larger craft weighing more than 2.5 tonnes, Jet Dock adds adjustable air assist to supplement the platform’s natural buoyancy. A winch and pulley system secures boats and watercraft in their cradles.
Driving on is easy – simply slot the bow into the plastic vee of the cradle, apply some throttle and the vessel will slide up onto the cradle until the engine leg comes up against the base of the platform, then secure the vessel with the winch cable. To drive off, lower the outboard/leg until
the cavitation plate is in the water, start the engine, release the winch cable and back off.
Jet Dock offers the convenience of stepping on and off your boat or PWC with dry feet. Once on the dock, boats can be washed inside and out and it’s an easy matter to supply electrical power. The ability to add sections makes it simple to expand the size of the dock to accommodate a second boat, a personal watercraft or floating lounging area.
Unlike most other floating dock systems, Jet Dock can rest on the hard when the tide goes out without damaging either the dock or the boat.
Jet Dock has minimal moving parts, is expandable and its rugged PVC construction is virtually indestructible. Family Boats, www.familyboats.co.nz, [email protected], Phone 09 274 0511
Jet Dock docking systems
18 Boating New Zealand February 2014
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Southern Boats pride themselves on presenting you with one of the finest handcrafted Alloy boats available today. The team of skilled boat builders, upholsterers and painters based at Southern’s Dunedin manufacturing facility have spent thousands of hours perfecting their craft to bring you a boat with proven performance, handsome good looks and heavy duty durability. Contact us or drop into your local dealer and start making your dream a reality today.
subscribe online at www.mags4gifts.co.nz/boating-nz 19
bait residue, but the boat still looks
great inside and out. Fit and finish has
always been good on Southerns and
this boat ups the ante still further with
its careful attention to detail.
Removable grey and black striped
marine carpets offer bare feet some
relief from the chequerplate decks
while grey cockpit lining and grey
and black upholstery ensure the
boat’s interior isn’t too sombre. Grey
neoprene is used to good effect
on the swim steps and coamings,
breaking up the black and adding
warmth and comfort.
With so much cockpit space, it’s
easy to fill this boat with whatever you
like. The owners have taken advantage
of its generous storage to stow fishing
tackle, including a longline and other
gear that stays on the boat semi-
permanently. We combined reviewing
the Southern with photographing
and reviewing a Brig RIB sport boat,
which will appear in a subsequent
The remotely controlled spotlight comes in handy when negotiating the channel to Pauanui waterways in the dark. A Rocna anchor and Maxwell capstan take care of anchoring duties. Yamaha V8 power delivers snappy performance, as well as an appealing soundtrack
“The XP856 could be a serious offshore weapon if that's your thing… but it's also a big, comfortable family cruiser…”
20 Boating New Zealand February 2014
issue of Boating NZ. We filled the
XP856’s cockpit with props for the
shoot: paddleboards, a kneeboard,
fishing rods and tackle boxes, beach
umbrellas and a picnic set, two full sets
of scuba gear and our photographic
and personal gear. The boat cockpit
and cabin easily swallowed all of this
with acres of space left over. Carlson’s
11-year-old daughter Charlie also
joined us for the day.
FiShing, diving and FamilyThe XP856 could be a serious offshore
weapon, if that’s your thing. It has all
the credentials for serious fishing and
diving, including gamefish trolling,
but it’s also a big, comfortable family
cruiser that should keep everyone
safe and dry if things cut up offshore.
From Tairua, day trips to Mayor
Island or the Mercury Islands are
easily achievable, and there are lovely
secluded bays and beaches where
you can go ashore or anchor off to
spend time with the family.
This boat is not specifically set up
for game fishing, though the owners
are keen on fishing, using the boat for
shorter trips to the Aldermen Islands
and other locations. Tairua-Pauanui
is close to a multitude of exceptional
fishing and diving venues.
Equipped with a well angled rocket
launcher with integrated grab rails,
six through-gunwale aluminium rod
holders and a removable bait board
with additional rod holders, there’s no
shortage of fishing rod storage. Full-
length, triple-tier side pockets provide
still more stowage for long items and
they’re wide enough for dive bottles
too. Pipe tie-downs below the side
pockets are a useful feature.
The transom features a couple
of lockers for dry stowage, a good-
sized live bait tank to port and a
step-through transom with pull-out
door to starboard. The T-bar dive
ladder, also black, is mounted on
the starboard side too, where it’s
easily seen from the helm. Batteries,
switches, pumps, filters and
associated wiring and plumbing are
tidily installed under the transom
lockers behind an aluminium door
for protection. Access is good.
