Tabs Boats

[VA911]

Have been doing a heap of research into something for offshore use. Trips to browns, trolling, jigging etc.

One of the boats that has stood out is the TABS 5.45 Ocean Craft Cabin.

Does anyone have one of these boats or have been in one?

Whats the ride like in big water and even in just messy chop.

Its still very early days but this is the basic setup i am looking for.

If anyone has any other suggestions please.

Edited September 5, 2008 by VA911

[domza]

pm james1990, he has a tabs and has been to browns in it with no troubles

[tentonner]

Gday

The old man just got a 545 Tabs Ocean Series with a 115hp 4 stroke Yamaha on the back. Been out a couple of times in Sydney Harbour out past the heads, swell was up one day and the boat seemed to handle very nicely and the ride was soft for a tinnie provided the right speed was picked. Banged a bit when going too fast but you'll find that with most tinnies. Hope this helps

Edited September 1, 2008 by tentonner

[netic]

Tabs are good boats but as mentioned by Anthony they are a bit bumpy, i have been on better riding alum boats......

[pjbink]

Tabs are good boats but as mentioned by Anthony they are a bit bumpy, i have been on better riding alum boats......

Which ones would you regard as softer riding netic? I like the look of some of the 5.8m center cabs.

PS, I would regard any good 5.4 m boat as an outside boat - but going all the way to Brown is a different matter. You would want a least a 6m and the weather would have to be very good at that!

Edited September 1, 2008 by billfisher

[slinkymalinky]

G'day VA911,

I havn't been on the water on a TABS but I have been for a run in a 560 Bar Crusher and they're awesome. Again, not finished inside to look pretty (eg checker plate aluminium deck) but eats slop and is very stable at rest.

If not for the fact I'd end up divorced, I'd have already bought the Centre Console model.

Definitely worth a look.

Cheers, Slinky

[Marlin01]

VA911

Check out Fisher and Noble's in 5.8's and 6.4's.

Custom layouts are tops for fishability.

Both have great finish and exellent ride (Probably as good as tinnies get).

Cheers

[TIMMY C]

I would think the 545 is too small, and would not consider it for a regular offshore boat. You would need to pick your days.

Mate i think in most/ if not all boats you need to pick your days.

no point going out when its rough as guts !

[a boat]

Hi, I think it is hard to go past an alloy pontoon style boat if ride and stability are high on your list of requirements. I personally have not been in a better riding alloy boat than the Aqualine range of boats, and I have been in pretty much all of the good ones. Traditional mono hull alloy boats can not go anywhere near the deadrise that pontoon boats have because they become too unstable.

Just my 2 cents worth,

Cheers,

Huey.

[tuffy]

You don't happen to sell those, do you Huey??

Tuffy

[Guest]

You don't happen to sell those, do you Huey??

Tuffy

Huett Marine do sell the Aqualine range of boats and may have one at the Social for the members to have a look at and go for a ride if that takes thier fancy

Cheers Stewy

[a boat]

You don't happen to sell those, do you Huey??

Tuffy

Hi Tuffy, yes I do choose to sell the Aqualine range of boats-nothing to hide there mate. The reason as mentioned is because they are one of the best alloy boats in terms of ride, safety and build quality I have been in and I have water tested most brands. Trust me I could sell the brands mentioned if I so desired, but we prefer not to.

I wish any prospective buyer the best when choosing a brand of boat to buy, because everyone has an opinion and I gave mine, but mine is at least back up by alot of experience and take it for what it is worth.

Have a good day,

Huey.

[inhlanzi]

G'day VA911

If you are in the market for an aluminium boat have a good look at the Aqualine range.

If you are serious take one for a test drive.

Huey was kind enough to take me for a ride in the 590 wit a 150 on the back. 5 Adults and a kid and could not believe the ride.

We went out and around Lion Island on one of those sloppy days and smooth and dry as.

They are expensive but a very clever designed boat.

They are quality and you can the manufacturer to customise it to your requirements.

(My 60K worth!!!!!)

cheers

inhlanzi

[Robbielites]

Vince..

My 2 bobs worth..

I don't think I will buy another tin boat again, let alone a new one.

I have been in the pontoon boats but they still are not glass. Hence the best tin quotes.. Not best hull...

Do your self a favour and do some research on second hand glass boats. There are some great bargains to be had in second hand boats these days. You will save mega $$

Send the game fishing guys a few PMs, they spend there fishing lives out there

Robbie.

[a boat]

Vince..

My 2 bobs worth..

I don't think I will buy another tin boat again, let alone a new one.

I have been in the pontoon boats but they still are not glass. Hence the best tin quotes.. Not best hull...

Do your self a favour and do some research on second hand glass boats. There are some great bargains to be had in second hand boats these days. You will save mega $$

Send the game fishing guys a few PMs, they spend there fishing lives out there

Robbie.

