Blade

Nautiglass seems a bit hit and miss the one I am looking at is on the higher side of my budget too. It seems the Viva is the most highly regarded option. How would the Viva 5m compare to a Sportsman Craft 5.5m Stjecraft Sportsfisher 4.75m Cheers

Found a Nautiglass V150 that looks like it is in excellent condition. I saw a review online that basically said the hull is not very good and not suitable for anything outside of the river? Should I give the boat a miss? Thanks

So in your opinion the Bluefin is good to fish the Jibbon bommie?

The other boat I am looking at is a 4.3m Bluefin Discovery with a 40hp 2 stroke. Seems like a neat boat but I am worried it is not big enough to handle anything but the best conditions. Any feedback on this size and spec boat

Hi I am looking to upgrade I have come across a few boats but I cant seem to find much online about them I am hoping a Raider is able to give some advice/input on the below brands: Stejcraft - Sportsfisher Sports Man - no model given it is an 18ft Fiberglass hull, the current owner says it is a Hanies Hunter replica Seafarer Viva 5m- I have found some reviews about this boat all of which seem very positive but it is not reviewed as a fishing boat and in one review they note that it is a great closed waters boat. I am looking for a boat that is capable of going past the heads (I will mostly stay within 2 nautical miles but may in good conditions go beyond that) looking for something that is stable at rest and underpower hence I am leaning more to fiberglass. I there are any ali boats that meet my requirements I am happy to consider them too. My budget is limited to $8000 not much I know but there are a few boats out there in that range. Any recommendations other than the above appreciated.

Hi Raiders, I am looking to upgrade to a bigger boat that is stable and capable of going out past the heads and on the odd occasion going out a bit further. I have come across a Crestrida V1800 cant seem to find much about them online. Hoping there are some Raiders who can help? Thanks in advance

Looking for some feedback on the above, this weekend is looking pretty good in terms of the winds being low. If the weather FC remains as is now I will probably go out on Sunday morning launching at Tom Ugly's bridge. If anyone is feeling kind I would appreciate a bit of guidance on which areas I should fish not looking for exact locations just some suggestions. Thanks in advance

As a comparison I got out regularly on the Port Hacking, I launch at Cronulla and move up and down the Hacking. Would the Georges river up to Pelican point be similar?

Its a 3.75m Cody

Its a 1999 Ally Craft. Ally Craft as far as I know were sold to Telwater and no longer exist

Its a 2 stroke, here are pictures of the transom as well. I looked at the weight of the motors on the Parsun website and they are the same for a 20HP and a 25HP so it boils down to the difference in output of the motors which according to the website is 3.7 horses

Really good review and makes me fell more confident

Thanks for the advice, I will upload a pic of the transom later today. The motor I am looking at is a Parsun. I have been looking out for a good 2nd hand motor for a few weeks now and there doesn't seem to be much in 15hp to 20hp below $1800. It looks like I would be able to get a new Parsun in my budget. From what I have seen online the back seems to be very good with the distributor backing his product. I haven't seen anything online that suggests these motors are unreliable and will leave you stranded. Just keen to get some Raiders thoughts? thanks in advance

Hi Raiders, I am looking at upgrading the motor on my tinny. The max rated motor based on the build plate on the boat is 20hp. I have found a really good deal on a new motor but it is 25hp. I dont have a lot of experience with boats so I am looking for some advice from those who have more experience on would it be okay to put the 25hp on the boat, keeping in mind I dont ever intend on going full throttle, I just want enough power to get me on the plane. Thanks in advance.

A related question, how do you launch without getting your feet wet. Do you wear gumboots?

I will be on my own. Lucky enough to a bilge pump fitted, I will have to pick a day with good weather by the sounds of it. To start I will stay in the river and maybe a bit beyond Tom Ugly's Bridge but not into Botany Bay for now.

I cant claim to be an expert, I have read the boating handbook that is available online and I plan on doing my license post COVID. I understand about keeping right, how to pass, keeping the 30m distance, observing the speed limits and no wash zones, the safety gear you must have onboard. I always wear my life jacket I dont take it off when on the water. I am not looking to put anyone in danger, if I feel the situation is outside of my abilities I avoid it and if it is unavoidable I slow down and look for the safest option.

As far as I know due to the motor being below 6hp, I do not require a license provided the boat cannot get on plane. Which I can assure you my boat cannot. I have been pushed around in some wash on the Hacking, not fun but I have figured out how to handle it. Would the tug boats be around the areas I am looking at fishing?

I am still learning, only been out a around 10 or so times. I plan on launching at Tom Uglys

Hi Raiders, I have a small tinny 3.75m with a 5hp, so I stick to sheltered waters currently I only fish in the Port Hacking. I have been thinking about going out into the Georges river and maybe into Botany bay around Pelican Point, Wooloware Bay Towra Point and Quibray Bay. Is it safe to fish these places with my setup? Are there any conditions I need to watch out for i.e. specific wind and swell directions? I am not asking people to give up their secret fishing spots just asking from a safety perspective. Cheers

Thanks for all the advice, It is helping me move the project along. As you said the question now is which battery Lead acid is the cheapest, with AGM and Gel pretty closely priced. Lithium is out of budget. Any advice? Cheers

I have a 1999 5hp Mercury, not sure if it can handle a rectifier?

Where did you get this bracket?

Thanks for the advice all, what size would an 18Ah SLA battery be sufficient to run 1. The fish finder (Lowrance Hook 2 4x) 2. Bilge pump 1.8Amp current draw 3. LED navigation lights 75mA 4. Anchor light 250mA current draw Max 10 hours on the water

Thanks for the feedback. Let me know how you go with the new finder when you get to test it out.