Going through the same thinking myself , but leaning towards Ally because of the lighter weight and need for lower HP, but would love the comfort of Glass. Im probably going to go for a plate ally, around 5m and open notihng fancy ,tiller steer is ok . Pity imports arent doing this, it seems the best saving are on the 6 to 7 m boats out of US .

I noticed that with the imports. Has anyone or does anybody know someone that has delt with importers like ssboats. They look like decent boats I'm just sceptical on the idea of importing...

 I was also looking for a new boat, but have know put it off for two - three years due to starting a family and putting the money into rennovating. My final list was: 565 Seacat, Carribean Belmont, Ocean Whaler, Polycraft 530 CC and the new ali cat which I think was a Makocraft, but never got around to trialling one. For value, I think the Seacat is an absolute pearler.

Cheers

I'd stick with glass boats personally... However, if you are keen on a decent alloy boat....  take a look at the new sailfish alloy cats!!

Now come in single and twin outboard configs... I think the ride would be a bit better in the alloy cat than an alloy single hull..

Might be a bit the best of both worlds without being great in 1 thing..

http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/new/trailer-boats/sailfish-reefmaster/127577

http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/new/trailer-boats/sailfish-reefisher/127114

http://www.webbemarine.com.au/sailfish-reef-master/

http://www.webbemarine.com.au/sailfish-reef-fishr/

Something you might want to keep in mind is the Aussie dollar currently going south against the USD so cost of imports has risen considerably as a result.

Given this it might pay to consider any imports being sold that have already been brought over or something locally built.

I gather your looking good cond. second hand $60,000 should be able to get you plenty of boat.

Good Luck

 Keyboatsdirect.com you talk to the people who import them. All compliant for Aussie conditions,IE trailers all you have to do is change the tow hitch.

Just watch out for overall width with US imports. The trailer may be compliant but when you put the boat on they are often wider than 2.5m which means you need to start looking at getting a permit. Not a show stopper but just becasue trailer complies does not mean you're home and dry......at least not from an insurance point of view 

the permits should be nothing to be put off by

I sorted out permits a few weeks ago and its mainly just a bit of paperwork and abiding by the rules

Cheers for your thoughts and ideas everyone.  I do like the idea of an allycat, my mate got a marlin broadbill that he uses for gamefishing of Jervis Bay NSW and it seemed to handle rough conditions pretty well. Otherwise I think Im leaning more to glass over ally purely for the softer ride for the family. Thanks again and Ill keep you posted on my search.

SS boats are excellent, no dramas at all, good guys.

I got my Boston whaler conquest 235 through them. I looked at HEAPS of different options in the 6-7 m range, very happy with my final choice, can't really think of a better boat for what I do.

Ozzie dollar has gone from 1.05 to 0.915 since I bought, my boat wOuld be over $15 grand more which may have changed my choice......

6-7 m range is very hard choice, Ozzie boats outrageously expensive fir what you get but there are some good ones, Haines hunter 650 or 680, cruise craft explorer 625 or seafarer. Below 7 m yank boats dong make sense, and with the oz dollar not sure they make sense even over 7 m now......

If ride quality not important, an Ali may be a good choice, but don't believe what anyone tells you, all ali's ride hard as it gets rougher but they do have advantages.

 For 60k you will come close to a new Tournament 2000 which is a great boat and Aussie made with a ten year warrenty.Dealer are a site sponsor as well.

 Lucky they sell hondas as well lol

i would be looking at a barcrusher or even better have a look at the boat catchalittle (Nathan) has for sale its an awsome bit of gear with state of the art electronics  and you will have 10k left over for a tackel splurge 

 Riles,

Its a hard decision isnt it?

I spent the last 4 years planning what to buy to upgrade my open ally boat since my 2 boys have been getting to an age where they can handle the open ocean for a few hrs.

Try the website for trailerboat magazine,there are heaps of boat reviews and they dont seem to be too afraid to point out any negative issues with the boats.

