Tested | Stessl Trophy 590 Territory with Merc 150

This is the first boat test that I’ve done in the Northern Territory! And it’s even more special since we dodged COVID restrictions to get it done. A window of opportunity opened and we caught up with Mick Denny and his capable team from Precision Marine in Darwin to check out some of the rigs that get a lot of use in the Northern Territory.
It says a fair bit about a boat when the dealership chooses it to be their demonstrator/staff boat for the season. It means that it’s the rig that the guys want to out fishing and camping in (as well as taking customers on test drives, I suppose).
And although this looked like a new rig, Mick assured me that it had already been on a few adventures.
Chief Precision salesman, Dan Hayes, explained the benefits of the Territory build of this popular Platerix2 hull.
“With the 2.5 metre beam on this hull, we have been able to have this rear centre console rig that allows you to move between the seats, but also fish in the bluewater from the back of the boat,” Dan explained.
Some rigs in the Territory keep the seats right against the transom that removes this option.
Stessl’s new style console is also impressive - it holds a 16” sounder flush-mounted. You can’t do that in some boats that are much longer than this rig.
“We like our big electronics in the NT and the customers have been responding favourably to this option,” Dan continued.
The other part of the equation is the huge, raised front casting deck. In the Northern Territory it is important to keep your esky out of the sun and there is more than enough room under this front gate to keep the big esky out of trouble.
Also under the front deck is a pair of 12 V batteries to give 24 V power to the front electric motor.
“it is also the small details that make this a great rig for the NT," explained to Dan, "there is not much plastic on this rig - everything is welded that can be - cup holders, rod holders. It makes it last up here“.
Precision Marine bass, Mick Denny, explain the rationale of reading this boat with the 3 L 150 pro access rather than the maximum 175 hp V6 Mercury.
“it makes the package around $5000 dollars cheaper and the 150 hp motor is actually more efficient than the 175,” he said, “that 3 litre block is as reliable as they come and the transient spark technology gives this rig heaps of power to get up and on the plane.”
Of course, Territorians will take advantage of Mercury’s 6-year warranty. You get three years right out of the box and an extra three years if you choose to get your local Mercury dealer to do the annual servicing.
“It takes all of the risk out of buying a new outboard,” Mick continued.
The test rig was supplied on a twin axle trailer which is the bare minimum for a boat of this size.
As tested, this rig comes in at around $80,000, although package prices with the 150 hp outboard start from around $70,000. For more information ask about these rings at your local Stessl dealer or give Mick and his team a call at Precision Marine in Darwin.
PERFORMANCE
RPM SPEED (km/h) Economy (km/L)
1000 5 1.42
2000 11 1.41
3000 26 2.16
3500 35 2.18
4000 40 1.87
4500 48 1.71
5000 53 1.65
6000 70 1.34
SPECIFICATIONS
Length 6.0m
Beam 2.5m
Depth 1.5m
Bottom 4mm
Sides 4mm
Max HP 175
Capacity 6 persons

[@Mr63eh]

Trim on wrong side of throttle 🤦‍♂️

[@scottcox8559]

Everything will last except the shit timber floors.

[@vloggingbailey]

Think you forgot about the Merc too...

[@ryanferguson3769]

What do these retail for??

[@sebastiangreenwood3019]

70k

[@nauticorner2672]

Stop putting music on while engaging forward and reverse and cruising along. A real boat test doesn't have music playing while you are doing a pre purchase test.