Need advice on a boat for around $6000

[rumy]

My wife has agreed to buy a boat. Her budget is $6000 (mine was $26000 ..lol) Anyways what sort of boat would you all recommend for a first time boatie ? I just want to run the family up the creeks at Gladstone and a few crab pots here and there. I have the missus and two small kids. I know as much about boats as I do nuclear physics. Any help would be great !
Thanks :)

[Scott15]

hey rumy u could spend an extra $2500 and buy my boat ;) ;D ;D. ur prob not interested but here it is.

http://www.ausfish.com.au/cgi-ausfish/board/YaBB.cgi?board=Classified;action=display;num=11040 57641

[Big_Kev]

I rekon that boat would be good value for that kind of money. I recomend a bimini top to keep the sun off, and a basic sounder for a new boatie so you know how deep the water is you are traveling in.
A tiller steer open tinny 4mtr-4.4mtr in good nic can be had for 6k with all these options on the second hand market.
This will fit the family in for a day out.
General appearance will give a lot away as to how it has been looked after.
Happy boating. Kev.

[Needmorerum]

Rumy, for the Gladstone area, I would probably look at something around the 420 and up length. I started off with a 395 Stacer and found it to be a touch bit small for going over to North Entrance and Farmers Point / The Oaks. Perfect for the creeks and rivers, and for taking away on holiday, which is what is was originally bought for. I know have the Stacer as well as the Cruise Craft.
Keep an eye out for trips in our local area, we have quite a few locals that are members of Ausfish. You should have a read of the post in the General section about the M&G at 1770/Agnes in February.

Corry

[billfisher]

You should be able to get a new tiller steer tinnie for 6 K. This sort of boat is hard to beat for value for fishing enclosed waters. Getting an 'old tech' 2 stroke will help keep the price down. These motors still have plenty going for them being light in weight and possessing plently of grunt.

[isaac]

you can get a new 4.1/4.2 wide body tinny with all the gear and a 30 hp tiller steer 2 banger for a little bit more than that new these days, other wise there are always heaps of tinnys around that size and price in the trading post, mostly a year or two old. Quintrex/allycraft/seajay ect all make them with nice high sides, they are safe enough in a bit of chop for you and the family and being tiller steer they are easy to steer in the creeks. With a 30 or 40 2 banger they are cheap to run and easy to maintain. Good luck with the search. Isaac.

[Oldyella]

rumy

The most important thing is the motor. They are very costly to replace or repair.Make sure there is some sort of history showing a recent compression test wilh all pots within around 10% of each other . Blowby or lean condition will destroy a 2 stroke.
As far as brand names, they are all basically the same, but try to stay away from 20+ year old motors unless you are mechanically inclined as there are things like corrosion and stuck lower units on some and scarce parts on others. I'm not bagging names here, but Force, Chrysler, and pre- 1978 Mercs can be trouble due to the above issues.

[Tezza985]

For what its worth!! I think that Corrys on the money!

A small boat to start off with such as an alloy 3.9 with a 15hp to 25hp is easy to operate and will get you where your interested in fishing namely creeks estuaries etc, but be sure to get one with a canopy so the sun doesn't fry you to crisp.

If you want to do some outside sea fishing? then its a different story and you will need a bigger boat with all the extras. Start off small and build up some confidence in the creeks and rivers. $6000 should get you a nice near new boat and trailer package.

Tezza.

[Needmorerum]

Hey Rumy, if passing by, drop into QLD Coast Boating and Marine, over on Alf O'Rouke Drive, opposite where the barges leave from. Have a chat to either Wendy, Donna or Joe and see what they have got there. They are the Stacer and Cruise Craft dealer. They hold a large range of boats and I could highly reccommend their service.

No affiliation, Yadda Yadda,

Corry

[polydriver]

Rumy, with a limited budget, check out the Polycraft range. The hulls sell for a lot less than alloy hulls, which brings the price down. You should almost be able to get into a new boat/motor package for that sort of money.

[rumy]

Thanks for every-ones advice. I start fishing for a boat tomorrow !! Have to have a look at these poly boats ... Just curious mainly. I would like a 14 foot 6" with a 40 on the back so I might keep an eye in the trading post.
Thanks again people !!!

[Needmorerum]

OK, if your looking at Poly, have a chat to Rick at 'Pat's Bait and Tackle', he has just recently bought one and has some good information on them.

Corry

[DNO40]

I find it hard to believe that at age 5 you would have six thou let alone a wife and two small children !!!. But one must give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you have made a mistake. Stick with the advice from Corry and you will noy go too far astray.