Specification:
Length 18ft 9ins (5.72m)
Beam 7' 11" (2.4m)
Draught 1' 1" (0.34m)
Weight (without engine) 895Kg 1,973lb
Max Engine HP 90hp
Country of manufacture: France
More details on full specification can be found on the website - Jeanneau Boats
Report by courtesy of Mike Thrussell and Total Sea Fishing
I last looked at the Merry Fisher range of boats a couple of years back. These were the larger 600 series and the big 805. However, Jeanneau, the French company building the Merry Fishers, also do a 500 range of smaller baots that will to the anglers needing something they can easily tow, can still get the family out on for a week-end afloat, as well as being a practical fishing boat.
I was quick to take up the opportunity of a test on the 580 model with Mark Richards of Deva Marine, based in Pentraeth, Anglesey.
The boat was parked outside and I took a few minutes to have a look around it prior to launching inside the Menai Strates.
She was fitted with a Mercury four-stroke low emission 75hp engine and was sat on one of the new Brenderup trailers that have been the subject of much good gossip of late among boaters. The quality of trailer workmanship was clear, with neat welding,
quick-release clip-off trailer boards for launching and simple but obvious touches like plastic cover over the winch, to stop stray fingers getting caught and tough stand-on mudguards with rounded edges to make them pedestrian friendly.
We launched into a flat-calm Menai Strates out from Menai bridge. Not a breath of wind a clear blue sky and a warm southwesterly wind made it feel more like summer than winter.
I watched the lads launch the 580 by just wetting her backside and sliding her off the trailer with ease. I was already aboard another craft, which would act as a camera platform, so had the best seat in the house to see how the 580 performed at speed as we headed down towards the bridges.
I remembered from the previous Merry Fisher tests that these boats are pretty quick to get up on the plane, and this was evedent while viewing from outside. A hint of throttle from Mark and the boat was up in the water and levelled off almost instantly.
Belting off down the Straits with the 580 alongside us, I could also see that the wake from her was less than I'd anticipated, with no water thrown forward, even when she was made to jump her own wave.
Mark banked the boat through some quite tight turning manoeuvres for me and I was watching to see how much grip she had at the stern, but she holds her line well and comes back on a true course with just a slight flick of the wheel.
Jumping aboard the 580 from a low-cut speed boat, as I clambered over the gunnel, with one of the Deva crew on the 580 deck holding the two boats together, our sudden combined weight made little impression and she stayed stable with minimal lean.
With just Mark and myself aboard, I took the wheel and turned South, heading towards Port Dinorwic. This was a brand-new boat and its first time in the water, so I was a little careful gunning the throttle. However, easing the stock forward, the power lifts the boat up and forward the instant you apply it. I watched the rev counter and held her around 3,800 rpm, a nice cruising speed, I guess we were running around 25mph and the hull, admittedly, on a flat sea, was just skipping along with minimal hull noise.
I edged the boat into the outside edge of wake of the other boat and at a slight angle. Going forward, you will get some sideways roll as the waves hit you full-on from the side, which is a natural reaction of all boats. Nevertheless, the 580 only goes so far then rights herself instantly.
Backing off the throttle and bringing the boat around in a tight circle, she stayed very stable and predictable, even when I deliberately turned into her own wave at a sharp angle.
Back on a straight course again, I found I'd got full vision forwards, to the sides and rear when sat in the helm seat. There is no need to stand to steer, even if you're not the tallest of people. It was a bright sunny day too, and the tint in the windscreen proved its worth, helping me keep a vigilant watch, as the Straits
is ful of pot and marker buoys.
The steering console has a dome-shaped top that conveniently takes the instruments. These prove easy to read at all times, I also found the throttle at an ideal height for comfort when manoevuvring in tight areas, such as marinas. The wheel is of the round, stainless cat type, which I prefer.
I've had a lot of sea time with several Merry Fisher boats now and have found them predictable in bad seas, pretty dry, alothough you inevitably get some spray back on the screen when attacking big waves, and they tend to lay nicely just off the wind when drift fishing. They do need some correction in a
following sea, but are generally, very easy to handle.
Pulling around 4,000revs, I was also conscious that overall background noise from the engine does not creep back into the cabin to any great degree. It's relatively quite underway. Admittedly the boat was brand new, but there was no annoying rattles or vibrations to distract you or tire you mentally on long runs.
In the course of taking pictures aboard the 580, I also found access to the bow excellent, as there is a deep recess for the feet to rest in that give added security while walking forwards. You've also got a full safety rail encompassing the bow section, forward of the rear edge of the cabin.
