MIDGET GEM
Not a boat for the open sea, but ideal for one angler fishing in a large harbour
An ideal small boat for harbour fishing.
As a rule of thumb if something in life sounds too good to be true, then in all probability that is exactly what it is. Yet when I tell you that it is possible to get yourself fishing afloat with a brand new boat and outboard engine package costing less than £1,500, I’m sure some of you reading this will already have raised a doubtful eyebrow – but that is exactly what I am going to do.
Latrex Boats are designed and built in Latvia, with quality and affordability in mind. The company website describes them as family boats “made to be as stable as possible, with lightweight craft for maximum portability and deluxe double hull models for a more refined look.”
All the boats can be powered by the broad range of lightweight and affordable engines. In the UK they are supplied with Selva outboards to complete an ideal package.
BASIC VESSEL
The Latrex 275 is probably the most basic motorboat I have ever reviewed. You get the hull, buoyancy-filled seating fore, aft and amidships, a couple of galvanised rowlock holders, and a stainless bow eye – and that is pretty much it.
I noted that the build quality and finish on the review boat was good, with the hull finished in an attractive green. The only feature of note is a sizeable drain hole through the thwart and sited amidships, which will quickly drain any water shipped over the bow aft, from where the man on the tiller can easily bail it overboard while remaining in control.
There are no lockers, but when you consider the types of fishing for which this boat is suitable, you should easily be able to carry more than enough tackle in a small bag or
tackle box, along with a suitable inventory of emergency equipment in a waterproof grab bag.
The bare hull weighs 39kg, that’s a little over 85lb, meaning you could easily transport this boat on the roof of a car. Her overall length is 2.74m (nearly 9ft), with a 1.40m (about 4ft 6in) beam, 0.40m (about 1ft 4in) of freeboard, and is rated for use with outboard engines up to 5hp.
Plated at CE Category D, she is, I quote, “designed for voyages on sheltered inland waterways, including lakes, rivers and canals, where wind Force 4 and significant wave height of 0.5m may be experienced.” She is licensed to carry two persons, or a maximum load of 250kg. That said, I feel from an angling perspective what we have here is a single-person boat.
FISHING OPTIONS
Certainly there are serious limitations on exactly where and when the Latrex 275 can safely be used in saltwater, but there are situations where she could be used to access some great fishing. For example, she would be fine for use in some situations where sea anglers currently use kayaks, but prefer to have a small engine, along with a pair of oars as a back-up, to get them from A to B.
This would make a great little boat for those of you who, in addition to sea angling, enjoying fishing in freshwater, such as pike or trout fishing, for example.
The boat I reviewed was powered by the new Selva Guppy 2.5hp four-stroke outboard. The engine weighs 13.5kg, approximately 30lb, revs to a maximum of between 4,500-5,500rpm and features a 0.9 litre internal fuel tank.
Certainly, during my brief trip on the River Thames at Shepperton, this ‘mighty midget’ of a powerhouse performed impeccably. The three-bladed propeller provided sufficient thrust to propel the Latrex 275 at a modest speed, along with excellent manoeuvrability in tight spots. The engine can be swivelled through 360 degrees, hence reverse thrust is achieved by turning the tiller through 180 degrees. It really is a delightful little engine.
In terms of being a realistic sea trial, a short blast up and down the Thames really doesn’t count, but in reality these are exactly the sort of conditions for which she is ideal.
It would only be under extremely calm conditions that I would venture out into the open sea aboard this boat.
The Latrex 275 is really only suitable for use in areas such as Poole Harbour, Falmouth Harbour, or the more sheltered reaches of Milford Haven, for example. That said, provided you work within the parameters of safety, this highly affordable little package would provide a stable platform aboard which you could enjoy a lot of fun with a fishing rod.