New boat Brooker 5.0m safari

[mariner_22]

Hey guys

We are looking at geeting a new boat and have been to the boat show today scouting out some prospective buys. So far we have come up with the Brooker 5.0m safari with a side console, casting decks full floor and pushed by a 60hp Yamaha 4 stroke. The other boat is a 4.85m sea jay territory with the exact same motor. The difference is that the Sea Jay is a tiler steer and the brooker had a side console and a bimini. At the moment we are leaning towaads the Brooker but was just wondering if anyone has had experience with these boats. Looking for info on there open water ability, whether there a dry boat etc. Any info would be appreciated.

Cheers

Francis

[Blue Dog]

Francis,
I can't comment on the particular brands that you mention. I can comment though on tiller-v-side console as I had a tiller steer boat and then updated to a side console boat. If you are going to use the boat for open water and any sort of long trip you may find a console and steering wheel a lot more comfortable. A 60hp is a fair bit of engine to hang off with a tiller. I am very happy that I made the change. A day out in the boat is a lot more enjoyable now and that is really what it is all about. I love the 4 stokes as well, quiet and no smell.

[mariner_22]

Hey Blue dog thanks for the comment. I think the side console will definately be an asset on those longer trips and being a 5.0m open style boat there is still plenty of room even with the console.

[big moose]

re:new boat,
hey Mariner 22 sounds like a great combo the brooker just one comment check the weight of the 60 4st against the boat transom weight spec. I had a 4.3 stacer with a 40 4st and while it was just in spec the boat sat so low in the a**e that a passing cruiser capsised us. Much swearing motor buggered.
good luck bm

[MobileBoatCanopies]

Having done a bit of work on Brooker Boats they seam to be a very good package at a very competitive price. They do seem to have less reinforcing across the hull then some of the more expensive brands. They also use cheaper carpets and aren't quite as fancy in their finsh as other brands but when they are $1000's cheaper then their competitors you have to expect them to skimp somewhere.

I would be checking some of the safety specs, like material thickness and bouyancy, against the more expensive brands to see how they compare.

Terry

[mariner_22]

Hey Terry

From what i can see mate they stack up very well with the other brands. It has 3mm bottom and sides, which is very comparable with the other brands. I also checked the motor weight to transom weight and it is right. But as you said it is very affordable and i was just checking with others to see why being a bit of a sceptic. But as you said the little things probably make up some of the savings bt in the end not after a flashy boat just a good honest and reliable fishing boat that cn handle some open water swell and chop should i venture outside.

[MobileBoatCanopies]

You also aren't paying for the name that some of the other manufacturers think they deserve. They are definately worth considering. At the price they are going for they would be right up there if I was upgrading.

[Seahorse]

hi there mob boat canopies.

iItake that you do this for a living. If so give me ur mobile no as i would like to talk to you.

cheers
greg

[MobileBoatCanopies]

ygpm Seahorse

[gotya]

Hi all. I have a Brooker 5.25 Discovery cuddy and i'm rapt in it. It has a 75 yammy out back it handles great. it's a very dry boat in those nor easter's on the bay. BUT the only thing i have a grevance with is the paintwork. :angry: After 4 yrs its flakeing off on the outside hull in patches (only small) and its not a result of stone chips. Brooker didn't want to know about it (bummer) 400 hrs of bay work not a crack in the welds and dosn't leak a drop.


Paul.

[mariner_22]

hey paul

Thanks for the comments mate sounds like the brooker is goin to be a good boat. Exactly what im lookin for a nice dry tough boat.

The last tinny i had was a stessco catcher 4.2m this was also at the time a very affordable boat compared with the Quintrex dory and i had absolutely no problems with that boat so hopefully goin for the affordable brooker over some of the other brands will be a good decision.

[MyWay]

Francis
i got 4.50 safari just few weeks old now so far so good
i think it is good boat for price
I did not go offshore yet . But bin in bay all over place and hendle some bad staff ok
my is tiller with 40 hp 2 st mercury and gos ok 51klm/h and i can do 56klm with 22l of fuel @speed 28kl/h

all the best and good luck what ever u get
cheers no_luck

[mariner_22]

Thanks for the comments and info guys well i can happily say that the deal has been done and we are now the owners of the brooker. I think it was a good decision in the end the side console will give a little more comfort on those long trips across the bay (beats holding onto a tiller arm all day!!). Now comes the hard part waiting 8 weeks to get it from the factory, damn!!

Cheers

Francis