Mutt

That is fantastic! Loved it...

Thanks so much Roylo! He was pretty genuine but basically said he didn't know, I'm going to get a marine mechanic to check it out and I'll get him to look. I think with any boat/engine that is 8 year old there will be some concerns. I'm probably being over cautious but better to be safe than sorry! Thanks again mate!

Sounds like a great idea! Do you think a mobile marine mechanic would be able to comment on the corrosion? Basically, I just looked at over 150 boats in NSW on Boatsales and there is not one Coastrunner 475, they are all a couple of thousand more. Basically will the corrosion be a big problem, is it repairable? I'm so sorry to ask so many questions and I know you can never be sure...

Well....I drove to meet the seller this morning at the crack of dawn to see whether I was going to purchase a 475 Coastrunner with a 60hp Yamaha (2004). Didn't buy it there and then (based on everyone's great advice here) but still seriously contemplating it (the price seems VERY good based on other similar models on the internet.) Anyhow, the good points: 1. PRICE 2. Only 20 hours since last service 3. New Battery 4. All offshore safety gear 5. Engine started first go and ran beautifully (top speed 50km/h with 2 men in - is this good?) 6. No water came out when bungs removed 7. Seems like a very genuine seller 8. Infloor fuel tank What I'm not sure about: 1. Is 50km/h normal at top sppeed? 2. Most electronics worked but missing white running light (he showed me where it went but he thought it might need repairing.) 3. When I was driving we maxed at about 45km/h and then he trimmed the engine and we got to 50km/h BUT it seemed a lot harder to steer, particularly when turning to starboard, is this normal? 4. He wasn't sure if it had a bilge pump - how do you tell? 5. 220 hours on the engine My concerns: 1. There were a few dings etc (he said his son used to take it to the shelf) but I did notice a few small rust spots - I have attached a picture. 2. There was blistering around a few of the fixtures (see attached picture) 3. One noticeable ding on starboard side (see attached picture) So basically - I'm a bit of a novice at this so would greatly appreciate some advice - are the concerns superficial or do they hide something serious? Does it sound ok for an 8 year old boat? If I do go ahead I will be getting a mechanic to check. Thanks in advance, I really do appreciate everyone's assistance!

Thanks Dunc, will do!

THANK YOU to all of you, certainly some great advice and things I certainly wouldn't have thought of! I'm very excited as have had some great times with my tinny but the kids are getting older and things like shade and comfort are now more important. The price seems very good so I'm sure there will be some things that are of degrees of concern. I hope all goes well as very keen to push myself as an angler a bit more this summer in port hacking and Botany Bay. Keep an eye out for posts from me on Sunday night....a huge thank you to all who contributed again!

Wow! Thank you so much for the quick response and fantastic advice! I'm not the most mechanically minded person so all these comments are great. I know with anything second hand it won't be perfect, but the seller seems very genuine and the price is good. Hope to be on the water very soon (and asking heaps more questions!!!!) Thanks again!

Hey! Well I have the green light from all involved and after some negotiation I'm taking a boat out on the water for a test run, hopefully to buy there and then. I have had a small tinny for the last few years and am upgrading to a mid 2000's 5m aluminum boat with a 60hp 2 stroke Yamaha. Have already had a visual inspection of boat and engine and the seller is taking me out on the water on Sunday for a final test. Just wondering if anyone has any advice or helpful hints for the water test or just for a new boat owner? Thanks...

Try this; http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/story/543898/feeley-reels-in-monster-flathead/?cs=12

Fantastic info! This is exactly what I was looking for, I really appreciate it. Just one more quick one, how do they handle offshore? Was only thinking of getting to reefs within a few kilometers on good days.

Thanks so much, it's hard finding this info out. I currently have a 3.75m tinny with a 15hp and obviously have no problems towing that. I just wanted to know if there was anything I needed to do to my car before towing the boat back. Thanks again!

Hey! I am looking at purchasing a 2004 Quintrex 475 Coastrunner with a 60hp 2 strokeYamaha. Price sounds good! It's a fair way out of Sydney so will probably drive there over the weekend and have an on water test. Have already had a quick visual of the boat and engine. I just want to know any specs for this boat, particularly an approximate weight. Will I be able to tow it with a Mazda V6 Tribute as is? I'm updating from a tinny with a 15hp so pretty excited! Just want to get offshore a bit on good days. Any other info/comments on would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!

