westerberg owners... 16ft or 18ft for solo fishing offshore Perth?
Hi Guys, i'm looking at downsizing to a small plate ally boat for fishing up to 60m depths off Perth. I like the look of the Westerbergs due to their solid design and have heard good reviews about them on Fishwrecked about their ride/build quality. My question is to all the Westy owners out there is would 4.6m (16ft) be safe/comfortable enough for Perth offshore waters or would i be better off going with a 5.5m (18ft)? I plan on doing a lot of solo fishing trips and would prefer the smaller size for launch/retrieving. I also want something that will get me offshore a fair way, possibly out as far as rotto on a decent day. I have a few years experience fishing offshore but that's been on a lot bigger boat (23ft glass). Any opinions or info would be great as i'm currently looking to buy one.
cheers,
Steve
Symes Plumbing & Gas. No job too small, servicing all northern suburbs
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petermac
Posts: 2946
Date Joined: 03/03/10
westys
they are ripper boats my ex brother in law had a few that he had custom built for him and we did some memorable trips on them , personaly I would go the 5.5 m on the good days you can hit the fads and swb with out being to worried if it blows up on the way home, I hit swb in my 5.3 m stacer but wouldn't be keen in anything under 5 m
tiimmbo
Posts: 695
Date Joined: 16/08/09
I would go the bigger
I would go the bigger version, I can launch and retrieve my 5.4 glass boat solo so you will be fine.
Auslobster
Posts: 1901
Date Joined: 03/05/08
Go the bigger one...
...mines a 5.8m ali and is easy as piss to launch/retrieve solo and that's with a trailer whose rollers haven't rolled in years!
just dhu it
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 14/05/09
5.8 mt
Steve I had a 5.8 westy for many years , built to last and felt safe where ever I took it , the range your talking about would be fine , but it always gets back to the skipper and conditions, we has no problem fishing in the 150 mt out of perth and 30 mile range out of Exy , good luck
MJ
Posts: 362
Date Joined: 23/06/09
5.5
Would recommend the 5.5 Westy - great all rounder and capable well offshore when conditions are right.
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
I've just bought one albeit
I've just bought one albeit a bit bigger. Can't fault it so far, the day I test drove it was in 35 knots in Albany and it was mint. Build quality appears excellent from what I have seen.
in regards to your question I always reckon bigger is better. Had a 5.9m Ali boat previously that I took out by myself without too many dramas. Felt pretty secure in tthat and had it out a fair way on the right days.
stevebw23
Posts: 155
Date Joined: 12/11/11
Cheers for the feedback guys,
Cheers for the feedback guys, looks like the 5.5 is the go.
hope everyone has a great Christmas,
Steve
Symes Plumbing & Gas. No job too small, servicing all northern suburbs
Dhuvinile
Posts: 228
Date Joined: 13/05/12
My old man has a 19ft westy
My old man has a 19ft westy and its a beast. all his and my mates can back it up. over the last 3 years ive personally done 300 hours in the boat. had a couple days where it has been rough as guts (sw 25-30 knots) and no dramas even when come back from out west. also had a day coming home through the "washing machine" in exmouth in april. it was a bit gnarly to say the least but the boat handled it will. Blake from oceanside can back this boat to as he has spent many of rough days out on the water with me in it. Launching the boat yourself is no drama it all comes down to the style of trailer you have. Personally i would go the 18ft if you want to venture a little further on a sloppy day.
fish200red
Posts: 55
Date Joined: 06/02/11
westerberg
I own a 2001 westerberg eclipse 6.1 metre boat with a 150 yamaha 4 stroke.This boat is an awesome offshore setup,with a multi roller trailer it is easy one man launch and retrieve(easier with self release catch).I would recommend larger if you travel furhther than rotto.
Cheers Rob
PS may be on the market soon