joshg_888 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Hey Raiders, I am looking into getting a boat in the next few months possibly. The purpose is for fishing and I want it to handle getting out into the Hawkesbury River, Sydney Harbour (on a decent day) and also handle heading out into Broken Bay to troll for kings/pelagics etc. My question is what kind of boat is suitable for this in terms of length and motor size as well as fibreglass VS aluminum? I dont want to end up buying something too small that wont be able to handle the type of fishing i want to do and i dont want to get something too big at the same time. Thanks for any help guys. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmaniac Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Hey mate, any idea of how much you want to spend? how many people you are fishing with? what are you towing with? Aluminium is lighter so easier to handle and tow with a smaller car. Fibreglass heavier with a softer ride. Engine size will depend on your boat size. I fished the harbour and around the heads in a 3.9m tinnie with a 15hp. Now I have a 4.5m side console with 60hp and fish all over the place out to near the shelf on a good day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oz_brett Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Thats a realy hard question! what it depends on is whats available at the time, you are always going to look at bigger boats thinking you should have one size up, you will also wonder if you should have went for the other hull material glass / alloy Then will come motor decisions (if you do get a choice at all) TEST DRIVE not just a couple of laps but go for an hours drive to see how t runs, how its rides & how it handles then before it goes back on the trailer check the trailer over, once the boat goes on the trailer pull the bungs out to see how much water it takes in (should be none at all) I would recommend fishing in other peoples boats paying a lot of attention to details and asking lots of questions eventually you will work out what you like most - its more about what you like not what is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisholb Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Mate...4.5m tinny will be the ideal boat with 60hp at the back...2 of my mates got it n it's big enough to take 4 adults and outside the heads in around 1m swell...small enough to handle on your own as well... Sent from my C5303 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Ray Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Go as big as you can afford i say, i dont often hear people say " my boat was too big to head out there" keep in mind that boats are an ongoing expense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paikea Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Why don't you contact Hue at Huett Marine, one of the site sponsors. I am sure that he will both give you good advice and let you know if he has any specials on that might suit you. Cheers Paikea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshg_888 Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 Thanks guys very helpful info. Basically i am looking for something around 4.5 metres give or take. Most likely aluminium (i have read and heard they handle chop and swell better than fibreglass). I guess the main thing was not getting something that wont get me abit outside on a good day if i want to chase some kingies etc. as long as i am not stuck inside the river it will be fine. Taking 4 people would be great. And motor size would be enough to get me out and back quick enough before the wind picks up so i am thinking 60 would be fine. I love the look and room that a side console offers so I will start looking around i guess and go from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Haines hunter 470 breeze. Will handle any condition. Light and easy to tow. Can load and offload yourself. Licence for 5 inside and 4 outside. 75hp merc or equivalent. Around 20k. Will never need another boat! Cheers scratchie!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a boat Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Hi, good luck in your search but I would not listen or believe those people that claim an alloy boat rides and handles the chop better than a glass boat. A good glass boat will always ride better than an alloy boat. Yes a good alloy boat like a Stacer / Quintrex, Extreme and a few more can ride better than some bad glass boats so keep a look out. Just because a boat is made of either does not make them good riding and I know of many glass boats that I would not want to go out in rough water. What is your budget because that will determine what you should be looking for, a boat like Scratchie mentioned is a great hull and with the right engine on the transom can perform very well-something like that hull will need more than a 60HP to perform how I like boats to perform. Buying second hand is always a gamble unless you really know what to look for so as mentioned make sure you water test and private boat you are thinking of buying. Cheers, Huey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gorillapig Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Hi mate, I bought a 5.2 savage escort (90hp) cuddy cabin with a glass hull about 6 years ago and have fished those areas on a regular basis. I have found that boatsize to be really good in most conditions. Any chop or light swell that size boat really excels. I also go to the peak on a regular basis in a 1-2 m swell and although its not pleasant with the rolling, its still more than capable and I get home safely. My advice would be to suss out who is going to be fishing/boating with you on a regular basis and if you intend on facing the open ocean, then pick accordingly. Handling open oceans is something you will need to take your time on in a small boat, I was cautious in my approach and it took me a few years before I went out more than a few kms. Good luck on your boat purchase, you won't regret it. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryO Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 (edited) Gorilla and Huey have covered it I think . Cant beat a quality glass boat as long as u can tow it , launch it and store it plus afford the little extra fuel it will meet your needs . Keep in mind you will have to go up a notch in HP to give you the power u may like and also a tad up in size to give you the internal space of an aluminum boat. Edited February 11, 2014 by GaryO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paikea Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Hi, good luck in your search but I would not listen or believe those people that claim an alloy boat rides and handles the chop better than a glass boat. A good glass boat will always ride better than an alloy boat. Cheers, Huey. Having had both ally and glass boats I could not agree more. As to numbers on board the boat if you intend going out way wide keep the numbers down. Cheers Paikea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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