What boat for me???

[dunmears]

Am going to buy a new boat after the tackle and tinnie show but am at a loss to decide on a particular brand. I want an alloy boat around 5m-5.3, cuddy cab,90-100hp 4 stroke. Will be using boat in the river with the family and will be going outside on good days. Will spend around $30,000. Any idea what would be suitable??? The number of boats and brands is bewildering.

[Luxyboy]

Pressed or plate?
What thickness?

www.seascapeboats.com.au Plate at the moment but will be pressed soon.
www.tabsboats.com.au Same company better boat

[dunmears]

Yes Luxyboy am very impressed with the Seascapes, seem well made, they are high on my list. I've also been looking at the Four Seasons ( stessco ) boats. I have been thinking of a bow rider as well but not sure what it would be like outside but it would be good in the dams and rivers for tossing lures. A true plate boat is out of the question as to price so a pressed alloy of around 3mm might be the go. Some of the big name brands with 2mm sides so as they can get the shape into their hulls will be given a miss.

[Luxyboy]

Not bad i might have to price those up too; i hadn't seen them before.

I personally wouldn't go a bow rider, the seats are really too small to sit there with friends and have drinks or anything like that. Also i wouldn't want to be pulling fish in over the seats.
Much prefer a walkthrough runabout with storage under the front.
That way you can still stand/sit there and fish but you have more useable room

The thicker the better, more weight will give a smoother ride; of cource you then have to power it sufficiently too. Thats what i have been told anyway.

I need to go on a sea trial cause my mates keep telling my that the runabouts are bumpy as hell and give you a sore back. I already have a bad back and need to look after it.
The guys at at Logan that sell the seascapes won't take me on one unless i lay down deposit, which is understandable. Guess i'll have to wait until purchase time to find out if it is the boat for me

[bluefin59]

bluefin do a cuddy cab about that size in 3mm give theo at MR .Ts tinnies acall or logan city marine they sell them also good buying and price is right i have a 4.5 side console great hulls had mine 2.5 years done 350 trouble free hrs at least have a look i wanted an a.m.m but toooo expensive the money i saved i bought myself a few extras .........

[dunmears]

Yes Bluefin I have as of tomorrow a Bluefin Predator side console but it is being sold and already I'm sad to see it go, it has been the very best boat I've ever owned and I've had a few boats but the missus and the grandkids want a bit of protection from the wind now and I want something a little bit bigger so I can slip outside occasionally.

[nigelr]

Hi Dunmears.
Have to agree with the variety of choice in this size range, mind numbing!
Have a look at the Formosa 520 Supercab.
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/itemin...g_1_subs_Power_
Hope the link works, its at Qld. Powerboats.
I put a thread up about Formosa boats couple weeks back, you might like to bring it up on 'search' and read the replies.
Also Makocraft put out a Cuddy in this size, all 3mm I think.
Cheers and happy hunting!

[dunmears]

Nigelr, I'll have a look at that Formosa site. I went for a drive this afternoon and had a look at some 4 Seasons over at Marine Tune Burleigh Heads, I was going to go over to Coastal Marine at Miami to look at some Formosa's but the torrential rain and long weekend traffic put a stop to that.