Opinions on Barcrusher
Submitted by NORUN NOFUN on Mon, 2012-02-20 10:26
Just putting it out there - looking for opinions on the Barcrusher 560 and other lengths !
I just bought mine 6 months ago and could not be any happier with the way it performs. I know it's an east coast boat and I will cop a flogging in opinions that there are much better boats out there !!
The biggest thing I find with these boats, is that the worse the conditions are on the water the better it handles - it is hard to describe, but the harder I drive this rig - the better it gets !
On the downside - these are the things I dislike ( but this is just my opinion )
1. Needs trim tabs
2. Has a narrow feel
3. Design of dash on passenger side is kind of lacking
Any opinions from other B/Crusher owners or otherwise would be good
Tandawg
Posts: 106
Date Joined: 13/02/07
Barcrusher
I purchased a second hand 2006 560C at the end of last year. Before that I had a custom made centre cab. The boat was pretty harsh with the pounding which is a typical ally trait.
The Barcrusher does ride alot better and the baot hasn't got the characteristic "tinny" noise of ali being hit by waves.
It does of course depend on how you drive it as any boat will come down hard if not trimmed properly. Sometimes when it is launched high, it comes down and absolutely parts the water when you are waiting for an almighty shudder.
I personally think it is underpowered with a 100 Yammy 4 on it, but still able to get 30 Knts and cruises well at 4000.
It has a drive on/off trailer made by Dunbier and a "retriever mate" so I can do it myself.
Boat wise, fairly roomy to fish a few and nice to have an open cabin with bunks.
GOOD POINTS
ride
fully functional for fishing
high gunnels
BAD POINTS
fuel gauge is a bit suss (typical with BC I think)
trim tabs but not compulsory
small console
small windscreen and as a result small dash which comprimises sounder/GPS usage
I'll be keen on following this thread.
Chris
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Point 2 caused point 1 ... It
Point 2 caused point 1 ... It is narrow, and has a very steep deadrise, I guess buy trim tabs (pref QL???).
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Fished out of a couple.
Fished out of a couple. Certainly a boat that is very touchy to trim and weight distribution. Make sure you check your windscreen bolts are secure. Had one come off complete with rocket launcher. Wasn't much fun.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
slam
Posts: 168
Date Joined: 09/09/09
Handles well
Been out on a mates 560 a few times & have been very impressed with the ride for an ally boat. I am a fibreglass hull owner but i wouldn't worry about owning a BC if i wasn't after a few luxuries that a fibreglass offers.
NORUN NOFUN
Posts: 1035
Date Joined: 15/08/11
Hey TandawgI forgot about the
Hey Tandawg
I forgot about the windscreen - I must admit, if you are average height that windscreen can be annoying.
I have a 2008 BC 560C, 115 ETEC, Tandem trailer
It's interesting that you mention the fuel gauge. Do you the Commander gauges ? or is it some other problem ?
The system check gauge ( Tacho, fuel and other info in one gauge ) that was fitted to the boat when I bought it was reading 1000 rpm out as per boat mechanics report. I bought a new tacho from Canada and fitted, but now the fuctions for fuel do not seem to be working now - it seems I may have to check the whole system - maybe a blockage - not sure ???
Have you talked to anyone else who owns the next size up ? and what their opinions are ?
Tandawg
Posts: 106
Date Joined: 13/02/07
Barcrusher
Hi NRNF,
The fuel gauge is an analogue after market one. It reads 0 when under power. I do believe its the placement of the sender in the fuel tank.
I have been out in a mates 640 HT with 200Yammy 4. Absolute beast in conditions thast I wouldnt have been out in.
If I am by myself which is quite often, I stand midships and drive to distribute the weight. It is very susseptable to weight distribution. Even the bait tank full with water on starboard or the kill tank with water and a big dhuie will cause your balance to go out of wack.
jng
Posts: 488
Date Joined: 03/08/07
Hey tandawg, Are you
Hey tandawg,
Are you eugenes cousin?
Justin
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
I dont think the BC are the
I dont think the BC are the only boat sensitive to trim. I think most boats with a steep deadrise have this issue, my mates Boston Whaler 285 is very sensitive to trim and wind, and requires trimtabs, surprising for such a big boat That being said, the benefits with ride quality significantly outweight this downside IMO. You cant have your cake and eat it too.........maybe a 58 ft Maritimo would get close.......
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
I'm very interested in
I'm very interested in getting a second hand 560WR... Doesn't seem to be too many getting around WA though. Anyone know any alternatives that might be easier to get locally?
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Pretty tempting just to crate
Pretty tempting just to crate up a surtees straight out of NZ with their dollar being so worthless ... The barcrusher being a copy of the surtees and all.
