Best allrounder

[Dave71]

I was taking to gents at the Austrailian Boat Centre about the Formosa range of boats and they recommended the Ausfish forum would be the best place to get feed back on them. Looking at the 480/520 side console with A 90 Etech .Looking for a boat that can tow the kids on tubes/knee boards one week end then go inlet fishing or to the islands around the Mackay Airlie beach area.

[WalFish]

Dave, I have just ordered a Formosa in the Tomahawk 580 range from the Tinny Shack at Mission Beach. I wasn't too sure on them until I had the chance to check the finish, build quality and finally a test ride (Formosa 580 centre cabin). Very impressed all round with the Formosa quality and ride.... a lot of boat for your dollar. Not too sure about the e-tec, but lets save that argument for another thread hey!!??;)

WalFish

[Scott nthQld]

What a coincidence Walfish, I'm heading upto the tinny shack next week to check a tomohawk out....how did you find the ride compared to the standard formosa?

And yes, the formosa's are a lot of boat for your dollar.

Dave, I'd look at getting the 520 with a few more ponies behind it though, a bit bigger for getting around the islands without sacrificing too much ability to get up the creeks. A boat can never be big enough IMO....unless, like me you are restricted by towvehicle.

[levinge]

I'm with Scott, go the 520. You won't regret getting a Formosa they are the best value for money on the market at the moment. BTW I own a 580 Centre Cab and have not one bad word to say about it!!

Etec, well I'll just aske the question, what draws you to an Etec over a 4 stroke???

[Dave71]

No reason for the Etech other than that was the engine that was the engine that mentioned when I rang and they are offering the 90 for the price of the 75

[Dave71]

Tow vehical comes into it. An AWD territory needs to be able to tow it. I have also been looking at a 550 centre cab with a 115 suzuki but need to check if the car will tow it

[levinge]

Dave, I tow the 580 Centre Cab with a Mitsubishi Challenger 3.0ltr

Your Territory should be able to tow it fine. My highway speed is nothing special, but then again, when your towing something that big, your not in a hurry!!!

If you don't want the big ones, the 550 Centre Cab is a really good family boat, it was give you all the protection from the weather, swell and Sun. A side console IMO would be a good part time boat for short days on the water, but if your going for something that you'll be out all day in, the Centre Cab's are the way to go. 360 degrees of fishing.

A few things to watch out for re dealers and dealing. Make sure that they state on the inventory of your boat, exactly what they intend to layout the boat with.
A few of the shortcuts that can occur for dealers to save the dollars without telling you are:

Non marine grade wiring.
Non marine heavy duty batteries
Cheap switches and components

Only ask for the best quality in the build, this way you'll be able to trust your rig everytime you hit the water.

Feel free to pick our brains, it all helps

Personally, Motor wise I would be looking at the Honda's and Zuks, you may pay a little more but they are the best on the market at the moment. A lot of the dealers will tell you that you can't have another motor, but your the ones with the dollars and if they want them they have to do what you want. There are plenty of Formosa dealers in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, so shop around and you might be surprised at what you can get for your dollars....

[WalFish]

Scott, there wasn't a tomohawk there, but they are expecting one there soon. Dean assures me they are better again than the std Formosa, so I was easily talked into it. Check out the photo of the centre cab..........NICE!! I plan on towing mine with my AWD Territory. I have done a bit of research on them on the ford forums an they rate them pretty highly as a tow vehicle.

WalFish

[Dave71]

Thanks for the info. I am leaning towards the centre cab but I dont want to restrict my fishing options to open water due to the number of days it seems to be blowing of the Mackay area these days. Probably a less than smart bordering on stupid question have you done any inlet fishing from a centre cab

[levinge]

After you've gone offshore fishing, you'll never want to go back to creeks. But if I had to, the boat would handle most situation, but not where the smaller tinnies go. Coastal fishing is fine.

As for the conditions, I have had mine out in everything from 5/10kts to 22kts with a 3m swell, mainly when I first got it, wanted to be sure that the boat could handle anything that happened to come on suddenly. the verdict is that they are a very dry and sturdy boat in the slop. But I only take her out when I am happy the weather is fishable and comfortable for the crew (missus).

If your in Mackay, then that restricts your dealer options a little for local. I think there is one in Sarina???

Wal and Scott are both dealing with The Tinnie Shack, I bought mine through them and to tell you the absolute truth, they are by far the best I have ever had to deal with. Good service, great knowledge (they will put whatever Motor you like on the rig, they believe its your choice, not theirs).

Might be a bit of a drive but worth it in the long run, they also put tandem trailers as standard on both the 580's and the 550's.

[Scott nthQld]

yes I would prefer a cab but I am limited by tow vehicle so I don't want too much weight, so mine will be a c/console with a big t-top. I have a BA falcon to tow it with, but its a manual so is limited to 1600kgs, should've got an auto when I bought it new, but this was a demo vehicle and I was offered it at a very good price so couldn't pass it up. In fact so good that I;ve had the car for a bit over 2 years now and its still insured for more than I paid.

I'm thinking the tow weight is limited because of the clutch and lack of a transmission cooler, I might have a look into getting a cooler fitted and perhaps a heavy duty clutch.

Sorry to hijack the thread Dave, but Ive been out in brett's boat a few times and I have nothing bad to say about it. Except I would've put the 150 honda behind it for a few more shits and giggles, but I'm just a bit of a speed demon I spose

[Dave71]

I have spoken to both the tinnie shack and ABC and both have been helpfull over the phone. The 550 that I have in mind is a very low hour used boatwith the 155 suzi. I have been into Sarina to have a look but he odoes not have any boats in stock he orders tham in when he gets an order. I dont have an issue driving 8/10 hours to either mission beach or Bribane to look at the boats as both dealers have offerd and recommended a boat test.All the reports that I have read the formosa,s are a good thing. Thanks for your input
Dave

[mull dog]

I have spoken to both the tinnie shack and ABC and both have been helpfull over the phone. The 550 that I have in mind is a very low hour used boatwith the 155 suzi. I have been into Sarina to have a look but he odoes not have any boats in stock he orders tham in when he gets an order. I dont have an issue driving 8/10 hours to either mission beach or Bribane to look at the boats as both dealers have offerd and recommended a boat test.All the reports that I have read the formosa,s are a good thing. Thanks for your input
Dave
hi dave i also have a formy and am happy with the decision i made in getting one. have taken it all the way through the pumistone passage as well as the offshore trips. great rig that i have always felt safe in, easy to handle solo and quite versitile. i purchased mine from a dealer you are considering so if you want an honest opinion PM me and you'll get one. cheers

[Hornet Rider]

I was taking to gents at the Austrailian Boat Centre about the Formosa range of boats and they recommended the Ausfish forum would be the best place to get feed back on them. Looking at the 480/520 side console with A 90 Etech .Looking for a boat that can tow the kids on tubes/knee boards one week end then go inlet fishing or to the islands around the Mackay Airlie beach area.

Hi Dave,

When you've done enough researching on the Formosa range, & before you commit to anything it might be worth your time to put a call in to Phil at Viper Boats on the Gold Coast on 0406 208 377. I'd be surprised if you're not surprised with the comparison.

cheers, HR