First time boat owner questions
Submitted by the_lane on Sun, 2019-07-07 21:04
Hi,
Looking to get my first boat. Narrowed down search to a 5m Quintrex Freedom Sport. Allows me to get the kids out on the river; and also capable of getting out on the ocean and getting some serious fishing in when I have more experience.
What should I be looking out for when I go and see boats? Happy to arrange a professional inspection, but of course want to view as many as possible before commiting $$$. Also, what should I expect to pay for annual rego and comprehensive insurance?
Thanks!
quadfisher
Posts: 1146
Date Joined: 28/09/10
Research till ya drop.
Just saying , I see a hell of a lot of those style of boats up for sale .
Keep a open mind on runabout style boats, they have almost as much room inside as the open front boats and offer I believe, greater
safety in the open ocean, as well as offering a bit more protection from wind and spray , even in the river.
5m and 70 -90hp is the ideal size for a first boat , easy to handle and tow , and cheaper to insure , and run than the next sized up tubs in the 5.8 m size
with the 115-135 hp size.
And dont forget in that 5m size glass will keep ya butt happy in ride quality possibly more than pressed ali, which is more durable, but in your case
may not be needed if your not beaching it all the time.
Buying wise , just think about buying a car , you know , service history , owner attitude , general overall condition , any useful accessorys fitted,
hrs used , where its being stored etc.
Just like when you go around to look at 5 cars and find a cherry , you will kind of know it when you find the one. ( Then get a expert if needed.)
good luck.
quadfisher
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18026
Date Joined: 11/03/08
Make sure you take it for a
Make sure you take it for a sea trial and not in the river. Try to go in average conditions as well to get a better idea of how it rides with chop
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Shane O
Posts: 926
Date Joined: 22/01/10
quintrex
had the exact one, ok in the river... a pig outside, horrible ride. don't do it...
the_lane
Posts: 55
Date Joined: 04/07/19
What would you recommend as
What would you recommend as a first timer boat? I liked the idea of the bowrider because I could keep an eye on the kids up front.
Shane O
Posts: 926
Date Joined: 22/01/10
bowrider
in the estuary ect they are great for the kids, but in the ocean they are like a massive scoop. not sure about another one but there is plenty experience on here. my advice would be take a heap for test rides if possible, and not just in the river
Darren253
Posts: 570
Date Joined: 23/07/16
Agreed, I started with a 4.85
Agreed, I started with a 4.85 closed bow and had some pretty scary events even in the river with the wash from some of the gin loungers. Nearly ended up putting my kids off boating for good...
Boats size reduces drastically when you put them in the water :-)
That being said, my mates and i would fish and pot out on the back edge of the five without a drama... but it was wet and bumping on anything other than a perfect day.
Moking
Posts: 1252
Date Joined: 30/05/12
I'm a bit the same as you,
I'm a bit the same as you, two young Grandkids that I wanted to safely take out fishing. I stay inside Cockburn Sound,Mangles Bay with them. Safe and plenty of squid/herring to keep them happy.
I decided on Stacer 539 Baymaster. Plenty of room and safe.
I also wanted single axle trailer and ease of launching and retrieve,and can tow with normal size SUV.
Pic for you:
My Dad taught me how to Fish-Thanks Dad.(RIP)
bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
Quintrex
Funny, my brother has the 5m Freedom Sport and having owned 6m glass boats for many years I was expecting a shit ride. Well, we used it for crayfishing last season and I was pleasantly suprised with the ride. Big compromise on useable working deck space for pulling pots but very nice ride (Millenium Hull).
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
Manfish
Posts: 39
Date Joined: 24/11/18
Durable and OK for the
Durable and OK for the river or Cockburn sound but it would get more than a little bumpy outside, i'm afraid. It all boils down to what you want it for. If you're after a sea boat in that size...then go glass!
the_lane
Posts: 55
Date Joined: 04/07/19
I've not had a boat before
I've not had a boat before and, with 2 young kids I certainly wouldn't be heading far offshore until I chalked up a decent bit of experience on a boat. Probably a year or 2.
