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A missing link in the Pacific Craft lineup
The Pacific Craft 650 T isn?t just a new 6.50-meter hull added to the catalog. Its appeal lies primarily in the concept it reintroduces to a lineup that had previously been structured around open boats and sun cruisers. These boats are well-suited for summer outings, water sports, or family cruises, but they?re much less suitable for those who set sail in November in search of sea bass, sail through a rain shower, or simply want to take shelter without sacrificing a spacious cockpit.
The 650 T thus features a closed wheelhouse in the center of the boat, a classic design that has proven its worth.
Pacific Craft offers a 7.5-meter ?big brother? model that shares the same design philosophy. The 650 T, however, is the most compact model in this new family and likely the one whose design specifications require the most interesting trade-offs: maintaining a true wheelhouse, providing enough deck space for fishing, and remaining within a size that?s still easy to handle.
A boat built for coastal fishing
The layout becomes clear as soon as you step on board. Open space is the dominant feature. This makes sense for fishing. Whether you?re trolling with a group, tracking a fish around the boat, or retrieving an anchor, you need to be able to move quickly from the cockpit to the bow.
Fishing isn?t its only use, however. The cockpit bench, the optional aft platforms, and the small cabin located under the foredeck also make it suitable for leisurely cruises or family outings. But the order of priorities remains clear. The boat is designed first and foremost for working outdoors and seeking shelter indoors.
A car-sized body and a reasonably powerful engine
The 650T measures 6.46 m long and, most notably, 2.49 m wide, which makes it road-legal. However, with a curb weight of 1,150 kg, the towing vehicle will need to be appropriately equipped, and trips to the water won?t be a daily occurrence.
Engine Specifications , Pacific Craft allows up to 115 ch on the transom. Our test model was equipped with a 100 ch Yamaha 4-stroke engine with mechanical controls.
On paper, the power output seems modest at a time when some competitors of similar size deliver 175 or 200 ch. Yet it meets the intended specifications. A fishing boat doesn?t necessarily need to reach 35 knots to be effective. It must accelerate properly under load, maintain a usable cruising speed, and offer fuel efficiency suitable for long days on the water.
The test will confirm this choice: with 100 ch, the boat reached 26 knots. Even more significantly, it was cruising at 18.9 knots at 4,500 rpm while consuming 17 l/h.
The 650 T thus clearly sets its priorities. It is not designed to be a weekender or an open boat. Its design builds on tried-and-true fundamentals: a functional cockpit, ease of movement on deck, and protection. It?s an old formula, to be sure, but one that gets the job done for a fishing boat.
