Boat size and crocodiles

[Murdoch]

Was after opinions on what a safe size is for a boat to deter crocs?
Is 3m too small?

I am asking because I have been reading about the Polycraft Tuff Tenders, which seem like a good priced setup for estuary fishing and will take the beating a 'first time boat owner' may give it.

Don't want this to become a thread on whether polycraft are any good, as my mind is pretty made up. But not sure if the 4.1m open punt, or the 3.0m tuff tender would be better in the estuaries around Cairns and further north. The 4.1 is obviously a more expensive setup and I would prefer the 3.0 if I won't get taken by a croc.

Cheers
Murdoch

[Squidlet]

Mmmm,crocs,no matter what size the boat is you could always be fair game for the snapping handbag.
In saying that i used to have 3.5 quiny and fish coroborie,daily,shady fresh,and let me tell ya they "croc's" can make you feal very small,sit the middle of the boat dont dangle over the side use commen sense and you should be ok!
Good luck with your choice. Go for tha 4.1 a little more peace of mind!

[FishHunter]

It wont matter what size boat you are in if you have 308 or up in the boat

[Squidlet]

Aint that tha truth!

[Pazz01]

For peace of mind I'd go the 4.1m. You get a 12 footer or larger come up next to you in a 3m one and you'll be packing your pants. A 12fter makes a 3.75m tinny look too small.

A 4.1m poly will also give you more options if you want to fish out a bit wider on calm days etc, it would be similar to a 4.5m alloy in my opinion after being in both. Very good boat.

Pazz

[CT]

We did one cape trip and one Bathurst Bay trip in our 10 footer. After a shark smashed into the side of it, a 3 ish meter crock went under it and I saw a crock that big that you'd swear I was telling a tall story, my wife said never again in a boat that small.

Most of the time I felt quite comfortable but in hindsite perhaps we were pushing our luck a touch.

Its also a bit squeezy and slow when crammed full of fishing gear, pots and 2 adults.

Cheers
Craig

[andymacdougall]

I've seen people here on inflatable kayaks paddling up and down the river near Yorkey's Knob !

Andy

[Noelm]

I guess it is like all things, even if you are in a 10 footer, if you have your legs dangling over, you may get "nipped" just as you might with a 20 footer getting it in and out of the water, kind of seriously doubt the size of the boat really matters, if a Croc/Shark/whatever wants to get in, then you are in deep sh!t

[Jarrah Jack]

I've also fished a lot of places up croc territory in a 10ft tinnie. It was never a problem. What crocs especially like to play with is those little inflatables. Had a big white pointer do the same thing to a diving inflatable here recently. There's something about them that those nasties like.

[scuttlebutt]

I've been up to Pormpuraaw a few times with my 315 Stacer Proline. Lot's of big crocs up there. Play sensible, don't hang around them and you should be fine. If you're just fishing around Cairns Inlet you shouldn't have any problems.

[mowerman]

My cousin does a lot of touring in a converted bus.

He tows a Rav on a trailer with a 14 foot tinny on top.

It used to be a 10 foot tinny.

"Why the upgrade?"

"Goddam crocs were bigger than the 10 footer."



Rod.

.

[Murdoch]

Cheers for the advice and stories guys.
Pretty much I am looking to upgrade from my 2.7m sit-on-top kayak. But currently here in Bundy there is no issue with crocs.

Will be in either Mackay or Cairns next year and trying to think ahead.

From the sounds of it from the guys who fish around crocs, common sense is the biggest factor in staying safe.

[Flex]

Fished up cape york for many years, there is generally 2 reasons a croc will attack your boat.

One is the croc is after you/dog someone inside the boat for food. very rare but can happen if you dangle your legs or head/arms over the side. You generally wont see this croc attack

More prevelant in the northern terriroy where they feed them so crocs are trained to come to boats.

Second reason and most dangerous is territorial reasons. each river has so many crocs, and they have there "portion" of the river they own. bigger crocs will often see boats as "rivals' in there creek. If the croc is big enough and thinks it can beat you(your boat) in a fight it can attack.

Generally if you see a croc on the surface 10-20m from your boat and if its vibrating or has its tail raised up a bit it means its pissed off. happens more in breeding season too.

99% of crocs will shy away from a boat as the croc is scared if such a big thingy in its territory, but its the 1% that will be pissed off at you and attack if you encroach on its territory.

IMO, I wouldnt feel safe in anything less than a high sided 4.2m+ tinny.
those low sided bass boats or small tinny are just to easy for a croc to come up straight over the side..

[nickstock]

Fished up cape york for many years, there is generally 2 reasons a croc will attack your boat.

One is the croc is after you/dog someone inside the boat for food. very rare but can happen if you dangle your legs or head/arms over the side. You generally wont see this croc attack

More prevelant in the northern terriroy where they feed them so crocs are trained to come to boats.

Second reason and most dangerous is territorial reasons. each river has so many crocs, and they have there "portion" of the river they own. bigger crocs will often see boats as "rivals' in there creek. If the croc is big enough and thinks it can beat you(your boat) in a fight it can attack.

Generally if you see a croc on the surface 10-20m from your boat and if its vibrating or has its tail raised up a bit it means its pissed off. happens more in breeding season too.

99% of crocs will shy away from a boat as the croc is scared if such a big thingy in its territory, but its the 1% that will be pissed off at you and attack if you encroach on its territory.

IMO, I wouldnt feel safe in anything less than a high sided 4.2m+ tinny.
those low sided bass boats or small tinny are just to easy for a croc to come up straight over the side..

I could not agree more Flex,

I have only ever had one slight issue with a croc and it was in a little 3.75 punt. I will never be happy fishing out of anything smaller then about 4.2 meters up here.

The 3 meter Poly is a toy of a boat and even in S.E Qld where you are croc free, the boat is still too small if you want to spend the day fishing and setting crab pots ect.

The 4.1 is an awesome boat so spend the extra and you will be chasing Trout and Mackerel on the better days and fishing the creeks on windy days.

Cheers,
Nick Stock