anthman Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 Hi FR, Some of you have seen my stabicraft 1550 fisher post and I thought I would change tact and poll the greater FR community with this question: What boat, new, would you buy for 45k or thereabouts? Outboard, hull and trailer. Conscious that there is probably a good deal in the second hand market, so would hopefully end up paying less than 45k. To help narrow this question, things I'm looking for are: * Be able to go offshore on an average day - not sure I'll be travelling more than 10km, would like to be able to make it back confidently if the weather turns bad. * Would like to keep it to 5m max * Dry and comfortable ride - maybe cuddy cabin type * Mainly two people fishing, might occasionally take a third and upto a fourth (we're all small built so hopefully not too squashy!) * Trolling motor mount * Maybe hard top * Live bait tank * Enclosed/sealed Battery storage * Easy to handle trailer Thanks guys - my current contender is the stabicraft 1550 fisher due to safety and wide gunnels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest123456789 Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 $45k I’d get two boats, a little open boat tinny with a leccy and an older, larger fibreglass offshore boat without an electric. A leccy for an offshore boat will cost a bomb and weigh a tonne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingFishing Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 I dont think any of the fibreglass boats will be available new for less than 45k. Formosa Tomahawk is a good option in the 5m size Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyT Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 45K will get you a lot of boat- Ok - question yourself very deeply- 1. what are you going to be using it for- if its 90+% for fishing- especially lurecasting/sportsfishing then dont get a boat where half the space is taken up with cabins/seats and especially dont let better halves (who only will come out once per year) dictate the layout of the boat- if they are a regular fishing companion then its a different story. all that crap will just get in your way 2. 5m will limit you a bit, 45K will get you a second hand 6M boat in good nick fully kitted out if you look hard enough, of course you do need to take towing vehicle and storage into consideration, if the trailer is well set up you could easily run with a 5.5-6 m CC or tinnie. 3. I own a 5.4 M TABS CC- i only fish 3 up in it offshore, in the river 4 is OK , it goes to the shelf all the time but i am very good at reading the weather (funny how a 2 hour drive at 10 knots getting bashed all the way does that too you!!!). 4. Dont skimp on the electronics- a good guide is approx 10% of the value of the boat on sounders and gps- run two screens , not one- amazing how muck better it is to have GPS on one and sounder on the other.5. think about redundancy (for safety) 2 radios, 2 bilge pumps, just blew a radio the other day, I run 2. Have fun , lots to look at, TABS, Formosa 2nd hand Barcrushers, even the Quins and Stacers will be fine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 I like the look of the Formosa centre consoles or the centre cabins, around 5.5m. I reckon I’d end up spending more than $45k, though, by the time I got it fully fitted out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthman Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 1 hour ago, PaddyT said: 45K will get you a lot of boat- Ok - question yourself very deeply- 1. what are you going to be using it for- if its 90+% for fishing- especially lurecasting/sportsfishing then dont get a boat where half the space is taken up with cabins/seats and especially dont let better halves (who only will come out once per year) dictate the layout of the boat- if they are a regular fishing companion then its a different story. all that crap will just get in your way 2. 5m will limit you a bit, 45K will get you a second hand 6M boat in good nick fully kitted out if you look hard enough, of course you do need to take towing vehicle and storage into consideration, if the trailer is well set up you could easily run with a 5.5-6 m CC or tinnie. 3. I own a 5.4 M TABS CC- i only fish 3 up in it offshore, in the river 4 is OK , it goes to the shelf all the time but i am very good at reading the weather (funny how a 2 hour drive at 10 knots getting bashed all the way does that too you!!!). 4. Dont skimp on the electronics- a good guide is approx 10% of the value of the boat on sounders and gps- run two screens , not one- amazing how muck better it is to have GPS on one and sounder on the other.5. think about redundancy (for safety) 2 radios, 2 bilge pumps, just blew a radio the other day, I run 2. Have fun , lots to look at, TABS, Formosa 2nd hand Barcrushers, even the Quins and Stacers will be fine. Thanks for the info, 5m is the goal because of where we want to store it. Sounds like I can't go much pass the 2nm range into 'offshore' in this range unless the weather is really good. Consistently, will be just two fishing. You've mentioned alot of brands - but have not mentioned stabicraft. Any reason for that? Will see if we can make 5.4m work... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyT Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Well, simple really- I have no knowledge of what a stabicraft is like as a boat- best get info from those that do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
