Help with Buying a new (2ndhand) Boat this year

[night_rider]

Hey FR's,

Happy Christmas and a safe New Years to you all!

I have been reading FR daily at work, and have become slight obsessed.

I have rigged up a tackle box full of stuff, a SP Shimano Catana Rod and a few other rigs and rods.

TIME TO GET A BOAT.

Where in the world do i start????

I will be looking at $5-$10K ~ I could spend more, but am hesitant to just in case its only a once a month thing.- but i doubt it.

I dont know whether to go Fibreglass or Aluminium....

I think i will be looking at a half cab; not wanting to go offshore for days so to speak but i would like to go just outside the heads for some bottum bashing and/or Kingy runs.

Suggestions and or advice would be great!

ie engine hours, brands, where to buy.

Thanks guys n gals.

M.

[The Incredible Hull]

I would imagine Fibreglass would be much more stable than Aluminium, however you'd need the right vehicle to tow it easier, i.e. a 4wd.

[oz_brett]

Theres a lot to consider there Marky,

first of all alloy orfibere = this is no more then buyers choice,

I have always been a fan of alloy Ive owned fiberglassss sinking ship, hairline cracks that couldn't be seen worked it out by filling the boat with water and getting under while on trailer.

alloy is not perfect either = alloy can corrode, its noisy when slapping against the water and being lighter in weight its not as smooth riding but this in return keeps your fuel costs down on the water and when towing.

First thing you need to decide is what size, I used to go just out the heads in a 4.75 stacer but would havecarefulfull & pick a nice calm day. I worecommendmend getting a few days out with other raiders to get to know the capabilities of each size & material.

Brett

[night_rider]

I would imagine Fibreglass would be much more stable than Aluminium, however you'd need the right vehicle to tow it easier, i.e. a 4wd.

Hull' I like the idea of Stability! My cousin had a 17' Haines signature and that was fibreglass and as stable as a house. I guess the fuel consumption and agility of a alloy sounds appealing though.

I should be okay with the towing, i have a pretty mean SS that has plenty of pony's to pull. Plus my second mate has a Ford Maverick if we need to launch at a ghetto boat ramp.

[night_rider]

Theres a lot to consider there Marky,

first of all alloy orfibere = this is no more then buyers choice,

I have always been a fan of alloy Ive owned fiberglassss sinking ship, hairline cracks that couldn't be seen worked it out by filling the boat with water and getting under while on trailer.

alloy is not perfect either = alloy can corrode, its noisy when slapping against the water and being lighter in weight its not as smooth riding but this in return keeps your fuel costs down on the water and when towing.

First thing you need to decide is what size, I used to go just out the heads in a 4.75 stacer but would havecarefulfull & pick a nice calm day. I worecommendmend getting a few days out with other raiders to get to know the capabilities of each size & material.

Brett

Brett Cheers for that!

Some good things to think about. The thought of a Sinking ship makes me very nervous.

Hmm heading out on a few boats sounds like a great idea. Being my first boat i should make sure i get the right one.

[The Incredible Hull]

Hull' I like the idea of Stability! My cousin had a 17' Haines signature and that was fibreglass and as stable as a house. I guess the fuel consumption and agility of a alloy sounds appealing though.

I should be okay with the towing, i have a pretty mean SS that has plenty of pony's to pull. Plus my second mate has a Ford Maverick if we need to launch at a ghetto boat ramp.

I tow my tinnie in my clubsport, which is overkill haha

But if I was to ever upgrade to a bigger or fibre boat, I'd still consider a 4wd. There was one occasion I lost traction on a ramp which was a tad scary. It was at windang and it was very weedy at the time.

Have fun shopping =)

[oz_brett]

Tow vehicle I use a B.A falcon tow rating of 2.3tonnes pulling up the ramp Ive never had any trouble but I am cautios on what the ramps are like before I use them. But in saying that I would love a 4WD only for the height to block the wind the hull of my boat is taller then my car and this is the only thing that gives me trouble on the road above 90kmh the wind tends to lift the front making the trailer off balance.

Edited December 28, 2011 by oz_brett

[brickman]

hears the problem for 5to 10k in glass you could be buying someone elses nightmare go to cowan and see craig from huett marine he does the right thing for raiders and at the very least you will get good advise

cheers gary

[pjbink]

You could also consider the Polycraft (plastic boats), very capable, durable and good on price.

PS: A large RWD sedan such as a Falcon will easily tow a boat up to 5.5m.

[night_rider]

I tow my tinnie in my clubsport, which is overkill haha

But if I was to ever upgrade to a bigger or fibre boat, I'd still consider a 4wd. There was one occasion I lost traction on a ramp which was a tad scary. It was at windang and it was very weedy at the time.

Have fun shopping =)

Yeah my ss has a fat clutch in it, 300 rwkw isnt exactly smooth for slippery ramps.

Thanks everyone for the words of advice, I think i will just use the 4x4 Maverick i have access to when i tow the boat.

@Brett, i like the idea of protecting the boat a little behind the tall 4x4 on the freeway,

@Brickman,

Thanks for the contact, I will get in touch with him in the new year!

Waaa Im excited already!

[GaryO]

Yeah my ss has a fat clutch in it, 300 rwkw isnt exactly smooth for slippery ramps.

Thanks everyone for the words of advice, I think i will just use the 4x4 Maverick i have access to when i tow the boat.

@Brett, i like the idea of protecting the boat a little behind the tall 4x4 on the freeway,

@Brickman,

Thanks for the contact, I will get in touch with him in the new year!

Waaa Im excited already!

You could also consider a cuddy cabin as opposed to a half cabin, they provide an undercover area if needed without wasting a lot of space like some half cabins . They used to make some nice Bermuda cuddies which looked sporty as well as being very practical for fishing. My mates 16ft one used to handle and ride like a dream even in some very hairy conditions.

[oz_brett]

@Brett, i like the idea of protecting the boat a little behind the tall 4x4 on the freeway,

Must admit though My boat stands at 3.2m weighing 1.8t being towed by a stock 6cyl ford wagon have to give the car some credit!

Edited December 29, 2011 by oz_brett

[p o ylop]

You could also consider the Polycraft (plastic boats), very capable, durable and good on price.

PS: A large RWD sedan such as a Falcon will easily tow a boat up to 5.5m.

I'm very much a fan of polycraft but there is no way you would be able to buy a 5.3 or 5.9 for less than $30.000, mores the pity

Paul