Need new boat advise.

[Macca83]

Hi all,

My wife and I are looking at getting our first boat for use around the Moreton Bay area. We are probably swaying towards an alloy boat for durability but not sure if we should go for a plate or pressed boat. We have a 1 year old and need to think about providing enough shade for him. Would also like a boat that is capable of getting us to Moreton Island and back. Boat will be used for fishing and family fun.

Any advise would be appreciated!

Cheers - Macca

[Salad Fingers]

..thats great - but the real question is how deep are your pockets?!

personally i'm a fan of sea jay boats, but formosa have lifted their game recently as-well, go and see a few boats and decide on what style and size (read:budget) you want and then narrow it down form there.

[Macca83]

..thats great - but the real question is how deep are your pockets?!

personally i'm a fan of sea jay boats, but formosa have lifted their game recently as-well, go and see a few boats and decide on what style and size (read:budget) you want and then narrow it down form there.

We,ve been looking in the 30-50k range but it would be nice to stay under 40k. I've been very interested in the Formosa boats.

[ozskippy]

Mate if you are looking for an open style you can't go past the signature 485sf read the reviews, fits your price range.. I just purchased one for this exact use and to make sure my four year old doesn't get bashed around in a tinney!!!

[barra71]

Hi Macca83, mate ther are many ways you go from here, have a good look around at many types of boats see what you like and what will best suit you and your family, Have a look at Brisbane yamaha they have a few diff types there both glass and alloy, alloy plate will be so much better than a press hull any day.
also look at this you may be out on the water and if it blows up you want to know what you got will get you all home safe and sound. Also look at the many www. boat sites out there as you will see there are many to look at.. a cab style boat will give shade and some where to rest if needed.
I have a 4.6mtr half cab its a good boat but if i was to do it all again i would go a min of 5 to 6 mtr and up so much better ride, but the bigger you go the more it will cost in running it and looking after it....
all the best in your search mate i hope you find what you are looking for at a great price too

[Macca83]

The boats we have looked at so far are: signature 530sf, tournament 1750, Formosa 5.2, Quintrex 610spirit. We Are also interested in bar crusher,Tabs and sea jay but have not been to have a look at the yet.

Is it ok to land a glass boat on the beach and can they take the same beating as a alloy plate boat?

[Floating Rib]

McLay boats look like a nice boat, have had a look over them at coorparoo when getting my boat serviced there. With a glass boat you will take chunks out of the keel on ramps and rocky beaches sand will abrade the gelcoat with a bit of wave action, sick of worrying about mine, thats where the tinny used to come into its own. Good luck with the search.

[barra71]

The boats we have looked at so far are: signature 530sf, tournament 1750, Formosa 5.2, Quintrex 610spirit. We Are also interested in bar crusher,Tabs and sea jay but have not been to have a look at the yet.

Is it ok to land a glass boat on the beach and can they take the same beating as a alloy plate boat?

Macca if you have the $$ to go with the plate go with it mate, will last and take a beating

[LittleSkipper]

Don't buy an "EVOLUTION"

[Swanie1975]

if your only worry about a glass boat is beaching then look into a product called keelguard or keelshield. no dramas with wear and tear when running up and down on as beach then. with that budget take your time and you will end up with an awesome boat at a great price.

cheers ryan

[johncar]

I would strongly advise you to stick with some type of cab or cuddy cab with a soft canopy and clears at least if you are taking the family. Yes Alloy plate is good and robust but generally not quite as nice for the family as a Glass boat in that price range. So long as you are sensible and sea conditions are calm, there should be no problem bringing a glass boat onto a sandy beach. but if staying a while it is better to always drop the family off and anchor out just off the beach in a metre of water or so.
Although my personal preference is for Plate Ally, in your budget and needs I think that Glass is probably the way to and the Tournament or Haines Signature would be decent choices.
If you want a decent plate boat after all the looking, also check out Origin Boats.

[Macca83]

Thanks for the advise everyone! Finding the right boat seems harder than finding the right car... I'll let you know how we go.

[Out-Station]

Heres my thoughts

Family = cuddy cab with bimini/hard top plus clears. With the wife and kids and being in the smaller end of the market plate or glass are your only options to get some ride quality and subsequet sea keeping ability imo. 4 stroke also a must and you want something with high sides for the little ones.

With around $40K to spend i'd look at either

1. Late model second hand high end production plate boats.You will get a good quality rig tricked up well for $45K with some size. Mate of mine just got into a 6m bar crusher cuddy fully worked with a 135 honda for $47, thats out riggers, elctronics etc etc the whole bit. Serious fishing rig in great condition and a great familly boat with nice high sides (he has two small children). Brands to look at imo =bar crusher, surtees, macklay. The custom plateys are probably out of your budget range.

2 New glass boat packages in the reputable brands, sig, hains ec

If it were me i'd go option 1 as you will get so much more boat for the money. More room for the familly, ok comfort, low maintenance and the sea legs to do some serious bluewater fishing as you will want to do as you get adicted. But in going second hand stick to the high quality brands. If it hasnt got a fully welded sealed deck don't bother looking. If you dont know much about boats get someone to help you or ask heaps of questions.

thats my thoughts anyway.

Scott

[fisho8]

Here are a few I would suggest to you I am on my second one of these in a 2100 but the 1900 is a great family rig.

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...&Ridx=5&eapi=2

Another great family boat Whittley Sea Legend 601

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...Ridx=66&eapi=2

Another good family boat Cruise Craft 575 Outsider
http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...Ridx=11&eapi=2


If you are looking at pressed or plate these may be worth having a look at Stacer do a 539 Ocean runner that is a reasonable price this one is brand new.

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...&Ridx=1&eapi=2

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...&Ridx=2&eapi=2

Another good brand of boat is one of these very popular with the family and well priced.
http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...&Ridx=0&eapi=2

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...&Ridx=8&eapi=2

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...Ridx=14&eapi=2

Whichever you decide mate I would run with Glass as it has a nicer ride compared to plate IMO but that will be your decision. Good luck in your search mate.

[Cav(J.C.)]

Hi Macca 83,
In today's economic climate, you should get a very nice s/hand boat for $40,000.
There are a lot of people who have got the toy's but not the cash. Look for guys who are going through a divorce, and getting screwed. Cash comes in handy. Bit cynical I know, but generally the bloke is happy to take cash---very happy. The wife doesn't want the boat, and wants it put into the shared assets at full retail.
Tinnys are good, hard wearing and economical---in short, industrial. For comfort and pleasure, fibreglass, in a good design, is the way to go. Do not buy a hull that is a deep V brick---as wide as it is long, and takes big horses to get it up. Have a look at a well designed long boat hull. Sharp forward, flattening to the stern. Sometimes a little curvature where the keel would be, at the stern. Put a stainless rubbing strake from the bow to about a quarter of the way to aft, and should solve your beaching concerns. With the flatter stern, you can easily back onto the beach to load people and goodies on and off.
These types of hull are by far the most economical,and easily driven. Get one with high sides and all around rails.
The second hand motor.---most modern 4 stroke motors have a memory which can be accessed by the agent which gives a running history of the machine.
Get it checked, and take the worry out of the purchase.
Thats the main concern. Make sure the engine has had a water seperating type filter fitted through it's life.
If you get a centre console, you can always fit shade accross high bow rails for the little ones. cushions, and a nice breeze coming through,and they should be comfortable and safe.
That's my thoughts mate.
happy hunting.
Cav(J.C.)