back cruncher Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Hi all...anthman,I selling my barcrusher 610 c soon with all the fruit for $45 k ono. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyT Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Oh and 5M , ive been to the shelf in a 4.6- but bigger is better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest123456789 Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 5 hours ago, anthman said: Thanks for the info, 5m is the goal because of where we want to store it. Sounds like I can't go much pass the 2nm range into 'offshore' in this range unless the weather is really good. Consistently, will be just two fishing. You've mentioned alot of brands - but have not mentioned stabicraft. Any reason for that? Will see if we can make 5.4m work... Where are you storing it? Is it a garage? Sounds like space is an issue. If you want to go offshore and have a small amount of space I’d be looking at a heavy hull (fibreglass, 5mm plate or a polycraft) as opposed to a thinner and lighter aluminium hull. The other option might be to store your boat in a dry dock in Sydney harbour then you can get a larger boat (and don’t need a trailer). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welster Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Is the Stabicraft 45k and what would be included in that? I’d like a different style of boat every time I go fishing I reckon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Centre console tube style boat would be my choice. Doing those trips 80km offshore to reach outer reefs in QlD or the seamounts down my way I'm happy to lose a little space for the safety gained. Truthfully though when people talk about space I often wonder what they are planning. I think I've got around 20 rod holders, carry scuba tanks, camera gear, and fishing gear on most trips. I'm also legally able to carrry 12 passengers on my 5.2m rib. Offshore camping away trips my boat is filled with 5 x20lt fuel drums to add to the 100lt under floor, 4x 20lt water drums, tents, sleeping bags etc. Then there's the usual camping lights, esky's, food as well as fishing gear and dive gear, cameras, chargers etc for 4 people. Boats with cabins or cuddy's lose usable fishing and casting space in my opinion, yes they provide some protection but so does my spray jacket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthman Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 3 hours ago, flatheadluke said: Where are you storing it? Is it a garage? Sounds like space is an issue. If you want to go offshore and have a small amount of space I’d be looking at a heavy hull (fibreglass, 5mm plate or a polycraft) as opposed to a thinner and lighter aluminium hull. The other option might be to store your boat in a dry dock in Sydney harbour then you can get a larger boat (and don’t need a trailer). Would be stored Infront of my parents house behind a fence. The boat has to clear a corner hence the length limit. With trailer, am limited to a total of about 6.5m max from coupling to a the prop of a trimmed outboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Ranger Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) I was recently in this situation. I went with the Stacer Sea Ranger 499. If you are near me you are more than welcome to look at my boat. It is made in their plate boat factory or area and has 4mm sides and bottoms. The floor is welded 3mm checker plate. I have not had her offshore yet nor in any real seas. The worst was in Pittwater this last Sunday with a bit of chop and it handled just fine. My last boat was a Haines Hunter 520sf and I would say I'm very pleased with the new boat. Bear Edited January 15, 2019 by Sea Ranger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozza_b Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 (edited) A 5m boat will comfortably go way past 2nm in crappy conditions, I run my 4.88m CC Quintrex fishraider out to 6-8nm in some pretty average weather and we go a lot further in my mates plate CC, it's all about learning how you boat deals with certain conditions and what it's capabilities are. As for boat selection huge amounts of boats available in that range, personally I would love a CC fibreglass like a bonito 500 depends if you want new or second hand, good luck finding something. Edited January 16, 2019 by rozza_b 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Hi, I have been out on my mate's Barcrusher, unreal. Didn't know boats like this existed. When I win Lotto, this will be my next boat. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busy-livin Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Have you checked out the Clark 5m center console??A mechanic near me sells them. Look pretty good and well set out also with a Honda 135 on the bum. Come in 41k from memory.. would be able to add some fruit to bring it to the 45k mark . Saying that..I have not been in one yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthman Posted January 16, 2019 Author Share Posted January 16, 2019 22 hours ago, Sea Ranger said: I was recently in this situation. I went with the Stacer Sea Ranger 499. If you are near me you are more than welcome to look at my boat. It is made in their plate boat factory or area and has 4mm sides and bottoms. The floor is welded 3mm checker plate. I have not had her offshore yet nor in any real seas. The worst was in Pittwater this last Sunday with a bit of chop and it handled just fine. My last boat was a Haines Hunter 520sf and I would say I'm very pleased with the new boat. Bear Thank you so much for the info (and in my other post too!). Are you based in Sydney? I think for me the spray and sun protection of a cuddy cabin / windshield design is important. 