I read each review heaps of times and then made a shortlist,I then went on the Aus wide boat sale sites to get an idea of whats out there second hand and different dealers prices.

i finaly settled on a new tournament 2100 walk around, I got a quote from most dealers in Aus and ended up going through one in Qld.

I paid $6000 freight to get it over here but still saved around 10k all up.The only negative here was it wouldnt be possible to have any original dealer support in WA.

The hull has 10yr warranty and the motor 3 that can be sorted over here though so took my chances and used the money saved to go with a high end Garmin plotter/sounder.

My first glass boat and would never go back for bluewater work,yes its heaps heavier than a comparable ally but thats a plus on the water.

Got the aluminium trailer which costs a bit more but reduces overall tow weight and wont rust out like galvanised steel.

Mate, I might be saying stuff you already know here, but if you want a good rig whatever the make understand that when advertising a boats price in a mag or online  dealers are fighting eachother to give the most attractive price on the same hull by adding an underpowered outboard.I spent the extra and got max hp 200 on mine that gives the boat the hp that will give  the best performance(underpowed boats can put you in danger  too in some conditions .

The advertised price will be a long way short off the final price after you have added your options, spend extra on quality trailer too, this is sometimes another area where dealers can give a lower price by going the cheapest option(especially if you are planning on taking on trips to the mackeral islands,dont want the boat stranded on top of a busted trailer,or in bits on the road-get one with extra load rating if possible as on those trips the  boat gets loaded with all sorts of heavy gear becauce its easier than putting it in the car .

That would be where the tow weight comes into it(and a 5m ally will get you safely around the mackerals in most weather,and you wouldnt even know it was behind the car on the way there.)You mention Fads so I would look online at something like a Haines 650 classic a few yrs old or maybe a haines patriot(look for higher hp and larger fuel tank IMO).

60,000 will get you ba very nice seaworthy boat if you cast the net australia wide, a lot of people interstate will knock a bit off the price if you um and ahh about having to freight it and I reckon the huge increase in choise compared to just going local means if you are smart about things you will definitly get a better boat for your money even allowing spending up to 10k extra to freight it..

If it it interstate and you have narrowed it down to what you like I would get an independent report on the boats condition,heaps of photos from the owner, see if it checks out and then fly there ,go out in it in the worst conditions available over the time your there and if you fall in love put it straight on a truck back here

The tournament I got was not rushed into but there are things that I had to compromise on to get closest to what suited.Tolly mentions the 2000 tournament as well,same hull as the walkaround butmore cockpit space for fishing,I find mine a bit tight on fishing room but easy access to the bow is good.Driving position is further back and gives a very good solid ride,but with the optional 240lt fuel tank I find it leans when a full tank sloshes towards my weight while driving which gets me standing central.But again very comfortable ride which is important if your planning on the fads.Also as Tolly says the 2000's and 2100 walkarounds are advertised around the 60k mark which may tempt you,again you

 will only get a very basic underpowered model for this that you may regret every time you go out.

The 2100 with all the fruit and 200hp was quoted at over 100k by every dealer i contacted outside of Qld.

Mate,With the money available to you I would look at a secondhand haines or cruisecraft closer to 7m than 6 online.A 760 patriot around 8-10yrs old in good nick with the hull inspected would be a good fads boat I reckon.

Good luck mate, not sure of your experience with boats but hope something here helps.

 I use a Tournament 2000 (father in laws) it's got a 150 etec on the back. It's the first boat we've ever had and I think we've been spoilt, especially after having a ride in a couple of Ally boats. Love the boat, it does everything we want,

The 150 etec IMO is a good motor, we don't need any more power at all, good out the hole and loads of top end, again not had a four stroke so can't comment.

I can highly recommend the 2000 Tournament, now the Haines 680 patriot............. Ummm

 Try my luck,just noticed in your post you are thinking about a 5m ally with tiller?

