Boat Buying Advice

[Koalaboi]

Hi,

Have thought about buying a boat to fish Tuggerah Lakes.

Not knowing much about boats I would love some advice:

1. Aluminium or fibreglass?

2. Length? (I'm thinking around 14 foot)

3. Motor? (I'm thinking around 15hp)

4. What would be a reasonable 2nd hand price?

5. Any pitfalls i should look out for?

Thanks in advance,

 

KB

[Fab1]

19 minutes ago, Koalaboi said:

Hi,

Have thought about buying a boat to fish Tuggerah Lakes.

Not knowing much about boats I would love some advice:

1. Aluminium or fibreglass?I would go aluminium all the way in tiller steer or side console depending on budget.

2. Length? (I'm thinking around 14 foot)Length will depend on amount of people and gear carried on a trip but 14ft is a practical size.

3. Motor? (I'm thinking around 15hp) on a 14ft id go minimum 25-30 hp as you'll find a 15hp underpowered most likely again depending on hull,people and gear.

4. What would be a reasonable 2nd hand price?Depends on Boat,make,year,engine,condition,trailer etc.There's too many variables to say.

My advice look at boats within your budget you set and compare features,layout,engines,condition etc 

5. Any pitfalls i should look out for?Plenty,ranging from complete lemons to boats that need minimal work but still will cost some extra $$$ to get up to scratch.

Do a search on here and google for some great advice as which boat to buy etc subjects have been done to death over the years.

Most importantly try to get someone that knows a bit about boats to go and inspect the boats your considering buying and make sure you do a water test BEFORE handing your hard earned money checking EVERYTHING works as it should and performs to your liking.

Thanks in advance,

 

KB

Cheers.

[kingie chaser]

Aluminium hull for me, just more security really, more robust.

On the motor size, while 15HP will push a 14ft boat as soon as you start adding weight like other people, tackle box's, fishing rods, esky with ice, 25ltr fuel tank it will greatly affect its capacity to get up on a plane, Id be looking more like 20-25HP as long as there is enough support on the transom & its rated for that size.

I just like having some power in reserve when its needed I guess.

I put a new 25HP mercury on my 13.9ft Quintrex some years ago which replace the original red band 20HP without issue as the transom had plenty of steel supports/braces.

They are pretty simple, main things would be to check for leaks, check the joins/seams, log/service book for the motor if available.

Always a good idea if the owner is willing to put it on the water for a test run to check for leaks & run the motor!

 

Good luck. 

[Koalaboi]

Thanks for the tips.

I'll spend some time looking around as I am not is a rush.

KB

[mii11x]

At this time of year mate, go and sit at a boat ramp as everyone uses the water.  Introduce yourself, say hi to people, tell them your looking at buying a boat and ask to check out what their boats are like, like what you would be looking at getting.

I got my license in 2007 and bought a boat not long after. I started with a 12 foot ally tinny and a almost new 15hp yamaha 2 stroke tiller steer.  Boat was a bit rough, so over a winter a year later, I stripped all the paint(3 layers) and repainted, did the same to the inside and also added some seats, lights, very basic sounder. Repaired/restored the trailer while the boat was off it too.  Was a great learning curve.  Also, it gave me my sea legs I guess you could say, easy to launch, retrieve and fish/cruise around the Georges river/Botany bay(as far as Kurnell), Port Hacking river, Shoalhaven river, StGeorges basin.  Not too large that is was a hassle to clean and store somewhere, tow, launch and retrieve, but big enough to learn waterways and all the little nuances that come with owning a boat.  Paid 2k for it and sold it for 2.2k after the restore etc 2 years later when I bought a brand new boat, my perfect boat, which I still have.

At 4.5m, ally and side console with a 50hp, it was a completely different beast.  Heavier to tow, harder to launch and retrieve solo, longer to keep clean etc etc, not to mention being new, so I was very cautious about hitting anything in the water and while launching retrieving etc, until it got its first scratch haha.  Took a little while to adjust and now some 9 years later, I find it just as easy as the tinny. 

Like you said, your not in a rush, so look at other peoples boats that are similar to what you would be looking at.  10 - 12 feet tinnies are easy and basically the same if you choose that option, but the 14-16 feet range you have so many options. 

In my opinion, ally is the way to go.  I would say start small, enjoy and learn the water and learn what it takes to keep a boat.  You will see how much you actually use it too, so you wont have dumped a large amount of cash on something that may only be used a dozen times a year.  After a year or so, if your happy, then upgrade.

