Ally Craft Kakadu Karrier

[MattyK]

I am looking for some feedback on the Ally Craft Kakadu Karrier range of boats??

I must be getting a bit older and maybe a bit wiser (hopefully). I seem to be losing interest in simply going fast, and am looking for a bit more out of a day on the water! Some of the smaller aluminium fishing craft I see around the place are really starting to look quite appealing!

I recently spotted a 4.65 Ally Craft Kakadu Karrier and thought it was a really good looking boat on the water, with deep sides and a seemingly stable platform. A quick trip up to the local dealer revealed that they have a pretty solid hull and side thickness and some good extras. They also seem to be pretty well priced.

As I am quite new to this type of boating category (and boating in general I guess), I was hoping to get some good feedback on the good / the bad and the ugly experiences anyone out there in computer land may be able to offer me about these boats??

I have read a couple of pretty negative comments about these vessels on another page in this forum. It indicates that the Ally Craft build quality is pretty average and the brand should be steered clear of........

Any comments on this make or model would be greatly appreciated.

[mackmauler]

I've heard a few negative comments as well, might pay to spend more to begin with.

[seqfisho]

Hi MattyK,

We own a 4.35 Ally Craft Kakadu Karrier with a 50hp 4 stroke Yammy on the back and so far in the last 12 months have nothing to complain about, and it doesnt look like we will either. The hull is strong and shows no signs of problems, the paint is still shinny and no probs either, there are a few things that I would change if I was to repurchase, but these are to do with fit out more than anything else (change the front rails to fit a bow mount electric and alter the seat locations and change the bimini arrangement).

The boat has been mainly used in the northern part of Moreton Bay and the bloody wind can be a pain most trips as with all open boats you will get spray in when quatering to the breeze, otherwise it is a good riding dry boat.

It has good stability and despite the great heavy lump of motor on the back sits well in the water, a little stern down when in the rear seat but given the motor weight of 112kg plus HD battery, 30lt live bait tank and 85kg of skipper I think its ok.

With the 50 wound out it pulls 40knots plus at full noise so our original order of a 40hp would have been more than enough but they were on 10 week backorder from Yamaha when we ordered it and the dealer offered us the 50 for his cost price so we went with it, in hindsight I think the 40 would be a better package for the 4.35 hull.

If you have any further questions dont hesitate to drop me an email


Regards Glen.

[gruntahunter]

Mate the style of boat you're interested in is exellent for lots of uses. I have a 4.5m savage safari ally runabout with a 50 Johnno and it is great but next time I would spend the bit extra and get the Quintrex equivalent. I think the same may apply with the allycraft, spend that little bit extra now and you will be have a better boat for it.

[Flynny]

Hi Matty K
It Would Be Highly Unethical of me As a Quintrex Dealer To Sledge any other Product.all I Can reasonably Say is Check Out The Quinnie
Flynny

[Jack_Lives_Here]

Went thru the whole process before I bought my rig last year. I went for a ride in the 4.65 Allycraft becuase I like the beam it had - thought it was too unstable for my uses.
I went the Quinnie Hornet 455 - a far bit more than the Allycraft but stable as hell and handles the rough stuff.

[brian66]

gday mattyk...mate i cant really coment on the style of allycraft that you are considering but i can say that i have a 4.10 meter ally craft rino and cant fault it...i use it for a dive boat and fishing boat and it gets a real hard time down here in tasmanian water and hasent shown any sign of stress fractures and is stable enought to climb into weighted up in full dive gear....brian66

[sharkbait]

Brian - Its good to hear some positive comments about the rino as I am currently negotiating buying one new from a dealer here in brisbane. It would be great to get some feedback if you get a chance, ie - Do you have a 30 or a 40 on yours, and how does it go and handle a bit of chop? if you dont mind me asking, how much was the package, i will understand if you arent happy to answer that...With a 40 yamaha (3 cylinder), sealink trailer and lights i am looking at about $9000 or a little under. The hull is cheaper than the equivalent in a quintrex, savage etc. Any feedback at all would be greatly appreciated as I have saved long and hard for my first boat! THanks...

[MattyK]

Well, I'd like to thank you all for your responses......sounds like there are some really happy Ally Craft Owners, and some not so happy - even a few bad stories "floating" around out there about the Ally Craft product.

Not that I was looking for a definitive buy or don't buy response, but you have all given me several things to think about with this brand name, and other makes and models when choosing a new boat in this category.

Happy boating..