I've known guys who took off to fish around garden island on their 2nd day after getting skippers ticket! Crazy!
Simon5.7
Posts: 45
Date Joined: 26/12/17
I’ve got the 5.7 Freedom
I’ve got the 5.7 Freedom Sport with a 115 Yammie in the Millenium hull and its a cracking boat
had it now for 13 years and have taken it out upto 40 miles offshore usually with upto 4 spearos and all our dive gear on board out to FAds, Carnarvon and Exmouth islands etc at times have had to come back to shore in some horrendous conditions
while we do get smacked around a bit with the lighter ALI hull I’ve never taken a green wave over the front
the Millenium hulls really throw the water away from the bow but like any boat you drive it to the conditions for max safety
i love it for the family trips as well and we regularly take the fam and my kids friends with us over to Rotto. Having the bow section with its full padded seats to use so everyone can really stretch out when anchored up in a Rotto bay is handy and it never seems crowded on board
I can’t speak for the 5m one but mines the most versatile, dry boat i’ve owned
quadfisher
Posts: 1146
Date Joined: 28/09/10
Carry lots of silicon?
Haha had to read that first line twice , Im thinking now theres a honest answer at last .............. it cracking on a reg basis!
quadfisher
nebbian1
Posts: 166
Date Joined: 31/08/17
My mate who worked for a
My mate who worked for a while at the local tackle store has one. He took me out in it a few times, I loved it. Great ride, he put a casting deck at the front (over the seats). Works really, really well as a fishing boat. I'm thinking of getting one in a year or two when I've saved up enough.
Meeuwissen
Posts: 755
Date Joined: 29/03/13
That exact boat model your after
Is for sale in broome for 20k at the moment. Rego ain't bad on the trailer and hull and comprehensive insurance with best I pay $600 for my 490 renegade but its insured for 32k plus fruit. Elec motor etc
Down the Line
Catch the Experience
quadfisher
Posts: 1146
Date Joined: 28/09/10
Glassy eyed?
Your boat , your choice , but as said make sure whatever you do , that you get a sea trial not on a flat calm day.
A bathtub with a motor will feel great on the river with no chop, so trial it on the ocean.
I had a boat many many years ago , but 12 months ago I finally got my 2nd, I looked around and had thought a nice tough , versatile cockburn sound tub
would be something like a 4.8 trailcraft or quinnie with a 4 stroke.
One test thanks to a generous owner convinced me and I went straight out and got a 2012 4.95m haines hunter profish with a 4 stroke. ( backbone still intact)
When you do get something , more than happy to meet you at woodies with both boats and show you around the sound , garden , and carnac if you like.
Pm me if you like , but no problems if not needed, cheers.
quadfisher
the_lane
Posts: 55
Date Joined: 04/07/19
Thanks, very kind offer!
Thanks, very kind offer!
backlash
Posts: 335
Date Joined: 12/10/10
SeaMedia Magazine Article Research
There is some great information obtainable from this website - the magazines can be found in good newsagents
I bought some online so i always have them on hand or when I may be flying somewhere for work
www.australianboatmags.com.au/sea_library/boat_basics.php
There are articles wher guys have shared their own journeys to help you along the way
There is a saying is that your third boat is generally your perfect boat (for some)...
They have another section on helping when buying second hand
www.australianboatmags.com.au/sea_library/buying_secondhand.php
some good articles written here to help out the new buyers
you will see that some are even free - some may be the full article, some may just be an extract "teaser"
Hope this helps you out
Cheers
the_lane
Posts: 55
Date Joined: 04/07/19
Thanks, I'll have a good
Thanks, I'll have a good read.
Deckie
Posts: 1296
Date Joined: 03/04/09
Perfect boat.
I doubt there is a perfect boat for everything.
I had a 4.3m tinnie for taking the grandchildren out for a bit of light fishing. It was a great little boat and very handy up at Steep Point.
