Your Ultimate Fishing Platform
Sizes available: 4.95, 5.25, 5.65, 5.95 and 6.35m
Formosa’s Side Console is the ultimate fishing companion, offering an elevated and expansive forward casting deck with ample underdeck storage. This clever design keeps your deck space clear, making it perfect for sports fishing enthusiasts who crave both functionality and freedom on the water.
With an open fishing platform and full access to the portside, the Side Console provides a spacious area for storing equipment. The low-profile console minimises wind resistance and maximises your visibility, ideal for those long days spent exploring inlets or cruising offshore. Plus, its compact height makes it an easy fit for garages with limited clearance. As standard, Formosa includes an Electric Motor Mount, providing smooth, precise navigation through waterways.
The forward casting deck features full storage beneath to keep your fishing area clutter-free. Built with Formosa’s trademark tough aluminium structure and equipped with a drainage system around the hatches, it keeps your gear dry and secure. The aluminium console is designed for both strength and practicality, accommodating flat-screen electronics, and comes complete with a windscreen, large storage shelf, and a heavy-duty grab rail for stability in all conditions.
The innovative driver sliding seat box adds versatility, allowing you to reposition the seat along the side pocket, creating extra space while fishing from the stern. From March 2023, new orders include a second sliding seat box for passengers, enhancing comfort and deck space. The seat box also houses a handy 2-tray tackle box, perfect for keeping your essentials organised.
Every Side Console comes equipped with two embroidered folding seats, a robust aluminium bowroller, 32mm handrails, Tow-Catch™ Trailer capability, a heavy-duty dive ladder, quality steering, and a moulded fuel tank with a sender and filter. Other features include an automatic bilge pump, transom deck tread, a foam-filled hull, an electrical harness kit, three cleats, and multiple rod holders (four on standard models, six on the 635). The boat’s exterior is finished with white-painted sides, interior details, and signature Formosa graphics.
Formosa boats are celebrated for their stability, especially when at rest, and the Side Console’s performance is no exception. The Quad4™ Water Ballast system further enhances stability in offshore conditions and, from March 2023, will come as a standard feature on new Side Console models. With this model, you’re ready for anything—from navigating tricky inlets to taking on offshore adventures.
VIDEOS & REVIEWS
Dayne Taylor from NCBC and Steve Morgan from Fishing Monthly Mag. took the 490 Side Console for a spin on the Kalang River at Urunga. 28 Feb 2020. After a great morning chasing fish, the last thing you want to find under the casting platform of your side console is a bag full of soggy […]
Take a look at the Formosa SRT 565 Side Console
Derek Rodway from Good Times Marine reviews the Formosa SRT 565 Side Console. This Australian made plate boat is fully loaded with a massive Simrad set up, Motorguide and Mercury PRO XS outboard. If you love fishing boats, this boat is definitely worth a look.
Formosa SRT 525 Side Console | GCBC Walkthrough | Customer Set-Up
Gold Coast Boating Centre go through one of our most popular models, the Formosa SRT 525 Side Console. Built like a tank and housing many great standard features, see how this may be just your next fishing weapon!
Formosa SRT 525 Side Console | GCBC Walkthrough
Lindsay @ GCBC gives us a quick walkthrough of the Formosa SRT 525 Side Console.
Formosa GRT 455 powered by DF75A Suzuki Outboard | Performance Test
See how the Formosa GRT 455 performs with the Suzuki DF75 in mild conditions off Southern Port Phillip Bay. With a side console design rated up to 90HP, see the incredible maneuverability & stability rarely seen in 4.5m aluminium boats. Discover why Formosa’s 4mm plate hull design is a serious challenger to the traditional tinnie.
After a year on the water, Fishing World’s Dave Rae shares his thoughts on his Formosa 495 SRT Side Console.
TECHNOLOGY & KEY FEATURES
- Aluminium Console with Windscreen
- Front Casting Deck with Storage
- Electric Motor Mount
- Sliding Seat Boxes
- Aluminium Rod Holders
- Tow-Catch™ Trailer capability
- Single Access Active Transom
- SeaStar Hydraulic Steering & Outboard Hose
- Quad4™ Water Ballast
- PRO DECK™ *
*Pro Deck is an upgrade option on models 4.95m – 5.95m. It comes standard on 6.35m and larger models.
Formosa SRT™ Aluminium Plate Hull
With over 20 years of experience and six generations of hull design, the Formosa SRT™ Aluminium Plate Hull sets the standard for performance, strength, and innovation. Combining the best of Formosa’s SEA-ROD and Tomahawk designs, the SRT™ Hull offers unmatched functionality, safety, and value.
Designed for a smooth, dry ride in all conditions, key features include:
- Enhanced hydrodynamic lift and traction with an improved deadrise and large reverse chine
- Lock-cell hull and deck structure for superior strength
- 4mm or 5mm 5083 High Tensile Aluminium plates for toughness
- Active Transom™ with flush folding systems
- Quad4™ Water Ballast (standard on all models from March 2023)
Available with the PRO DECK™ self-draining deck, the Formosa SRT™ is built to handle Australia’s toughest waters.
Standard features:
- Premium Dometic Hydraulic Steering
- Transom Door on every model
- Aluminium rod holders
Upgrade to the PRO DECK™ for Ultimate Performance and Safety
Available as an upgrade on boat sizes 495 to 595, and standard on 635 models and larger (from March 2023), the Formosa PRO DECK™ is engineered for durability and practicality. This Aluminium True Self-Draining Deck allows water to flow off the deck and through the Formosa scupper system, ensuring your deck stays clear and safe in rough conditions or during a simple hose-down at home.
