Fishop Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 (edited) Im moving up to the Airlie area at the end of the year for work and am thinking about buying a fishing boat. Never owned one but looking to get into a bit more reef fishing. Wondering what size boat and motor I could get away with up that way taking into consideration the weather etc. Any tips? Edited October 10, 2016 by Fishop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big Neil Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 Something that's going to provide you with safety where you're fishing. Remember that conditions can change quickly, so something with high sides and a suitable and reliable motor. Minimum I'd suggest of 4.2m with a 50 HP motor, aluminium should be a starting point, I reckon. Good luck with the move and keep the reports coming to let us all know how you go. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 (edited) I used my formula 15 (same hull as a Haines 445) up around there in quite windy conditions and always felt very safe. There's plenty of protection around the islands, saying that I used that same boat down here in Narooma up to 45 km offshore. Jon Edited October 11, 2016 by JonD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishop Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 Thanks for the posts guys, settled on this beauty. Should get me where I want to go, just waiting for the wind to die down at bit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickmarlin62 Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I found in that area and further north its wise to make sure you have a large working bige pump as the torrential showers of rain up there can dump a lot of water in your hull quickly..by the way nice lookin rig...rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWV Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Enjoy the south easterlies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Congratulations on the boat, looks awsome. As for the south easterlys, I was up north mid winter and got hammered by SE winds, I found heading offshore taking the sea side on not to bad. The first part of the holiday I had a few days heading straight out but had to give up And launch further sout at Port Douglas then heading north out to sea I could manage to get out to the reefs 40k offshore ( boat was a 550 pro zodiac) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyT Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 There is a reason why the area is so popular with Yachties- the damn wind never stops blowing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossfire63 Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 7 hours ago, PaddyT said: There is a reason why the area is so popular with Yachties- the damn wind never stops blowing! Ain't that the truth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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