Centre Console or not

[juztaylor]

Hi guys

I am interested in some perspectives here. I am thinking about getting a boat. I am a pretty keen kayaker but I've been fishing from a few boats lately and am really looking forward to the next thing. I really want something that I can involve the nephews and nieces as well (kayaking is a bit lonesome at times).

I live in Coffs Harbour and anticipate that most of my fishing is going to be offshore drifting for snapper and some trolling for mackeral and kingies. the odd trip out to the FAD and maybe the shelf on really good days. all my estuary work ill continue with the yak.

I have been mainly looking at 19-21ft CCs. I like the layout of the CCs and it like the way you can throw lures from various spots from around the boat. I know that there is some issue around the wetness of a CC and different hulls are better than others.

This is one I have been looking at http://www.pioneerboatssydney.com/pioneer_boats.php?id=197_SF

does anyone have any good comments or suggestions for me. Does anyone think that a CC might not be suited to the types of conditions off coffs? I doubt i would be going out in really heavy seas but I would be interested to know what sort of conditions people would go out in in a boat like this.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for this type of fishing?

Thanks

Justin

[Fisherman36]

Hey mate, Ive never owned a centre console boat so I cant offer anything towards them, but if you're thinking of taking your nephews and niece's out (not sure how old they are) but you should also consider what sort of protection from the sun and rain there is for them. I know you will lose some fishability, but maybe a cuddy cabin may be more practical and offer a bit more protection and comfort. Just a thought.

Cheers

[JET01]

Hi guys

I am interested in some perspectives here. I am thinking about getting a boat. I am a pretty keen kayaker but I've been fishing from a few boats lately and am really looking forward to the next thing. I really want something that I can involve the nephews and nieces as well (kayaking is a bit lonesome at times).

I live in Coffs Harbour and anticipate that most of my fishing is going to be offshore drifting for snapper and some trolling for mackeral and kingies. the odd trip out to the FAD and maybe the shelf on really good days. all my estuary work ill continue with the yak.

I have been mainly looking at 19-21ft CCs. I like the layout of the CCs and it like the way you can throw lures from various spots from around the boat. I know that there is some issue around the wetness of a CC and different hulls are better than others.

This is one I have been looking at http://www.pioneerbo...s.php?id=197_SF

does anyone have any good comments or suggestions for me. Does anyone think that a CC might not be suited to the types of conditions off coffs? I doubt i would be going out in really heavy seas but I would be interested to know what sort of conditions people would go out in in a boat like this.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for this type of fishing?

Thanks

Justin

What ever you do, don't get the model that comes with 2 women in bikinis.... too much maintenance, and i hear they can be noisey at times

[dunc333]

first to the fishraider website Justin,im sure the guys here will give there pros and cons my opinion is it looks a top rig for outside fishing and i reckon you will be doing alot less kayacking cheers dunc333

[BWV]

Center Console would be perfect, but so would a walk around. As for CC's having a reputation for being wet, it all comes down to the design. I had a Boston Whaler 210 Outrage CC and that was by far a hell of a lot dryer than most of the walk around boats I have fished out of, thats why I chose another BW for my next boat but a slighty bigger walkaround as it does give us more protection from the elements which keeps the other half happy. As for the Pioneer CC, ask the dealer for a test drive and to speak to some other owners. Just one thing it looks like it has a relative low freeboard but that could just be the pictures.

Edited May 1, 2011 by Whaler 255

[juztaylor]

Center Console would be perfect, but so would a walk around. As for CC's having a reputation for being wet, it all comes down to the design. I had a Boston Whaler 210 Outrage CC and that was by far a hell of a lot dryer than most of the walk around boats I have fished out of, thats why I chose another BW for my next boat but a slighty bigger walkaround as it does give us more protection from the elements which keeps the other half happy. As for the Pioneer CC, ask the dealer for a test drive and to speak to some other owners. Just one thing it looks like it has a relative low freeboard but that could just be the pictures.

Thanks guys. I like the idea of a walkabout but still pretty keen on the simplicity of a CC. I guess is all down to the hull. How did you go with the 210 Outrage? Why did you sell it in the end? I have looked at them second hand. They look like a pretty decent boat. Would you recommend them?

[GregL]

Just get the Contender Boats guy to take you out for a water test. If it doesnt impress nothing will. Just make sure you take a second pair of undies when he drives!

I own one and he still gets mine puckering in 3m swells driving at warp factor 9!

Dry, Ive been in wetter cuddy cabins! lmao

Coffs is snapper heaven, chucking plastics in a centre console you just cant a get better platform to do it out of.

Greg

[BWV]

Thanks guys. I like the idea of a walkabout but still pretty keen on the simplicity of a CC. I guess is all down to the hull. How did you go with the 210 Outrage? Why did you sell it in the end? I have looked at them second hand. They look like a pretty decent boat. Would you recommend them?

