Cruise Craft E770HT boat test

Cruise Craft’s new E770HT is built for Aussie conditions and combines high-quality design and construction with a terrific fishing layout and a well-balanced, easy to drive deep-vee hull.

The E770HT follows the 2023 launch of the smaller E695HT model and sports the same impressive new hardtop design with a one-piece, PanaView windshield that was designed in partnership with glazing specialist ALFAB Australia. 

We tested the launch model, a beautifully finished, high-sided fibreglass sport fisher powered by Yamaha’s 450hp XTO Offshore 450 V8 four-stroke outboard in the extra-longshaft configuration, and on a custom-built 4500kg-capacity. 

The Cruise Craft E770HT is available exclusively with Yamaha outboard engines. Base models are fitted with an extra-long shaft (635mm) 350hp V6 four-stroke that’s said to deliver a top speed of 42.9 knots (79.5km/h).

If more power is called for, owners can opt for twin 200hp four-stroke motors or a single 450hp V8. There’s also a choice of a 400lt or 500lt fuel tank  – although the latter is not available when the boat is optioned with a Seakeeper gyro.

With the maximum power XTO Offshore 450, the new Cruise Craft topped out at 48 knots (89km/h) during our test. There’s a vast spread of consistent, smoothly delivered power that gives the skipper confidence to work the throttle to suit the conditions.

The test boat/engine combination is most economical at 3500rpm while cruising at 26.1 knots (48.3km/h), burning 43.3lt of fuel for a maximum range of around 286nm (530km) on 95 per cent of the 500lt fuel tank – or 1.11km/lt.

This big, sturdy, high-sided boat rides on a foam-filled, 20-degree deep-vee fibreglass hull. It’s an all-new design that retains the previous flagship 720HT’s excellent stability at rest, but with improvements that soften the ride into a head sea.

When equipped with the optional Seakeeper 450 for pitch and roll attitude control – and with automatic trim tabs that are designed to keep the boat running level – the hull can instantly counteract wind and wave action to maximise performance and ride comfort.

The full-height fibreglass hardtop with its one-piece windshield creates a semi-enclosed and well-sheltered wheelhouse and helm station, with opening side windows for added ventilation.

The standout feature at the helm is the large split-level fascia panel that can accommodate several flat-screen multifunction displays. Our test boat was optioned with two 16in Garmin GPSMAP 8416xsv displays installed beneath a 12in 8412xsv display.

The steering wheel is ideally positioned, with a mounting pad to starboard that includes a Yamaha digital throttle box and a joystick for the optional Helm Master EX boat-control system. A Fusion stereo head unit and Garmin VHF radio are flush-mounted overhead.

As with most Cruise Craft boats, the deluxe bucket helm chairs are mounted on stainless steel frames, with provision underneath for an optional 110lt EvaKool fridge/freezer to port and an equally large icebox to starboard.

Separating the wheelhouse from the forward cabin is a three-quarter-width bulkhead and a lockable sliding cabin door. In the cabin, there’s a 2.3m-long, vinyl upholstered V-shaped berth with a storage compartment beneath the cushions and more storage space in side pockets on both sides.

An infill board and cushion convert the two single berths into a large double bed. Our test boat was fitted with an optional electric flush toilet that’s tucked behind the starboard bulkhead, beneath the berth cushion.

Anglers will love the cockpit layout and plethora of fishing features. A large, uncluttered cockpit is a prerequisite for a good fishing boat, as are a good-sized livebait tank, sub-floor kill tank, bait board, and wide side coamings with padded bolsters – all this, and more, is featured aboard the E770. The central bait station and livewell are particularly well thought out.

You’ll also find full-length elevated side-storage pockets with toe-rail support, recessed coaming rails and stern cleats, an entry/dive/fish door on the starboard side, two transom doors, optional saltwater and freshwater deck wash, flush-fitted stainless steel rodholders, stainless steel rocket launcher on the hardtop, coaming gaff racks, and enclosed battery cupboards.

Price correct as of March 2025

• Priced from: $275,490
• Price as tested: $426,000

• LOA: 7.7m
• Beam: 2.5m
• Towing weight (as tested): 3759kg
• Fuel capacity: 400lt, 500lt optional
• Water capacity: 70lt
• Maximum power: 1 x 450hp, 2 x 400hp
• Power (as tested): 450hp Yamaha V8