Researching First Boat

Well my second really but my 3m dinghy isn't exactly a boat but I am looking to upgrade within the next 12 or so months to something big enough for the family. We are a family of 5 with a 5, 2 and 6 month old so need a small secured area up the front (not neccessarily a cuddy cabin) to play so something like a bowrider would be no good.

I am looking for something that is a bit of an all rounder but mainly for fishing for the estuary/river and inshore fishing as well as offshore on good days and also able to pull a biscuit/wakeboard and be big enough for at least 3 people to be able to fish from. I am also after something that I can launch and retrieve on my own.

I've been keeping an eye on the Trailcraft in the 4.75m and 5m and the Quintrex in the 4.8-5m range but can anyone else reccommend any other brands I should also be on the lookout for? The budget is going to be somewhere in thhe vicinity of $15-22k

Cheers

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big john's picture

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Donk

Sun, 2015-04-05 08:54

 Whatever you end up going for Jack, make sure the motor has been well looked after and is in good nick.

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Jackfrost80's picture

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That is my number one concern

Sun, 2015-04-05 09:13

That is my number one concern mate, looking to get a boat with a Yamaha 4 stroke that is at the upper end of the boat's capacity with low hours and willing to wait until something pops up or pay a bit more if I have to.

Ideally I'd love to buy just the hull and trailer and repower it with a new engine but that scenario seems pretty rare.

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Josh's picture

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 thought about a poly boat? 

Sun, 2015-04-05 17:37

 thought about a poly boat? 

Jackfrost80's picture

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Yeah definitely, my dinghy is

Mon, 2015-04-06 08:46

Yeah definitely, my dinghy is a poly but they seem to be pretty rare to find second hand

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Jackfrost80's picture

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I've been reading that the

Wed, 2015-04-08 07:41

I've been reading that the Polycraft boats are a very wet ride so that won't be any good with the Mrs and kids (or me)

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Beware carby 4 strokes

Wed, 2015-04-08 13:04

 Carby 4 strokes can be a nightmare if not looked after.   Especially low hours ones  if they have been sitting with stale fuel in them.   Give the motor a good run over the whole rev range.  They are not easy to tune properly and if tuned poorly can lead to premature motor failure.   I would stick to EFI if possible.    Id be looking at  picking the hull you prefer with an underpowered 2 stroke on it should be able to pick one up lots cheaper. Then trading the motor in and repowering with a new bigger yami or suzi.  I know a few people whove done this and it works out good. Then at least you Know what youve got.  Prices on mid range ouboards have been good lately especially suzuki.  

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 Mates Poly cracked and semi

Wed, 2015-04-08 13:32

 Mates Poly cracked and semi sunk at the islands off Carnarvon - wouldnt buy one!

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Jackfrost80's picture

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Thanks bud. Sinking a boat is

Wed, 2015-04-08 15:37

Thanks bud. Sinking a boat is very low on my bucket list. 

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Should I be considering a

Tue, 2015-04-14 14:37

Should I be considering a fibreglass boat first up or is it best to cut your teeth on an ally?

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Hutch's picture

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 Our first boat is

Tue, 2015-04-14 16:11

 Our first boat is fibreglass, nice smooth ride but unstable at rest. Usually a trade-off in the smaller boats

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What did you end up getting

Wed, 2015-04-15 11:16

What did you end up getting mate?

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 Got an old 4.6m northshore

Wed, 2015-04-15 15:02

 Got an old 4.6m northshore half cabin (fibreglass)