How Big Boat Do I Need To Fish Around Sydney?

[Csaba]

Hello,

I am looking at possibly buying a boat, or should I say, dingy. Probably around the 2-3m mark that I can float around in the Port Hacking area and closer to shore Botany Bay. I would use this mainly for fishing, probably launch from the beaches, and paddle around. I am seeking advice from you experienced boaters as to this being a smart and safe idea.

Or another option is buying a Kayak I seen and fishing from that.

Any help/ advice is greatly appreciated.

[bluebottle18]

Talking from experience I would say you should wait until you can buy some thing that you will enjoy.

You will quickly out grow a small dinghy and not enjoy the days you are on the water. It would not even be safe.

Kayaking is another story and I will let other raiders give their expert advice

There is far too much boat traffic on the water today and the wash some boats create is scary.

If you can, borrow or hire one for a while and see if you feel comfortable, that will help you know if its a good

idea. If you choose to buy a small dinghy there are a few around that are now built with deep sides and are ideal

for what you want to use it for.

[defyet]

As the poster above said id wait and buy something a little bigger with a small motor, so you spend more time fishing and less time rowing, or if you want a kayak use it somewhere quiet, recently i have been to botany and even along the shore (about 50 metres out) at bright le sands it can get a bit choppy in a 15ft if the wind pics up in the bay, then you get other boats flying past close by and id hate to be in anything smaller.

[Csaba]

As the poster above said id wait and buy something a little bigger with a small motor, so you spend more time fishing and less time rowing, or if you want a kayak use it somewhere quiet, recently i have been to botany and even along the shore (about 50 metres out) at bright le sands it can get a bit choppy in a 15ft if the wind pics up in the bay, then you get other boats flying past close by and id hate to be in anything smaller.

Thanks guys,

Here is the dingy I am looking at. According to research, this design is supposed to be more stable than regular hulls. Anyhow, I am only in Australia (Sydney area for 2more years, than heading to Camden for 1yr than back to Canada.) Only can really afford something small. Maybe I should just save my money and stick to shore fishing??

[defyet]

It should be fine if you just want to paddle 50 metres out or so, i wouldnt be going to far. Sometimes when you drift you go further then you realise and it could be a very long row back especially if your going against the current/wind. Somewhere calm like berowra padding around near the boat ramp or around the moored boats would be ok and close to the shore at bright le sands or other calm beaches.

[bisso]

Thanks guys,

Here is the dingy I am looking at. According to research, this design is supposed to be more stable than regular hulls. Anyhow, I am only in Australia (Sydney area for 2more years, than heading to Camden for 1yr than back to Canada.) Only can really afford something small. Maybe I should just save my money and stick to shore fishing??

Yes at some stage you are going to have to try and sell before you go o/s.

the only point with boating is being able to get to spots you cant get land based. if your craft limits that, might as well buy some good land based gear instead. ultimately its your choice so i will leave that decision to you.

cheers

Mick

[pjbink]

Thanks guys,

Here is the dingy I am looking at. According to research, this design is supposed to be more stable than regular hulls. Anyhow, I am only in Australia (Sydney area for 2more years, than heading to Camden for 1yr than back to Canada.) Only can really afford something small. Maybe I should just save my money and stick to shore fishing??

Go for it - any boat is better than no boat. you can always upgrade later on. I have gone from a 10' 6'' cartopper to a 18ft fiberglass boat over the years (actually I have a 4.1m Polycraft as well). That looks like a good dingy and would be fine for enclosed waters like the Georges River and Port Hacking. I would be careful about Botany Bay though. Some sort of motor would be a big asset though. A small petrol outboat of 4-6hp means you can move from spot to spot quickly (the main advantage in having a boat). Or even an electric on the transom would give you more mobility.

[PlayerOne]

i'd search / save for something a bit bigger with a motor.... otherwise find a friend or two who owns a boat!

BTW... Do you have a car to tow or carry it?

[Csaba]

Thanks for the help guys. After careful thinking, it would be better to stay on the land. As most of you said, a boat should get me to where land does not and a little Dingy would be dangerous out on the BB waters. Might as well save my money and spend it on traveling/ fishing trips/ gear.

As I said, thanks for the help and comments.