Berowra Waters Wholesale announces new US tinnies for Oz

According to Bayliner president Jeff Behan, alumium is the fastest growing boat type in the United States. That may come as a surprise to anyone who's noticed the influx of US 'glass boats arriving lately in Australia. They're in abundance. However, it seems American anglers are also warming to the merits of aluminium. Berowra Water Wholesale has snapped up one of the leading US aluminium brands, Crestliner. These will be introduced to Australian fishos during this year's boats major boat shows. The Sydney-based distributor launched the established US brand to Australian boating media and dealers at a recent conference. The event on Sydney's Hawkesbury river system also saw some new boat models from NZ's Fi-Glass and the US Bayliner brand.

Three Crestliner models were on show and these three will be available to the Aussie market – the 1600 Super Hawk, 1700 Super Hawk and the 1650 Fish Hawk. Interestingly, all three boat models fell into the category of the fishing/family designed boat and were all configured with duel consoles offering protection and comfort for driver and passenger. Fold down seats and rear lounges are turned into effective casting platforms, while essentials like rod holders and livewells are well catered for. The floors were fully carpeted and also featured the option of vinyl. The Australian models will feature the option of an anchor well at the bow, something that's often neglected on US imports. Crestliner product manager Steve Rock was in town for the launch and told visiting media the empahasis on versatility across the range of boats.

"Our customers don't just buy our boats for fishing , they want to do much more with them," he said.

"We want to create boats that have flexibility in use.”

Interestingly Crestliner will be offering a slight variation on its boats for the Australian market with the addition of an anchor well at the bow. "We've created an option specifically for Australia, which provides an anchor roller and anchor locker to cater for the Australian market," said Rock. “Australia is a different market in the way people boat and fish and we're open to creating an odifying our boats if the volume is there in order to cater to the Australian market."