500+ hour test of the Sting 725 PRO Cabin XL

In our last check-in with Bjørn Tore Kjølholt, he gave us his honest thoughts on the Sting 600 PRO HT after 1000+ hours of testing. Today, after spending over 500 hours aboard the Sting 725 PRO Cabin XL, he shares his unfiltered thoughts on this 7-metre fishing boat.

The purpose of the test

We want to get a deeper understanding of how our boats perform over time in real-world conditions. As an avid fisherman with a lifetime of experience at sea, Bjørn Tore is the perfect man for the job. Living in Hvaler, a rugged coastal stretch in Norway, the boat would get tested during hard days of fishing in real Scandinavian conditions – in all weather, all year round.

Initial doubts

Bjørn Tore shares that he first hesitated to take on the test of the 725 Cabin XL, knowing it would span over the course of years. Mainly because he's grown attached to the 600 HT.

He was also unsure about the large enclosed cabin. Would the panoramic windows make it uncomfortably warm in the summer? And would a heavier boat limit his abilities to pull it ashore?

Bjørn Tore's thoughts after 500+ hours at sea

"I quickly realised that I made the right decision to give this boat a go. The Cabin XL is truly an upgrade. I almost feel a sense of awe. It's just that solid of a boat. The added length and weight enable an entirely new experience. The boat feels even more robust; it's like a completely different hull."

This opened up Bjørn Tore's horizons, adding an additional layer of safety as he explored further out for new fishing spots:

"The boat feels made for offshore fishing. It feels more like a small commercial ship than you're ordinary fishing boat. The added weight and stability let me comfortably head out on open water," Bjørn Tore explains.

"I would not hesitate a second to cross the open waters of Skagerrak in almost any weather aboard the Sting 725 PRO Cabin XL."

Performance stats and driving experience

Bjørn Tore has equipped his boat with a 150 hp Mercury FourStroke engine. You also have the option to equip Mercury’s new 150 hp V6 with DTS for an even smoother riding experience.

“My engine setup provides more than enough power to host seven people with heavy gear. I have tried driving this model with 115 hp as well, and it works great.

"The view from the helm is excellent. The Cabin XL feels even more manoeuvrable than the smaller 600 HT because the driving position is so comfortable.”

"I haven't yet encountered sea conditions that this hull couldn't handle with confidence."

"The boat has almost no planing threshold, and I can comfortably cruise in rough seas at 14 knots. At 3500 RPM I'm getting about 20 knots and burning 0,8-1,1 litres of fuel per nautical mile."

"My previous 600 HT was a well-known and thoroughly tested model when I got it. The Cabin XL, on the other hand, was completely new to the market. And I received one of the first boats out of the factory. I honestly expected some "teething issues", which is normal when developing a new and complex product like this. But knock on gelcoat – everything has worked flawlessly.

"Everything's held up well. No cracks, no rattling, it all feels tight and solid. All through-hull fittings, fuel lines and the self-draining system are of very high quality.

"I also have to give extra credit to the team that designed the electrical system onboard. Finally, a boat with easy and logical access. There's enough space to mount whatever equipment you want, and the wide cable channels make it easy to run wires exactly where you need them."

Regarding his initial concerns:

"I thought the cabin would feel like a greenhouse in summer, but that hasn't been an issue at all."

According to Bjørn Tore, the large sliding door and roof hatch provide more than enough ventilation.

"In cold weather, the thick windows and solid materials hold the heat well. I highly recommend installing a diesel heater; it's absolutely worth the investment.

"One of the biggest surprises was how easy the boat is to pull ashore. The added weight was no problem. The boat floats very lightly at the bow, and combined with the 7,23 metre length, beaching it is a breeze.

“If you have a good trailer, the boat is easy to bring with you. I’ve brought the boat to northern Norway for a fishing expedition, and it worked great.”

Electrical installations

As a man who spends much of his life at sea – sometimes even sleeping aboard the boat – Bjørn Tore greatly values being able to carry the right equipment for his boating lifestyle.

"I am picky when it comes to the dashboard layout. And this is one of the areas where this boat excels. The dashboard is customisable, so that every driver can create their preferred setup. The hollowed-out top lets your screens sit further down, so you get an unobstructed view up front."

Some of Bjørn Tore's onboard gadgets include:

• Two 12-inch Garmin 1223 XSV navigation screens
  
  
• Sleipner bow thruster
  
  
• VHF radio (custom solution)
  
  
• Roof lights and cabin lights (partly custom solution)
  
  
• Fusion stereo sound system
  
  
• Eberspächer diesel heater
  
  
• Lectrotab trim tabs
  
  
• Garmin control centre (custom solution)
  
  
• Rear view camera (custom solution)
  
  
• Additional aft-mounted 12-inch Garmin screen (custom solution)
  
  
• Garmin GMR 18 Radar
  
  
• Bow-mounted Garmin Force Kraken trolling engine (with a designated battery compartment, including an easy-access electrical switch)
  
  

To run his electronics, Bjørn Tore has a custom setup with four different batteries throughout the boat. You can see more about his setup in his YouTube video (in Norwegian).