At the GP Fishing, the Mercury group presented its new range of Valiant Black Carbon semi-rigid cars. What was supposed to be a limited series will finally be marketed as a series in view of the good feedback and requests from the network.
The three boats are semi-rigid 6.30, 6.90 and 7.50 m long. The sails of the 3 boats are made of Pennel and Flipo hypalon (a fabric that bears the very name of Black Carbon!). Polyester shells and consoles receive a grey gel coat. Combined with the red stripes on the hull and the grips in the same colour, this gives a particularly flattering finish to the whole.
An arrangement for fishing
Designed for sport fishing, the consoles are designed to protect the pilot and a crew member. The windshield is high and surrounded by solid handrails painted in matt black (the class!). Electronic equipment is also expected on these consoles on which 2 multifunction displays can easily be installed. We know that fishermen are increasingly fond of these devices to track fish.
The seat is a leaning post (for a standing seated position) wide enough for 2 adults to stand facing the road. On the "small" models (630 and 690), the console is offset to starboard to allow a good forward passage. With the steering wheel on the left of the console, the pilot is in the middle of the boat while sailing. On the larger 750, the console is installed in the centre of the boat.
Few storage spaces but space
The weakness of these models is undoubtedly the lack of storage. Indeed, apart from the console (3 openings) and the leaning post (1 opening + the tilting seat), the boat has no other storage than a trunk in the bow which will be used to store the mooring. Note that an optional bench seat can be added in front of the power bowl at the rear of the boat, providing a little more storage, but limiting the space to fish behind the console.
The boats tested were equipped with the "combo fishing" option, i. e. 6 rod holders distributed on the console and on the leaning station, but also with a livewell integrated in the hull (behind the console).
Motorized with Mercury
The Valiant shipyard owned by Brunswick offers its motorized semi-rigid boats with Mercury outboards. Thus for our tests, the 630 received a 150 Pro XS, an engine designed for intensive and sporty fishing, a kind of off-road engine. The Valiant Black Carbon 690 had a 225 hp 4 strokes V6, a multi-purpose engine. Finally, the 750 received the all-new 300 hp Verado V8, a top-of-the-range engine with its AMS anti-vibration system that strongly impressed us with its smooth handling.
3 shells, 3 behaviors
If the 3 semi-rigid are similar, offering the same colours and finishes, the behaviour on the water betrays their origins. Indeed, 630 and 690 are produced in Italy in the Arimar factories. With a flatter hull (less V) and no strake, boats stick much more to the water. They do not pitch up or heel in corners. This is very healthy behaviour in flat seas, but it is less tolerant of the chop.
In addition, the 630 was served by an engine assembly that was too low to allow it to reach its maximum speed (we were limited to 5100 rpm maxi). And when you trim to try to take turns, the boat becomes very fickle, becoming less controllable. Probably mounting the engine one hole higher (and another propeller?) would change the behaviour.
Next to the others, the 750 has a completely different behaviour. This Valiant takes over the hull of the old 750 Patrol. A boat that is fearless with its very pronounced V. With this 300 hp engine he proved to be very playful. Of the 3, he is the one who seduced us the most by his behaviour. A very successful set!
Price List
630 Black Carbon from 40 464 ?
with a Mercury F150 Pro XS, combo fishing, console cover, active trim kit, mobile vesselview, battery and without on-board electronics.
690 Black Carbon from ?49,147
with a Mercury 225 V6 FourStroke, combo Fishing, console cover, active trim kit, mobile vesselview, battery and without on-board electronics.
750 Black Carbon from ?63,516
with a Mercury 300 V8 Verado, combo Fishing, console cover, active trim kit, mobile vesselview, battery, blue underwater LED, standard VHF horizon GX 1300 E + antenna, Vesselview link simple and without embedded electronics.
