jewgaffer Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Goodday Raiders. It's not unusual for others and particularly older fishermen wanting to sell their boats because of difficulty in handling them, other dramas, depreciation and particularly the high costs involved in running a larger boat. After carefull consideration, and for the sheer love of fishing, and rather than just giving up, keen fishos may wisely decide to up "upgrade the boats they have literally outgrown", by downgrading the size of the boat. I believe many boat owners are far better off rather than just giving up by "downgrading the size of the boat" to a boat which is far more suitable for the purpose, easier to handle and less expensive to run, in order to have happier times on the water and above all to restore their own peace of mind, by easing the headache, dramas and expenses of running a large boat and the high cost of maintaining the big motors required for them. There are many good reasons to do that, and that's for sure! Fishermen can simply get fed up of all the things that can go wrong and the expensive maintenance and repair costs at today's prices make boating the "millionaires" past time, where almost everything to do with larger boats costs fishermen a fortune for the pleasure of owning one. It almost amounts to paying out cash as an entry fee to use a delapited boat ramp that seems to often find some way or other to cause damage to a boat and there can be a separate fee on top of that when you go out onto the water, such as running into uncleared debris or lack of signs and a failure to unstall proper markers in areas, just waiting for a distaster to happen, or at the best just do damage to a boat . People often pay far more money than adds up when buying a boat because there is a perception of clear blue skies, fun and enjoyment being out on the water. In boating today relaxation on the water seems to be built into the price and not in any way warranted. However for the owner of a boat, who has to pay all the running expences it can be almost a nightmare and affect them so adversly, that it's just simply not worth the trouble. Paying out big money so unwisely for the seven day wonder just devaluing in the driveway, can ruin boating pleasure just in itself. The hassles of handling a boat and the launch and retrieve problems associated with larger boats, even smaller ones if not your carefull, due to the neglected state of some the boat ramps, and the expensive costs of repairing scrapes and bumps and the frequent damage to propellors, because of tidal problems, the design of some boat ramps add to damage risk and running into uncleared debri, unlit poles, submerged rocks in some areas and even submerges cars.!!! Often boat owners have to use inexperienced helpers that will even cause a boat to accidently slip off the trailer, by the ead rope being unsecured properly and allowing the boat slip of the edge of the trailer and back into the water, and become badly damaged and even leaving the owner and the boat in danger, before they can get the chance to restart the motor, by helpers not having the nouse to properly fasten the bow rope before they even attempted to hook on the winch cable hook! People expected to have at least have some nouse or common sense can often be careless, even after boat owners have gone through all the boating steps with them. They will even let a car and trailer slip backwards into the water by not putting the tow vehicle into "park" correctly and being too lazy and useless to even pull a handbreak fully on. After all it is just another unplanned boating mishap and just anothing incident that a boat owner has to pay for. I cannot understand how others can just walk away and just expect anyone else and not themselves to help clean out all the rubbish and hose out and wash down the boat etc. This often happens with relatives and family friends and sometimes with a few ignorant or lazy inconsiderate fishing mates who were thought to be decent and intelligent enough where it counts when invited out on a boat and the ones thought to be relied on. I believe, when fishermen simply have had enough of it all, they should get rid of a larger boat or the unnecessary cabin boat before lack of use sets in, and should "upgrade" to a roomy smaller runabout with either the steering well forward, or a centre console. I find the best fishing boats are the ones with room enough to easily fish four people who know the ropes or at least are smart enough to listen and learn, after they have been explained the importance of doing everything right for launch and retrieve and have at least understood basic boating proceedures for their own safety and the safety of others, including the safety of the boat owner. I have even seen people who appeared to be intelligent suddenly have the "foresight" to pull up the anchor well in advance of the skipper been ready to start the motor, thereby placing themselves and everyone else in the boat in danger of drifting into rocks or even towards the mouth of a bombora in a big sea. There's just not enough fishing room and owners need you experienced hands to help launch and retrieve and the many other situations and some case serious nature when out on the water. If owners can can afford the money to buy and maintain a larger and have experienced hands to keep them safe, I have no problem with that. I sold a big deep V half cabin boat with a 150hp motor on it and went for a roomy smaller boat, a centre console, having had a major back operation due to a heavy fall and being not quick enough had myself and my boat in jeopardy and near lost my four wheel drive and the boat trailer attached trailer heading backwards into the water as well. My own view is that cabin boats as fishing boats are only good for sleeping in, and no one wants to sit inside a boat cabin whilst it's travelling along or when you're fishing at anchor or trolling or drifting along for that matter. I'd like to hear other opinions from members on their reasons for downsizing a boat a subject brought up lately by another member, but my reply to give it the proper attention it deserved was far too lengthy as a reply post to a question asked jewgaffer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjbink Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Its all part of the fun Jewgaffer. If you want to head out wide you need a decent size boat - thats just the way it is. You don't really need a full cabin for fishing but a cuddy cabin is ideal. With a cuddy you