Choose your finish:
- Carpeted Aluminium Floor: Marine-grade carpet provides comfort underfoot while keeping the deck cool.
- Checker Plate Aluminium Floor: A tough, hard-wearing option built for serious adventurers.
- Painted Aluminium Finish: Ready for EVA marine flooring, offering the perfect blend of comfort and customisation.
Whether you’re battling heavy seas or just cleaning up after a great day out, PRO DECK™ gives you confidence on the water.
Active Transom™ – Smart Design for Ultimate Access
The innovative step-down Active Transom™ offers smart storage solutions, easy access to on-board batteries, and remains the benchmark for transom design and water access. Depending on your boat size, the Active Transom™ provides four flexible options: Full Access, Dual Access, Single Access, and Closed Access, catering to a range of boating needs.
Explore the full range of options and download the complete features list for more details.
Why Choose a Formosa for Space and Stability?
Formosa boats are renowned for their spacious decks, extending all the way to the bow. Several key design elements combine to create this generous space, including the perfect balance of deadrise, reverse chine, wide beam, generous freeboard, and ergonomic layout. These features make the boat feel larger than its size, offering a stable platform for all-day enjoyment on the water.
While some boats with sharper deadrises may cut travel time slightly, they often sacrifice comfort and space—especially on long, rough days with multiple passengers. At Formosa, we believe performance isn’t just about speed, but also about comfort at rest. Compare a Formosa to others on the market and you’ll be surprised by the space it offers.
4-Year Structural Hull Warranty
Formosa Marine offers a 4-year warranty on the hull structure to the original purchaser, covering any defects in material or workmanship on all hulls built from 2018 onwards. Additionally, there’s a 1-year warranty for all Formosa Marine factory-fitted parts and accessories, including cabins, launchers, tops, fittings, and optional extras, which may experience movement with use.
For full details and to access the Formosa Warranty Form, please visit our Warranty Page.
Quad4™ Water Ballast System
The innovative Quad4™ Water Ballast system features an industry-leading ‘Off Keel’ counterbalance design, providing unparalleled on-water stability. Unlike traditional keel ballasts, the Quad4™ uses four chambers, combined with a wide beam and reverse chine hull, to minimise hull roll caused by swells or internal passenger movement.
When underway, the longitudinal stringers empty rapidly, allowing the boat to get on plane seamlessly without compromising performance. This advanced system is now standard on all Formosa models from March 2023, offering you a stable and smooth ride, no matter the conditions.
Customise yours today
To explore all the available optional extras and create the perfect fit for your needs, start with our Boat Builder tool.
Formosa SRT SIDE CONSOLE Specs
XL — Extra Long Shaft Transom.
Transom Ladder adds 240mm to hull length.
Duckboards with Transom Ladder add 270mm to hull length.
Dry Hull Weight excludes engine, fuel, etc. It is hull and console/cabin only.
All ABP values are determined in accordance with the ABP standard and AS1799 (2021).
1Trailering height is an estimate only and based on a standard Tow-Catch trailer with keel roller height of 450mm.
2Trailering length excludes engine.
*Deck to gunwhale. (Measured midship, dependent on deck and covering).
Please refer to ABP plate attached before operating. The above information is a guide only. Pictures may include Optional Extras. Please verify details with your dealer before purchase.
| Description | 495 | 525 | 565 | 595 | 635 |
| Length Overall (excluding engine) | 5.13m | 5.27m | 5.71m | 5.99m | 6.44m |
| Beam Overall | 2.29m | 2.39m | 2.48m | 2.48m | 2.49m |
| Beam (chine-to-chine) | 1.89m | 1.99m | 2.12m | 2.12m | 2.12m |
| *Internal Freeboard | 635mm | 725mm | 735mm | 735mm | 770mm |
| Internal Beam (m) | 1.76m | 1.86m | 1.95m | 1.95m | 1.96m |
| Casting Deck Height | 350mm | Option 500mm | 350mm | Option 560mm | 350mm | Option 560mm | 350mm | Option 560mm | 350mm | Option 560mm |
| ¹Trailering Height (overall) | 2.25m | 2.4m | 2.4m | 2.4m | 2.4m |
| ¹Trailering Height (top folded) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| ²Trailering Length | 6.4m | 6.6 - 7m | 7m | 7.1m | 7.4m |
| Bottom Sheets (5083) | 5mm | 5mm | 5mm | 5mm | 5mm |
| Side Sheets | 4mm | 4mm | 4mm | 4mm | 4mm (5083) |
| Deadrise | 16° | 19° | 19° | 19° | 19° |
| Dry Hull Weight | 709kg | 731kg | 803kg | 848kg | 928kg |
| Max HP | 115 HP | 150 HP | 175 HP | 200 HP | 225 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 115L | 115 L (150 L upgrade) | 150L (200 L upgrade) | 200L (220 L upgrade) | 220 L (80L Aux upgrade) |
| Transom Leg Length | XL | XL | XL | XL | XL |
| Max Engine Weight | 195 kg | 255 kg | 255 kg | 255 kg | 275 kg |
| Max Load Capacity | 695 kg | 765 kg | 910 kg | 991 kg | 995 kg |
| Max Passengers | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
POPULAR OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Bait Cutting Board – Low Profile (incl 2 rod holders)
Transom Live Well with Window
High Casting Deck – Side Console
