Preston Craft boats
Hi all.
Im looking at buying a new or near new 7.5 - 8m aluminium boat.I have got a shortlist of builders in mind with Preston Craft currently at the top of my list.I have been out in a mates 7.5m Thunderbolt and was most impressed with the ride and quality of the build.I visited the Preston Craft factory last week to view any boats under construction to have a look at the workmanship before painting and again was impressed with the construction and professional attitude Greg Preston has towards his workmanship.I also viewed a 8m Mirage tri hull which Kevin has in his fit out shed - this will be one special boat when complete!They have a second hand 7.5m demo boat up for sale which I am keen on - will be fitted with a brand new engine.
Can anyone recommend any other builder to have a look at before I make my final decision in a few weeks time?
Thanks
Trevor C
The_Wanderer
Posts: 735
Date Joined: 24/09/08
Have a look at the Chivers
Have a look at the Chivers Shark serries they have been getting a good wrap. However if it was me I would be sticking with the Preston craft, I have heard nothing but good things about thier, boats, service and workmanship.
Ben
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
x2 for Chivers. I,ve got
x2 for Chivers. I,ve got one(5.8m centre console) Speak with mike hart, he will throw one in for a spin. make sure the wind is up. you will be impressed. pm me if u want more info ccc
Trevor C
Posts: 7
Date Joined: 10/08/11
I have got a quote from
I have got a quote from Chivers .A mate of mine that has the Preston Craft went out on the 8m Chivers and ended up with the Preston ...may say something but everyone has their own opinions .I should really organise a few test rides but you will be surprised how many builders seem not so keen to take you out when the chop is up.I have moved over from Adelaide - had a locally built boat over there but not nearly as well built as the boats in WA.
Trevor C
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
the chivers guys will have no
the chivers guys will have no problem putting one in when the winds up, they did it for me. there back up service is excellent.
ccc
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
what model did you get quoted
what model did you get quoted on?
CCC
Bones76
Posts: 476
Date Joined: 03/11/08
I've hired a 7.85m Preston
I've hired a 7.85m Preston Craft from Murchison Boat Hire the last 3 years to go to the Mackerel Islands.... I couldn't speak highly enough of the boat.
Rod P
Posts: 725
Date Joined: 20/05/08
I know Greg and Kevin and can
I know Greg and Kevin and can not rate them high enough. Great guys that do the job right. Hav'n't been out in there boats but never heard a bad report.
I have been out in many big allie boats though and you expect good things only to be dispointed so leg work before hand is must. You could ask them for a some numbers for people who have bought them? To get a few more opinions.
Trevor C
Posts: 7
Date Joined: 10/08/11
I got a quote for the 8m
I got a quote for the 8m Chivers Shark series - the same model my mate took a test ride in.
Just googled Murchison Boat hire - read a few impressive comments about their Preston 7.85m.There is a story in the May 2009 newsletter about CSIRO Marine Research scientists that hired the boat to test it out - after hiring the boat , they put in a order for a Preston Craft for themselves.
Think I have made up my mind ( and the wifes!) - the second hand 7.5m Preston Thunderbolt .If I go ahead I will get the opportunity to choose the engine brand.....now what is the best engine .I am thinking Suzuki - any thoughts?
Trevor C
marble
Posts: 778
Date Joined: 03/09/09
Suzuki DF300 for sure mate,
Suzuki DF300 for sure mate, you wont regret it, had ours for nearly 3 years now and been really really good., averaged 1.36 km/ litre over 550 hours. The V6 300 yamaha looks good too though I`ve never seen one in the flesh.
PMY 25 Centre Console DF300 Suzuki
Trevor C
Posts: 7
Date Joined: 10/08/11
I have tested a few others -
I have tested a few others - no names mentioned - but the Preston really stood out as far as on water performance and the wife loved the finish.
