Need Advice on what boat to buy - Melbourne

[johnjvv]

Hello everyone...

I am looking for advice on what boat to buy as I am struggling to decide.


My budget is max 55k but I would be happy to spend less. Looking at both new and used. However I am afraid of used as I don't want to get a lemon and too inexperienced to know what to look for.


We will predominantly use it for fishing in the bay in Melbourne and will launch the boat in the Patterson River. However I would also like to go out through the heads once I feel experienced enough to do so and would also want to take the boat to lakes and rivers. This will be my first boat.


There will be little kids on the boat so I am keen on getting something with shelter when it starts raining. I am leaning towards glass for comfort however considering to plate boats as well.


I need to be able to man handle the in my front yard so it needs to be on a single axle trailer so I guess 5.5 - 5.8m max.


It would be a plus to get a boat where rocket launcher is sufficiently strong to be used as a wakeboarding tower, but that is not a must.


I have looked at most of the well known brands, Haines, CrusiseCraft, Streaker, BC, Surtees, Stabi and I am massively confused!!

What brands am I overlooking? I would appreciate your advice.

Cheers,
John

[Noelm]

I think you are going to have to go 5.5 or less if you want a single axle trailer, and even then it's not going to a heap of fun pushing it around on grass! will have to be a pretty good rocket launcher to double as a wake board tower, not impossible, but I doubt anything "off the shelf" is going to work. Do the rounds of a few dealers and see what around, 55K will buy a decent boat in that size range.

[TheRealPoMo]

Not that I'd normally argue with Noelm, but I have just been quoted on a single axle trailer for my 5.7 fibreglass bowrider by a respected local manufacturer. No issues and thats with an American iron inboard so its not light. But yeah you won't move it by yourself.

Edit: Depending on your build....my new chest freezer was delivered this morning by a large Islander chap. He carried it in on his shoulder. He'd probably move the boat....

[ozynorts]

You will need to check the regulations in Vic regarding the weight limits for single axle trailers. There are some dealers out there that will sell a boat on a single axle trailer that is just legal when it leaves their yard but once you fill it with fuel and all of the necessary items that you seem to need for boating it is over the limit........
I went through all this a few years ago and while it might be a bit frustrating at first, take your time to educate yourself on things like the regs I mentioned above and then you have some info to use when talking to dealers.

[johnjvv]

I went through all this a few years ago and while it might be a bit frustrating at first, take your time to educate yourself on things like the regs I mentioned above and then you have some info to use when talking to dealers.

Thanks, i will check it out and do appreciate the pointers. I have not thought of that.

[johnjvv]

I will need that dude to come push my boat one day!!!

[Andy56]

It seems so long ago that i was in a similar position. Initially i thought a glass boat is necessary, but now i think not so much. You obviously need something family friendly. Just saw a quintrex freedom sport 610 with 150hp yammie advertised for around $40g. Glass boats with a decent amount of grunt are all over your budget. Sure there are cheap specials but with the smallest motor on offer, you will be disappointed. Dont be in a rush to buy. Make yourself a check list of what you think maybe important. for example, a haines signiture can legally carry 7 people. a big quintrex bowrider is a lot of boat for the money. Some boats are very cheap also because they have very old 2 stroke motors. You would have to factor in a replacement motor cost. I wouldnt be too concerned about getting the very very best my money can buy because no boat is going to be perfect.

[Vromme]

Sea Devil 520 with 140 suke on it.

Good at rest with flooded keel.

Strong as you get

One of the best rides in its class (23.5 degree at transom)

Handles a skier/tube.

Will get a new one in the budget.

Hold their value extremely well.

[Crunchy]

For me with family boating I would tend towards glass...lot's of people will say not so but having had both that's what I would choose. If going for a large off-shore plate boat then yes throw that into the mix but for a smaller boats glass is quieter and smoother & therefore generally better suited to family boating IMO.

[Magilla1]

Just buy a haines 585r and be done with it! In fact every one go out and get one now because they are the greatest boat in history!

(being sarcastic)

[johnjvv]

Just buy a haines 585r and be done with it! In fact every one go out and get one now because they are the greatest boat in history!

