What is the best Bass/Barra boat?

[SeekingBarradise]

Hi guys nice boats gggg you would be happy with any of them - they would all make time on the water enjoyable.

WoolyBugger we looked long and hard for the last 12 months + and were lucky enough to find a "bondy" of a deal. You only get one in a lifetime!!

Like Big J we saw the 20+ boats sneaking around the edges of Awoonga on a day when the swell was massive. The only boat that went through the middle was a top ender. We noticed on the lastest dvd another boat was very wet at the front end when chop got up at Awoonga when the usual winds blew etc.

We went to so many boat yards even the salesmen and women got sick of us ha. We wanted to get out to the bay a bit - get to the mouth of rivers up north chasing barra and have to deal with some waves - we also want to get from the braodwater up to straddie etc now and then and across the seaway. So we needed a hull that wasn't totally for fresh dead calm weather (especially after seeing the waves at Awoonga that day).

Safety First: As we would be swinging lures everywhere we wanted lots of space and needed everything stored away so we didn't trip on anything. We were lucky enough to find a trading post special and bought our first boat a Stessle Bass Boss - we hadn't seen one before ha. But when we did we knew it's exactly what we wanted for Barra and Bass fishing. Before this the Bluefin Wildcat was our favourite pic.$21 000.

Stats: 120lts fuel tank, 9ft rod lockers, 3mm top & bottom sides. Max HP 120hp, Depth a dry 95cm, Beam a wide 2.3m you could pick up most boats and fit them inside the bass boss it has that much space. 2x live bait tanks and cutting boards at the back, A massive kill tank behind the seats that has handles - 120lts livewell at the front and 120ltr Fuel tank.
We won't list everything but thought it would be good for you to see another option so you can compare to other boats as it's a big decision.

Cost: $14000 with a Honda 90Hp on the back that had 180 hrs on it as the electric was used 90%of the time. Does a good 60kmph which is all we need. If you want more you can put a 120 on the back and get up near 90+km/hr. We have seen some for around $25-28 second hand with a $35 000+ fitout on them Brand new. Look out for a Bondy Deal!!

So keep an eye out on the second hand market. We were only looking for a 4.3m boat etc and the major thing for us now is that we would never go back to a smaller boat. You really enjoy the extra space - however if it's only you launching the boat you might have to go for the smaller options to make life easier.

Hope all this info helps you out woolybugger. We wrote a longer email because when we were looking for a boat we didn't get this kind of help from all the dealers we saw and they wouldn't let us go for a test run unless we promised to buy the boat gggggg. We couldn't get honest top speeds or handling characteristics from many of them so asking on Ausfish is probably the best option.


So get out on a Top ender(highly recommend) -Bluefin Wildcat - hornett - Bass Boss etc and any others you like the look of - you are welcome to take our Bass Boss for a Test run ( you dont even have to buy it ha) and we fish with Big J now and then so maybe you can try out the Top Ender on the Same day!!!

All the best & we will see you on the water one day.

Cheers SeekingBarradise

[SeekingBarradise]

On the Water at Monduran.

[SeekingBarradise]

Casting in Fog at Monduran.

[SeekingBarradise]

Large front casting deck - we can sleep on the front deck and another can sleep next to the console there is so much room.

[SeekingBarradise]

The Track Rail Hull - Note the skids (4) that start near the guard that slice the water and increase handling.

There is also a 4.6m Bass boss. Check it out on the web.

All the best.

[Why-ting]

The Haines Pro Strike is a awesome fishing boat. its rated to 150hp and does about 65mphwith this size motor. Its one of the best riding boats ive ever been in. Heaps of room and very stable being able to fish 3 guys on 1 side of the boat. With the 150hp its in the early 40 g's range.

Cheers whytey

[Why-ting]

[mylestom]

The best bass/barra boat that i have been on is Lindsay Dobe Tracker (Imp from USA), what an outfit. A bit beyond most of us though.

Trev

[TinarooTriumph]

I think I have seen Lindsay's boat in a pic somewhere... it's red isnt it Trev?

Some great boats posted so far fella's, like what I see! Why-ting... mate... All I can see is that boat is what Im hoping to have when Im older. I've been looking at the Pro-Strike ALOT, and Id probably prefer one of them to a Stratos. Still, a ZX Series Skeeter would be nice to have in the Garage .

SeekingBarradise - That is top boat mate... I think I have seen the same model boat on Tinaroo a few times... Goes like a McLaren on land! Those hulls sure can handle those white-caps nicely.

My 375 Dart and 2006 model 15hp Suzuki 4-Stroke will do the job for some time to come I think .

Good luck Wolybugger!

[mylestom]

Yep the bloody fast red one in the photos. He must be about ready for his new one. Whoever gets the old one is in for a great ride.
Trev

[SeekingBarradise]

Thanks TinerooTriumph there are not many around. Thanks for taking the time to give some positive feedback as we havent' seen another on on the water yet.

Hey Woolybugger maybe check out the Mangrove Jack from Bluefin - it will keep costs down in the teens as the folding stuff is hard to come by.

We saw one at Awoonga and it was a great little rig and that way you won't have to spend over $20k. The 17 Year Old Taylor boys beat rigs worth $50 000+ in a 14ft tinny in the Barra Series.

Maybe a 4-4.5m Explorer/Edgetracker/hornett etc - just put as much casting deck space as possible on the rig and it will be sweet. From $8000 to $14 000 - keep and eye out for that bondy of a deal. Polycraft also have some of the cheapest side consoles going around.

Keep an eye out in the Darling Downs/Toowoomba region as there have been a lot of boats sold out that way that only see fresh water etc.

I bet you have got some good fish in your nice 3.75m Dart = Tineroo Triumph.

Whatever gets you on the water will be a great investment Woolybugger as you can't put a value on time on the water but at the same time most can't afford to spend the same amount on a boat as a block of land LOL.

Some 4wd guys are predicting a crash in the market and with another interest rate rise there should be some mercy selling go on as the boat/extra 4wd will go from people who are not in to fishing/outdoors like all of us on Ausfish.

Good Luck and let us know how you go!!

Cheers SB

[SeekingBarradise]

Bluefin Wildcat 4.35

[SeekingBarradise]

Wildcat Top View

[woolybugger]

Thanks alot fellas,

There are defenately some nice rigs there, good on ya's!

Definately something to think about, because as you know, you need to treat it like finding a wife. Its a long term investment, until you get divorced which is a costly exercise.

Keep the photo's etc coming...

[TinarooTriumph]

SB,

Have only had the boat for a few weeks, and I am still yet to hit the water in it!. Have been mad at work making front and rear casting decks, aswell as Livie tanks and what not when I have the time. Hope to baptise her in a few weekends time with a 50lb horse, or two . I brought the boat 2nd hand off a neighbour who unfortunately passed away not long ago, but he had landed several big barra from Karumba in it, so thats assuring.

Hey Woolybugger - I'll go halves with you in this one �«

Theo