Whittley Monterey 580

[Nathanrb4]

Can anyone give me their view on this boat? i`m looking for a comfy boat for cruising around Magnetic island and the Palms with the odd trip out to the reef (townsville based). My reasons for thinking about this boat is that i like the lock up cabin, bunk, rear seating, storage and the back of the boat looks very swimmer friendly in terms of getting out of the water. I`d also like to know what everyone thinks about the Mercruiser V6 4.3 L stern drive and alpha leg as i`ve never had an inboard before nor have any of my mates. i`ve heard some bad stories about inboards costing people big bucks but if they are services regularly and looked after properly is it really such a big problem?
thanks
nathan

[boatboy50]

Hey Nathan,

I've owned and sold many Monterey's.

They are a great boat for cruising and camping. Not bad for casual fishing when you remove all the covers and open up the boat.

There is better handling boats in the NQ chop, but every boat has it's compromises.

The sterndrive will help with handling getting the weight down low.

If the boat has been stored on it's trailer and flushed the engine is not so bad, but in this case expect to replace the risers and manifolds when the boat is about 8 years old. If the boat has been stored in the water, expect to do this at 4 or 5 years. This will cost from $800 if you do it all yourself (not for the novice), or upwards of 2k if someone does it for you.

If you find one with an OMC engine, run far far away.

The engines aren't too bad, but i'd prefer to look for an outboard powered one.

There is a couple of well priced ones on EBAY at the moment.

Regards

Darren

[Nathanrb4]

Thanks mate. There seems to be quiet afew for sale on the web and your point about keeping the weight low in the boat is the main reason i was thinking about inboard.
what type of boats have a better ride in the NQ chop?

[The-easyrider]

Hi Nathan
We have the whittley 650 sealegend as I wanted a fishing boat and the boss wanted a cruiser, with a couple of mods I have set it up too sleep four people with comfort and has all the comfort of the cruiser, cooking, sleeping, sink, shower but in two mins it is a uncluted fishing boat more than capable of going offshore. We have the mercruiser 4.3mpi 220hp and love it as we have a swim platform at the back for the kids or you can move fish around the stern area easley. If the 650 is out of the budget the 630 is an earler model but pretty much the same you can check out a review of them and the mercuriser at www.boatpoint.com.au (http://www.boatpoint.com.au)
cheers
Aaron

[boatboy50]

Hey Nathan,

I was referring to any of the other brands such as Haines or Seafarer, but they are not as suited to the camping/cruising lifestyle as the Monterey is.

Aaron has a good point, the Sea Legend series is a much better riding boat (designed in NZ), and could suit cruising quite well.

Regards

Darren