The bow is fitted with a stainless steel bow roller,with T-cleats either side. You have a spacious anchor locker with a single-door opening to the starboard side. A nice touch is that the bow moulding in front of the cabin has a flat section moulded into it, allowing you to sit down when storing the rope and anchor if the seas are big.
The cabin roof is wide and pacious with room to add a full stainless steel gantry, GPS, aerials and a radar unit. The nav steaming light is a pedestal type, with the port and starboard lights being a duo type and positioned low down the middle of the main windscreen. This is split in two at the front and tinted, with large, single side access screens, the helm side only having a wiper fitted.
Access to the deck is down a moulded-in step, withstainless steel grab rails built into the cabin's rear edges for additional support. You have stacks of room to fish four anglers if need be, but two have acres of space to fish from and still carry a rake of gear without cluttering up the cabin or sleeping quaters. The deck has a non-slip finish and is self-draining. The gunnels are to upper-hip height, but would potentially benifit from having a short 3inch safety rail fitted, just to give you that bit extra in a bad sea with a wet deck. The gunnel tops carry rod holders at the stern with room for additional holders forwards. There are also T-cleats, for mooring, at each stern corner.
The transom has additional seating in the form of bucket seats at each corner, with additional open storage space underneath for tackle boxes and the like. The 100-litre fuel tank is hidden away under a spacious hatch locker in mid-deck, with the battery stored forward in this to leave additional storage space for soft items in between.
The splash well slopes away from the transom and takes little if any water in a following sea. You also have a built-in, step on/off area at the corners of the stern and a useful boarding/dive ladder fitted to the port side of the stern. This folds for storage.
Acess to the cabin and sleeping quaters is between the helm seat and passenger seat. Both seats are built on conoles that provide additional storage underneath the seat. Both seats have footrests in place, plus the passenger has a grab rail placed forward of the seat. You also have a moulded seat built into the helm-seat console facing back on deck.
Behind the steering console is a flat area with lots of space to take your compass for easy reading, plus your fishfinder and GPS unit. The shelf continues across the middle of the screen, but again widens on the port side for additional storage space.
Acess to the sleeping quaters is down a step. these are surprisingly spacious, easily sleeping two people. Both bunk areas hide large storage lockers, with a third locker area towards the bow. The interior is well upholstered and has a wide shelf area, with wooden facing running the full length of each side. There is more storage space running under the
msin cabin floor. There are also small side screens to let light in, plus an air vent in the roof.
The cabin roof has an air vent fitted, this being tinted. The cabin is closed off with a fold-down screen an the roof forward over the deck to give additional shelter.
It has to be said that a couple of years ago the Merry Fisher range did have some problems with build quality. However, I had a really close look at the 580 on test and its obvious that any past issues have been fully addressed. The strength and overall build quality looks to be consistant and to a high standard now, and I feel the design of these boats, regarding layout, is excellent. There is no clutter, easy access to everything you need and it is comfortable for both fishing and week-end lounging.
THINGS I MIGHT CHANGE
I'd add stainless steel grab rails to the outside edges for additional grip when walking forwards. The current wooden types are too short in my opinion.
I'd also add 3in safety rails on the gunnels and get another safety rail made which slots into the top of the transom. The transom is probably safe enough, but, I think a bit low for angling and adding a safety rail would give added security in bad seas and give something to rest their rds on when fishing downtide. I would also prefer individual nav lights
set on the port and starboard cabin edges, instead of the duo light low down below the windscreen. Angling often neccessitates coming home in the dark or in bad weather and I like my boats to be easily seen when at sea. These are all simple add-on things that make a great boat even better.
CONCLUSION
These are good sea boats that I find are easy to handle and work with. The 80 has superb all round vision, which is something I stress as being vitally important. She is fast, econamical, but offers lots of deck space for her size, plus a generous cabin and accommodation area.
I really like the Merry Fisher boats and with any build quality issues now a thing of the past, they'll become even more popular with anglers. They also make an ideal weekender for small familues, or for two anglers looking to fish the weekend without stepping ashore.
Fitted with the 70hp Mercury, the boat is rapid and plenty fast enough for even the most avid speed nuts, but you have the option of a 90hp motor. You don't have to use all its power, but if you carry lots of gear and weight it might be worth a consideration.
Disclaimer: Everything written in these reports are based on personal experience and the individual's opinion only. I have tried my best to present the facts correctly, but I/we take no responsibility for any mistakes or omissions.