addz, i have a quintrex 480 coast runner that does all of what you are after, 60hp 4 stroke on the back will push it up to 28-30knots and comfortable and dry, 95lt below floor tank. the new model is the 490. plenty of deck space. Good all round boat. if you are looking at going out wide then i would be looking at probably a 5.2 or 5.4?

when the seabreese comes in you can hide behind your windscreen (if you have clears / hard top)

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Centre console all the way.

It means you have a good ride all the time, as you're down the back. Just get a screen and some waterproofs if you're worried about a little water. 

If you're surfing and diving, the water isn't a big deal, if you're fishing then you have waterproofs.

The ride on runabouts is a bit bouncy, especially in 5m ali, they can be a pain to fish if the fish starts circling too. 

Nothing like being soaked at 6am in August, heading out fishing. If you buy a centre console, get a wet suit.  Centre cab or runabout for me..sorry Till

Haha each to their own Wade.

I've had a fair few wet runabout rides too, I swear the only good solution is a submarine sometimes.

In a perfect world I'd go for an island cab for sure. I have the 5.4 quintrex coastrunner, a beautiful boat but it will gve you a sore ass in a chop. Looking at getting a gas seat. Although the wife reckons I've already got one

i have a 5m center cab you can fit boards down the side and keep three people dry in blowie shit and fish 2/3 people off shore i guess its just up to you and what you want

in a perfect world - centre consol

with wopjrb tho. 

with perth seas and 5 meter boat , front cab.

seems to me like you probably fish out the front of a centre consol 10 % of the time if your lucky.

take more deck space at the rear

The best things come in glass!

I have a c/c and it is ideal for the way I fish and the types of fishing I do.(that is jigging s/p,s as well as alot of anchoring and re anchoring) find it easier in c/c. if you are just going to bottom dong whilst drifting maybee a runabout or 1/2 cab might be more suitable. agree with glass thing decella.

island cab for me. The advantages of a c/c with a little more cabin protection.

But thats just me.

Can't fault the ride in Decella's boat, its got a bit more waterline length than 5m, and its glass.

The rain though, it was coming in the window sideways on Monday, but that was a very special case =)

Its hard to decide, its why i threw it up here to get a few other pov's, everyones got there own opinions and preferances so cheers for the input.

I do like the idea of the island cab, the benefits of a centre consoles fishability  without the need for a wetty  (well not as much wetsuit need anyway).Not as far forward as a front cab so a little better ride i hope but still with somewhere to get out of it.

Still not locked in yet tho

One power ball and ill take one in every colour.

Addz,

I have a 5.3 Razerline Runabout and it is true that the ride can be a bit rough at times............... however I also stay dry when there is a bit of wind and wave around (which is almost always on the west coast).

The CC have a nice ride and adds some all round fishability, however I reckon the open deckpace and the protection from sun and water on the runabout with a bimini outweights this for me.

BTW............. My boat is also for sale (have a look in the For Sale section)

Cheers

Steve

Go for a centre console,on mine [a 5 metre plate ali] the console is right down the back iving heaps of room up front.Also can use the bow section as a casting deck and under the skippers seat is a 50 liter fuel tank and storage for jackets,flares and other bits and bobs.

Not long back I had a 100mm wide spray rail weld on the chines from the bow down to the start of the shoulderts cutting out around 80% of the spray coming over, eliminating having to use wet gear.

Go for a centre console,on mine [a 5 metre plate ali] the console is right down the back iving heaps of room up front.Also can use the bow section as a casting deck and under the skippers seat is a 50 liter fuel tank and storage for jackets,flares and other bits and bobs.

Not long back I had a 100mm wide spray rail weld on the chines from the bow down to the start of the shoulders cutting out around 80% of the spray coming over, eliminating having to use wet gear.

in my opinion centre consoles are excellent if under 5.5 metres because they are cheaper than most runabouts, you shouldnt worry about getting wet because as long as you have good hull and bow flare it should deflect most of the spray, and most of them have a softer ride due to the console being mounted in the centre of the boat and you have more usable space and can fitted a front casting deck if your planning on taking it up the creeks, river, freshwater ect.

if you on a budget you should consider something like this http://www.dinghyworld.com.au/Details.asp?ProductID=162

But if you have that little bit of extra cash this will be one of the best options http://www.trailcraft.com.au/boats/boat.aspx?model=510tournament 

I love my island cab , weight is set back and for an alli its pretty good ride,especially with trim tabs fitted. theres plenty of area up front for storage or the 3rd fisho,  big benefit is the anchor retreival as you stand up against the front bulkhead.   if the weather gets real crapy and some spray comes over i just pull back on the revs abit,  the only down fall with my trailcraft is the cab is just abit too far back and the side bars and roof support get a little in the way for the rear section space but i do have plenty of shade to the rear of the boat

My rig is 6.1 with 4st 150 yammy , plenty of power and good economy

I have only had two boats, cuddy cabin (too much wasted space) and a runabout(Baron) in both cases accessing the anchor is a real pain in the butt.

What ever boat you decide on, look at the anchor access, a centre console would not have the problem, some runabouts come with a walk through windscreen, that would make life a bit easier.

Love my side console. Even if we are pounding thru chop, can't feel it as we are at the transom. Plenty of room up front to throw plastics, metals and to jig. But i don't care about getting wet. If you feel otherwise i'd recommend a different setup, but i love max fishing room and the ride from down back.

Yep ,the quinnies got the walkthrough windscreen .Able to get right up the front and tackle the anchor when it won't move.also love the walk on transom great for landing fish (when we get em!)

Brody how wet are we talking with the side console

I do love the room with that set up but just wonderiing how wet and is it the bow rider style with a walk threw screen or just a console on one side

thx

But with my side console, I tend to stand in the middle (fishing alone) to get the boat balanced up.

And they do get pretty wet, particularly in short sharp chop.

Centre cab sounds interesting, I have never fished one though so can't comment.

Trailcraft have one, but you can't get it till you hit 6m IIRC.

Addz I have a 5.5m Centre Console and yes we do get wet,but living in the Pilbara its not a problem sometimes its even refreshing.Its great for pulling the anchor got heaps of storage in the Console accessible from a hatch at the front.We are a family of 4 and have heaps of room for fishing diving surfing.

5m ali your going to get flogged by the seas in any configuration ,as for wet ive had water going into my eyes and leaking out my nose.

My choice would be glass never going ali again ,unless its over 30ft,with a wheel house.