Looking for my first boat
Submitted by raffs21 on Wed, 2014-04-30 15:06
G'day all just wanted a bit of advice while shopping for my first proper boat.
Have had a tinnie with a 15 on the back previously but only used for crabbing in the river.
This time im looking for something a bit bigger for a bit of everything, crabbing, fishing and a bit of fun behind the boat.
Looking at something upwards of 4.4m, not sure if i should go fibreglass or ali.
Budget of about $12k
If anyone has got any advice it would be much appreciated.
mitsi
Posts: 3
Date Joined: 23/03/14
stay with an Aly boat
stay with an Aly boat cheaper to run and easily used IMO
when you have got sick of the inahinshore stuff and want to head out furfher with more experienc then look at both.
From my experience having had the two aly and glass cruiser at 48 ft inlength I still love my 16ft savage for its easy to use and store and it will go any where given the right conditions, you should be able to get a great boat for that money, dont rush you will see the one you want when it comes oh and get onto Gumtree the boat shops are great but you will save a lot of money on a private sale IMO
Good luck.
Caught the disease of fishing years Ago and haven't been able to shake it so I guess while I got it, may as well throw everything at it.
Devo1965
Posts: 120
Date Joined: 29/09/13
Plus 1 for aly
Center/side console With around 60hp 4 banga, great for crabing, can get offshore to ffb and more, tow tubes and boards, easy car tow and launch beach or creeks. Can also be done with a fibie but you will notice the weight difference and worry about gel coating. I have a Stacer 3.9m now and is 19 years old and still going, have towed into steep point several times and various other trips due to the light weight. Also have a bigger boat but will be unloading both in the future for something like as above.
Post a few you tend to like, a lot of knowledge on here for boats that may have faults.
Devo1965
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Yeh look for a older boat
Yeh look for a older boat with a decent motor. the millenium hulls in the smaller boat are my favourite. Should be able to get somethign decent for 12k
raffs21
Posts: 3
Date Joined: 30/04/14
Opinions
Thanks for all your help so far guys, seems like ali is the way to go for what im looking for.
Before i posted this i had been looking at a fibreglass and chatting to the owner finding out all the ins and outs, ill post the link below and also an ali i just spotted too
Any input would be welcomed..
ALI
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/west-swan/motorboats-powerboats/5-5m-aluminium-westerberg-runabout/1043661751
FIBREGLASS
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/exmouth/motorboats-powerboats/fraser-5-25-family-boat/1043768036
Travisd
Posts: 315
Date Joined: 07/05/11
That 18footter
Went from a 4.6 tinny to an 18 foot glass boat.
Miss my tinny but my 18.5 baron goes anywhere
an old glass boat that you won't mind bashing with a newish motor
thro 12 at that centre consol just listed. He can only say no;)
Baron Sportsman
Just the depth that Varies
Travisd
Posts: 315
Date Joined: 07/05/11
Westery
That westie won't last. Good buy and will hold its value too
be be quick as 10k looks really cheap
Baron Sportsman
Just the depth that Varies
Devo1965
Posts: 120
Date Joined: 29/09/13
Westerberg
The westies have a good rep and the price looks about right for this boat. IMO the motor is a bit under done, ok for 2 fisho's and a bit of gear.
Raffs indicated boat size of 4.4m upward, I presumed he would be under 4.8M, now that he has posted over 5m boats, the options are unlimited.
Devo1965
raffs21
Posts: 3
Date Joined: 30/04/14
I think this one may suit me
I think this one may suit me a bit better for a first boat, 5.5 might be too big straight up...
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mount-pleasant/motorboats-powerboats/4-5m-savage-safari/1043707523
Thoughts?
milsey
Posts: 1462
Date Joined: 22/08/07
2st merc with 500hrs should
2st merc with 500hrs should be a turn off. Dont rush, coming into winter you will find the prices drop and you should be able to pick up a 4-5m ali with newish 4st for 12k easy, i did a few months ago and am happy i spent the months waiting. Hit the search function to see 4st vs 2st, since its your first boat i would be thinking resale of a 4st could come inhandy once you decide 4.5 isnt big enough.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
I had a older version of
I had a older version of this boat, loved it there a nice hull. I sold mine with well over 1000 hrs my tohatsu. Use to get out the back of ffb fairly often. Easy to handle on your own!
Doooma
Posts: 791
Date Joined: 05/12/09
polycraft 4.55 mate.. all the
polycraft 4.55 mate.. all the way!
stevebw23
Posts: 155
Date Joined: 12/11/11
That 5.5 westy was for sale
That 5.5 westy was for sale about 4months ago when i was looking to buy. I tried ringing/texting and emailing them and got no response, looks like it would be a really good buy though if you can get hold of them. I ended up buying an old plate ally penguin (19ft) has a 90hp 2stroke yammy. Couldn't be happier with it so far, been out past rotto a few times with no worries, cheap as chips to run/maintain. I'd definitely recommend plate ally
Symes Plumbing & Gas. No job too small, servicing all northern suburbs
mart
Posts: 19
Date Joined: 06/06/12
ya stiil lookin for a boat
i have got a 20' Bertram that i am going to sell
Josh
Posts: 283
Date Joined: 14/09/10
I put a wanted ad up on
I put a wanted ad up on Gumtree, I would recommend doing that.
I just listed what I wanted, and a guy gave me a call, hadn't advertised, but was starting to consider selling it, no pressure on me to buy it, and it wasn't listed so no one else was trying to buy it. ended up getting a sweet deal, and an awesome boat out of it! I also got it checked out by a mobile mechanic (mick from marine masters) , I would recommend doing that too.