Starter boat

[richieboy]

Hey folks.
Ok.......Looking to purchase my first rig this year after the reno's are done.
Know what I want in a boat:

4-4.5m length
front and rear cast deck
bow mount provision for leccy
centre console
bait well
electrics (I can do this)

Not real sure what brand is the best but I hear Quintrex is the top range when it comes to the tinny shape hull.
My budget is pretty good I must say up to 15k.
My main concern is 2 stroke or 4stroke and size. eg 30 or 40hp and brand?
I've only really done work in 12ft tinnies with tillers etc so I'm looking to step it up.
Any opinions on Sea Jays, Blue fins, Quinnies etc would be appreciated.
My other option is a glass boat, same set up but similar to the Trophies (may run a tiller tho). Bay work and tight canal casting main fishing done.

Richie

[Black_Rat]

Richie,

I can't reply to your PM at the moment so heres the reply with regards to you Q

In the Private Messages screen hit Edit options on the left

Under Miscellanous Options change the setting to Enhanced Inerface

Have a look at the Top Ender series of Quinnies. It's a side console so it will give you some more room in the middle of the boat of that size. It has no rear casting deck but has a front one. the 460 looks good but not sure on the price of a new one

Check them out here http://www.sundownmarine.com.au/boats/quintrex/

[richieboy]

Cheers BR. Will have a look.

Rich

[FNQCairns]

Richieboy wrote:

"Not real sure what brand is the best but I hear Quintrex is the top range when it comes to the tinny shape hull."

My humble opinion only, yes 30 years ago, no approx 22 years ago to present. Today it is true only in marketing and the targeted demographic do seem to believe it with their wallet.

A good post for some options could be which pressed tinny has the biggest V and work back from those, dunno might help, most of the common off the self brands look pretty but often a better boat can be found in the less commonly seen BMT packages and also the lesser known boat builders.

cheers fnq

[Crooked]

I agree with FNQ, I'm in the market for this size tinny also. I've been in plently of boats and owned my first boat before first car, up near you actually fnq, Russell Heads. I've always found that tinnys with a good V right through to the transom with good depth have the best capabilty in the chop.

While looking around for my new boat I found that the most well known brands did not have this deep V, did not have the practical layout I was looking for, had over priced "ready to go" boating packages and really seemd to rely on reputation.

I suggest, as fnq does, to look at what you really want to do in your boat, how you want it to perform etc. and look at the features of the different builders that allow you to do this, not the brand! You will be much more pleased with your purchase.

cheers, Evan

[richieboy]

Thanx alot for the replies fellas. I will definately take my time with my first purchase.
My bro in law up Cairns is a glasser and has his own mould. He has offered to make me one and leave the motor etc up to me. Hull shape very similar to the Opal series hulls, which look very clean.
I may choose to go down this path and just get the hull transported down by freight.
Either that or I'll head up and tow it back myself.
I also agree with the "ready to go packages". They look very nice but how well would they really go?

Cheers Richie