The cockpit drains to a sump,
pumped out by a 1250gph bilge
pump, there’s a saltwater washdown
on the starboard side and room for
fish bins, tackle boxes and other
large items on the floor under the
bait tank and transom step-through.
Normally an underfloor wet locker
is standard, but on this boat an
extra-large 450-litre fuel tank, plus
the water tank, leaves no room for
a wet locker. The fuel tank reduces
the frequency of refuelling, which
has to be done using drums or a
trailer-borne fuel tanker. A new
marina under construction at Tairua
will include refuelling facilities for
New ZealandSealegs International Ltd
Ted DixonPh: +64 9 414 3086
InternationalSealegs International Ltd
Damon JolliffePh: +64 9 414 3084
www.sealegs.com
Sealegs has been the answer to our dreams for our island beach-house. We need no trailer, no winch or moorings and don’t need to worry about coming into a wharf. We drive up and down the beach at any tide and park on the front lawn.-Brett Lornie, NZ
“I spent 25 years of my life looking for good fi nancial investments and now after buying a Sealegs boat I am going to spend the next 25 years of my life enjoying one of the best lifestyle investments I’ve made so far.-Phil Briggs, NZ
“
“ “02
1457
subscribe online at www.mags4gifts.co.nz/boating-nz 21
petrol boats, but it’s still six months
off completion.
v8 grunTWith a shallow harbour bar to
traverse, getting in and out of Tairua
Harbour can be challenging at times,
but the big Southern is as safe a
boat as you could wish for. Plenty
of power, predictable handling and
an amazingly soft and level re-entry
should you become airborne take
a lot of the anxiety out of heading
through the bar.
We headed back and forth through
the harbour entrance several times
for the camera, Charlie squealing with
delight whenever the boat leapt over
the waves. Conditions were quite safe,
but even on a nice day the bar can
break, especially at low tide.
What was immediately evident
is the amount of available torque
from the big Yamaha four-stroke.
The XP856 slides onto the plane
with minimal throttle, the 350hp V8
holding it there right down to 11 or 12
knots. Put the hammer down and the
2.5-tonne boat, full of gear and fuel,
leaps forward, the engine growling
authoritatively, if remarkably quietly.
The engine note is quite distinctive
but never intrusive. There’s plenty of
power on tap: top speed is around
41 knots at 5000rpm and a cruise
speed in excess of 30 knots is easily
CleatsEasy tie-off points
Hull Track Recessed area guides and straightens your craft on the dock
Buoyancy Beam Provides lateral support and extra lift when needed
Aluminum Structural Beam For strength and rigidity across the dock, reducing friction and stress points on your craft
Fasteners Create a strong, stable platform
Pivoting pedestal winch Makes pulling and launching your craft easy
KDS System Lifts the keel during drive on
Bunk System Cradles your craft like a boat trailer
Winch-assisted launch system. Z - Pulley design pulls craft backward for launching
249 Ti Rakau Drive, Pakuranga, Auckland, N Z. PO Box 51340 Pakuranga.Ph: 09 274 0511 Fx: 09 274 0108 [email protected] www.familyboats.co.nz 0214
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22 Boating New Zealand February 2014
Yamaha’s F350 V8 four-stroke is the most powerful outboard the company produces. A
large displacement but compact narrow vee design, it was developed specifically to power large, heavy offshore powerboats.
Yamaha claims the big bore 5.3-litre, double overhead camshaft (DOHC), 32-valve engine provides up to 45% more thrust than 250hp V6 outboards. Launched in 2007, the big block F350 was designed to produce 350hp at the propeller with less strain on internal components than small displacement, high output engines.
Four oversize valves per cylinder increase engine breathing efficiency and boost power and torque, while seven sophisticated sensors constantly measure atmospheric conditions and engine functions so the ECM can precisely and instantly adjust the fuel-air mixture for optimum performance and economy. The ECM also precisely controls the 81mm air intake; cylinder air intake tracks are ‘pulse tuned’ to provide air at the precise volume and timing for maximum density and power, and dual, in-bank exhausts exit through the centre of the engine between the cylinder banks.
Variable camshaft timing
increases power and throttle response at low and mid-range engine revolutions, ensuring plenty of sustained torque between 2500 and 3000rpm – just the ticket to smoothly propel large, heavy boats onto the plane. A range of propellers has been developed specifically for the F350 and the lower unit is engineered with additional hardened surfaces, ultra-durable shafts, gears and special bearings to withstand the engines power and torque, as well as the demands of pushing large, heavy craft.
