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Confused about which boat to buy


mrollo

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Hi all,

So I've had my current boat for about 7 years now and have been pretty happy with it, however am looking to upgrade. Current boat is a fibreglass runabout 1980's BFG neptune with 90HP yamaha.

I mainly use it for fishing headlands for kings, going to the FADS, and occasionally water skiing. My current boat serves the purpose, however deck space is a problem when fishing with 3, and also gets me a bit nervous when taking on messy seas, with the sharp nose it has.

So with all the boats out there, i'm struggling to know where to start.

some help/advice would be great.

my requirements:

1. 5-5.5m

2. Cuddy or small cabin to maximise deck space & shelter from weather. want to be able to fish with 3 people comfortably

3. Towable by Prado (2.5t max)

4. under $40k total package

5. high gunwales 

6. smooth ride (for the wife particularly)

Big questions:

1.Aluminium vs Glass; 

                 *Are the new tin boats as smooth as the boat makers are saying? also should i be concerned about long term maintenance costs or a glass boat?

2. new vs used?

3.. models to look at or to avoid??

 

If anyone could give me any advice these points it would be great.

Thanks in advance

Matt

 

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I must admit I'm a bit of a boat addict, owned plenty of the awarded stuff such as Haines, Haines signatures, cruisecraft, fomula, quintrex etc.  I have to say the most fun and by far the safest boat is the little zodiac 550 pro tour I currently have, this thing can handle bars a rough stuff like very little else. Its downsize is space, even though it's rated for 12 adults there is no room so in all honesty my favorate boat ever I wouldn't recomend.

The whole inflatable tubes idea has really got some amazing advantages, such as stability and safety which is why I'm strongly considering a stabicraft next time around. Yes these boats look ugly and the tubes take up some room but the top section of the tubes have good storage under a wide gunnel which makes for an ok seat too. It's been many years since I've owned an aluminium boat but the fact stabicraft seem to hold their value quite well should mean not to big a problem if I get the urge for something else.

In all honesty I get to go in all kinds of boats, many commercial and specialised boats for spearo's and find they all have their good and bad points. If you like the the look and the high sides of boats like Haines signatures I would certainly look at something along those lines.

Edited by JonD
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I doubt you will find a 5.5glass or alloy new for 40k.....glass in that size ride better than alloy..look around for good used  for 40k you should be able to find a decent buy....there are many good brands...haines/cruisecraft/seafarer/etc etc etc...my mate has 5.5 stessl with 130hpyammy but prefers to fish out of my 4.8 vsea with 90yammy....less banging and better ride...there are lots of options  inc polycraft.....rick

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4 hours ago, JonD said:

I must admit I'm a bit of a boat addict, owned plenty of the awarded stuff such as Haines, Haines signatures, cruisecraft, fomula, quintrex etc.  I have to say the most fun and by far the safest boat is the little zodiac 550 pro tour I currently have, this thing can handle bars a rough stuff like very little else. Its downsize is space, even though it's rated for 12 adults there is no room so in all honesty my favorate boat ever I wouldn't recomend.

The whole inflatable tubes idea has really got some amazing advantages, such as stability and safety which is why I'm strongly considering a stabicraft next time around. Yes these boats look ugly and the tubes take up some room but the top section of the tubes have good storage under a wide gunnel which makes for an ok seat too. It's been many years since I've owned an aluminium boat but the fact stabicraft seem to hold their value quite well should mean not to big a problem if I get the urge for something else.

In all honesty I get to go in all kinds of boats, many commercial and specialised boats for spearo's and find they all have their good and bad points. If you like the the look and the high sides of boats like Haines signatures I would certainly look at something along those lines.

Thanks JonD,

I don't mind the 'ugliness' of the stabicraft, would just have to convince the wife.

from what what you know, how is the ride on a Stabi?

 

Cheers

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1 hour ago, mrollo said:

Thanks JonD,

I don't mind the 'ugliness' of the stabicraft, would just have to convince the wife.

from what what you know, how is the ride on a Stabi?

 

Cheers

I've yet to go in one but the few owners I've spoken with seem to love them. One local takes one to the seamounts down here 45km offshore,  good going for a 4.5m boat. By the way I also take my boat that far, infact a fair amount further at times.

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Guest Guest123456789

Another vote for the polycraft warrior. I reckon I could buy a new Trailer in NSW for a good price. Then pick up a new hull, here or in QLD depending on which dealer wanted the sale the most. Then buy an outboard in August when they have the ‘winter promotions’. Then register it and add the necessities and come in under $40k.

Edited by Guest123456789
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23 minutes ago, flatheadluke said:

Another vote for the polycraft warrior. I reckon I could buy a new Trailer in NSW for a good price. Then pick up a new hull, here or in QLD depending on which dealer wanted the sale the most. Then buy an outboard in August when they have the ‘winter promotions’. Then register it and add the necessities and come in under $40k.

Does anyone own one. The ones I've seen up in the NT all had roughed up bottoms from being pulled up on the sand etc, I was also told by one of the owners they need more power than an equivalent glass or ali boat. 

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5 minutes ago, JonD said:

Does anyone own one. The ones I've seen up in the NT all had roughed up bottoms from being pulled up on the sand etc, I was also told by one of the owners they need more power than an equivalent glass or ali boat. 

Been on a 4.1 challenger which I understand swordies own. They’re heavy and ride very well. Seems like all the benefits of glass without the cracking issue 

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Guest Guest123456789

They don’t displace water nearly as good as the new tinnies do so in an open boat you get drenched. I’d only get a cuddy with side clears as well

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I've owned a Polycraft 4.55m. You can plastic weld wider spray chines on them. This helps to displace the spray you would normally get. They are a heavier boat, 310kg for the 4.55 without outboard, but they are a soft ride and you don't need to worry about getting pounded as much as a tinny, and you don't have to worry about electrolysis or soft fibreglass.

 

Cheers

Deek

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8 minutes ago, deek said:

I've owned a Polycraft 4.55m. You can plastic weld wider spray chines on them. This helps to displace the spray you would normally get. They are a heavier boat, 310kg for the 4.55 without outboard, but they are a soft ride and you don't need to worry about getting pounded as much as a tinny, and you don't have to worry about electrolysis or soft fibreglass.

 

Cheers

Deek

They seem like the perfect mix of ally and glass but what are the downsides to them would you say?  Weight?

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They are a heavy boat and can be a bit wet. But if you extend the spray chines, it seems to fix the problem.  I'm actually looking for a 4.1metre Poly at the moment. I think the pluses outweigh the negatives for me. If you damage it, most of the time all you need is a heatgun or hairdryer to repair it.

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If I were you and still undecided even on glass V alloy I would try to get a ride on as many boats as I can to make a better decision. Go to a busy boat ramp like Botany on a fine weekend arvo have a chat to owners of boats you fancy and get their feedback.  Decide on make/model that suits you and be prepared to travel to find one.  I was after a 5.6m Quinny Classic with Millenium hull and travelled from Sydney to Surfers to get one at a good price and it suits all my needs well.

Best advice I can give if going 2nd hand is look during winter as competition is down as well as prices and Dealers are also more desperate to sell if buying new.  The boat show also usually has better than normal package deals.    Ron 

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