(being sarcastic)

Just put my deposit down, such a good investment i am getting two!

[scottar]

Just put my deposit down, such a good investment i am getting two!

Definitely not the right word for boats in most cases (not being sarcastic unfortunately). The best advice has already been given - don't rush. Make a check list of needs and wants and then start your comparisons based around YOUR list. Don't be too afraid of second hand - you will get a lot more boat for your money - just do your research and there are industry professionals that can help with stuff like hull and engine inspections. Another option to make your money go further is to find an older hull and trailer that is in good nick and re-power or leave the surplus cash in a safe spot in case a re-power is required.

There is no "perfect" boat building material. Every medium has it's advantages and disadvantages. Most (if not all) are well documented.

[johnjvv]

Thanks. I have actually been thinking that if i saved 15k buying, that equates to 3 years in the dry docks which would make the whole thing so much easier...2nd hand sounds like the way to go...

[Smithy]

I think you are going to struggle with the whole single axle thing for a reasonable size boat. It might limit you to tinnys or plate boats for the weight.

What about a trailer mover to overcome the trailer issue and find something with duals?

https://www.edisons.com.au/12v-jocke...uKRBoCb8Pw_wcB

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/2018...pid=107&chn=ps

https://www.caravanrvcamping.com.au/...UrkaAkse8P8HAQ

That opens up these:-

Needs a bit of a tidy up but basics are there. Good 4 stroke and winch for you southeners.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium

Bit newer and I reckon these Mercs are good bits of gear. Got the winch but if you are serious needs bigger electronics.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium

Nice trailer and motor and plenty of money left over for a new SS rocket launcher where you could make it strong enough for wakeboarding.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...30&pss=Premium

Pretty new HH.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...45&pss=Premium

Nice Honda with lots of warranty left. Single axle and lots of your Vicco snapper racks.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...45&pss=Premium

Viking cheap enough for a repower and new SS rocket launcher etc.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...60&pss=Premium

Nice cheap HH with single axle.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...60&pss=Premium

Nice CC.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...75&pss=Premium

Another tidy HH.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...75&pss=Premium

Tidy number with some fruit.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...05&pss=Premium

Victory with nice Suzuki.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...35&pss=Premium

Anther tidy HH.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...35&pss=Premium

Cheap Savage.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...35&pss=Premium

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...95&pss=Premium

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...40&pss=Premium

[skifalls]

Hello everyone...

I am looking for advice on what boat to buy as I am struggling to decide.


My budget is max 55k but I would be happy to spend less. Looking at both new and used. However I am afraid of used as I don't want to get a lemon and too inexperienced to know what to look for.


We will predominantly use it for fishing in the bay in Melbourne and will launch the boat in the Patterson River. However I would also like to go out through the heads once I feel experienced enough to do so and would also want to take the boat to lakes and rivers. This will be my first boat.


There will be little kids on the boat so I am keen on getting something with shelter when it starts raining. I am leaning towards glass for comfort however considering to plate boats as well.


I need to be able to man handle the in my front yard so it needs to be on a single axle trailer so I guess 5.5 - 5.8m max.


It would be a plus to get a boat where rocket launcher is sufficiently strong to be used as a wakeboarding tower, but that is not a must.


I have looked at most of the well known brands, Haines, CrusiseCraft, Streaker, BC, Surtees, Stabi and I am massively confused!!

What brands am I overlooking? I would appreciate your advice.

Cheers,
John

John, don't limit yourself to a specific size and/or weight if you have a flat piece of land. I'm located in Eltham Melb, having to reverse the boat up a steep driveway at 90 degrees, my solution was an electric dolly. My make is a parkit 360, made in Canada or the states (can't remember). My boat is a Evo 500 Cuddy so on trailer fully loaded under 1.5 T.

The electric dolly can move the boat with ease, the dolly I have goes up to 2T, they have a model up to 3.5T.

I picked ours up for 1200 on eBay, they retail for a few hundred more depending on options

Drop me a PM if you want to drop past and see it in action

Cheers
Mat


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