Reply With QuoteHave a look at the ozcraft as well they are made at the same place but they have there better tradespeople on these boats as there are a little dearer than than the stessco.
The stessco look like a good boat fot that price range. Have a look at the brooker seaman 4.5mtr. Few good extras and also 3mm bottom and 2 mm sides. They look the goods for similar price range.
Have a look at the ozcraft as well they are made at the same place but they have there better tradespeople on these boats as there are a little dearer than than the stessco.
Originally Posted by tin can marlin
I had a look at an ozcraft at the tinnie & tackle show and instantly recognised it as same as stessco and my opinion was welding was the same and my catcher.
But if you want to look at ozcraft I have a mate who works for the dealer.
Lancair is yours the rv or standard catcher?
Cheers Craig
Last edited by catfishkid; 05-06-2008 at 09:38 PM.
Catfishkid,
mine is a standard catcher with extended side decks and chequer plate foredeck so really apart from the painted hull, raised floor, seat pedestals and side rod locker its an RV version. I put my own side rails and bow sprit roller too. Ive also had forward and rear casting decks with hatches made out of 3mm plate ali.
Andrew
Thanks for the input everyone, I noticed the quality of the welds on the catcher and wasn't real impressed. However it is well priced and the layout is pretty good. I think I will keep looking until I am sure!
HHI BB I realize i keep on flogging these blokes BUT you must understand that 30...+K $ & 3 years of heartacre and being totally dismissed is NO fun .we are not talking about 4.00mtr tinny but 5+mtr (OFFSHORE ) boat so i hope we just get rid of these sorts of put togeathers Thanks BOMBIE
I don't want to knock anyone's boat but after reading about the poor welds and cracking,I'm glad that I've kept my Sea Jay!
BLOODY HELL!!..where does a company get the cheek to sell such rough workmanship..even in an ad from a dealership I could see just how rough the welding was.Saw what appeared to be patch up spots on welding -- no not normal tacking that you do when assembling but spots on TOP of the weld run & not welded over as in a good run.Looked like patching of slag holes or burn-through.I've done a good bit of welding in my life so I've got a bit of an idea...NO excuse for crap and there should be plenty of good welders out there that would like to work on boats?
Is a life worth the thousand or so dollars saved???
Just my observations/opinion.
Darren
Darren,
I did have the welds in my boat looked at by a welder whilst he was doing other work for me (casting decks). His comment was, "Some rough welds in spots, some that looked like theyd been patched up, but nothing thats is going to break or be unsafe." There were some weld "blow out" or burn through spots he found, under the side decks in the thin, like 1mm, ali they use as an angle brace. His comment re these was, "the welder is just lazy, didnt turn down the heat to weld the thinner stuff, ugly if you can see it but not dangerous under there."
When I told this guy how much I paid for the boat, new, he said at that price they (Stessco) cant be too fussy and have to re-do or remake too many, if any boats. And he agreed with me, its only cosmetic and after all its a #$%^ing fishing boat ! It does the job.
Cheers
Andrew
I wouldn't know a rough weld from a smooth one, frankly, but the only boat I've ever had is my stessco hurricane 445. I only have open water access (Bass Strait), so that's where I fish. I have a mate with a 429 seahorse, that boat definitely handles the chop better, but mine is much more stable to fish from. Everything is a compromise. I'd buy my boat again, so I spose that sums up my view. With an old suzi two stroke 50, it pushes along ok too.
Have a look at the Polycraft range mate. They have a couple of new models that could be ok for your needs. If you like, go and have a look at www.polyboatowners.com and have a talk to some owners. Regardless of your final choice, go for a ride or if possible a day's fishing in some different boats to give you a better idea. Don't take the word of a salesman at a boat yard about anything. They are worse than car dealers.
Best of luck with your choice.
Cheers
BBB
Let me say just that stessco do preform well its just they dont stay in one piece for too long .the one that I have got & those i have seen are put togeatheron the sunny coast and leave ALOT to be desired !!! ps BBB go the poly
fellas these blokes are trying to upmarket there image" where quality" counts trust me they woudnt know what that means BOMBIE
Bombie, you have made your case. We get the drift.
Nobody likes to say they own a heap of crap so it's hard not to get unbiased opinions. I read reports here on ausfish before buying my 4seasons 5.4m Windchaser (Stessco rebadged) and I thoroughly inspected the welds before buying. I got a welding QC to give me a second opinion as a visual was fine to me. All in all I personally think it's good value for money and I am more than happy with my boat. A bit of fishing, a bit of diving & spearing, a bit of fun.
Some people drop their transoms on the ramp and ride into rocks and stuff, this doesn't help the welding issue. Also, if you want to go out in 15+ knots then get a fibreglass hull.
I have never used my bilge to date.
Good luck BB, it's not easy!
LIFE'S SHORT - FISH MORE!!!
Markdiver thats exactly the same boat ,never used my bilge pump either ,and thats what they reconed i did with it ,logs, turtles etc but not a mark on it !wish you best of luck Markdiver
I have a Stessco 375 open tinny and I'm happy with it. It is the biggest 375 tinny out there.
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