Even if you're not into geography, it's no great secret that the majority of this vast continent's population is gathered along its east coast and south coast across to Adelaide. Between this populous strip and Perth, there's not much in the way of civilisation. This is a gap that tends to separate the two coasts more than many people would like to see. Hence, most major industries are found in the east.

This is noticeably the case with the boat-building sector, with most Aussie boating magazines rarely getting the opportunity to hit the west and survey the scene.

However, earlier this year the judging process for the Boating Industry of Australia (BIAA) Boat of the Year awards saw me jet across Australia to do just that.

For those who have been to the west, you may recall that there are few large protected waterways. Indeed, keen fishermen are often called upon to travel long distances at sea or trail their boats thousands of kilometres over rough roads. In other words, the boats need to be strong and reliable.

HARDCORE PROTECTION
One of the WA-built craft I was most impressed with was Challenger Craft's 6.8 Canyon Runner Centre Cab.

There's a bit more to this rig than just a few sheets of aluminium welded together, and it's no surprise when the maker states that it has been especially built for the harsh offshore conditions.

Visually, the upswept bow immediately suggests images of the boat coping with the big seas of a distant Indian Ocean storm. Two side sponsons have been added to the monohull to deliver superior stability and lift - both of which can make the world of difference when fishing or travelling in rough seas.

Of course, as far as a hardcore fishing boat goes - particularly one that sees a lot of sportsfishing action in temperate climates - it's pretty hard to beat the configuration of a centre cab.

Not only is there room for anglers in pursuit of bigger fish, but there's also the protection of the centre cab. Though the sleeping room below is more often used to store gear for a day's fishing, it's also easy to set up such a rig for overnight accommodation.

In the case of the Canyon Runner, the basic layout comprises a big aft cockpit area where most of the serious fishing is done. From here the deck rises 150mm to form the deck level, where the centre cab is positioned.

This level extends through to the bow and is a prime spot for delivering a lure to a feeding school of fish or a bommie or FAD. When a big fish is on the hook, the ability to walk around the entire cab comes into its own.

The Canyon Runner's alloy centre cab has curved sides tapering towards the bow that offer plenty of room to move about and a minimum of sharp corners to bump into in rough conditions.

The seat in the front section of the bow is ample for one, but two could be seated with fishing rods armed ready to cast if they're friendly.

The uplifted bow gives you plenty of leg height, and there are side rails for added safety. The bowsprit is also very generous, with a big anchor well behind it. There's also a split bowrail for easier anchor retrieval and general movement.

There are a few smart space savers incorporated in the rig, such as the fold-out bins under the helm seats that can be used as eskies or for storage.

The bunks run aft under the helm seats, so you can stretch out if sleeping below. This in turn opens up more room on the forward deck.

The batteries and oil bottles are contained in the full height transom, which has large hinged doors for quick, easy access. On the port side of the transom there is a walk-through leading to the large duckboard. This is a great set-up for divers and is equipped with a fold-down boarding ladder. As with most serious fishing boats, you do need somewhere to put the fish, and an esky can sometimes get in the way. The Canyon Runner's underfloor tank in the aft deck can be used as a fishbox or as a big livebait tank.

When a few people stand on one side of the boat, it's very stable. The side sponsons generate a lot of lift and buoyancy that you probably won't fully appreciate until you're out in the rough stuff.

MEETING THE CHALLENGE
During our test we encountered a short nasty chop whipped up by a stiff 15kt breeze - and the Challenger ate it up.

This boat has a deep fine entry which really cuts through these sorts of conditions. The added lift of the two side sponsons ensures that the ride is level, and helps the craft lift quickly onto the plane.

The other advantage of the sponsons is that they aid in maintaining a planing attitude right down to slow speeds. This is a distinct advantage in rough conditions and also in economy terms when trolling for pelagics with high-speed lures.

The set-up also holds low speeds well, and the improved stability is such that it greatly reduces side-to-side rolling.

A lot of work has gone into the design and construction of the hull below the water line - and all of the effort appears to have paid off.

The variable deadrise hull has a deep 36° deadrise at the bow, 22° amidships and 17° at the transom.

The planing strakes are different to the standard plate-alloy fare of welded angle aluminium in that their outer edges are down-turned to trap air and spray. This helps soften the ride and aids in generating more lift.

The Canyon Runner is quite a heavy rig, which means the chop isn't going to bounce it all around the ocean either. It certainly makes those long trips home much easier.

The boat's powerplant is a 150hp EFI-equipped V-six Mercury outboard.

As you would expect, the big Merc offers plenty of top-end and midrange power.

So equipped, the Canyon Runner tops out at just under 70kmh, with an economical cruising speed of 40kmh. As a comparison, the same rig fitted with a 225hp EFI Mercury has a top speed of 90kmh and a cruising speed of 50kmh.

We encountered no cavitation problems using a 17-inch four-blade stainless Mercury Offshore propeller.

Combined with the 150, the standard 200lt underfloor tank delivers a range in the vicinity of 250km under average conditions and loads.

BIG AND BOLD
Aside from its outstanding handling and comfortable ride, you can't help but feel secure in the Canyon Runner. It's a big solid rig. Indeed, the look and ride of the boat certainly fits its title.

The boat is finished in two-pack epoxy paint and is available in a variety of colours. The red and white boat on test looks mean and stands out well on the water - an added safety bonus.

Challenger Craft, which has been building boats since 1991, has 11 models in its standard range, from 5-8m. Additionally, there's a comprehensive list of options and features on offer.

Already a hit in WA, there's no doubt this is one solid craft that will have no trouble holding its own with the best of them - whichever coast you fish from...