New Plate Centre Console Options 4.8 to 5m

[Live4Fishin]

Hi Guys,
After having just sold my Qunitrex 480 Top Ender last week, I’m now looking at plate boat options in the 4.8 to 5m range in a centre console configuration. It was time up for the old girl, with nearly 500hrs racked up on the 60 HP Yammy she’d served me very well. I looked at plate boats in great detail just before I purchased the Quintrex second hand a few years ago, but at the time it was just too good a deal to pass up, so I bought it. I was looking at 4.5 tiller AMM’s and fishers, but since owning a 4.8m remote steer I have decided that’s the perfect size for me, as It can safely take me to the places I want to fish (The cape, Caloundra wide) and I can manage it on my own. This time round I have decided to build what I really want though and go with a true plate boat. It’s essential I get it right this time as iv had 5 boats now, and this will be the last according to the squeeze . I think owning a side console has made me want a centre console even more. I found myself to be standing more than sitting whilst driving, as it’s easier on my back through the bay chop and I can get a much better view of the water, and what’s going on ahead of me. I plan to fit all the electronics out myself and basically just want an unpainted no nonsense fishing hull.
I’m very open to opinions and seeking lots of suggestions, as to what’s out there. Im located on Brisbane’s north side and have a fairly good idea as to where most of the reputable boat builders are located.
I plan to do a bit of research and visit the builders one by one and ask questions again.
AMMs 4.8 and 5.2 CV (If anyone has one or info/Pics would be greatly appreciated)
Riptide Alloy Boats look like the build a fantastic rig! Can’t get their web page to work?? Again anybody with any info or pic’s of one in 5m C/C would be appreciated
Nobel Engineering? Anyone have one in 5m size? Info/pics, ( I really like Jason Comino’s big Noble C/C from northside marine)
Fisher Boats, I loved their 520 dual.... and that probably would have been my choice but.................
Rebel Boats? Blue water alloy boats? Black Pearl Marine? Any one had any experiences with a boat that size?
I planning on using a 75-90hp Outboard either Honda, Suzie, yammy again even, the new 09 Suzie 90 looks fantastic and light!, However that decision will come late down the track.
Trailer will probably be a Belco- i beam trailer.
Sorry for such a long write up guys just seeking everyone ideas/opinions/experiences. Any help given would be greatly appreciated, and im sure will help towards making my final decision as to who I im going to get to build my boat.
Thanks Beau

[Chimo]

Hi Beau

Sounds like you have a good plan and should get just what your after with all the research your doing.

Might I suggest you also include Viper boats in those you consider. Phil 0405 710 846or Pedrodepacus on here seems to be open to building what people want and he does do it well too. Hes doing a 7m for brejen? on here to I think http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...442#post963442

Good luck in your quest

Cheers
Chimo

[Brejen]

Beau Chimo is correct mate, and Viper has just finished a 5.5 Plate Center Con custom made. Will see if i can get you some pics and info. VIPER is only a small shop and takes a lotta pride in what he makes

Brett

[Wahoo]

Beau, i had a 4.8m AMM, hell of a boat, 90hp merc 4 stroke, put a few glass boats of the same size to shame in ride


Daz

[Brejen]

Beau here is a couple during the build. It is now finished so will try get some off Phil during the week of the end product...

Brett

[rodneyk]

hi buddy
rod here the age old problem whats next i will probably get howled down for this but here we go i have been there done that wouldnt go under 5.5if your going to the cape yes you can in smaller but its never flat the 4.8 quinnie 60 yam will go as good as most 5 m plateys driven correctly remember quintrex was full of foam
you need to go for a run in one in a bit of sea to decide you will probably be looking at double the price of your old boat for not much gain i have owned at least 50 boats and fished out of lots more and still dont know whats perfect ?the main thing is dont expect too much out of that size boat as i recently went through same and now when i buy or build it will be 6 metrewith 135 -150 hp 4 stroke with cabin

[pom10]

Beau
I have been down the same line and have now have a 5m side console from Down under boats at Nelson Bay (NSW) the boat is one solid boat You need to check these boats out, The ride is excellent in all kinds of weather and swell/chop
the boat has a Etec 90 fault less (all 4mm marine plate )the boat is now 2 years old and I cant t fault it
Cheers
Pom10

[peterbo3]

?quote=rodneyk;964265]
you need to go for a run in one in a bit of sea to decide you will probably be looking at double the price of your old boat for not much gain i have owned at least 50 boats and fished out of lots more and still dont know whats perfect ?the main thing is dont expect too much out of that size boat as i recently went through same and now when i buy or build it will be 6 metrewith 135 -150 hp 4 stroke with cabin [/quote]

Hi Rod,
Cabin, 6M - you getting soft in your old age?

[Mindi]

Beau
I have been down the same line and have now have a 5m side console from Down under boats at Nelson Bay (NSW) the boat is one solid boat You need to check these boats out, The ride is excellent in all kinds of weather and swell/chop
the boat has a Etec 90 fault less (all 4mm marine plate )the boat is now 2 years old and I cant t fault it
Cheers
Pom10

How about some pics..? sounds good.

[dooley]

Wow - i honestly thought that stuck a probe into my brain and extracted the thoughts i've had over the last year or so in my quest for a 5m plate centre console.

I'm onto my 6th boat now and have owned a number of decent hulls including a little haines centre console which was great but i sold in order to hunt out the perfect 5m tinny which i could bash around on my own.

