Sub 5m Cuddy's

 Guys looking at a sub 5m cuddy cabin, fiberglass trailerboat. Something 10 years old or newer, what can people reccomend, or those who have them what do you have.

 

Are there any to stay away from, and what problems do they have.

 

Currently looking at Haines Hunter Breeze 470, and Signature, Carribean Offshores. also Allison make the Fisherman 5, are there any others i should look at?

 

Interested in any feedback on these boats.


Jayden20's picture

Posts: 672

Date Joined: 29/08/11

 Never thort ide see the day

Sun, 2012-12-30 11:11

 Never thort ide see the day hahaha

xtont's picture

Posts: 29

Date Joined: 30/10/12

Cuddy

Sun, 2012-12-30 12:27

I had a signature in that range with a Honda 90. You could put into any sea with confidence. But couldn't fish out of it in any slop, or stand-up. Cheers Kristo's one man army

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Perry Home's picture

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Date Joined: 07/10/10

Albee - you left out these

Sun, 2012-12-30 13:18

Here you go mate - renowned for punching above its weight : Seafarer V-Sea

http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/power-boats/seafarer-5mtr-cuddy-cab/114618

Personally I'd go to the Seafarer Viking - the extra 0.5m just gives you a little more of everything.

Or this

http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/power-boats/cruise-craft-475-cuddy-runabout/117479

Cruisecraft make a nice boat to - great finish.

Streaker make a well regarded boat - usually found in Victoria - looks to be good value

http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/power-boats/streaker-cuddy-cab/121296

Signature 542 RF

http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/power-boats/haines-signature-542rf/122149

The last couple are loosely around your parameters.

Perry Home's picture

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Date Joined: 07/10/10

One more Albee

Sun, 2012-12-30 13:23
Albee Mangles's picture

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 Thanks Perry, some great

Sun, 2012-12-30 15:57

 Thanks Perry, some great info there mate.

 

Its hard to find unbiased reviews anywhere on the net..

 

Perry Home's picture

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Date Joined: 07/10/10

Independent boat reviews - enmasse

Wed, 2013-01-02 10:20

Hi Albee - saw your comment whilst re-reading the thread. Check out this site  - its the Webster's who have the F&B mag that you've probably seen down at the Newsagent.

 

http://www.seamedia.com.au/sea_library/boats.php

 

Great site - although it says you can buy the article more often than not you can read the whole article online for free if you want - just hit the drag down menu and go to the type of boat eg Haines Hunter, click on the boat size yr interested in and away you go.

OR

Try this one

http://www.marinews.com/

Quite a few reviews on here but perhaps not as comprehensive as Seamedia - still you only need to find the boat your hunting for for good info hey?

Hope this is useful in "The Quest"

 

Albee Mangles's picture

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Date Joined: 20/05/08

Thanks Perry

Wed, 2013-01-02 13:46

Your a legend mate, i owe you a beer.

 

Heaps of info there. 

Dreamweaver's picture

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Date Joined: 01/12/07

Brett! A Stink Boat!! LOL

Sun, 2012-12-30 13:31

You'll never live that down LOL...

What's the rational behind sub 5m Brett, just easier to handle?

Do you have a budget in mind?

My 5.8 M Caribbean Adventurer will be going on the market in the not too distant future.

 

 

 

 

 

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Albee Mangles's picture

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Date Joined: 20/05/08

 Col - Yes mate, up to $25k

Sun, 2012-12-30 15:59

 Col - Yes mate, up to $25k i'd reckon. I like the smaller craft just for ease of solo launch and towing, as well as storage. Been out in quite a few 5m boats, and it will likely do all i want it to for now.

 

Mate i have a family now, and a yak just wont get us all on the water together. Ill certainly be keeping my yaks tho!