Firstly I work on the water, although now on ships but I started on smaller vessels and we purchased a 210 Outrage for one of the work boats and the ride, dryness and capabilities that came with the boat was second to none. The first day we picked it up from Botany Bay to take it to the Harbour there was 35kts+ and 5m seas and I wasn’t sure if I would head out but I thought what a test for the boat! so I went out for a play to see if I would head up the coast, in full wet weather gear because I thought I was going to get a flogging but within 5 minutes of being out there all wet weather gear was off and I was heading up the coast no dramas at all. I had similiar conditions when picking up the new 255 aswell with the same outcome.

I have operated over 30 types of boats in that class from 16- 30ft, all types of brands and makes e.g. GRP, plate, alloy, CC, Walk arounds. When it came to buying my own boats I went Boston Whaler firstly the 210 Outrage and now the 255 Conquest. I sold the outrage to get the bigger walk around just to offer more comfortable conditions when fishing in winter, because its get bloody cold running offshore in CC's, the WA offer somewhere to hide from the cold. I am now selling the 255 as well due to changes with my working conditions (interstate and O/S) and just do not get enough time to use it anymore and this will stay the same for the next 3-4 years so I'd rather have the money knocking the interest down on the home loan rather than sitting in the garage depreciating.

When I by a new boat would I buy another Boston Whaler? Most definitely!! I just think that the ride of the BW is in comparison with a boat 6-9ft bigger than what you actually in, the BW engineers have got the design right to give you the dry comfortable ride that they are known for and the finish of the boats in all aspects is great. This is starting to sound like an add for them!

I have been in a 21ft Contender and 22ft Hydra-sports, but it was a bloody perfect days so I can't give you any decent comparsion on them, but they also seem like a really good boats!

Edited May 2, 2011 by Whaler 255

[juztaylor]

Just get the Contender Boats guy to take you out for a water test. If it doesnt impress nothing will. Just make sure you take a second pair of undies when he drives!

I own one and he still gets mine puckering in 3m swells driving at warp factor 9!

Dry, Ive been in wetter cuddy cabins! lmao

Coffs is snapper heaven, chucking plastics in a centre console you just cant a get better platform to do it out of.

Greg

Yeah, that is a weapon boat mate. You should be freaking happy with that one. did you test out the 21 at all?? How do you go with it being oversize i.e. wider than 2.5m?

[juztaylor]

Firstly I work on the water, although now on ships but I started on smaller vessels and we purchased a 210 Outrage for one of the work boats and the ride, dryness and capabilities that came with the boat was second to none. The first day we picked it up from Botany Bay to take it to the Harbour there was 35kts+ and 5m seas and I wasn’t sure if I would head out but I thought what a test for the boat! so I went out for a play to see if I would head up the coast, in full wet weather gear because I thought I was going to get a flogging but within 5 minutes of being out there all wet weather gear was off and I was heading up the coast no dramas at all. I had similiar conditions when picking up the new 255 aswell with the same outcome.

I have operated over 30 types of boats in that class from 16- 30ft, all types of brands and makes e.g. GRP, plate, alloy, CC, Walk arounds. When it came to buying my own boats I went Boston Whaler firstly the 210 Outrage and now the 255 Conquest. I sold the outrage to get the bigger walk around just to offer more comfortable conditions when fishing in winter, because its get bloody cold running offshore in CC's, the WA offer somewhere to hide from the cold. I am now selling the 255 as well due to changes with my working conditions (interstate and O/S) and just do not get enough time to use it anymore and this will stay the same for the next 3-4 years so I'd rather have the money knocking the interest down on the home loan rather than sitting in the garage depreciating.

When I by a new boat would I buy another Boston Whaler? Most definitely!! I just think that the ride of the BW is in comparison with a boat 6-9ft bigger than what you actually in, the BW engineers have got the design right to give you the dry comfortable ride that they are known for and the finish of the boats in all aspects is great. This is starting to sound like an add for them!

I have been in a 21ft Contender and 22ft Hydra-sports, but it was a bloody perfect days so I can't give you any decent comparsion on them, but they also seem like a really good boats!

Whaler, how do you go with towing these boats. Aren't they slight overwidth?

[BWV]

Whaler, how do you go with towing these boats. Aren't they slight overwidth?

Yeah they are over width, the 255 is 2.67m or 8ft 6, but I tow it to the ramp all the time. It does look huge on the trailer but I have never had any dramas with the police or rta inseptors, in fact the police have help me coming though King St, Newtown in peak hour. Just making sure people gave me the room to get though and I pass the inspectors all the time as I pass a truck weigh station taking it out to the factory where it is kept. I have never towed them on the highway as a 2 hour drive would turn into a 4hr one maybe more, especially going up big hills. If I want to take it up the coast I usually just fish my way up to Lake Macquarie, its more enjoyable.