I've toiled over this one for a while and it all comes down to $$$ at the end of the day - do you have a budget ?

Even plain, unpainted plateys can be quite expensive. I'm still in the hunt for a boat so happy to exchange ideas and am still looking at getting something built so we might be able to build two simultaneously if we can get some benefit from it.

Do you want self draining decks ? Most scuppers will eventually leak so you'll be left with water sloshing on the floor.

I've seen the 520 duel - they're a reasonable sized boat and to be honest a little too big for what i wanted but i was seriously considering them until the recent business publicity amongst other things , a 480 amm is nice but pretty expensive for what you're getting, riptides seem ok but the dude that sells/builds them mentioned how much business he had and didn't seem too interested in new business or enthused when i saw him in person so i walked away. bluewater is an unknown quantity, small and not as slick as the others, don't know how long his business has been in operation - with boat builders goin belly up you have to start worrying about these things so that you can claim warranty if you need it.

Cheers,
d

[Greg P]

Beau - Not a platey but I would have a real good look at the new 485SF Synergy Haines. They look like a fantastic little rig to me in that size. Big deadrise, light so they should ride well and require little power.

Just options to look at

[Tim_N]

Bluewater has been around for ages. Scott the owner of Bluewater, originally worked for Fisher back in the dark ages when they were a small shop at Wynnum. I'm fairly sure he has done contract work for other big names like Sportsfish, Ocean Cylinder too. He builds a great boat.
My boat, a Fisher was actually made by Scott and his offsider Ralf and that was nearly 8 years ago.
So Bluewater has been around in one way or another, for a long time, extremely well experienced and from what I can gather, you get lots of boat for your buck. As for trading as Bluewater, I reckon he has been going for may be 6 years or so, but ask him to confirm that.
Add to that the welding expertise of big Ralfy, he is probably the best ally welder I have seen and I have seen a few, I reckon you couldn't go too far wrong. Give him a ring on 3888 4715 and ask for a look around.
Wahoo has one of his boats, so PM him too.
AMM, from my experience make a really nice rig also, so take a drive all the builders and jump in as many boats as you can and take them for a spin.
Tim

[Mindi]

Wow - i honestly thought that stuck a probe into my brain and extracted the thoughts i've had over the last year or so in my quest for a 5m plate centre console.

I'm onto my 6th boat now and have owned a number of decent hulls including a little haines centre console which was great but i sold in order to hunt out the perfect 5m tinny which i could bash around on my own.

I've toiled over this one for a while and it all comes down to $$$ at the end of the day - do you have a budget ?

Even plain, unpainted plateys can be quite expensive. I'm still in the hunt for a boat so happy to exchange ideas and am still looking at getting something built so we might be able to build two simultaneously if we can get some benefit from it.

Do you want self draining decks ? Most scuppers will eventually leak so you'll be left with water sloshing on the floor.

I've seen the 520 duel - they're a reasonable sized boat and to be honest a little too big for what i wanted but i was seriously considering them until the recent business publicity amongst other things , a 480 amm is nice but pretty expensive for what you're getting, riptides seem ok but the dude that sells/builds them mentioned how much business he had and didn't seem too interested in new business or enthused when i saw him in person so i walked away. bluewater is an unknown quantity, small and not as slick as the others, don't know how long his business has been in operation - with boat builders goin belly up you have to start worrying about these things so that you can claim warranty if you need it.

Cheers,
d

Yeah good post Dooley, my quest too but my budget a bit smaller I think...no AMM or Riptide for me......one other I am familiar with who is also very small and non-slick but very very robust and functional is Profish at Caloundra (Peter Harbraker) used to be at Hervey Bay. He is still on my list for 5.0M at $30K total but will build to whatever level of "flash" you want. I have no connection but was talking to him yesterday when bored. I think I am going to end up Formosa 520 but may still build with Profish.

[Live4Fishin]

Thanks for all the reply guys, some great info coming through.

Chimo- Brejen ill be sure to check out viper

Wahoo ,Tim, Dooley, pm's sent.

Pom10 - Down under boats look really nice, they have some good pics on their web site.

Greg P - ill check out the Hains for sure, im always open to other options.

my budget im going for will be around $25k for the hull and trailer. im thinking approx 3-3.5k for a nice H/D I beam trailer. I plan to do all the fit out my self. Iv found with most builders AMM fisher etc not having a painted hull knocks the price down 2k or so also. I dont want paint on this boat, just bare ally mabey clear coat if its cost effective. iv found paint just causes corrosion and gets scratched

[435_Mark]

Beau,

Let us know how you get on. Similar to a couple of the other blokes I too am looking at exactly the same thing only retaining my preference for a side console. I had a hard look at the Quiny top enders but after belting back in that Moreton Bay chop to many times to count i'll feel happier with plate or fibreglass.

Riptide: I've also spoken to Riptide but I think he's that busy that the smaller boats aren't to high on the agenda.
Nobles: Had a look at one of the new Nobles from overseas and they looked pretty good but no idea of price at this stage.
AMM 4.8: Northside had one for sale for quite a while but was fitted out with a 2-stroke. The 4.55 amm beside it made the 4.8 look pretty "chunky" but I do like that Deep V!
Trailcraft: Look like a very strong boat but looked a bit shallow in the V for Moreton Bay. However talking to a couple of blokes that own them they were rapt. John Crawford has a 465(?) Profish for sale on a humungous 4WD trailer that doesn't look to bad.

Well that's my two bobs worth but I'm still looking around. Keep us posted.

cheers,

Mark