Specification:
Length 16ft 5"
Beam 6' 9"
Draught 10"
Weight 560Kg
Engine 80hp max
Country of manufacture: Lancashire, UK
More details on full specification can be found at Douglas-Marine
Report by Simon Everett courtesy of Boat Fishing Monthly
New Modifications
About three years ago a new appeared on the scene and it was favourably received. A typical, small cuddy fast fisher called the "Predator". The basic boat incorporated a chined hull without the simulated clinker or other similarly conceived boats, which set it apart.
The new Predator 165 is a refinement of that earlier boat with some modifications that the angling fraternity should benefit from.
The cuddy has been strengthened and the original wrap windscreen has been replaced with a supported coachroof and more traditional wheelhouse windows. All the sharp angles on the boat have been radiused to reduse the local stress from the change of shape, this includes the transom.
The boat has been lengthened too, by just a few inches and the side of the hull has been given a slight curvature.
Rigororous Testing
The transom has been made even stronger and given foam buoyancy both sides. Along the bulwarks there are large foam buoyancy chambers, which have been tested to provide stable flotation in the situation of the cockpit being swamped. The CE certification tests are often not carried
out in practise but run through a computer-modelling programme. In the case of the Predator 165 the builders have actually sunk a test boat with a cockpit full of water and carrying steel weights equivalent to five men and their gear.
The boat floated with the gunwales clear of the water.
The next test is to hang a 35kg weight, simulating a person afloat in the water hanging onto the side, from the gunwales while the boat is swamped. The carefully perfected buoyancy chambers keept the boat stable during this test, where many will capsize due to destabilising effect
of the water in the cockpit. The Predator 165 conforms to all the stringent certification tests and has actually been tested for real, so you can be assured that this boat will remain afloat and stable.
Comfortable Cuddy
The extra length of the 165 provides even more cockpit area as the cuddy has remained the same length. With the standard fitment of just the helm pod seat and cuddy locker top seats, the entire cockpit is at your disposal for fishing from. Sitting on the locker top in the cuddy
one person can fish from within the shelter of the wheelhouse very comfortably. There is full sitting headroom within the whole of the cuddy and it provides proper shelter. If you want more protection from the elements for winter fishing then their is an optional extension dodger
which extendes the roofline about five feet aft. The gumnwales are higher than on most boats, being a full metre to the top of the guardrail from the cockpit sole. The high gunwals make for a very secure cockpit, yet the water is not out of reach for leaning over to gill a fish.
There is also room within the folded gunwale capping to fit racks for rods, a gaff or landing net. The transom is flat across for its full width, with nothing to restrict access as the fuel tank sits within a recess out of the way. This could do with being enlarged to take a spare
tank, we used nearly a tankful in the morning running up and down. There is a bilge sump with a pump below the tank moulding. The rails that run along the gunwales, and across the transom, make ideal mounting points for clamp on rod holders enabling a spread of lures to be trolled
with ease.
The changes to the windows from one large screen to the three smaller supported ones, has greatly increased the strength of the windows. The central one opens out sideways to give access to the foredeck for anchoring work. The forward section of the cuddy is given over to an open chain locker between your feet for the anchor and warp. There is no eye for tying off the end to though. A good-sized bollard in stainless steel is well placed on the foredeck to make fast in line with the stemhead roller but without being in the way when weighing anchor.
The seating is adequate, but could do with some more padding in the cushions, or a firmer foam used. The pedistal are used as stowage by installing watertight hatches in the upright, large enough and ideal for stowing flares, and other small items. The console also has a hatch to the interior where the battery is housed, well out of the way of any saltwater. There is room to mount electronics and the proximity of the wiring loom makes this a simmple job. A stainless A-frame on the wheelhouse roof is the ideal place to mount VHF and GPS aerials, together with running lights at a good height above the waterline for greater visability by other vessels. A masthead riding light would be simple to add 1m above without getting in the way of anything else.
Under The Water For the real difference in the 165 aver the 160 though we have to look below the waterline. Here there have been some significant changes. The exaggerated reverse chines have been enlarged to create small sponsons. These channel the waterflow aft giving excellant directional stability when underway at speed. There is a drag factor from the additional wetted area and a slightly harsher ride from where the water is getting trapped in the arches of the hull. The payback is amazing stability at rest, especially lying beam on to the sea when drifting. With the cuddy placed so far forward, right over the flare of the bows, one would expect her to drift slightly stern on but it is evened out at both ends. The weight of the motor anchors the stern and the windage of the superstructure would normally blow the bow around. On the Predator 165 there is sufficent grip on the water at the bow to even things up and she drifts perfectly on the beam. This makes fishing on the drift much more conveniant as your lines will go away from the boat rather than at an angle towards the stern.
Easy Handling
Driving the Predator is a piece of cake. The hull shape precludes any need to trim the engine, other than to achieve maximum revs but even then it only takes a slight tweak. Keeping the bow down helps to soften the ride as the bow cuts the water and the flare then directs the water
wide with the cuddy proving protection from any big waves.
The Predator 165 is a significant step up from her smaller sister, with more stability and more deck space. Rated for an 80hp motor, wich the test boat had fitted, she will be a perfectly respectable angling boat with a 60hp motor and won't loose very much in the way of performance.
She is light to handle and the nimblest angling boat I have tested with the ability to turn in a remarkably tight circle. She heels right over onto her gunwale and just spins around. You wouldn't want to do this with loose gear aboard though as it would all slide across the deck and
end up in a heap!
Running in a small chop on the Ribble estuary the Predator spanked along at a creditable 28.5 knots with a 15" pitch prop at 5600 revs. Ken Watson, the Yamaha man on the test with us felt this was below par and suggested trying a 13-inch pitched prop to get the engine to its full revs. Back alongside, the props were quickly exchanged and we went back out to try again. With two aboard the acceleration immediately sparked up to the point you had to hang on! The engine ran up to its wide open throttle revs of 6200 and the speed increased to 31.8 knots, am increase of over three knots, or ten per cent. With three men aboard she reached 30.4 knots at full revs, this is more representitive of a couple of anglers and their gear. For only 80hp this is very respectable indeed.
The Predator is built by a traditional family boatyard and has already gained a strong following from Scotland to the South coast. One owner uses his off Portland and is quite happy fishing around those rugged wtares. Competitively priced and fitted with quality Yamaha outboards as standard the Predator makes a good choice for anyone looking for a well priced angling boat that greatly exceeds the required margins of safety for the certifications standards.
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.