Ring the distributor, a friend of mine had a problem with a major petrol supplier's fuel in his car a number of years ago and he contacted the head office and they paid the repair cost, no problems! Worth a shot...

Thanks so much! Will pack the bait pump just in case and hopefully get a few poddies to catch a few spring lizards. One of the downsides of being a teacher is I always have to fish school holidays...

Hey! A bit of help needed, going to the lovely Sussex Inlet over the long weekend, while I've always had a bit of success there, it's always been on bought bait. I'd love to gather my own nippers/poddies, are they easy to find? Any help greatly appreciated! Tight lines...

Big fan of schneider lines, their braid is fantastic!

Not sure if I'm allowed to ask but Huey is just a bit too far for me to go, can anyone recommend a reliable marine mechanic around Sutherland Shire? I need to get a 5hp Yamaha (a couple of years old) serviced and a carburettor service due to flooding. Any advice greatly appreciated!

Think you're going to have to give Darren and I a few lessons Rob! Great fish mate, a perfect Saturday afternoon/evening, hope all is going well! James

What an awesome read! Great pictures too! Thanks for sharing...

Have come over to London for a wedding, had the first day to myself as my friends were working, so found myself in a pub, taking everything in with a few pints. Got talking to a few lads, spoke about Australia and one of them asked me about fishing and whether I liked it. Well off I went, talking about Sydney and the south coast and then he told me about his last fishing episode...well!!! Basically he paid £20 to fish for CARP in a private lake. For the money he got access to a small patch of the water and the use of a toilet. So he had set up, opened his first beer (good to see some things are universal) and cast 2 rods out. Soon a boat comes on the lake and a uniformed ranger comes up to him, asking if he had his rod license. He said no, believing the £20 would cover this as it was a private water. WRONG!!!! Not fined but basically ARRESTED!!!!! Had his rights read to him and information was taken. A few weeks later a court summons appeared, he is now fighting a fine that could be anywhere from £500 - £5000!!!!! He was pretty bitter and was having to send in employment details, salary, mortgage etc to determine how much he was going to have to pay! Oh and he caught nothing.... Makes you realize how lucky we are..,,,,

From the answers above, I now know why this is the best fishing website bar none! Huey, when I look up updating in the near future (well depending on the wife) will definitely be seeing you! I don't think the mechanic up here on the central coast was too keen, hence no quote etc! Thanks to all.....

Took the boat out for a run this morning and snapped the starting rope on the engine. Took the hood off and managed to get some rope back but after a pull, no recoil so I have a frayed piece of rope hanging out of the engine. Took it to a marine mechanic who said it's best not to replace it yourself as the spring can be dangerous. Happy to pay to get it fixed but does anyone have any idea roughly how much etc? The engine is a 15hp Mercury, early 90's model. Thanks in advance....

Thanks to all the Fishraiders who helped me out with advice last week, went out this morning in beautiful conditions at The Entrance. Well....the weather was the best part of the day!!!!! It all went downhill from there! Firstly we couldn't get fuel into the engine with a problem with the fuel line. After half an hour of head scratching, a bit of advice from a bystander we kicked the old girl over. Thought we'd try the channel near the weed bed on the northern side but thought it was best to run the engine for awhile. Saw some fishy water under the bridge so anchored up with fresh prawns and whitebait. Used the engine to manouevre the boat, but it conked out...tried to restart and .... snapped te starting rope!!! While tinkering with the engine set a few lines with not a touch! Worked out the starting rope was absolutely stuffed and there was no recoil so had old frayed rope sticking out of the engine. Thought we'd make the best if it and fished the run out tide with absolutely NO success. By now, 5 year old was getting a bit antsy so thought we'd better paddle back, current was very strong so had to use the current to get to the caravan park on the northern side. Luckily it had a boat ramp and after a long walk we manage to get out of the water and meet up with the wives at the beach. Looks like bought fish and chips for dinner! 5 year old godson still said he had a ball!!!!!

Great work Rob and Happy New Year! It was great having a fish with you the other week on D's boat. Awesome fish mate! James

Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate all suggestions! As I usually fish Botany Bay, Port Hacking and down the south coast, any help is great! Will probably get out early on Tuesday and will post a report from an absolute novice's perspective!!!