Launched earlier this year at the Auckland On Water Boat Show, the Extreme 746 Game King Enclosed was an ideal choice for our next demonstrator. We wanted to showcase the versatility of the new model, exploring its layout options, practical features and latest technology through a fit-up of our own.
Set up for serious fishing, offshore trips and exploring the Marlborough Sounds, the enclosed version offers flexibility beyond the warmer months. The cabin and diesel heater make early starts and colder days on the water more comfortable, without sacrificing the deck space and fishing equipment needed for a serious day on the water. Take closer look through the set up.
Built to a high standard
Before we begin our fit-up, it starts with the boat itself. Built at Extreme’s factory in Whakatane, the 746 reflects the high standard of workmanship developed over 28 years of boat building, from the clean, precise welds through to the quality of the paint finish, with a clear focus on detail throughout.
That same attention to detail is something we value at M&O, and it helps that the crew designing and building Extreme boats are also out using them. This gives the team a practical understanding of what works in the real world, alongside a genuine drive to keep developing their boats. For us, a high-end fit up needs to start with a high-end platform, with the same level of care carried through every stage, from the factory build to final handover and the support that follows.
Our Extreme 746 Game King, fresh out of the paint booth at the Extreme Boats factory in WhakataneA boat that can adapt to the day
The 746 Game King is a great example of a boat that doesn't have to be defined by one type of trip. With a 7.48m overall length, 2.45m beam and space for up to six people, there's plenty of room to make the boat work for different missions. There's enough open deck space to comfortably fish four people, while the cabin provides a comfortable place when you're cruising or a reprieve from the weather when it turns and the port-side cabin seating and table create a useful shared space for having a meal or keeping the kids occupied. It's the kind of layout that can accommodate a big fishing trip one day and a more relaxed day on the water the next. The 370L fuel tank also gives the boat the range to explore further afield.
Power and control
Powering this rig is the Yamaha F350, chosen to provide a useful balance of power and economy. Having that additional power available can be valuable, particularly when the boat is loaded up and heading further offshore.
The F350 is paired with Yamaha's full Helm Master EX Level 4 suite, including autopilot and a joystick station in the cockpit. On a boat of this size, the joystick brings some very practical advantages. Whether you're moving into a tight marina berth, positioning alongside a jetty or manoeuvring while fishing. The cockpit joystick means the skipper can make adjustments to keep the crew’s gear vertical without having to return to the helm and miss out on the fishing action. It’s a practical advantage when you’re trying to keep everyone on the fish and make the most of the day on the rods. The autopilot also helps reduce fatigue on longer trips, leaving you to focus on what's happening on the boat.
Set up for serious fishing
While comfort and versatility are a big part of this build, fishing is still at the heart of the 746 Game King.
The cockpit is set up for offshore fishing with outriggers, twin electric reel plugs and a live bait tank. The large bait station combines a bait board, drawer, rod holders and storage, creating a practical workspace without taking up unnecessary deck space. You’ve also got the extended platforms as another place to fish from, while clean up is easy with fresh and salt water deck wash, along with the knee operated handwash. For deep drops, the 1kW Garmin GT17THD through-hull transducer adds serious capability, while the Garmin 9017xsv provides a clear, easy-to-use display at the helm.
A technology package designed around the boat
Technology is a major part of this particular demonstrator, and we wanted to show how different systems can work together. The Garmin 9017xsv sits at the centre of the electronics package, with the 1kW through-hull transducer, Fantom 24 radar, Navionics Vision+ charts and Garmin VHF all integrated into a suite of gear to increase safety and increase the chance of good fishing. The radar provides another tool for navigation and increased safety when travelling in poor visibility conditions, while the IRIS Photon night vision camera adds another way of identifying hazards at night.
The boat also gives us an opportunity to showcase new technology on the electrical side, with a dual battery system including a lithium house battery, battery monitoring through the MFD and two 55W solar panels with a solar controller. Lithium battery technology is an area that's developing quickly in the marine industry, and we're proud to be bringing that capability into our fit ups. For us, staying up to date with new technology also means building the skills and knowledge to install, integrate and support it properly.
Comfort when the weather turns
The enclosed wheelhouse makes a big difference on cold mornings or when the weather turns during a trip, while the diesel heater provides warmth for everyone onboard, while the windscreen demister outlets help keep visibility clear on cold days.
The cabin has also been designed to be genuinely useful rather than simply providing shelter. The starboard cabin configuration includes a 65L fridge, two drawers and a pie warmer, giving you the ability to stay out longer without relying on a trip back to shore. The port side has comfortable diamond-stitched seating, a drop-in backrest, table and two drawers, creating a space where people can sit down, eat and plan the next move.
There's an electric flush toilet, 55L fresh water tank with pressure pump and fresh water windscreen wash, adding further comfort and convenience. If you're spending a full day on the water, those details can make a significant difference.
Why build a demonstrator like this?
When you're choosing a new boat, there are plenty of decisions that are difficult to make from a brochure or a screen. It's much easier to understand whether a layout works when you can take it out on the water, stand inside it, sit at the helm, look at the storage, see how the cabin functions and imagine yourself using it. This boat gives you the opportunity to do exactly that.
It also gives you the chance to see what goes into a complete fit up, not just the boat itself. Our workshop team brings technical training and plenty of hands on experience to each project, with a practical understanding of how boats are actually used on the water. That knowledge helps us look at the fit up as a whole and make sure the equipment, layout and finer details work together for how the boat is going to be used.
The finished 746 brings together everything we wanted to showcase: the high-end factory finish of the Extreme, serious fishing capability, new marine technology and the practical details that make a boat more comfortable to use.
Most importantly, it shows what is possible when a boat is set up around flexibility. This 746 can handle serious fishing, cruising, family days and longer trips without being designed around just one of them
