STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER – Can Be The Best Choice Of Boat For Whom To Buy?

STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER Review

Price: From $150,000

Type: Bay Boat

Weight: 1400 kgs (net boat weight)

Seats: 7

What we like about it: Plenty of room, a holder for multiple rods, and a large cockpit.

What we didn’t like about it: High prices, and not enough lounge areas set up.

Rating (4.7/5)

Whether you’re an avid fishing enthusiast eager to explore various fishing spots or someone who loves outdoor adventures with family, a Bay boat is an excellent choice for your next boating expedition.

The STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER, flagship product of Australia’s leading pressed and sheet alloy boat manufacturer Stessl, comes equipped with a Helm Master EX 300hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard engine. This bay boat combines rich performance and spaciousness to leave a lasting impression on anyone.

Let’s delve into the driving experience, seating comfort, specifications, and other versions of the STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER.

If you’re in search of an outstanding bay boat or want to learn about various boat types, be sure to follow our homepage, where we continually update blogs on different boat options. If you’re looking to purchase a boat, you can also reach out to us directly. Your visit is always welcome!

Overall Impression

My friend Cooper is an adventurous angler who loves fishing in different locales. He has countless stories of fishing in Louisiana swamps and catching bass in Florida freshwater lakes. Inspired by him, I developed a passion for fishing and joined his fishing club. As we both have free time next weekend, Cooper organized a fishing trip in Texas’s Galveston Bay. Considering it’s a saltwater area, we unanimously decided to rent a bay boat.

The boat we rented is the STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER, the largest model in this series. As we invited our club friends Dylan and Jace for this trip, all of us are quite big. To ensure a roomier fishing space, we opted for the most spacious version.

The 735 COASTRUNNER boasts ample space at the stern. With the four of us standing on the rear deck, we never felt constrained. The back also features a storage-friendly bench seat. While it’s not luxurious, it’s comfortable enough for us.

Dylan and Jace mentioned they wanted to sit there to enjoy the wind and contemplate life. Indeed, this boat lacks a lot in terms of seating areas. If they wanted to experience its speed up close, this seating area was the only one to meet their needs.

Driving Experience

Having been skilled in handling low-horsepower jon boats before, the 735 COASTRUNNER’s outboard motor is rated at 200hp, which made me wary of handling it. Consequently, I let Cooper take the helm.

Cooper, eagerly anticipating the 735 COASTRUNNER experience, opened the throttle, and the 12-inch display screen on the dashboard illuminated. Even as I sat in the co-pilot seat, I could see the functions displayed on it.

Before I could recover from the stationary state, Cooper already pushed the lever to start it up. The 735 COASTRUNNER zoomed forward like a bullet, slicing through the water and leaving a trail of splashes behind. I looked back at Dylan and Jace gripping the handrails tightly, occasionally getting sprayed by splashes. They cheered for this exhilarating speed.

Seating Experience

Thanks to the self-draining feature of the 735 COASTRUNNER’s rear deck, we hardly saw any accumulated water on the deck when the boat was stationary. As our excitement settled after the thrilling ride, we began preparing for our upcoming fishing activities.

Due to the waves we encountered earlier, Dylan and Jace were splashed with saltwater. They turned on the freshwater hose located at the stern of the 735 COASTRUNNER, taking a quick shower. Right next to this freshwater hose was our fishing station, which revealed a Bait Well underneath. This made it incredibly convenient for us to clean our bait using the hose.

The 735 COASTRUNNER also provided ample rod holders, almost visible at the stern, portside, or bow. After getting our fishing rods ready, we baited our hooks and found our preferred fishing spots. I appreciated the spaciousness; even if we cast our lines simultaneously, we didn’t interfere with each other. With the roomy livewell at the stern today, I’m sure we’ll have a great catch!

Specifications

The STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER is a spacious and sturdy fishing platform that you can trailer to your desired nearshore coast. Not only can it cut through water with ease, but it also maintains a good balance between speed and stability.

You don’t have to worry about the 735 COASTRUNNER’s speed causing waves to flood the deck. The self-draining deck at the stern helps you quickly get back to a dry state.

For those who enjoy night fishing, the rest area under the console ensures you can spend a comfortable and safe night on the water. However, the boat lacks sufficient seating. If you often go out with family and need extra seating, foldable chairs need to be prepared.

Other Versions

If you like the specialized features and layout of the STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER for fishing activities but don’t require such spaciousness, you can check out another version in the same series, the STESSL 665 COASTRUNNER.

STESSL 665 COASTRUNNER

While the STESSL 665 COASTRUNNER has a smaller hull compared to the STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER, it can still accommodate seven passengers. However, this does limit the total passenger weight.

If you’re not seeking extremely exhilarating speed, the 665 COASTRUNNER is equipped with a 175hp engine, providing a smoother ride. Of course, if you desire better performance, it can be upgraded to a maximum of 250hp. For most people, this speed is more than sufficient.

Despite its more affordable price, the STESSL 665 COASTRUNNER doesn’t compromise on layout. It maintains nearly identical features with the 735 COASTRUNNER, providing spacious fishing areas for you and your crew.

What do we like about it

• Spacious free walking space.
• Plenty and everywhere of rod holders.
• Powerful engine horsepower.
• The center console is designed to be a great layout for offshore fishing.
• The lounge under the console was able to safeguard my privacy at night.
• Large cockpit with full glass baffles.