Hi Robbie, yes I agree partly with what you say, a GOOD quality fibreglass boat will always ride better than an alloy boat becasue they weigh more, and therefore san run a deeper deadrise than a traditional tinny. That said an Aqualine would ride better than 90% of glass boats and it weighs ALOT less and has better stabilty and safety than any mono hull boat, no matter what it is made from.

This choice is always a hard one and if someone has decided on an alloy boat than pontoon boats are hard to beat, and I would only rate about 2 or 3 brands of glass mono hulls as better riding.

Cheers,

Huey.

[VA911]

Vince..

My 2 bobs worth..

I don't think I will buy another tin boat again, let alone a new one.

I have been in the pontoon boats but they still are not glass. Hence the best tin quotes.. Not best hull...

Do your self a favour and do some research on second hand glass boats. There are some great bargains to be had in second hand boats these days. You will save mega $$

Send the game fishing guys a few PMs, they spend there fishing lives out there

Robbie.

Robbie and others,

Thanks a heap for your input. I have gone down the whole second hand boat thing a million times and also recently looking at Trophys, Scouts etc etc. Great boats but not for me.

i wont be getting a glass boat. There are a whole range of issues associated with glass boats that i dont want to go into here but basically hate maintance and have no covered storage. I like the idea of wash the thing out and leave it. No frills sturdy boating. I want to be able to just beach the thing or pull up to a wharf and not stress too much about it. Finish is not on the list of things to do straight away. I may not even paint the thing. Proper structural grade alloy can be painted up to 5 years down the track with the right prep.

Basically its going to be a plate boat. Proper plate, 5083, 4mm minimum. tightly stacked stringers and bulkheads, built like a tank, self draining deck.. etc.............

I have also gone off the whole cuddy cab thing. i am going for a plate Centre Console. Unfortunatly my build will not start untill early next year due to a few things that have happened.

basically I am still going over design etc etc. Tabs boats etc have been given the flick over custom plate boats. the likes of Fisher, Razerline, Goldstar, GS Marine, Downunder and a few others are high on the list! The nobles are great but the $ wont stretch that far.

I will only be getting into a 5.2 max. once you start going bigger, bigger trailer, bigger motor, and harder to tow... bigger car........ so therefore a lot more $$$$$$ especially when your doing this on a budget.

Its amazing how quickly you end up at twice your budget.

thanks all for your input though. If anyone has experiance with Custom Plate builders please speak up.. Your Advice and experiances are much sort After.. Pm me if you feel its a better way of communication.

Thanks

Vince

Edited September 5, 2008 by VA911

[Michael Beck]

Hello

My two cents worth. I bought a highly customised plate boat. 5.5 m center console Jopalo. Built in Yamba, finish second to none, up there with fibreglass. regularly fish anything from pitwatter to bowns mountain, i very adverse conditions.Took me ages to find the boat i wanted, because the finish and structural aspects of alot of production tinnies was crap.

These boats are crafted, not built.

CC are a bit wet, but thats the compromise.

Here are some pics, my boat is 2 year old and the new ones are even better, way better. My boat is being refitted at the moment with outriggers, new larger sounder, new carpet and some paint touchups.

Mick

[VA911]

Mick,

Thanks for the pics and input.

Your boat looks GREAT!!!!!!

congrats!

This is the kind of input i am looking for. Thanks

[namesay]

Mick,

Thanks for the pics and input.

Your boat looks GREAT!!!!!!

congrats!

This is the kind of input i am looking for. Thanks

I think it would be best for any prospective boat buyer to try before you buy. Having owned numerous aluminium, wooden and fiberglass boats over the years I am still surprised by people who buy boats without testing one out...even for a single test run.

Most people test a boat out in flat calm water or jump a few boat wakes and make a decision mostly on price. I guess that is not the way I buy boats.

My last dealings with a custom plate alloy boat builder was with the Noble family. They produce a wonderful product and the work is first class. It took almost a year to get the boat built after extensive testing. Made a few trips to Qld and saw them move into a new factory. Everything went smoothly and on schedule and when things did go bad, they had it fixed very promptly. Can't say anything bad about my experiences with Ben Noble and his family. Fully trustworthy and work on a handshake!

However, an alloy boat has limitations which have been spoken about in previous posts. Mainly the ride qualities due the limited shapes that aluminium can be made...within reasonable costs. Not mentioning the constant pounding that an offshore boat experiences. My Noble which is one of the best built alloy boats built in Australia developed several cracked welds in under 12 months around the seat bases....probably have a fat bum!

I still own a couple of centre consoles and they are fiberglass. Absolutely no comparison. Cheers kelvin

[VA911]

Thanks kelvin for your input!

sorry but I just cant bring myself to buy a glass boat again. Like i said i have been tempted but...