They have also informed me that one of their customers is looking to upgrade to a larger Mirage tri hull and will have his 7.2m Thunderbolt for sale later this year.Going to get in touch with him to see what $ he is after
Trevor C
The_Wanderer
Posts: 735
Date Joined: 24/09/08
Trevor what size engine are
Trevor what size engine are you looking at? check out the New Yamha V6 in 300hp.
cheers
Ben
Trevor C
Posts: 7
Date Joined: 10/08/11
Ben, I am looking at a new
Ben, I am looking at a new 250hp - the boat was previously powered by a 225hp Honda.
I got in touch with the owner of the 7.2m last night , it is powered by a 225hp Yamie 4 stroke.I will be going out fishing with him next week sometime when he is back from work.
I have seen a few Genesis boats but not tested any.
Trevor C
madkev
Posts: 9
Date Joined: 02/04/12
Thought I would open up an
Thought I would open up an old thread to find out about the Preston Crafts.
I am moving up to the NW and want to up grade the tinny to something more suitable.
Did you eventually get a Preston Trevor C?
Wouldnt mind hearing from actual owners as to what they think of them. Positives and negatives if there are any.
Probably looking at a 7.2 or 7.5 hard top.
rednut
Posts: 2
Date Joined: 21/05/12
PRESTON CRAFT
HI
HAVE RECENTLY HAD A CUSTOM 7.85MTR BUILD BY THESE GUYS AND HAVE A FEW ISSUES WITH THE FINISH AND AFTERMARKET SERVICE (WHICH TO DATE HAS BEEN BASICLY NILL)
THE VESSEL WAS SIX WEEKS OLD WHEN WE REMOVED THE SOFT PATCHES IN THE DECK ( TO FIX FUEL FILLER PIPE THAT WAS LEAKING) AND FOUNTD THE BUNTING TANK TO HAVE SOME PITTING IN IT, WE REMOVED THE REMAINIG SOFT PATCHES TO REVEAL ACID WASH THAT HAD NOT BEE NUTRALIZED AND LEFT IN THE HULL TO DRY WHICH WAS ALSO CAUSING SOME PITTING (THIS BOAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE NEW)
WE HAVE HAD A LETTER FROM THAIR LAWYER!!!!!!!!! BECOUSE OF OUR PROBLEMS WITH THAIR NEW PRODUCT!
ANY WAY MY DRAMAS.
BUT ON THE SUBJECT OF POS OR NEG I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE WHO IS LOOKING FOR WELL FINISHED PRODUCT WITH GOOD AFTERMARKET SERVICE.
BEST OF LUCK WITH YOUR SEARCH FOR A QUALITY BOAT.
REDNUT
madkev
Posts: 9
Date Joined: 02/04/12
Anyone?
Anyone?
FishOn570
Posts: 138
Date Joined: 14/10/09
i have very recently been
i have very recently been looking at new boats and went out on a few and fell in love with the ride of the new bar crusher 680 HT didnt want to go over 7m for the sheer fact i will be takin it out myself on occasions .... on sea trial had a terrible day on the water which was perfect for testing the boat.... had a good mate come with me who had been out on many ali boats in his time and he was also lost for words ... it handled the conditions very well considering... also spent sometime looking at preston crafts aswell but didnt get a chance to go out on one so i stuck with the bar crusher and ended up with the 680HT and a 225 suzuki on the back.... just waiting to take delivery on it which is expected mid may...
doesnt really help u out with ur preston craft deal but maybe trial a bar crusher and see wat u think.... they do a 780HT model which looks like a very mean offshore fishing boat
madkev
Posts: 9
Date Joined: 02/04/12
Thanks for the reply FishOn.
Thanks for the reply FishOn. Always keen to hear from different boat owners re their boats, good and bad. There are a lot to choose from, at least I am going to have a lot of time to check them out.
Still would like to hear from any preston craft owners though. There seems to be very little on the net regarding them. Not too sure if this is a good or bad thing. Obviously I will get out on one and make my own decisions but this is another good way to get an idea of what to look out for