Dreamweaver's picture

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Date Joined: 01/12/07

Cheers Bret

Sun, 2012-12-30 16:19

Yup - all makes perfect sense Brett - good luck mate - I'm sure you'll find something suitable. :-)

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Perry Home's picture

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Date Joined: 07/10/10

Albee - last one

Sun, 2012-12-30 21:35

Pacemaker Charger - based on the Haines Hunter hull. Altho no cuddy cab by the time you put clears on the canopy you effectively create a cabin space for kids.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/halls-head/motorboats-powerboats/5-6m-calais-pacemaker/1011515559

The reason I'm recommending this hull is that I had extensive use of one - its no trouble launching by yourself. Cuddy cabs can be a bit of a hit & miss affair as well. The bunk space for laying down can be too small to do the job properly (unless it is a child) or it remains unused other than for storage of equip. The other thing is as your family grows up you'll simply need a bigger boat . The Pacemaker also have awesome deck space for their size - this one would leave you some $ left over to spend on anything else requiring bringing up to your standard.

Adam Gallash's picture

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haha

Sun, 2012-12-30 17:11

I knew this day was coming, welcome to the dark side. Jks.  All the best with the boat hunting. 

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Albee Mangles's picture

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Date Joined: 20/05/08

Ha ha Onya Adam!

Sun, 2012-12-30 22:10

 Yeah i knew it too, funny thing is when i first started to seriously look at boats, i bought a yak! That was 5 years ago! 

 

Perry, thanks for all the info mate, much appreciated! Plenty of food for thought there, i really need to go and look at a few in the flesh to really get my head around how much useable space there is in them.

Perry Home's picture

Posts: 434

Date Joined: 07/10/10

Albee- good luck - be patient but ready to act

Mon, 2012-12-31 17:01

Good luck mate - it can be lots of fun, exciting, frustrating and nerve wracking all in one - meeting budget, finding the right craft ( or what you think is) Glass vs Ali, 2 stroke vs 4 stroke, lots of minor points that can and will make a difference. If you ve got some good mates on Fishwrecked who have boats that fit somewhere within your parameters ask them if they'll take you for a spin - not in mill pond glass either - Sou Westerly slop will really give you a feel for te boat you want.

JohnF's picture

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Problem is plans for a $25k

Mon, 2012-12-31 22:19

Problem is plans for a $25k 5m cuddy tend to turn into a $80k 7m boat and a $40k new tow vehicle..............goood luck, its  a sickness........

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Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.

Albee Mangles's picture

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Date Joined: 20/05/08

So true mate

Tue, 2013-01-01 12:47

 Small steps, one the wife realises theres no room for a small kitchen, and she has to squat on a bucket, she will definatley need something bigger!

Perry Home's picture

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Date Joined: 07/10/10

Hahaahahahahaha

Tue, 2013-01-01 13:01

Classic comment Albee - you'll be heading down superliner class!

Check this

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wanneroo/motorboats-powerboats/swiftcraft-price-reduction-/1007703042 - coin left over for upgrades!

Quality boat - good nick too.

Posts: 926

Date Joined: 22/01/10

Guardian

Tue, 2013-01-01 13:54

 I have a gaurdian cabin cruiser, 4.85m and very solid. I know they are a older boat but has never given me any hassles.

Perry Home's picture

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Date Joined: 07/10/10

Hot off the press Albee

Tue, 2013-01-01 19:58

Just looking thru Gumtree Albee whilst the weather is havin a New Year's wobbly and found this

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bentley/motorboats-powerboats/cruise-craft-reef-finder-533/1011681405

Older hull but in good knick - you'd have money for awesome electronics and possibly a 4 stroke ( 2nd hand) to go on the back of it with a bit of bargaining!

glastronomic's picture

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Date Joined: 16/02/11

Excelent boat and there is

Tue, 2013-01-01 21:48

Excelent boat and there is nothing wrong with an outboard engine being a Mercury 2 stroke!

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mako magic's picture

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Date Joined: 03/08/05

 Look at the savage mako at

Wed, 2013-01-02 07:54

 Look at the savage mako at 5.5 has heaps of room and handles very well