G'day Jack,
A mate had a Freedom Escape with a 90 yam on it - a nice outfit, built to a price, probably a little light for serious off shore, but a good Bay option. At 25k reasonably priced I would think
Certainly the hainse or the seafarer for longevity and build quality, as others have said, the viking or the 530c as you'd get a more stable platform and a bit more flexibility to go offshore on the good days
Cheers
Rhys
I can't really comment on the other boats (as I'm still new to anything much bigger than a tinny), but I've just gone halves with my brother in law in a '07 Freedom Escape 5.3m he owns.
I can tell you that my uses are similar to yours (fishing around Moreton Bay, pleasure cruising, etc) and the odd trip to Moreton Island / Tangalooma wrecks when the weather's good.
It's got a 90hp ETEC and some nice 'smart' features like demountable rear seats that also double as eskies / bait & fish holders. Or just unclip them and you've got a nice big open deck for fishing all around.
25k for a Freedom Escape sounds like a good deal if you ask me. I know my brother in law paid around 34k new all up with extras about 18 months ago.
I'm still waiting for the wind up here in Brisbane to calm down on weekends, only been out in her one time so far. But I can highly recommend this boat as a good all-rounder (esp. if you're not going into open water much).
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...aspx?R=2924765
Nice boat, bet you could knock the price down a bit...
Carbon Really Ain't Pollution.
I'll put my 2 bob in and vouch for the viking also. I've fished out of a victory and it is one of the best cuddy cabs i've ever been in.
The viking is really that perfect balance of offshore capability vs economy/towing requirements. A future repower would make a great boat and awesome one.
Jas
I go through a similar debate in working out what to get when I upgrade next year. No doubt the Seafarer are a top boat but I'd be looking at a pretty old one with the $30K budget I'm working on. If I buy new, I like the Yalta Craft 535 Allrounder with a Yamaha 100hp 4 stroke (about $33K). Also the Haines Signature 540F and 542F are a good used boat option.
Not sure about tow weight of any of these.
What would Steve do?
fortes fortuna adjuvat
That is a fair comment, but what should remember is even tho you might have to buy an older boat you will still be buying a better boat, beter built, better riding, better resale. Granted you will most likely need to tidy it up and repower it, and that could all up, cost the same as a brand new Yalta or pursuit....Originally Posted by For Steve
But what you will have now is a top class boat with a new lease off life, and with a bit off work you can make that hull look like it is brand new....
Seafarer Boats have changed very little over the past 10 years, so an older one spruced up will look and feel like new...
Yeah, I hear what you're saying and couldn't agree more. New, lower quality vs. used, higher quality. I change my mind every couple of weeks. Luckily, I've got until this time next year to make a final decision.
Back to the original post, my vote is for Viking 5.5m.
Best of luck with your decision. I'd definately recommend an independant pre-purchase inspection.
Regards
Brad
What would Steve do?
fortes fortuna adjuvat
Just back from a round trip to Sydney (bloody get lost even when I know where I'm goin'!!!) to check out some boats. The navigator wasn't much help either.
Well gents, it's thanks to the comments on here that I checked out and test drove the Seafarer Viking I mentioned in my first post.
The conditions were mill pond so it was impossible to get a feel for the ride in the rough. The boat was in top nick and I was impressed at least as far as you can be when you don't really know what you're looking for. To tell the truth, Jenny couldn't turn the boat out of a circle turn with just the mechanical steering. Other than that no complaints and in the bit of swell we were in the boat ride seemed pretty cushioned as it cut thru'. We kept driving...poked around a few...
Then we saw the Seafarer Ventura. What a beauty. 5.5m of immaculate conception at least as far as our needs are concerned. The guy, 2nd owner, just hasn't got the time to play with her.
So here's the line up:
All this sounds good. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, so we're taking her out next week at Port Hacking (if we don't get lost again).
- Ventura 5.5 1998 with a 150hp 2001 Johno 168 hrs work (originally had a different engine that had problems and was eventually replaced)
- Seafarer trailer in top nick with spare - the spare tyre had a cover too!
- Custom made canvas boat cover and engine sock.
- Custom made super stainless steel bimini with rocket launchers and light
- New ignition (he lost the key recently)
- Rear wrap around lounge - removable
- Loo (keeps the girls smiling)
- Safety gear/fire exting
- Garmin fish finder and gps
- Specially balanced on the trailer to take the weight off the towbar - can lift the boat up easily by myself
- I can fit in the cabin if a sleepover was on the cards - probably won't get any sleep tho!
