Btw... I might get into my diving in the future, so if the boat could manage as a dive boat that would be great as well - dinghy's are fine for this right?

...s'pose I should tell you what I want to do with this boat right...

I'm keen to get a boat that can relatively easily and safely head out to the five fathom bank, further out on good days (winds less than 15knots, swell to 1.5-2m)....

General fishing... squiding... etc...

Would also like it to be easily towed - would like to take it up north and launch from the beach... Ningaloo etc..

cheers,
damo

Probably looking at around the 4.5m mark then. In terms of fishing all day and diving something with a bit of a cab would help to get in out of the weather or sun.

Look for something with a nice freeboard too.

Good one Damo, it is a big step to commit to your first boat. You will never have money again (ha ha). You should be able to get something pretty solid for around $15k, if you wait until mid winter to buy you will prbably do even better. I do suggest that it would be worthwhile getting the outboard inspected prior to purchase if you end up with a second hand unit.

BTW 2m swells in any sort of wind will test any boat up to about 5m never mind an open dinghy

 Good luck, Steve

id look at a small quintrex boat. i picked mine up for the range your looking at and it does all the things you want to do with it. its a good first boat. i had a 4m dingy befor the 5meter quinny and my lil tub went anywhere and everywhere. and we did dive off it too. the dingy was fine for nice calm days  in the bays and every now and then when the weather allowed out to the five.a dingy is a basic package and open boat so its deck with nothign else. my quinny has nice seats forward controls room for sounder and gps in front of me and as said befor a chance to get out of the weather or spray. dingys dont allow this.  

i would look at the stessco range of alloy boats the pro hurricane is a fantastic tinny that would cost 10 k max i know of a few fishwrecked crew with them my self included . i have had quintrex with the millenium hull a savage and a stacer with the evo hull and my stessco is better by far with durability and ride .
cheers brenz

Thanks for the info guys... I really appreciate it (and need it)
Gully - yeap, I was thinking around 4.5 myself; freeboard - is that a marlin board?... the thing about cab's though is they'll take up a lot of the deck space on a 4.5... perfect on a big 7/8m boat, but on a smaller one don't you think you need to sacrifice to much deck space?
Stevef - thanks mate, was thinking the same thing re: timing of purchase (especially for 2nd hand); and you're right 2m swell is a bit steep haha, wasn't sure about that as it's a breeze atm (in a cab), but yeah, I think 1.5 is probably more on the money... 1.5 to 2 is about average for Perth waters right?
Mike79 - how old was your quinnie boat when you bought it mate? you're dinghy sounded alright... I know you're bound to get a lot more spray in one (as opposed to other boats), but I'm young and should be able to handle that... and like you said, you mainly take them out on the good days anyway... what do you think about a dinghy with wide gunnels to mount fish finder/gps... could you fit a radio anywhere on it (bearing in mind it's a tiller steer)
Brenz - you must know what you're talking about if you've experienced all those others!! they welded together quite well are they? I checked out Stessco's website, they look alright on there, definitely have to have a look at them, cheers mate. I don't mind spending $15k, as long as it's all inclusive (plotter, sounder etc)... where do you put all your electronics? do they have wide gunnels? ..
Cheers guys, appreciate the info... keep it up!!
damo

**as a boat owner of now 9 boats all up best is bro think ... in the future will u be upgrading?,once u get the passion will u be upgrading? once youve gone out 10km will u want to go out 30 or 40?

my advice is man get something to last that.or u,ll keep upgrading,if u fish,dive,leisure,i reckon nothing shorter than 6 metres.. dont go any less u,ll be wanting a bigger 1 before u know it.. 

* Go Hard Go Deep ***

used to be a allly boat builder so the most important thing that i was very particular about was the welds and the stesscos and savages welds were fantastic. the reason i say stessco is because it was the only boat that felt super comfortable in the water aout of the 4 . i had my 450 hurricane out to the jigging containers a couple of times no worries at all.
brenz

my quinny is a 96 model one and i still take that 30km out no worries and more. not shy at all. the dingy had room up front for battery and radio too. i had high side on my one which made it better. but honeslty mate you should try a dingy first even hire one  and see what you think if its not comfortable enough for ya then you want somethign a bit bgger for yaself. its all your own preference and no matter what we all tell you its up to you. if you dont like hiring one then ask some people around for a tst run with them see what you can do.