I find the biggest issue with towing it is low slung trees but I usually just straddle the lanes and it give me no dramas.

[juztaylor]

Yeah they are over width, the 255 is 2.67m or 8ft 6, but I tow it to the ramp all the time. It does look huge on the trailer but I have never had any dramas with the police or rta inseptors, in fact the police have help me coming though King St, Newtown in peak hour. Just making sure people gave me the room to get though and I pass the inspectors all the time as I pass a truck weigh station taking it out to the factory where it is kept. I have never towed them on the highway as a 2 hour drive would turn into a 4hr one maybe more, especially going up big hills. If I want to take it up the coast I usually just fish my way up to Lake Macquarie, its more enjoyable.

I find the biggest issue with towing it is low slung trees but I usually just straddle the lanes and it give me no dramas.

Not worried about insurance and things like that. I have been looking at the whalers but the 210 and up are all oversize. You can go down the permit route but that would really affect me as i couldn't even tow it on the pacific hwy (i live just off the highway in coffs) any time between 23 Dec and 3 Jan. That pretty much rules out taking the boat to the family holiday in port stephens each year which is one the main reasons for the boat. If I hit a cyclist or something when I was doing something wrong wouldn't i be personally liable? Such a grey area I know, but i feel it is pretty risky??

[BWV]

Not worried about insurance and things like that. I have been looking at the whalers but the 210 and up are all oversize. You can go down the permit route but that would really affect me as i couldn't even tow it on the pacific hwy (i live just off the highway in coffs) any time between 23 Dec and 3 Jan. That pretty much rules out taking the boat to the family holiday in port stephens each year which is one the main reasons for the boat. If I hit a cyclist or something when I was doing something wrong wouldn't i be personally liable? Such a grey area I know, but i feel it is pretty risky??

Yeah you would be liable if the wide load was a determining factor in causing the accident, it is a problem area with alot of trailable boats these days that are wide load. I looked into applying to the RTA but never followed up on it. I have seen the local boat shop towing plenty of wide load boats with all the signage and flags displayed, but no escort with flashing lights etc. I don't know if its legal or not. I do remember reading somewhere that you have to apply each time for the permit or the RTA might give you special dispensation for a "private road user" not commerical, like a truckie. Who knows..... Its something you'll have to investigate before you choose what boat to go with, they may allow it between certian times of the day or when ever you like just aslong as all the requirements are met. I do not really know.

Edited May 4, 2011 by Whaler 255

[juztaylor]

Yeah you would be liable if the wide load was a determining factor in causing the accident, it is a problem area with alot of trailable boats these days that are wide load. I looked into applying to the RTA but never followed up on it. I have seen the local boat shop towing plenty of wide load boats with all the signage and flags displayed, but no escort with flashing lights etc. I don't know if its legal or not. I do remember reading somewhere that you have to apply each time for the permit or the RTA might give you special dispensation for a "private road user" not commerical, like a truckie. Who knows..... Its something you'll have to investigate before you choose what boat to go with, they may allow it between certian times of the day or when ever you like just aslong as all the requirements are met. I do not really know.

Thanks heaps for your help guys........i have actually expanded my search to a Contender 21 now. I like the sound of the hull and the beam is 2.5m so i am not going to run into any insurance issues (that scares me)

[GregL]

Sorry been away with work this week.

Nah I havent been in the 21, only the 23,25,28 and the 32.

The contender people usually get the wide load permit and then they tow them everywhere. I know Steve the owner of the 32 takes his up the coast near you alot!

It's just a material flag across the back with wide load on it.

MInes in the water on an airberth and no trailer.

Greg

[PRED-ATOR]

Hey champ welcome to fishraider,

I own a centre console. I got a formosa 5.20 centre console aluminium boat.

Its matched with a merc 75HP 2 stroke and it is my fishing work horse.

It houses all my electronics, 18 rod holders, floor, anchor, overhead, nav lights, sounder, GPS chartplotter, bait board, live well under console and underfloor storage and casting deck up front. Its a great boat for fishing and i stay dry in my boat as its very deep.

The sides come up to my waste.

There are some spots on the boat that you could possibly cop a bit of spray from time to time especially when i hammer it out past the heads but other than that its fine.

The one your looking at looks pretty awesome, especially with that hottie in it ; ) hahah

I love my boat, its very practical, not too heavy and awesome for fishing. I have so much room to throw lures, troll, down rig e.t.c

Its also got a canopy for shade but it gets in the way of your casting.

I would recommend a centre console if your just after a fishing workhorse, but if you want comform maybe go for a cabin/half cabin boat?

I dont no how well the fibre glass ones ride though.

Hope this helps mate, Cheers Predator