you get protection from wind and spray, the windscreen is up higher so you have more safety if you cop a greeny over the bow, and most have good access for anchoring. Yes a big boat can be hard work launching, cleaning up etc - thats why I have two boats! I have a 4.1 m polycraft for inside fishing and its easy to handle by myself. Regarding cost if you buy second hand then depreciation is not so much of an issue. I bought my outside boat when I was just 22 - because thats what I wanted to do. A lot of mantainence I do myself - fiberglass repairs, wiring, trailer brakes and bearings. I leave the motors to the mechanics though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Loops Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 I can relate to where JewGaffer is coming from having owned or part owned a number of boats in the last 6 years. Nothing like taking a couple of mates out fishing and having them sit on the dock smoking a fag while you wash down / pack up / organise the boat - not appreciated.... The flip side of that is the helpful deckies who make every effort to clean and pack up gear at the end of a trip. I recently took a landlocked Canberra mate out for a fish and was happily surprised when he rolled up his sleeves and volunteered to rig all the live yakkas and set them out behind the boat. We didnt catch anything but he had a blast and it really made my day. Bigger boats are more expensive and that little bit more difficult to handle although accidents can happen in any sized boat and a general rule that is good to follow is that the boat can be repaired but you dont want ppl losing any fingers or breaking any bones trying to save your boat from a scratch or ding. We also downsized boats this year and have not looked back. The smaller - more purpose built rig - is perfect for our fishing needs. On Sunday we took the little ones (2.5 and 8 months) out to float around and have a fish and it was perfect. At the end of the day you need to get something that suits your needs - bigger is not necessarily better. haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewgaffer Posted September 18, 2007 Author Share Posted September 18, 2007 Its all part of the fun Jewgaffer. If you want to head out wide you need a decent size boat - thats just the way it is. You don't really need a full cabin for fishing but a cuddy cabin is ideal. With a cuddy you you get protection from wind and spray, the windscreen is up higher so you have more safety if you cop a greeny over the bow, and most have good access for anchoring. Yes a big boat can be hard work launching, cleaning up etc - thats why I have two boats! I have a 4.1 m polycraft for inside fishing and its easy to handle by myself. Regarding cost if you buy second hand then depreciation is not so much of an issue. I bought my outside boat when I was just 22 - because thats what I wanted to do. A lot of mantainence I do myself - fiberglass repairs, wiring, trailer brakes and bearings. I leave the motors to the mechanics though. Wow the Billfisher that is another matter alltogether that's a ripper of a fishing boat! The peanuts of half cabin boats I refer to in my topic would not even be good enough as a tender for the Billfisher. If I owned Billfisher, I would have it moored permanently at the marina in Brooklyn. I would have it warmed up for me before I got there with even the bait tanks stocked up and Shirley and I wouldn't come home for six months, I assure you. It's a real pleasure as a fishing boat that one. And I reckon if I had jew baits out at all times in Billfisher they just come in to take a look. Ever done anything like that in her Billfisher? Cheers jewgaffer Ps A mate of mine told me that they pulled alongside about 5 kms out from port a little while ago. Not sure which one it was now though, cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warnie Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 Jewgaffer........... We all tend to feel about it that way at times i know my self when fishing is slow i say to myself.....what the hell am i doing out here for.... im with billfisher on having differant boats for differant purposes and thats why i have "ungry" for game fishing "little ungry" for estuary work and last but not least "mini ungry" for my trout fishing expeditions all be it only once a year......... The size of craft owned will at most times relate to your ability to afford such but for most part of owning a trailer boat is the intensity of your commitment to the sport which play's a big part also.. i myself have a cabin and would not be without one both for summer in getting relief from the sun and in winter were we all huddle together to keep warm...... i have an advantage with what you have related to with the fact that when i go away and fish tournie's i can dropback to the comfort's of home by sleeping onboard other boats from my own club that are there attending fishing the tournie also..... one such boat in the spare cabin that i often get to hijack has a remote drop down plasma tv its own climate control and own ensuite..and thats spare cabin nbr 3... we also often rendevous at sea with them where they offload a roast dinner for us done in the oven..... Fairdinkum is that fishing and being spoilt or what........... That same boat though can get through 1000 litrs of fuel a day...... 900 litres more than i would be wanting to use......... So yes it can be hard work but as said i feel it all comes down to affordability.... and the level of commitment that you are willing to give which can seem to wane as you get older and wiser.....one thing we all have in common though is we all love fishing!!!!!!!! Cheers Warnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewgaffer Posted September 18, 2007 Author Share Posted September 18, 2007 Jewgaffer........... We all tend to feel about it that way at times i know my self when fishing is slow i say to myself.....what the hell am i doing out here for.... im with billfisher on having differant boats for differant purposes and thats why i have "ungry" for game fishing "little ungry" for estuary work and last but not least "mini ungry" for my trout fishing expeditions all be it only once a year......... The size of craft owned will at most times relate to your ability to afford such but for most part of owning a trailer boat is the intensity of your commitment to the sport which play's a big part also.. i myself have a cabin and would not be without one both for summer in getting relief from the sun and in winter were we all