My criteria for a boat - help me pick a winner

[chuss]

I'm in the process of buying a 2nd boat, but I cannot decide. Here are my requirements, help me choose:

• Must be able to fish 2-3 people
• Beach launchable (solo if possible)
• light enough to be towed by a NON turbo 4wd (4cyl Navara)
• Big enough to have 2 guys lay swags out for the night in it
• Mostly used in inshore waters, may venture out 2miles on a good day.
• Usable in small creeks and rivers
• Budget is $7000 (BMT)

From my research I can get anything from a 3.5m open tinny to a 4.2m runabout.
Ive found a few open hull tiller steers quinnys, etc for around the 7K mark and these boats are about 4.2m in length (inc trailer and 2 stroke 30HP).

[PADDLES]

the tough one will be the sleep on board thing. i reckon a 4.4 to 4.5m tinny with minimum 40hp motor would do everything you need. you still would struggle to sleep in it though. don't skimp on the motor size, my first boat was a 4.2m work boat with a tiller steer 30hp on it and always kicked myself for not getting the 40.

[Mindi]

agree with Paddles..underpowering it is the most likely mistake to make. Look at some of the heavier open alloys like Makocraft Tank, Seascape Titan, Bluefin Viking, TABS Jumbo and do the inside yourself..they have flat floors and 3mm/3mm hulls. Budget could be a problem with them though

[Roughasguts]

Can you find a CC polly craft with a 40Hp motor for that kind'a doe?

[chuss]

Can you find a CC polly craft with a 40Hp motor for that kind'a doe?

I just missed out on a 2007 polycraft 4.55 tiller steer with a 50HP 4 stroke yammie for $9500 (20 hours on motor).

The 4.1 tiller polys with 30HP go for about $8-9K.

I rang a few dealers. The cheapest so far is the Bluefin Viking at $5800 for hull only...
There's a stessco 4.2 SF420 with 30HP suzi, trailer for around $8K (brand new) What are these hulls like? heard that the welding is a bit rough..

[sctj88]

I bicked up my 4.1 poly for only $4000, its a few years old but still like new. Less then 70 hours on the 25 4 st motor. I woul look at the 4.55 poly as mine is almost be enough to sleep in.

[alleycat]

Make sure you look at the 4.15 horizon, the one with pedastil seats.

[PADDLES]

don't skimp on the motor size chuss, you'll be sorry. the poly with the 50 woulda been a good thing.

[plaztix]

Have a look at the SeaJay SP range.

http://www.seajayboats.com.au/sp.html#

I've got the 4.15 SP and it has plenty of flat floor space for 2 to sleep.

The full flat floor and removable pedestal seats make it seem like a much larger tinnie inside. It fishes 3 easily enough but is perfect for 2.

SeaJay make a great hull and i'm more than happy with it. Nice deep sides, fully welded wide side decks dont come standard on most other boats in the same price bracket.

Mine is a 2005 with a 30hp yammie and i got it at the end of 2006 for $5500.

They are about $9000 new.

[BOMBIE]

chuss .stay AWAY from stessco!!! roughwelds is not enough discription{check out stessco blogs } go with poly & max HP cheers BOMBIE