Have a look in swap/buy/sell on this site at the "hardcore beach launching ally"

Its my  boat that I am trying to sell,happy to take you out for a good full days fish in it for you to suss right out if its close to what you want.

90hp tiller,5m macocraft truck .this boat has served me well and was an ideal north west allrounder that will suit the more hardcore.

Anyone wanting to fish all the country between the ramps at 2 rocks and Jurien that sees a lot less pressure will do well with it for years to come.

set up for beach launch unhitched from the car-just drop 3rd wheel and roll it down the beach,pull trailer out and retrieve the boat with a long rope.

Get you out on nicer days as far as you want with comfort sitting right at the rear-2 batteries underfloor near bow to keep nose down.

The rest is all a massive deck, no centre console(its on the rear side front of driver)to get in the way,have a huge icebox I could throw in that seats you while fishing

Top range seperate plotter and large colour sounder to find good ground and get your big dhuies.

Heaps of power with the 90-get there very quick.

This boat has been(unintentionaly) tested out a long way from land in very ordinary conditions and has got me home with no dramas every time.

My grounds near Hedland were 45km out and could easily do same here safely on your better days.

Boat not shifting here,probably suit Northern waters better so someone will get a very fair deal as i now have 3 different size boats and its getting hard to justify to the missus.Will be a regretfull sale. Brand new trailer too

 Batty,I didnt test the boat with a 150 but from reviews a lot of the testers were suprised with how well it went with the 150.

My point though for Riles was to be aware of this practice of downgrading to get best price.

Not having a go at Dealers,it is normal business to have to beat the opposition.When you go and sit down with one most will want happy customers and steer them in the right direction.

My advice to Riley is that he gets one of these for 60 it will very likely have a 130 on it,Same any new boat advertised on a public forum.

I reckon a good bet with 60 is to get a good second hand boat that has depreciated and got a scrape or 2 but a solid well inspected hull and reliable motor.

If he wants to go to the Fads then 60k isnt enough to buy new in my opinion.

Sure you will get something to get you there and back but I believe it would lack whats req in lots of areas.

Talking aussie boats though-heard of some unbelievable buys from the yanks when the dollar was high and there was heaps of re-possesed boats during the GFC.That ship has sailed though with getting unbelievable deals on anything now though,but still prob get better value than aussie if you looked into it.

Not new though,secondhand.Also a lot of good glass boats from there have only ever been in freshwater in great lakes region and that.

Batty, you are right 150 would be all you need but I have learned the hard way and been on way too many boats that struggle when you add a fair payload that no-one would regret going higher hp as long as they are sensible with it,but heaps of people have regretted not forking out a bit more initialy and being stuck for years with a motor that gets the job done but doesnt get the peak performance from a very expensive hull.

With me it was non negotiable that I had max rated hp on my boat,few grand more but will bring a smile to my face for years when open it up.

I was pretty set on getting a good second hand boat,but Aus wide on the few glass boat makes i was considering I could not get the HP I wanted,reason why I went new in the end.

cheers mate good fishing

Cheers for that info Travis definitely some food for thought.

I’m going to have a look at a few different dealers this afternoon. Mainly looking at Genesis, Trailcraft, Tournament and Revival boats. I’ve got Barcrusher sending me some info but I think they are just out of my price range for the size of boat I’m after. I called up Portsea boats as well and I might keep an eye out on boat trader although it would have to be an exceptional boat before I would consider importing as Paul recommended I am keeping an eye out for second hand imported boats.

Out of interest has anyone had any experience with the mercury verados and if so how did it go?????

This would go alright http://www.ssboatsaustralia.com/boatinfo.php?boat_id=799

 If you are thinking of any ally then a bar crusher or even better IMO a surtees would be good.

NZ have a very good reputation for making quality ally boats.

few second hand crushers around in aus but not many Surtees.

You will get a lot more boat for your money second hand mate,just dont rush into a buy and have it thoroughly checked out.