What we don’t like about it

• It is indeed very expensive and you need to have a larger budget to buy it.
• There aren’t a lot of lounging areas on the boat, and it’s not suitable for a party on the water.

FAQ

1. What are the characteristics of a bay boat?

Bay boats are characterized by their wide and flat hulls, which give them the ability to navigate shallow waters. They are well-suited for fishing in both shallow and deeper areas.

Most bay boats feature a center console layout, making them ideal for fishing. This layout allows anglers to easily cast from various angles.

2. How do I choose between a bay boat and a bass boat?

When choosing between a bay boat and a bass boat, consider where you typically fish. Bass boats are designed primarily for freshwater fishing, while bay boats are better suited for coastal and saltwater use.

The Bay boat compares to it and despite some compromises in freshwater fishing, it will be a more suitable choice for coastal areas and for boats that want to be able to fish in saltwater.

3. How long is a bay boat?

While bay boats come in various sizes, most fall within the range of 19 to 26 feet. They can easily be trailered to different waterways for convenient fishing trips.

STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER SPECS

Length Overall	7.70m
Length Bow to Transom	7.30m
Beam	2.50m
Depth	1.50m
Bottom Sheet	5mm 5083 High Tensile
Side Sheet	4mm 5052 Marine Grade
Transom	XL/S
Weight (boat only)	1400 kgs
Horsepower Max	300hp
Pax	7 persons

Video

Comparison Table

Boats	Lengths	Maximum Horsepower	Maximum person capacity
Sea Fox 249 Avenger	25’1″	300HP	10 persons
Crevalle 26 Bay	25’6″	400HP	9 persons
Sportsman Heritage 231	23’4″	300HP	12 persons

STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER vs Sea Fox 249 Avenger

The Sea Fox 249 Avenger features an innovative side console layout, which might present limitations in space for anglers. However, for family outings, this design makes it a better choice.

The design philosophy of the Sea Fox 249 Avenger differs from the STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER. Both its front and rear decks are equipped with ample and comfortable seating. Underneath the sofa-style seats with cushioned backrests, there’s a removable cooler, ensuring you can enjoy refreshing drinks while having fun.

With a length of 25 feet and the capacity to accommodate ten people, the Sea Fox 249 Avenger includes a restroom located under the console, which is essential for a full day of water activities.

The Sea Fox 249 Avenger also boasts many thoughtful features that the STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER doesn’t have. For those who often gather with friends or enjoy family outings, it provides an excellent platform for diverse water-based experiences.

STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER vs Crevalle 26 Bay

The Crevalle 26 Bay shares a striking resemblance to the STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER in terms of appearance. It also features elevated cast decks both at the front and rear, with a central console layout in the middle of the boat. However, it’s a more practical model compared to the latter.

On the Crevalle 26 Bay, you’ll notice a more generous livewell capacity than the 735 COASTRUNNER, with livewells located at both the stern and the front of the console. This layout makes it convenient for anglers to store their catch at both ends of the boat. Additionally, it comes equipped with more seating options, including pre-installed bases for fishing chairs, ensuring a more comfortable boating experience for passengers.

If you’re seeking exhilarating speeds, the Crevalle 26 Bay will also satisfy your cravings. It can be outfitted with a maximum of 400hp engine, providing an adrenaline-pumping ride.

Unfortunately, unlike the 735 COASTRUNNER, the Crevalle 26 Bay doesn’t come with a dedicated nighttime resting area. If you’re a fan of night fishing, this might not be the best news for you.

STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER vs Sportsman Heritage 231

The Sportsman Heritage 231 is designed with a focus on family outings and gatherings with friends. Whether you’re on the water or beneath it, this boat has everything you need.

Firstly, in terms of layout, the Sportsman Heritage 231 features the same central console design as the STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER. Combined with the 10-gallon livewell at the stern, it provides an excellent fishing environment.

Secondly, the Sportsman Heritage 231 has a convertible U-shaped sofa at the bow and a rear bench, accommodating up to eleven friends for your planned water parties. It also offers versatile platforms for sunbathing in good weather.

Lastly, all seats are wrapped in marine-grade vinyl, providing comfort and easy cleaning. The removable table in front of the bow’s U-shaped sofa is perfect for family lunches or playing tabletop games with friends.

Of course, the Sportsman Heritage 231 is equipped with top-notch hardware, including the fiberglass hardtop on the central console with built-in lighting, ensuring both aesthetics and durability. Two reliable boarding ladders make embarking and disembarking convenient for passengers. Additionally, the boat features a built-in ski tow bar system at the stern, which can be easily stowed when not in use.

In summary, it’s a highly versatile bay boat, the only downside being its somewhat unfriendly price.

Summary

It can be said that the STESSL 735 COASTRUNNER leans more towards being a fishing boat. Its design and equipment mostly cater to handling waves in the vast offshore waters. Serious anglers will appreciate its outstanding performance and the spacious self-draining stern fishing deck.

Undoubtedly, this is a practical fishing tool. If you’re an enthusiastic angler with a sufficient budget, owning it will unlock more fishing locations for you.

If you find it too expensive or not within your budget, or if you’re looking for a boat suitable for family outings, you can also contact us to share your requirements. We are more than happy to match you with the most suitable boat.