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
Surtees look like great boats
Surtees look like great boats but it pains me to see boat manufacturers so narrow minded... no option of a centre cab or console??
Zac C
Posts: 47
Date Joined: 23/01/10
Hey Jay, they have started
Hey Jay, they have started making the centre consoles now in a 5.5 and 6.1 and maybe bigger.
http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/new/trailer-boats/surtees-6-1-centre-console/79762
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
Thanks heaps Zac! looks
Thanks heaps Zac! looks pretty awesome, anyone know where I can see pics of the 5.5??
EDIT... quick google search solved it
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Barcrusher didn't used to
Barcrusher didn't used to have a CC either, but I believe they added it eventually. Is it just me, or is their site down?
The reason you probably don't see centre cab surtees is because they're very narrow, and there wouldn't be any size to it with the narrower beam that style of boat has.
If you wanted a CC, Surtees will make you one, I have an email here somewhere with pics of a surtees 4.7 and 5.5m cc. Not aware of them ever trying a centrecab though.
Do any of the nzers know of an ali centrecab? So far as I know, mclay, surtees, amf, none of them do one.
kane
Posts: 1752
Date Joined: 07/12/08
A guy on my street has a centre console Barcrusher
He's had it for a few years now, looks around the 6 metre mark.
Gooooone Fishin!
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
Not sure you would want a CC
Not sure you would want a CC in New Zealund........a CC is bad enough in Perth in winter!
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Pretty much!
Pretty much!
grayzeee
Posts: 2283
Date Joined: 09/07/09
we travelled a lot round
we travelled a lot round NZ. it's chock full of stabicraft. didn't see anything but cuddy cabs there, not certain if they don't do a centre cab
If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
Whos is WA dealer for Bar
Whos is WA dealer for Bar Crusher?
allrounder
Posts: 1853
Date Joined: 10/11/08
There is a place out on guildford road
That do barcrusher and one in midland that do Surtees.
So tell me have you got your info from years on the water or hours on the internet?
NORUN NOFUN
Posts: 1035
Date Joined: 15/08/11
Barcrusher is suretees
Am I right in assuming Barcrusher is Surtees ?
I will have to google this ! A mate of mine told me they were originally made in NZ, shipped to Aus, packaged up and finished off with a nice new sticker with raised lettering and sold under the name Barcrusher . Due to their popularity on the east coast , they set up a manufacturing arm in Vic and started making the whole thing in Aus under the latter name .
He also told me Barcrusher is owned by Surtees ?
Is this true ?
grayzeee
Posts: 2283
Date Joined: 09/07/09
the barcrusher was a surtees
the barcrusher was a surtees model
company barcrusher bought the rights to make that named model in different sizes iirc.
If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.
mejutty
Posts: 96
Date Joined: 21/12/09
Just to muddy the water with
Just to muddy the water with another NZ boat I have the http://www.extremeboats.co.nz/aluminium-boats/game-king/650-game-king same style boat steep deadrise but has a bigger beam and doesn't feel as narrow as the BC. Deff need the tabs.
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
What do you think of the
What do you think of the Extreme boats?
mejutty
Posts: 96
Date Joined: 21/12/09
Given I am probably the worst
Given I am probably the worst boat owner in perth having been out 12 times in 2 years and never actually been in the other deep v hull boats all I can say is I like the ride my boat has and the extra room it has (been on a bc and surtees in the shop felt small). Also given I got the boat in Vic for $49K as a 2007 Hull with 2003 Yamaha 175HPDI just over 2 years ago I got alot of boat for my money compared to what else was around.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
You loose a lot of the
You loose a lot of the benefits of the design by going wider. You need more horses, the boat now needs to be heavier or have a deeper flooded keel or it will be less stable at rest.
neville hood
Posts: 51
Date Joined: 26/09/11
I got mine from Offshore
I got mine from Offshore Marine in Guilford. They used to be agents for Trailcraft. From memmory I thought they did a centre console but like mine you have to order them which took me a few months.
Mark Fogerty
Posts: 13
Date Joined: 10/06/13
Bar Crusher
Jay the Extreme range of boats is far superior to Bar Crusher or Surtees. Better all round finish, better ride, stable and roomy! As expresses by a major boat dealer! "We have our premium boat range and a secondary boat range like Surtees to sell to the folks who can't afford the good stuff. Make of that what you want. Another option is the new range of Australian made Southern X Boats. They do Centre Consoles and have a better hull than the Bar Crusher or Surtees. Same origional Hull designer of Extreme & several other successful major production Brands sold world wide.
Mark
Boating Tragic!
Pilbra Dave
Posts: 194
Date Joined: 30/09/11
Vested Interest
Of course you wouldn't have a vested interest in your claims?
If you ain't Fishin you ain't Livin
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Is that an independent
Is that an independent opinion on these Southern x boats?
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?