Help me buy a boat!!!

 Gday peeps...

Im definitely back into my fishing after such a long drought, Ive been on a promise to buy a boat from the 'cheese n kisses' for about 6 years now... anyway, the time has come, she has her Landcruiser... and 'she who must be obeyed' thinks a boat would look reel good behind it.

Ive been begging for years to just get a tinny cheap and go and get a feed of herring, whiting, squid etc and upgrade once Ive got some experience, and after going out over the last few weeks in my mate neighbours 10 ft 6hp tinny Im over it(that saved a few bucks hey)... Im budgetting between 5 and 10 grand and hope to have something for the summer season, but my question is what do I want... Its gonna be my first boat, now before I get told to just get a tinny(or finance)... I do have a lifetimes experience as my Dads(and many others) deckie and have the utmost respect for the sea... Im picking a boat in this price range that will only require me to improve my 'experience' 'knowledge' etc before I go out further.... Im in a position to save this kindve money over the next few months and really dont want to get finance for my ultimate dream boat just yet... I wanna make sure it isnt just a thing that sits on a trailer in my driveway that only gets used twice a year first(I doubt it... but I wouldnt be the first that said this).

Basically Im thinkin at first its just something stable enough for a little bit of chop when I wanna go fishing in the sound or around penguin island etc... or a family cruise in the river when the fireworks are on...

But I would like a boat thatll get me to rotto... or a bit further as I get better, What do I want

Im thinking at least 18ft, but whats better, inboard/outboard.. fibreglass/aluminium... Evinrude/Mariner/Johnson

I aint going for a half cabin cause I want to fish with room... 

What kindve sounder/GPS etc are really worth the massive outlay

Where do I start???


snappermiles's picture

Posts: 2100

Date Joined: 05/11/10

personally

Tue, 2011-08-23 16:22

i would be looking for an older fibreglass boat with a decent motor! for sounder i would say furuno but your budget would probably more suit a lowranse hds7 combo! motor i would be looking at a yammy honda or suzuki! there are alot of older boats out there going for bargain prices if you want to spend a little time doing them up!! good luck

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ALL FISHERMEN ARE LIARS EXCEPT YOU AND ME! AND IM NOT SO SURE ABOUT YOU!

Posts: 361

Date Joined: 09/08/09

I am in almost same stage as

Tue, 2011-08-23 16:38

I am in almost same stage as you are. I just ordered 2 magazines from http://www.jeffwebster.com.au/ as it was recommended to me here some time ago. So I hope I will have a better picture of what the go is after I read them.

iana's picture

Posts: 652

Date Joined: 21/09/09

Hi Troy

Tue, 2011-08-23 17:04

How about filling in more of your personel info on your account. I have been keeping my eye open for a deckie or two of late. I have a very old friend (long story) who lives for fishing, and I need someone to help, especilly if things start going out of shape.

We have been mainly fishing in the sound, but the old fishing fella would love to go out further. Im near Cockburn sound. My boat sounds pretty much what you are after, 18.5 ft Baron Outrider 130 Hp yamaha few hours. I have been threatning to sell it but the Missus won't let me.

Posts: 39

Date Joined: 06/07/11

Key = Get someone in the know to look

Tue, 2011-08-23 18:45

I'd always advise getting a person who is in the know to check out your well refined boat interests if its not from a dealer to look at it structurally. Keep from being caught up in the fruit on-board. Who gives a stuff if its got a fancy set of rocket launchers on the bimini if its a busted arse rig.

Rod P's picture

Posts: 725

Date Joined: 20/05/08

As a marine dealer and

Wed, 2011-08-24 14:30

As a marine dealer and knowing the industry i would suggest getting any boat checked. Be it from a dealer or private.

nico's picture

Posts: 226

Date Joined: 17/08/10

Pre purchase inspections

Tue, 2011-08-23 21:36

 I am happy to help anyone with pre purchase inspections on fibreglass boats just pm me.

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In Mocean

glastronomic's picture

Posts: 892

Date Joined: 16/02/11

between $5K-$10K?It will be

Tue, 2011-08-23 23:22

between $5K-$10K?

It will be possible BUT you better do your homework and I dare say that a decent size cabin cruiser should not be dismissed.

To help you prepare, purchase the mags from Jeff Webster,mentioned above, I did and made a Huge difference to me!

He released an updated magazine only a few months ago with great updates.

 

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scottnofish's picture

Posts: 1617

Date Joined: 28/08/07

Here is a good starter boat

Wed, 2011-08-24 09:37

 http://www.wafishaman.com/content/douglascraft-52m-runabout-sale ,good solid boat ,rebuilt trailer ,newish 4 stroke honda ,furuno 620 , 

snappermiles's picture

Posts: 2100

Date Joined: 05/11/10

second scott no fish

Wed, 2011-08-24 08:47

those douglas craft hulls are great in the water ride well and very stable!! i had one before i upgraded!

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ALL FISHERMEN ARE LIARS EXCEPT YOU AND ME! AND IM NOT SO SURE ABOUT YOU!

Posts: 361

Date Joined: 09/08/09

Oh nooo, why did I come back

Wed, 2011-08-24 10:25

Oh nooo, why did I come back to check on this topic? That’s the boat I would fancy. I am just not mentally ready to buy now.   Very tempting.

I better fit that towbar on my car which has been sitting in my office for few months now.

Ryan C's picture

Posts: 1575

Date Joined: 08/07/10

i agree

Wed, 2011-08-24 10:31

that is an awesome boat for the money , reduced to 9,000 with a 90 honda and furuno 620 someone better snap that up fast!1  cheers

Troy Summers's picture

Posts: 408

Date Joined: 14/08/11

 Thanks for the great

Wed, 2011-08-24 15:54

 Thanks for the great answers!!! So far Ive figured Im gonna go with a fibreglass.... and Ive got a future Bro in Law thats happy to take whatever Im after for a test drive with me... As for pre inspections I may well be in contact Nico!!

My wife actually wants me to get a half cabin so I suppose as long as I can find a tub big enough it wont hinder the fishing too much... 

That boat in the link is lovely and now 9000... definitely inside the budget!!! Cant wait to get all the money together and get into the serious looking, Im sure Im gonna have a ball... and thankfully now sjking has said it, I wont get sucked in by the 'fruit'... cause Im just the guy that would see the rocket launchers and throw money straight at it!!!! lost money like that plenty of times...... but its got mags babe!!!! :)

 

Ill let yas know how I go... or where Im up to in the search!!!

 

Cheers

Troy

Kingfisher549's picture

Posts: 328

Date Joined: 15/09/09

Boat purchase

Wed, 2011-08-24 21:50

The Baron sportsman in one of the best sea boats I have owned, handles the ocean very well for an 18ft boat and is a half cabin. Suggest as above you get any fibreglass boat checked but a Baron can be a great base from which to either build a family boat or a serious fishing boat depending on which way your use of the boat drifts. Check out some of the baron info on this site. If iana's wife allows him to sell his boat would be worth a look.

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Baron Sportsman Custom

Cammos's picture

Posts: 606

Date Joined: 30/06/09

Baron, Chivers,

Wed, 2011-08-24 22:47

Baron, Chivers, Pacemaker.............all good hulls, in my experience avoid old sterndrives.