huddle together to keep warm...... i have an advantage with what you have related to with the fact that when i go away and fish tournie's i can dropback to the comfort's of home by sleeping onboard other boats from my own club that are there attending fishing the tournie also..... one such boat in the spare cabin that i often get to hijack has a remote drop down plasma tv its own climate control and own ensuite..and thats spare cabin nbr 3... we also often rendevous at sea with them where they offload a roast dinner for us done in the oven..... Fairdinkum is that fishing and being spoilt or what........... That same boat though can get through 1000 litrs of fuel a day...... 900 litres more than i would be wanting to use......... So yes it can be hard work but as said i feel it all comes down to affordability.... and the level of commitment that you are willing to give which can seem to wane as you get older and wiser.....one thing we all have in common though is we all love fishing!!!!!!!! Cheers Warnie Found that very interesting mate . It was a pleasure to read . count me in for the roast dinner warnie that's for sure - trouble is i'll will have to chug over in my little eagleray trihull coz my mustang centre console is only a close in boat. With kind regards warnie from Shirl and myself and he said to tell you hello hello twice from our grandson Little Jewgaffer who is fascinated by your bluewater reports so I guess his first job will be fishing and office work on the continental shelf it looks to us. cheers jewgaffer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kw367 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I'd like to hear other opinions from members on their reasons for downsizing a boat a subject brought up lately by another member, but my reply to give it the proper attention it deserved was far too lengthy as a reply post to a question asked jewgaffer I would be that member Jewgaffer refers to, and he raises some very valid points. The downsize I am considering would be my second in recent years, having had a Whittley Monterey before the Bayliner. Whilst the Whittley was a great boat, a day on the water used to be somewhat jaded by the thought that at the end of the day, I've got to (largely singlehandedly) get this thing back on the trailer and then spend a couple of hours returning it to a pristine state, and then because it was too big to garage, cumbersomely put a tarp over it! The Bayliner, although a similar length (6 metres), is sooo much easier to handle solo, being a bowrider. It is also much easier to clean and store, but to me it's a matter of horses for courses. I figure if I'm fishing 90% of the time, why not, as Jewgaffer suggests, have something which suits that purpose. A 220hp V8 seems like overkill running up and down Berowra Creek. An aluminium runabout with a 90hp would still allow me to ski for 10% of the time, but would probably be more practicable for the majority of the time. A quick rinse & flush of the motor and she's ready to put in the garage which the Bayliner is too wide to fit into! And when it all comes down to it, it's great just being out on the water, no matter what sort of boat you're in!! Having said all that, I'll probably keep the Bayliner for a little while yet, it's more of a chick magnet now that I'm separated!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wise one Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 I'm going that way too... Love my gamefishing - but it only takes up 10% of my time on the water. The rest is fishing in and around the harbour / inlets for kingies, salmon, flatties etc. My boating "life-cycle" has gone: 17 foot stacer half cabin (purchased 2nd hand and owned for 4 years), sold and replaced with 21 foot Noble Sportsfish centre cabin (purchased new and owned for 6 years), sold and replaced with 26 foot Deep V flybridge on a berth (purchased new and owned for 2 years), now on the market, to be replaced with 20 foot Scout Centre Console Whilst the Deep V is a superb offshore boat and great at gamefishing, its actually ordinary for the 90% of the fishing I do in and around the harbour. I'm really looking forward to going back to a trailer boat and towing it to Bermi, SW Rocks, Port Stephens etc. So - I can really sympathise with those considering downsizing - bigger is not always better! ps anyone interested in a purchasing the Deep V 260 should look here http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale....aspx?R=2775759 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaky181 Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Hi All I (we) own a 5m Bowrider (glass) at present and are looking at going the other way to this thread UPSIZING well at least we where thinking that. At the moment I Launch\Retreive, the will take the empty trailer up the ramp and park it, she wont reverse down with the same empty trailer then i clean, wash and polish all solo. Why would i want to upsize??? The reason I would is so I can go further out and fish deeper waters in different conditions and be SAFE is it really worth the extra added hassle of upsizing and having more work to do by myself just to hopefully catch bigger fish that I would then have to gut scale blah blah blah. So I say before you look at upsizing which in turn leads to downsizing look at the future and talk to as many more advanced (old) boaties as you can and honestly look at what you currently do with your boat as to what a BIGGER boat will dofor you. I know I will probably go to a 5.5-6m Cuddy down the line beacuase I will still be able to Trailer the boat to anywhere holidays takes us. I will still be able to cruise the harbour. I will still be able to fish and ski. but I will have the added advantage of being able to go further out than I can now, which is not far at all, and catch bigger fish. The kids will get more involved in the help as they get older and get their car liscences and I know the wife does what she can and i love her for that. The boat was a family desicion unfortunatley it is up to me to maintain it for now. After all the hours spent on the water and the memories that they have generated I would not change a thing. If and when the boat gets to hard to handle I will just hand it (sell It) to one of the kids and then get them to take us out and finnally get my own back on them. Just my thoughts on Boat ownership Cheers That started as such a short post Leaky181 (Kyle) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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