Sunshine Coast New Boat - what to get?

[SaltDog78]

Gday Guys,

Just signed up to the forums, been a reader for a while but first post. So go easy on me!

I have recently moved to the Sunshine Coast area, and looking to get myself back in the boating game.

Had a few diff boats over the years, but it's always been a fairly easy choice, based on the area and type of fishing. But the SSC is so varied and different in terms of conditions and types of fishing...that in short we are so spoilt for choice it makes the choice of boat tougher.

I have been leaning towards the Evolution 550 Cuddy or Streaker 5700. But starting to think something smaller may be a better option, to fish the rivers.

I do want to get outside but the jump in the costs of boats to handle offshore versus something to fish the rivers is pretty big.

Be interested to hear any feedback you guys may be able to offer.


Sent from my iPhone using Ausfish mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91595)

[scottar]

The serious reef fishing on the Sunny Coast is a long way offshore. Personally I feel anything that is small enough to be really versatile as far as creek and estuary work is concerned will be a bit small for the bluewater if you are wanting to fish areas like the Barwon's and the Hard's. I went through the same thing myself when upgrading to a 6 metre rig from a 4.5. Ultimately ended up with a cheap tinny for the creeks as well.

[mitc69]

i go with a cat or tri hull, if you want best of both worlds :)

[Lovey80]

Saltdog78, it may help to know what your budget is?

if I was in your situation I would be looking for something like http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/private/used/SSE-AD-4313733/2005-WEBSTERS-TWINFISHER-49-Bassmaster?cr=2&psq=%28%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDemo%20and%20near %20new%20boats%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20new%20b oats%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20used%20boats%5 D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20used%20boats%5D%29% 26BoatAll%3Dkeyword%5BWebster%5D%29%26Service%3DBo atsales%29&pso=0&pss=Premium

excellent inshore boat that would really dominate the rivers and Moreton bay and with a few mods like trim tabs could be a great fair weather off-shore boat. I have a smaller 4.3m version and on the right day I used to fish it as wide as Caloundra wide and even the Barwons. Easy for trips to murpy's Caloundra 12 mile and Coolum.

[inveratta]

yep...there used to be a lot of these down Inverloch vic way..(.I see this one is at nearby Warragul. ) There is quite an evil bar at Inverloch out into Bass Strait and these were considered very capable boats for their size





Saltdog78, it may help to know what your budget is?

if I was in your situation I would be looking for something like http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/private/used/SSE-AD-4313733/2005-WEBSTERS-TWINFISHER-49-Bassmaster?cr=2&psq=%28%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDemo%20and%20near %20new%20boats%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20new%20b oats%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20used%20boats%5 D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20used%20boats%5D%29% 26BoatAll%3Dkeyword%5BWebster%5D%29%26Service%3DBo atsales%29&pso=0&pss=Premium

excellent inshore boat that would really dominate the rivers and Moreton bay and with a few mods like trim tabs could be a great fair weather off-shore boat. I have a smaller 4.3m version and on the right day I used to fish it as wide as Caloundra wide and even the Barwons. Easy for trips to murpy's Caloundra 12 mile and Coolum.

[SaltDog78]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Lovey80 - Budget somewhere around $50-60k. But that was for something to get offshore. If I was looking at river/estuary I wouldn't want to spend much above $40k.

I guess that leads to another question...new or second hand? Any thoughts on that would be appreciated also.

Scottar - are there any nearby reefs worth fishing for the smaller stuff? In all honesty, I love my reef fishing but more about table fish and bit of sport than the trophy fish.


Sent from my iPhone using Ausfish mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91595)

[Bremic]

If you anticipate keeping the boat for a long time, and you knew exactly what you want in the boat, I would be happy to new. If there is any likelihood you will want to upsize/downsize in the next five years or so, I would look at secondhand, so as to avoid the depreciation loss.

[Sheik]

A real dilemma Dog.
This is what I did. I can cast net in the river but can also get onto the Barwons and Cal 12mile, Wide etc
https://www.tradingpost.com.au/Boats-And-Marine/Power-Boats/Stylecraft-Huntsman-V16/The-Gap/QLD/AdNumber=V9BNXX

[SaltDog78]

Some food for thought guys! Much appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Ausfish mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91595)

[scottar]

Scottar - are there any nearby reefs worth fishing for the smaller stuff? In all honesty, I love my reef fishing but more about table fish and bit of sport than the trophy fish.




The reefs are there but like all reef close to major population centres, they get hit pretty hard. They will still produce fish but from what I have seen of them, it will take time to nut them out. I have had the odd trip at the peak holiday times that has produced good fish but it is usually pretty hard going. The local boys that fish mid week probably have a better time of it.