 If you are thinking of any ally then a bar crusher or even better IMO a surtees would be good.

NZ have a very good reputation for making quality ally boats.

few second hand crushers around in aus but not many Surtees.

You will get a lot more boat for your money second hand mate,just dont rush into a buy and have it thoroughly checked out.

Check this out:
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/boatdetails.aspx?R=8856123&Silo=Stock&Vertical=Boat&Ridx=0&eapi=2
For smooth ride you cant beat a deadrise of 24 degrees, cuts right through the water.
As a comparison, Tournament has a deadrise of 21 degrees.
No other Ali has a better deadrise; hands down craps all over Genesis and Trailcraft.
Not well known this side of the Country but that's everyone loss.
I've got a Noble 5.3 and wouldn't get another hull....

 The nobles are a good rig for an ally..... When they were built by Noble or Yamba Fab. Not so good now that they are built in china. Massive quality issues with them.

Pre 2009 they were Aussie built.
That one is expensive but gives you a good idea of the boat and you can offer less.

After Friday looking at boats mith missus Ive done a complete flip back to glass boats after seeing the Revival 6.4 Fisherman. We had a look at some quintrex's, genesis and trailcraft boats and this one seemed to be the pick of the lot. It is stretching the budget a bit but I think the glass boat with the smoother ride will be better for the missus and young kids. Does anyone own one of these and if so does the 150HP power it fine or would you recommend increasing it to a 175 or 200????

 Riles,I would have a very close look at the evolution extreme that is being posted about on here at the moment, $67000 is a very good deal for one of these,and around your mark.Fellow forum user too so he could send you pics ect

I was very keen for a while on on of these new but when adding what options i wanted it started getting out of my budget.As the post says you will get 100k plus worth of boat, just wont be brand new.

The Vics love them and after looking closely for a long time at all the well known glass boats around 6m made in Aus i put it top of my list.

I Just had a look at the revival website, has a reputable builder behind them and 5yr warranty so that is good.

not sure of min/max rated hp but def do not get min rated,midway to upper of rating better.

I suggest not rushing into signing on the line for this boat just yet,it will still be available at the same price while you look at other options as well,when doing research for my new boat while waiting for enough money to buy I had a complete turnaround every time i spent a few hrs looking at boat sites.

Travis it is a nice looking boat and it is definitely some food for thought.  But I’ll have to find one around Perth first,  I think I'd almost have to go down to Bunbury so the missus can actually have a look at what one looks like in person before we would even enquire about it.

We still do have plenty of time as our house doesn’t settle until the end of august before we get the money anyway, so I won’t be rushing into anything that’s for sure. This is the package we were looking at http://midwaymarine.net.au/index.php?page=ed&de=127501 on the revival boats. I also still wouldn’t mind checking out a smaller model Hains Hunter before then as well. 

Are they similar (not same) as this??

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/osborne-park/motorboats-powerboats/6-metre-coastryder-hardtop-ex-demo/1017504806

and another maybe to consider below... looks pretty nice!!  But is alloy

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/dawesville/motorboats-powerboats/660-trailcraft-best-offer-this-week-gets-it-must-go/1002219706

I was a bit cheeky and offered 40k....  didnt get a reply!! lol

Bit of a long read, but interesting info on Evolution boats

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?187447-Should-we-buy-Australian-Made-boats-or-take-our...&s=561436653ff9b9f7784678281dfa8d20

 Interesting read. I read the first and last pages, it sounded like one hell of an ordeal. 

daaaaaaaamn... poor bugga!!!!!

I certainly wont be looking at Evo boats in the future!!

The new Arvor's with the newer, more powerful diesel engine would be my choice for a brand newie!!

Cheers everyone for your help!!!!! After a month of confusion, finally after taking a few boats for a test ride I decided to go with the Barcrusher 670C with a suzuki 175 on the back. Papers are signed now just waiting on delivery of my new toy