- 140L stainless tank with filler
- Directed steering (should help a lot with the turning)
- CD/Radio with 4 speakers
- Viper SS prop
- Front and side clears as new
- Marine radio
- Aussie flag hanging off the aerial - vital
- Zip up cabin curtains
- Adjustable swivel seats - forward or back movement
- Glove box (none in the 2000 Viking)
- The guy has the same CRV as us that he tows her short distances with
I'd be glad of any comments on the boat NOT my directional skills. Paid $500 holding deposit so far and I've got to say, I'd be pretty surprised if everything isn't just fine with the testy.
Thanks again for all your comments.
Jack
Can't wait to get her.
I'm going with the viking aswell! i have spent abit of time in one and was quite impressed!
Alcohol doesn't agree with me, but i sure do enjoy the argument!!!
Great choice mate.
I have spent a fair amount of time in a 1998 Viking 5.5Mtr with a 150 Evinrude, and also a 1995 Ventura 5.5Mtr with an older 115HP 90 Degree Johnson. As well as trips in later model Ventura's and Viking's. They are a great 18" boat, and they absolutely motor with the 150 V6. If you are planning to do some single skiing, this engine will give you plenty of out of the hole grunt.
The final point of advice is to have a mechanical inspection on the engine and have it compression tested, and check the gearbox oil. A general inspection of the trailer, before you tow, is always worthwhile, and check tyre pressure, bearings, winch wire, etc. All preventative maintenance items that sometimes 'go-off' sitting in a yard, and are easily replaced if required.
The fact that it is sitting on a Seafarer Tinka trailer is a real plus, and with the Johnson, it sounds like a true set-up. I'm sure it'll impress on the water.
Jack you won,t go wrong with a seafarer or a signature, imo they are on par, take into account sometimes there will be only you and your Lady to load/unload boat at ramp. I have a 4.95f signature, good allround boat, goes out wide (60nm) then up the river or out the dam, and I can put her in and out of the water by myself. Polky.
Sounds goods apart from this which sounds like a potential disaster! Mate the ball weight should be 10% of the overall weight of the rig otherwise at speed the trailer will have the potential to fishtail behind the car!This may end up dumping the boat onto the road or worse!
Ian
Alcohol doesn't agree with me, but i sure do enjoy the argument!!!
Hi Jack,
Finding_time's post on towbar weight is spot on. 10% of the weight of the rig on the tow bar is the ideal set up i.e. if the whole rig weighs 1500kgs then towball weight should be 150kgs. If the setup is as light as you say it is, it is a potential towing disaster with a high probability of a mishap!
Make sure you get a boat inspection, irrespective of how good the boat looks. The trailer and its set up will be one of the things they will check.
The Ventura is a beautiful boat no doubt, a very good choice for your needs.
I assume by Directed steering you mean it has Hydraulic steering?. If so yes a lot better than mechanical steering especially with a 150hp motor, and no cable to wear out, seize or break!.
Cheers
Dave
Ocean, good advice about the inspection. Gonna try and get that done this week.
As for the trailer thing Finding, yea I obviously wouldn;t want that to happen so I need to pick up some more knowledge from places and the seller to prevent any catastrophies!
I am going down with a coupla mates, yea bigger than the seller, so it shouldn't be any hassle to sort this out...just kiddin'. They are both boat owners, one's an engineer, got a Hunstman Crusader - bloody nice big boat that one - and we're gonna tow the Ventura (highway
Gotta start somewhere or I'd be left on the shore!
If I can work out how to do it I'll post some pic's in the future.
Hope they're biting. Jack
PS Anyone looking for a bloody nice Viking - I know where one is, hardly on the yard from the trade-in. PM me for details. In Newcastle.
pps. just caught your post Dave. Thanks mate, the info about the towing thing is obviously crucial. Maybe I just didn't understand the guy. As for the directed steering, well he said it's not hydraulic, something he had added, and I don't know what the #@*k it is exactly. Engineer mate will help. Cheers.
Just to add to the mix if it is not too late. I wouldnt discount the Mustang. A friend of mine has the 1750 and it is a great boat(Lives in Newcastle)Goes wide offshore in it and a lot of time around Lake Macquarie and overnighters with the missus. The 1600 is smaller but looks quite good. Tommos at Marks point in Newy has one with a 90 Opti for 26k brand new. Food for thought?
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