[mull dog]

My 'best of both worlds' for your location would be a 5.5m fibreglass centre console with an electric up front. Fair few brands to choose from and I think it would tick most of your boxes. Certainly would get one under budget


Sent from my iPhone using Ausfish mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91595)

[Lovey80]

With that budget there would be some very capable offshore catamarans in your window. What's your storage requirements and tow vehicle?

[Lovey80]

Here is a very seaworthy boat at a great price. You'd have cash left over for a ally trailer and some customising.

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/private/used/SSE-AD-3656466/1994-Noosa-Cat-2300-OPEN-CABIN?cr=1&psq=%28BoatAll%3Dkeyword%5BNoosa%20cat%5D%26%28%28 %28%28SiloType%3D%5BDemo%20and%20near%20new%20boat s%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20new%20boats%5D%29%7C SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20used%20boats%5D%29%7CSiloTy pe%3D%5BPrivate%20used%20boats%5D%29%26Service%3D% 5BBoatsales%5D%29%29&pso=0&pss=Price

[SaltDog78]

Gday Lovey. Have room to store a trailer at home now worries. Towing with a Jeep Wrangler.

This may be a silly question, but is there a reason to opt for a twin hull or center console, ahead of a single hull cuddy? (I can think of a few possible reasons...but interested to hear other peoples thoughts)


Sent from my iPhone using Ausfish mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91595)

[Flex]

For 50-60k budget why not get a 50k offshore rig and 10k tinny? Best if both worlds

[jclay1773]

I agree with flex.

I live on the coast and it's not long before you start heading wide to reefs that produce consistently. The in close ones are hard work.

[mitc69]

once u go cat u never go back :), i find crossing bar easier in cat then in a mono, mainly at gold coast and shallow depth like 1770 otherwise stability is a must for alot of fishmen
center console prefer cause of weight balance of mono, but since you in abit of lost, suggest u try local shop for boat testing, a boat is only as good as it skipper, and if a skipper feel the boat isnt his cup of tea it a failed boat...

[BigE]

Goodwin long boat.... I love mine good in the swallows and good off shore good on juice.
mine is an older model but i hear Gavin is making them again look for "above grade marine"

BigE

[airlock]

Well with so much on offer it would make sense to get two if you have the storage and are happy to pay the rego.
The boys are right in saying the close reefs while a viable option are really hard fished and take time and knowledge to really get anything worth the trip, so something that can easily push wider will be the best option.
On the other hand the rivers can be really choked up and hard to navigate in some of the best fishing areas and therefore a cheap dedicated tinny with a shallow draft would be miles ahead of something that would have to have some degree of offshore capability.
And remember, if you want to navigate the noosa river then pray to your deity of choice and hope your craft draws approximately half the water of a dried leaf or things might get very hairy.

[Lovey80]

Gday Lovey. Have room to store a trailer at home now worries. Towing with a Jeep Wrangler.

This may be a silly question, but is there a reason to opt for a twin hull or center console, ahead of a single hull cuddy? (I can think of a few possible reasons...but interested to hear other peoples thoughts)


Sent from my iPhone using Ausfish mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91595)

The original boat I posted was a CC purely because I thought you were looking for a boat that could fish inshore as well as off shore. Knowing that you're concentrating on an offshore boat primarily, that throws that out the window.

As as for twin hull, well once you get used to the quirks and learn how to drive them, you'll never want to own a mono off shore boat ever again. For ride, stability, and safety you won't find a mono of equivalent length that can compete.

The noosa cat I posted the link to was out on the hards from Mooloolaba the last trip I did that way. So you know she's certainly offshore capable.

[scottar]

As as for twin hull, well once you get used to the quirks and learn how to drive them, you'll never want to own a mono off shore boat ever again. For ride, stability, and safety you won't find a mono of equivalent length that can compete.



Never say Never. I have seen it on more than one occasion - the most prevalent category being game fisherman who have had "tunnel slap" up to the back teeth and back again. Yes they are more stable, yes they can transit choppy water at faster speeds (to a point - No one who owns one seems to talk about the point at which it gets that rough you have to slow down and what happens in a cat then - barra punt springs to mind not that I can confirm it - I have always been in a mono chugging away. Admittedly this sort of weather is not what the average fisherman would go out in on a day to day basis.) The other thing I personally have had trouble with is sleeping with both cats and an alloy rig that had a big reverse chine in the shoulders in any sort of chop - just noisy.