While I have always fished since about age 6(Im 40 now), my life changed when I purchased my first boat in 2007 and even more so when I upgraded to a new larger boat in 2009.  At that point, I really started to get into fishing seriously.  The countless amounts of money spent on fishing tackle, starting with $100 combos to the $1500 combos I have now, to the countless amounts of money spent upgrading my sounders, trolling motors etc etc to the countless hours I fish these days to the cold, fishless all nighters I pull fishing for my passion, the mighty mulloway, it is easily still the best decision I have ever made in my life!!!!

Hope some of this helps mate and hoping that you find the boat that will change your life too

[GoingFishing]

If your looking at fishing shallow estuaries both fibreglass and aluminium will do fine.

I bought my very first boat brand new and looking back...whilst it was a great boat i regret buying new. 

Theres a steep learning curve with owning a boat and its best learning that curve on a second hand boat. 

Other things to consider:

Research and reviews. 

When doing your research dont just research the boat make/model and etc. Try to read up on boating forums about peoples good and bad experiences (your on the right track!)

1. Storage- where do you plan on leaving the boat, if your planning in putting it in a garage, whats the maximum length of boat motor and trailer?

2. Lack of on Boat storage- any boat with storage compartments and plenty of storage space is a plus

3. Engine, you can never have too much power. But you can always be underpowered. Slightly more than needed is better than slightly less than needed. 

4. Think about the type of fishing you plan on doing. Will you be flicking lures exclusively and like 360 degree access around the boat, in which case an open runabout will suit you best. or will you be anchoring up and relaxing with a cold one. You might want a half cab with a bimini.

5. Engine service. What motor is on the boat and how close is the nearest authorised repair centre. Or do you have a local with a good rep.

Theres literally millions of things to look out for! The list is never ending

[Koalaboi]

Thanks everyone.

Some sensational advice and very generously given, especially since typing out the posts would have taken time and thought. Much appreciated.

You have given me some solid advice which I will have a good think about, do some research and make some decisions. At 65 with a right knee getting physio, a lighter boat that's easy to launch and retrieve would be the go so aluminium looks good.

I did have a 2nd hand 12ft tinny a long while ago but kids, work etc saw it get little use so I sold it. 

Main use would be getting away from the crowds lining the lake shores, esp during summer holidays...it's already getting crowded now and the next few weeks will be crazy. I miss crabbing and so a boat will be just the ticket.

Thanks again everyone,

KB

[rickmarlin62]

Just remember tuggy can get very rough very quik being so shallow  stick with a v hull  and go for the slightly larger motor as you dont have to work them so hard to travel and gets u bak quicker if wind comes up    i have fished tuggy for years as i was living at gorokan  i have 4.8 vsea with 90 yammie  its nice to be comin bak to ramp at 25knots plus laughin at guys doin 5knots into a chop.....hope u find a suitable boat soon...rick

[JonD]

Dont to forget plastic boats, these are often used by hire companies simply because of there robustness. I've had my fair share of aluminium boats and a fair amount of corrosion issues with everyone of them.

Personaly I prefer fibreglass boats because of the issues I've had with corrosion in aluminium boats, in saying that fibreglass can have issues too if they haven't been looked after. 

Fibreglass boats tend to be quieter, bump a sinker against an alloy boat and it echos through the entire boat and water, even lapping small waves are noisy ( not really stealthy for sneaking up on fish ).

Aluminium tend to have flatter hulls which perform very well with smaller hp, where almost any shape fibreglass boat can be produced in a mold. 

You will have far more choice in aluminium boats on the secondhand market but you will need to be far more careful in the inspection buying. I've easely repaired small dings and chips in glass boats but for aluminium you will need a specialist welder. Take a look at this link togive yourself an idea what to look for with corrosion issues https://bbsc.org.au/resources/Documents/Marine-Galvanic-Corrosion-Made-Easy-SYC.pdf

Often the trailer can suffer too with aluminium boats, my last quintrex had issues throughout the boat and trailer. Simply putting a wrong screw into the aluminium is enough to start the damage process, this is often from installing rod holders and sounders etc. One mate had a brooker from new that was destroyed at twoyears old from angle grinding dust under the floor,  while another friend discovered beer bottle tops under his floor from the previous owner had caused his boat to disolve along the welds of the stern under the floor.

Some people look after their boats very well, im simply pointing out you really need to inspect very well, especially wet areas under the floor.

Edited December 23, 2018 by JonD