Trouble is kids have round butts and cant sit still for too long. Grandsone wanted to move around a bit and it made me nervous.
So i sold it and bought a 5.3m Caribbean Belmont.
More room, better stability, higher sides, dryer with a better ride and most important, safer when he wants to go walk a bout.
Great for towing, not heavy on a single axel and fantastic out from Ocean Reef and for the waters around Denham/Monkey Mia.
As above, research and choose wisely. There are always better boats around but if you pic one to suit your needs, then you will be happy.
Safety is your priority when it comes to you and your crew, no matter how old.
Cheers & Stay safe
Travis p
Posts: 727
Date Joined: 28/07/16
4 stroke engine
Thats been looked after a working vhf radio biggest boat thats practical for you to buy tow etc you will get foot disease very quickly. Stay away from bow riders if you want to get into serious fishing as coming back even 10nm out in a strong sw will have you double think your bow rider idea even in my opinion which others will have a different one cats are not the most pleasent either in our seas.
A decent safe fishing boat at 5m is sometimes very different then a 5m river pleasure boat i think you need to find which one yoh plan to do more and work from there.
Good luck mate and like anything dont rush into it.
wont catch em sitting at home!
the_lane
Posts: 55
Date Joined: 04/07/19
Thanks for all the advice.
Thanks for all the advice. I'm for sure taking my time and not rushing into something!
One thought that has me thinking. My drive way and carport has a width of 2800mm. The boat I am looking at has a bean of 2350mm - which probably leaves between 100-200mm either side of the boat to reverse it into the driveway and under the carport. Brick wall eitherside; so no bushes to bouce off!
Having never towed anything bigger than a camp trailer; does this sound like it would require a masters degree in trailor reversing skills?? There is a slight include on the driveway; so pushing it in by hand may not be an option.
I have emailed my local council (east freo) as ask about verge parking - their reply suggests it is allowed. Although the reply they sent was very wordy and seemed to be in 16th century latin legal speak; so I'll need to double check on that.
the_lane
Posts: 55
Date Joined: 04/07/19
Thanks for all the advice.
Thanks for all the advice. I'm for sure taking my time and not rushing into something!
One thought that has me thinking. My drive way and carport has a width of 2800mm. The boat I am looking at has a bean of 2350mm - which probably leaves between 100-200mm either side of the boat to reverse it into the driveway and under the carport. Brick wall eitherside; so no bushes to bouce off!
Having never towed anything bigger than a camp trailer; does this sound like it would require a masters degree in trailor reversing skills?? There is a slight include on the driveway; so pushing it in by hand may not be an option.
I have emailed my local council (east freo) as ask about verge parking - their reply suggests it is allowed. Although the reply they sent was very wordy and seemed to be in 16th century latin legal speak; so I'll need to double check on that.
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Check with insurance before parking on curb side
Some insurance companies will not give you coverage if the boat is parked out the front of your fence line.
Olliej
Posts: 155
Date Joined: 27/08/12
Being able to reverse it in
Being able to reverse it in will depend on the run up. If it’s a tight turning reverse with a Tandem it will be harder than a gradual turn with a single axle. Either way I’d get good at reversing over parking on the verge
carnarvonite
Posts: 8667
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Practice
Learn how to reverse using your mirrors, that way you can line up the side of the boat with your vehicle and get used to judging how far you are off the walls each side. Practice makes perfect
Deckie
Posts: 1296
Date Joined: 03/04/09
Tape.
Put some bright tape on the floor the width of the outside of your tyes. Centralise it in the gap you need to reverse through and keep it within those lines. My boat is 2350 wide and the opening is 2500. Also my garage floor is about 1200 above the kerb height. Practice makes perfect, just have someone with you that has a slight idea on reversing to help. Good luck...
Cheers & Stay safe
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Good advise from deckie
Also have wife, girl friend boy friend whoever help you back it in first couple of times, as said above practice makes perfect, and have patience