I have had a little glass half cabin (4.5 meter that had a marlin on its deck a few times, not by me but by my mate i bought the boat off), Yes this little glass boat (seashine) built in the 70s was a tough little contender but i hated the idea of beaching it and banging against stuff and then they age so quickly once you keep them outside fulltime. I cant complain , this thing rode chop outside and also big swells like it was a hobby but just hated having to look after it so carefully.

If alloy cracks you can just get it fixed? Yes????? Unless there is something wrong with the alloy plate.. ie quality issues from countries like China...

I am shocked to hear of problems with the Noble, Did you sell the boat or you still have it?

Do you reckon the alloy boat banged because you pushed it hard? Also the reason it cracked??? ie too fast and i know how it is when you think you are king of the world and just wanna go flat chat.

I just dont think welds crack that easily unless they are totally punished or the material that is being welded isnt good quality or not preped properly.

I believe that any product can fail, it just depends on how you treat it. My dentist and chiro wont mind the little bit of pounding the boat gives me either!!

I dont intend on heading out on a crap day either, I feel the motion of the ocean so that wont be an option at all, but i want to feel safe enough that should i go out there i am going to get back.

[namesay]

It is a fact of life that all plate aluminium boats will develop cracks around the welds sooner or later no matter the quality of the alloy or workmanship. An offshore boat has a pretty hard life being constantly battered by the sea. If you keep the boat inshore then cracking of the joins really doesn't come into play but conditions offshore even in slight seas, the constant banging will eventually wear out the welds. I do big hours on my boats. An average of 500hours per year on the motors so any problems arise quickly.

The advantages of alloy are many especially the ability of our builders to customise the layout but fixing welds isn't always a simple procedure. This is so especially on a painted surface. Fixing fiberglass is perhaps easier than fixing alloy. You'll also find that the beautiful painted finish you get with alloy boats can very easily be damaged. Aluminium boats aren't indestructable. In my experience they need to be maintained as carefully as any fiberglass boat.

Yes I have sold my Noble. With my Noble I was averaging 17-21knots in most sea conditions. This is in no way pushing the boat hard. All experienced offshore fishos know the speed you travel offshore is mainly determined by the sea conditions. You cannot just go crazy and go flat out. You'll end up a statistic real quick. UNless it is glassed out it is physically impossible to go flat chat as the waves will literally tear you apart. I treated the Noble with care and respect. The cracked welds occured due to fatigue not abuse.

17-21knots isn't a bad speed but my glass boats are doing closer to 30 knots in similar conditions and giving me a superior/drier ride. We are consistently the fastest boat out on the water. One of my current boats - a 21 fter maxes out at close to 50 knots- gps speed. This of course can only be achieved in flat water.

I often do big distances and the extra speed allows more fishing time and allows me to cover a lot more water..seem to be catching a few more fish.

If you come from a fiberglass boat then going into an alloy boat will seem primitive. I noticed this immediately with my alloy boats. There is more flow noise and general banging. With the proper hull I am out to the grounds faster and have more comfort all in a stronger package.

ONe big advantage of fiberglass is that I can fit an in hull transducer. I can do over 40knots and still sound out the bottom almost as clear as when doing 5 knots. CHeers Kelvin

[VA911]

Kelvin,

Thanks once again, it is something for me to think about once again. And you are right, i should try boath worlds before taking the final plunge.

What centre console boats of generally 5.2 or there abouts would you look at in Glass.

Who does inspections on second hand glass boats to determine if they are in good order?

cheers,

Vince

[namesay]

The centre console layout is by far the best for fishing. Not many fiberglass centre consoles are available on the second hand market as most owners don't sell them.

I think the best centre consoles are made by the americans. There are of course some good aussie builders as well but on the whole the americans love their centre consoles. There are a whole heap of options in the 16-18ft range. All the major fiberglass manufacturers have them in their line ups. THe features I would consider essential in a centre console especially if you are going offshore are a self draining hull and level floatation.

As for inspections, there are many agents who will do an inspection on your behalf ...for a fee. Guys like Huey will know numerous people who can help you if needed.

A mate has a 5.5m Galeforce which is aussie made. This is a good boat but there are others. All the major US builders have several centre console models available in the size you are looking for. You just have to look for yourself. Boston whaler, trophy, grady white, sea fox, scout..etc. The scout in the sizes you are looking at didn't have a proper engine well which made me look elsewhere.

I settled on a couple of US centre consoles ( with several major mods ) and have been very pleased with the choice. CHeers Kelvin

Edited September 9, 2008 by namesay

[VA911]

Kelvin,

Thanks once again.

I did look at the souts also and did notice that problem, Silly design if you ask me.