Despite its impressive power and large displacement, the F350 four-stroke meets emission targets around the world. It is three-star rated for ultra-low emissions by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the toughest emissions agency in the world and fuel efficient for such a large displacement engine. At 6000rpm (full revs) Yamaha claims the F350 burns 31.7 US gallons per hour (139 litres per hour), depending on the application, but average fuel consumption is much less in normal operation. The Southern XP856 returned an average of 25 litres per hour on her four-hour delivery voyage from Auckland.
Yamaha F350
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lets you explore structure and target fish like never before.
See all that Dragonfly can do for you online at www.raymarine.com/ga
The New Dragonfly Sonar/GPS with CHIRP DownVision
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021434
subscribe online at www.mags4gifts.co.nz/boating-nz 23
➤ loa 8.6m➤ beam 2.8m➤ draft approx 0.5m➤ weight 2750kg (dry)➤ construction aluminium➤ engine Yamaha four-stroke V8 350hp➤ propeller 19-in SST➤ deadrise 20° at transom➤ fuel 450 litres➤ water 90 litres➤ cruising speed 30 knots➤ max speed 41 knots➤ price as tested $239,000➤ Manufactured by Southern Boats, www.southernboats.co.nz➤ supplied by owner and Family Boats, www.familyboats.co.nz email [email protected] phone 09 274 0511
Southern XP856
maintained provided sea conditions
are reasonable. They were pleasant
for our review.
On the four-hour delivery voyage
from Auckland across the Hauraki
Gulf, through Colville Channel, past
the Mercury Islands to Pauanui, the
V8’s fuel consumption averaged 25
litres per hour. A V6 300hp would
be adequate, according to Carlson,
or you could fit a pair of V6 200hp
outboards, taking things out to the
XP856’s maximum power rating.
Diesel sterndrives are also an option.
The XP859 is strongly built. The hull
features 6mm bottom plates, seam
welded on both sides, with a 6mm
keel strip providing extra protection
along the keel line. The boat’s sides
are 4mm aluminium with the decks
and superstructure a mixture of 3mm
and 4mm sheet metal. Longitudinal
beams, cross members and stringers
support the hull and decks and the
sealed decks are pressure-tested in
the factory, which offers a six-year hull
structural warranty.
The comfortable ride comes
from the boat’s variable deadrise
hull that tapers back to 20 degrees
at the transom. Its handling is
equally pleasant: in sharp turns the
amount of heel is nicely controlled,
and for a big boat it feels nimble
and responsive to the helm. Trim
tabs were fitted but not used in the
conditions and there was little need
to adjust engine trim attitude most
of the time. All in all the XP856 feels
safe, fast and capable.
Helming the boat was a pleasure.
Visibility is excellent thanks to
narrow window mullions and the
newly designed pedestal seats
provide comfort and support for
the driver and passenger. A single
wiper keeps the screen clear of spray
on the driver’s side. The moulded
fibreglass dash console can take a
flush-mounted 12-inch display – this
boat had a Lowrance HDS10, but
there was room left over – along
with the usual electronic engine
gauges, anchor and trim tab controls,
switches, VHF radio, Fusion stereo
head unit and the latest iPod dock
without looking overcrowded. It’s
a big, tall boat and I couldn’t reach
the footrest seated at the helm, but
it’s positioned to suit the owner’s
driving position, not mine. Sliding
side windows were appreciated on
a sunny day – it was quite hot inside
the hardtop despite its open back.
Fibreglass seat bases provide lots
of stowage. They’re a new design
using fresh moulds. With two
pedestals and two aft-facing seats
there’s fixed seating for four, but
a pair of padded and upholstered
insulated ice boxes provide additional
seating if required. We left one of the
bins on the dock.
concluSionThe fast and capable Southern
Alloy Boats XP856 is strongly
built and well finished. It’s a good
example of the current breed of
large aluminium craft, most of them
trailerable, now filling the niche once
occupied in New Zealand by small
motor launches. That said, boats
of this size and quality command
launch-like prices, and while this
XP856 is not set up for launch-style
stay-away boating, Southern’s option
list is vast and includes enclosed
heads/showers, galley and bi-fold
wheelhouse doors.
Configured as a large day boat,
the Southern XP586 still has a lot of
appeal. The ability to berth it clear of
the water on the Jet Dock offers all
the convenience of a marina berth
without the expense of antifouling
and marina fees. From its Pauanui
base, the boat’s owners are within an
hour or two of virtually anywhere in
the western Bay of Plenty, and with a
boat of this size, they can also explore
further afield if they wish.
24 Boating New Zealand February 2014