What boat to buy

[Tinn]

I am looking to upgarde boat at the moment and would like some help.

Want a boat that is trailable and that can be towed by a Toyota Prado. Have looked at many types but I need it to be family friendly looking at somethinig 6 - 7m long any ideas what would be good.

I really like the haines hunter 700 horizon and the cruisecraft explorer 685 but think it may be to heavy for the prado to tow

[ovakil]

I have a coxcraft pantera 22ft,love it.
I tow it with a 97 toyota lanndcruiser ute,
notice you live at 8 mile plains as I do.

[rumy1]

Mate .... what you have to do is find out your towing capacity of your car and your towball weight. EG ... TOWING CAPACITY - 2.5 TON, TOWBALL WEIGHT -
250 KG's. Should be in your car manual or you could find it on the net. Then ask the boat dealer what the towing weight and towball weights are. If they are within the car limits then you are right to go !
Also if you are looking at a boat that size then you will need to probably have electric brakes fitted which are only a few hundred dollars.

Myself, I want a Haines Patriot ..... one day !!!

[oldie]

just check with toyota as to max tow wieght, just a phone call it would prob say it in manual also, they may also suggest suspension setups tow bar setups etc to suit such a weight, and the trailers you can custom order these days are incredible really,
but maybe in the end the prado may need to turn landcruiser, one thing i know is that towing down the high way borderlining every extremety with a tow vehicle make for pure stress driving and i think very dangerous, the option may be to drop down to around the 6.25m range saving some money rather than having to upgrade whole set up
in regards to boat, there are so many options out there in this range, you need to break down what the boat will be used for, will the cabin be used how many kids crew on board, sking, fishing cruising, looking into and discussing the main uses for a boat can really help narrow down the best models, some of the bigger bow riders a=offer plenty of canopy/bimini options front biminis storm covers, you can really turn any boat into an enclosed cabin with the options in covers, if your planing on overnighting with a full family the horizon is very suitable to this, but you will findif there are 5 or more crew there isnt that much room in full cabins unless you have a mooring job (berti 25 option) still trailable
the explorers offer great room as the cabin area is more open and family friendly, sort of full all rounder, can turn into the blood and guts fishing baot with the boys, whilst still being family friendly(after a clean)
good luck though, when dealing with boats in this range so many options my only other advice would be to go for a 4stroke on the back or similar in 2stroke(etec, hpdi)

happy boating
Oldie

[Tinn]

Prado can tow 2500kg i have looked at many many boats and the ones i want are just that bit too heavy.

Thanks for all the help guys

[sik008]

hey tinn,
we hav got a toyota prado grande and we hav a 680 patriot. It just towes it but the ramp is only 100m away....680 patriot is 3500kg and the towin capacity is 2500 kg on the car but the ramp is only a 100m away....Love the patriot cause we went for the test drive in the 685 and the 680 and the 680 rode alot better then the 685 cruisecraft...They are pretty expensive though.....

cheers alec

[Reel Blue]

Have owned several boats over the years including 520 Haines Hunter, 5 metre Quintrex Seawasp, 580 Pacific Sportfish Centre Cabin, 600F Signature and currently a 650 Classic Haines Hunter. Some of these boats vary a great deal in size, but based upon ride and stability the 650 is the best by far.

I was always very keen on plate boats and got the Sportfish built to increased aluminium specfications over standard. It measured 6.35 overall and had a 2.42 beam. This was a very fine boat but you needed to be careful in a following sea and compared to the Haines Hunter the ride is harsh. The 600F is only 50 cm shorter than the Haines Hunter but again there's no way it would keep up with the Haines Hunter in rough water.

I have a keen boating wife and three kids ages from 9-13 and the 650 Haines suits us perfectly. I believe that it would be towable by a Prado coming in under 2500 kg with fuel and gear aboard. (Boat 1300kg, motor 200kg, trailer 640 kg, fule tank 210 litres)

Other fibreglass boats to consider would include the 632 Signature, 625 Cruisecraft, 6.2 metre Seafarer. There will be plenty of others as well. Look at them, narrow down your choice and take a test drive.

[bushbeachboy]

Hey Tinn,
Remember to have a look at the 6m Polycraft in your deliberations.
Cheers

[Tinn]

Just went out this morning looking at all the options have narrowed it down to the 625 cruisecraft explorer or a Allison Vista 21Ft both are nice both are less than 2500kg so i have no probs towing.

Had a look at the haines hunter 650 horizon but still that bit heavy at 2500kg.

Anyone know much about allison boats I know that the crusiecraft is good any opinions on allison boats?

[kingtin]

Prado can tow 2500kg i have looked at many many boats and the ones i want are just that bit too heavy.

Thanks for all the help guys

I have a Prado.................Whittley Sea Legend 650 with mercruiser and Mackay trailer come in at 2.1 ton.

kev

[Tinn]

Had a look at the whittley this morning nice boat but liked the cruisecraft and allison better. Thanks for your help kingtin

[kingtin]

Had a look at the whittley this morning nice boat but liked the cruisecraft and allison better. Thanks for your help kingtin

Bugger! Thought I may get 65K out of you !

kev

[BAT]

Get T to go halves with you so the general public does not have to be inconvenienced every time he breaks down! Yeah and get him a new car to stop people from being held up! when He Konkes out.


Cheers BAT

[Tinn]

Thanks for the advice BAT I will arange an urgent meeting with T1 to discuss the matters you mentioned.

Dont know what this has to do with this Post but I guess you are only trying to help T1

[seabug]

hey tinn,
we hav got a toyota prado grande and we hav a 680 patriot. It just towes it but the ramp is only 100m away....680 patriot is 3500kg and the towin capacity is 2500 kg on the car but the ramp is only a 100m away....Love the patriot cause we went for the test drive in the 685 and the 680 and the 680 rode alot better then the 685 cruisecraft...They are pretty expensive though.....

cheers alec

I think if somebody crashes into you at the ramp it will be YOU the police will be talking too.

As for insurance. Forget it.

Regards
seabug