[Lovey80]

Never say Never. I have seen it on more than one occasion - the most prevalent category being game fisherman who have had "tunnel slap" up to the back teeth and back again. Yes they are more stable, yes they can transit choppy water at faster speeds (to a point - No one who owns one seems to talk about the point at which it gets that rough you have to slow down and what happens in a cat then - barra punt springs to mind not that I can confirm it - I have always been in a mono chugging away. Admittedly this sort of weather is not what the average fisherman would go out in on a day to day basis.) The other thing I personally have had trouble with is sleeping with both cats and an alloy rig that had a big reverse chine in the shoulders in any sort of chop - just noisy.

Tunnel slap is not an issue on any cat I've been on really. As for the issue of getting that rough..... If you're out in weather that is 20 plus knots then you get what you asked for......

[AndrewB]

I have owned a 5.3m side console cat that I took to the banks on regular occasions, and as previously said once you own a cat you wont go back for offshore work. They will travel thru much shallower weather than a mono which is bonus up river, also much kinder on your back and legs as the ride is much less jarring.

[mitc69]

well if u get caught with your pant down and facing 4-7m swell your screw anyway :) i have heard stories of tunnel breaking in 2, but likewise that just stories and bad maintenance

[airlock]

Nothing wrong with twin hulls in big seas. The main issue is the idiots who buy into the theory that the faster you drive a cat in these conditions the better it goes, while this has some truth in wind chop its madness when things get heavy. Just do what what the mono boys do, button up the clears, set a troll line out the back and just push home slow and easy without giving the boat a pounding. But since most of the time its a northerly driven wind chop round these parts then a twin hull can be a better option in the 5-6 meter range, well that is until you consider the tunnel slap :-/

[Lovey80]

Seas have to be pretty big before you need to come off the plane in a cat. How many people go out in those sort of seas anyway?

[scottar]

Not so much go out Lovey (Not too often these days anyway) but have come home a few times in some extremely average conditions that have had a few of the cat lads I know complaining bitterly at the weigh in. One day in particular had wind against tide and us taking green water up the screen at the top of Peel doing 6 knots one wave after the next - was the first time all day we had to slow down to the point of being off the plane and had been 20 mile offshore. Back at Raby Bay ramp the anemometer gave us a wind speed of 60Kph so definitely not your average fishing day and a bit windier than our learned friends at the BOM had anticipated (how unusual huh).

We also spend a considerable amount of time off shore slow trolling live baits for macks every summer - I don't see how any of the 6 metre cats couldn't get tunnel slap driving into the wind chop doing this given the tunnel clearances at displacement speed (and have outfitted monos that have replaced cats for owners for this exact reason). These things aside, totally agree that cats do some things a whole lot better than a mono - but they don't suit everyone's usage patterns. Different strokes for different folks.

[Lovey80]

I get what you're saying. Re this tunnel slap. Are you talking about chop hitting the tunnel when trolling? I can't see why that would bother someone?

[mitc69]

then get an aussie whaler :D tri hulls, they should have alot less tunnel slap... tunnel slap is normal

[scottar]

I get what you're saying. Re this tunnel slap. Are you talking about chop hitting the tunnel when trolling? I can't see why that would bother someone?

Maybe it's just me. Anything in my rig that makes noise over and above what needs to be there (thank fully crap like radios etc have an off switch) tends to get the short shift real quick. I like to think I resemble something close to remotely normal though:2vrolijk_08:

[scottar]

then get an aussie whaler :D tri hulls, they should have alot less tunnel slap... tunnel slap is normal

Super idea - replace one tunnel .......... with two. Probably not. Tunnel slap is definitely normal. I have only seen/worked on one cat where tunnel slap would be considered abnormal - the tunnel was built high enough to stop it occurring in all bar the absolute worst conditions but when your rig is 90' long that is possibly a bit easier to do. In the meantime I found an easier way - buy a mono.

[Lovey80]

Maybe it's just me. Anything in my rig that makes noise over and above what needs to be there (thank fully crap like radios etc have an off switch) tends to get the short shift real quick. I like to think I resemble something close to remotely normal though:2vrolijk_08:

it absolutely does "need" to be there so that you can maintain 23+knots in the chop when the mono's are coming off the plane. :P

[scottar]

For the extra 5 or 6 knots, I guess I will just have to put up with the peace and quiet. Oh well. When it gets a bit choppy "George" usually drives so I can sit back and relax. We just take our time and plug away.

[seashawgal]

Try Luke from Dolphin Marine I got my 5.3 Whittley on a trailer & 2 stroke 90 Mercury for $19,000