Long-tom 640SF
Campbell Craft Long-tom 640SF
A Long-Tom Waiting
With the new Long-Tom, Campbell Craft has redefined the longboat style with a classy centre console fishing package - ideal for work or play. Story and photos: David Granville
The increase in popularity of saltwater flyfishing has resulted in increased market demand for a stable vessel with uncluttered decks and little or no overhead obstructions. Brisbane-based manufacturer, Campbell Craft, has answered that demand with the release of its Long-Tom 640SF. Around 6.4m in length with a beam of only 1.9m, the Long-Tom can be considered similar to the increasingly popular Southwind longboats. However, Campbell Craft has refined the concept and added several ideas of its own to make the Long-Tom a classy little sportsfisher.
Trailer Boat first sighted the Long-Tom at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show and while I was very impressed by the finish and application of quality fittings, I was a little bit sceptical as to how the boat would handle offshore. From first impressions, I thought it might be a little wet. Well, I guess you shouldn't always trust your first impressions.
Keen to put the Long-Tom through its paces, I arranged to meet John and Chris, from Campbell Craft, at Mooloolaba a week or so after the show to take the 6.4m for a spin offshore. Why is it that whenever I want to go fishing it is blowing a gale, and whenever I plan to do boat tests it is flat as warm beer. Even though it was a beautiful day off Mooloolaba we were able to simulate some rough water with a little help from sister mag's project rig, BlueWater II, and we also ran down to Old Woman Island where we found a bit of surf to play in.
The Long-tom we tested was production numero uno and was powered by a standard two-stroke 75hp Suzuki outboard. For a 6.4m fibreglass boat you would think it might be under-powered with only 75hp, but not so. With three people onboard and a bellyful of fuel, we blasted down to Old Woman Island at just under 30kt, according to the GPS.
Amazing Range
That is the beauty of the longboat style of hull. There's no mistaking why these type of craft are so popular right across the Pacific Island chains - they have incredible load carrying capabilities with minimal horsepower requirements. While the standard fuel tank on the Long-Tom is 105lt, fuel capacity is optional up to 300lt which, according to the builder, won't affect the vessel's performance. Being able to carry this amount of fuel provides the Long-Tom with amazing range.
At Old Woman Island, I did everything in my power to justify my first impression and put some water in the boat. I jumped BlueWater II's wake several times, backed up hard into the swell, even took the boat through some breaking waves and still couldn't get myself (or my passengers!) wet.
I was surprised too, at how soft the landing was coming off the back of waves. Considering the moderate deadrise of 15° and relatively light hull weight of 700kg, I expected them to be a lot harder.
The Long-Tom turned confidently at speed, although I did have to trim the motor down slightly to prevent cavitation. Stability at rest was also very good and with three people standing on one side, the list was minimal.
Being a true centre console, the Long-Tom provides little protection from the elements for anyone except the helmsman, however what makes it appealing as a sportsfisher are the large uncluttered decks fore and aft.
No expense has been spared with interior fittings of the Long-Tom, the highlight of which is an anodised aluminium console frame and targa top with four-rod rocket launcher. This structure is beautifully finished, and provides excellent grabrails for passengers while travelling. The bowrail is also manufactured from anodised aluminium.
Sounds Unlimited
The console features an acrylic windscreen and the dash is fitted with a compass, depth sounder and flush-mounted gauges. The console also incorporates a sports steering wheel, gear and throttle control, switch panel and marine speakers. Overhead is a 27mHz radio and marine stereo cassette player. Each side of the console are recessed compartments for a fire extinguisher and EPIRB. A comfortable pedestal helm seat was located directly aft of the console.
The bow area features a padded bench seat with storage below. The foredeck itself features a stainless steel bow roller, cleat and a large anchor locker which is situated on the port side. All horizontal surfaces have a fully moulded non-slip grip.
The transom features three large fully moulded storage compartments with removable padded cushions. One or all of these compartments could be insulated for icebox storage or plumbed to be used as a livebait tank. Each transom corner is fitted with a stainless steel cleat and rodholder. These are the only two deck rodholders on the boat. I would like to see the gunwales widened to enable the application of more flush-mounted rodholders.
Campbell Craft makes every part of the Long-Tom in-house, except for the anodised aluminium items. It also makes a custom trailer to suit the Long-Tom, which is a tandem, fully-galvanised heavy duty multi-roller unit with vertical guides, spare wheel and corrosion-free fibreglass springs.
Of course, the Long-Tom comes standard with all the necessary offshore safety gear. Optional extras fitted to the test boat were marine carpet and full clear storm covers.
There's no doubt in my mind Campbell Craft's Long-Tom 640SF has the performance and fit-out to win the hearts of anglers... Especially that growing breed of sportsfishos that want to sneak up on pelagics or wave the long wand at finicky tuna schools.
| Long-Tom 640SF | |
|---|---|
| Price as tested: | $44,000 |
| Options include marine carpet, storm covers, etc | |
| Hull | |
| Material: | Fibreglass |
| Type: | Moderate-vee monohull |
| Length: | 6.40m |
| Beam: | 1.90m |
| Deadrise: | 15° |
| Weight (boat only): | 700kg |
| Fuel capacity (optional to 300lt): | 105lt |
| Engine | |
| Make/model: | Suzuki DT75C |
| Rated hp: | 75hp |
| Type: | Loop-charged inline three-cylinder two-stroke |
| Displacement: | 1197cc |
| Weight: | 123kg |
| Supplied by: | Campbell Craft, Sumner Park (Qld), tel (07) 3376 6088 |
Source: Trailer Boat
Issue Date: November 1999