14 hours ago, Rebel said: Hi, I have been out on my mate's Barcrusher, unreal. Didn't know boats like this existed. When I win Lotto, this will be my next boat. Cheers. Have seen some but don't see any with windshield or cuddy cabin under 5m , they look awesome and tough! 9 hours ago, Stanton44 said: Have you checked out the Clark 5m center console??A mechanic near me sells them. Look pretty good and well set out also with a Honda 135 on the bum. Come in 41k from memory.. would be able to add some fruit to bring it to the 45k mark . Saying that..I have not been in one yet. Nope not yet, will add to the list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyT Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Take your tape measure, I ran it over my boat yesterday and from tip of trailer to the back of the prop i got 6.6 m with the motor in its "preffered storage " position- tilted up a bit, hope that helps. As for the Clark-s 3mm bottom sheet - for 41K? nope, you want 4mm for those dollars 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Ranger Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 (edited) 31 minutes ago, PaddyT said: , you want 4mm for those dollars agreed I looked at the Surtees and Barcrusher models under 5m with cuddy cabins. The cabin was nice but boy did it take away from usable floor space. If you bait fish out the back 2 people tops in my mind would work. Casting would be difficult unless you just flick. Bear Edited January 16, 2019 by Sea Ranger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthman Posted January 16, 2019 Author Share Posted January 16, 2019 2 hours ago, PaddyT said: Take your tape measure, I ran it over my boat yesterday and from tip of trailer to the back of the prop i got 6.6 m with the motor in its "preffered storage " position- tilted up a bit, hope that helps. As for the Clark-s 3mm bottom sheet - for 41K? nope, you want 4mm for those dollars That's very interesting, I will take the tape measure with me. So just to confirm, that total length of 6.6m is for your 5.4m Tab CC ? Just wanted to check incase you have more than one boat My limit is about 6.3m total length, maybe a bit more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 18 hours ago, Rebel said: Hi, I have been out on my mate's Barcrusher, unreal. Didn't know boats like this existed. When I win Lotto, this will be my next boat. Cheers. Well, if you’re going to bring Lotto into it... 😂 when I win Powerball tonight (I’m trying to exude confidence😂), I might look at a 21 foot centre cabin. My boatport slab is 8.7m long. I could hang the motor(s) out the back and move the gate forward to get more length but the roof area is 21ft and I know the previous home owner had a 21ft Trojan centre cab before he downsized to a 17ft Trojan centre console. I don’t want to be pretentious so I’d probably stick to a 21 footer... but then, if I won Powerball, I’d probably just berth it at the marina down the road, park the trailer in storage and use the boatport for another car space. 😂😂😂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingFishing Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 U 39 minutes ago, Berleyguts said: Well, if you’re going to bring Lotto into it... 😂 when I win Powerball tonight (I’m trying to exude confidence😂), I might look at a 21 foot centre cabin. My boatport slab is 8.7m long. I could hang the motor(s) out the back and move the gate forward to get more length but the roof area is 21ft and I know the previous home owner had a 21ft Trojan centre cab before he downsized to a 17ft Trojan centre console. I don’t want to be pretentious so I’d probably stick to a 21 footer... but then, if I won Powerball, I’d probably just berth it at the marina down the road, park the trailer in storage and use the boatport for another car space. 😂😂😂 If i won lotto theres probably dozens of boats id pick before a barcrusher. Boston whaler and grady white are my dream boats 😍😍😍 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyT Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 2 hours ago, anthman said: That's very interesting, I will take the tape measure with me. So just to confirm, that total length of 6.6m is for your 5.4m Tab CC ? Just wanted to check incase you have more than one boat My limit is about 6.3m total length, maybe a bit more... Ahh no- i think if i added another boat to the driveway my wife would string me up!!! But yeah 6.6 M - your earlier post got me interested in seeing how long my boat actually is on the trailer, but my other point for the money you are talking about 4mm hull is what you should be getting, its a buyers market , look hard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakey55 Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 (edited) Good luck making your final decision. Some good ideas and choices already made. You will find there is plenty out there for the money you can spend. A couple of years ago I bought a used Seafarer V-Sea (5m) with 115 two stroke in absolute perfect condition for half what you are spending. You will pick up a very good used V-Sea with four stroke and have change. More than happy with Seafarer - second one I’ve owned. A very good sea boat in my opinion. New is still an option, example below https://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats/results.html?action=adv_search&hull_material=Fibreglass&new=New+and+Used+Boats&cate=Power+Monohulls&Lengthfrom=4.88&Lengthto=5.49&feetfrom=16&feetto=18&poa=yes&price_from=40000&price_to=1000000000&listed=Anytime&order_by=added_desc&state[]=QLD&state[]=VIC&state[]=TAS&state[]=SA&state[]=NT&state[]=WA&pge=2 Edited January 17, 2019 by shakey55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now