Cross over boat

[NAGG]

that is interesting. I seem to remember they're now Hooker boats right?
My thoughts are though (after having several trips in side consoles) is that personally I would have to have some sort of protection. Skipper and I fished Ethel rocks during the hookup and coming back in to Turkey into the teeth of a westerly with wet clothes almost made me into a heifer. Some sort of walkaround would be my option. And of course it depends how far up the creeks you want to go. many of the smaller creeks on the Fraser Coast for example, Tuan and Marroom, I wouldn't take a glass boat into. But glass would be perfect for the nasty chop on the Mary and Susan. But I'm with you Naggs, I appreciate that getting into Marooch river after jack then heading up sandy strait for trumpies then over teh wide bay bar are all things I want to do from one boat.
Does it exist?....

Oh they exist , no doubt about it ( the NT boat builders specialise in it) Most 4.5M top enders will fit the bill reasonably well.

Chris

[Jarrah Jack]

Oh they exist , no doubt about it ( the NT boat builders specialise in it) Most 4.5M top enders will fit the bill reasonably well.

Chris

Have you seen a GS with that cut away bow. I haven't been out in them in all conditions but, as I said I was surprised the way they handled the rough at speed. They were always well powered.

[matt fraser]

Here another one worth checking out Chris (serious this time) Lewis Typhoon. Roderick Walmsley's old boat. He caught everything out of it, bream, bass, barra, snapper etc.

http://www.tournamentboats.com.au/vi...g.php?view=676

Cheers,

Matt

[craigie]

Chris,

The hull of the Cyclone has it's origins in open water ski Boat racing so they are designed for a bit of ruff stuff !! Around the turn of the century Ross Wilson (original owner and designer/builder) started adabting the hulls to fishing boats. They have a 6.8m cent console/side console version that is a weapon when kitted up with a 250 +hp !!! I use my 5.4m regularly out at Somerset and Bjelke Peterson dams for Native trolling and casting. Have had it wide to the Northern Barwons/Hards 60k's out of Mooloolaba. With a bit of common sense my boat can do most things. Mainly using for Moreton Bay, Jumpinpin (Flathead trolling) and close in offshore out of Mooloolaba. A good second hand 540 is in the $25 to $30 k price figure. New is $40k plus depending on what goodies you want !! 540'S come standard with 135 litre underfloor poly tank, so plenty of range at 2k's to the litre with the 115 hp Merc Optimax.

No Sheik, Not a Hooker !! Cyclone boats are still being produces in Cairns North Queensland.
No agents for them down here in SEQ, contact Cyclone direct. They have a web site.

Regards
Craigie

[STUIE63]

Chris this is a bit bigger than you wanted but there are alot of other advantages http://www.barcrusher.com.au/models/...els/535sc.html
Stuie

[Dicko]

Chris, I went through the same quandrywhen replacing my previous luring boat for something a bit more versatile.

Some of these yanky bay boats fit the bill nicely. Have had one of these for about 2 years.

http://www.scoutboats.com/191BayScout.html

Am up the hinchinbrook every 2nd or 3rd weekend, 80% of my fishing is luring the creeks, though it has no trouble heading out around the palms or out the reef on a good day, or even a shitty day if you really wanted to. Has accounted for most things from Bream to Spaniards, though it's more partial to Barra.
The kids & I do a heap of skiing, so upped the motor size & added removable ski pole so I could sell the ski boat as well.

Pretty versatile rig & with the dollar as it is now, well worth looking at. Plenty of other brands offer a similar style as well.

[NAGG]

Chris, I went through the same quandrywhen replacing my previous luring boat for something a bit more versatile.

Some of these yanky bay boats fit the bill nicely. Have had one of these for about 2 years.

http://www.scoutboats.com/191BayScout.html

Am up the hinchinbrook every 2nd or 3rd weekend, 80% of my fishing is luring the creeks, though it has no trouble heading out around the palms or out the reef on a good day, or even a shitty day if you really wanted to. Has accounted for most things from Bream to Spaniards, though it's more partial to Barra.
The kids & I do a heap of skiing, so upped the motor size & added removable ski pole so I could sell the ski boat as well.

Pretty versatile rig & with the dollar as it is now, well worth looking at. Plenty of other brands offer a similar style as well.

I do like the scout boats - considered one when I bought the hornet

Chris

[NAGG]

Chris this is a bit bigger than you wanted but there are alot of other advantages http://www.barcrusher.com.au/models/...els/535sc.html
Stuie

Thanks Stuie

Its very much a traditional top ender style ...... so if I end up going down that path it would be on my list

Chris

[NAGG]

Here another one worth checking out Chris (serious this time) Lewis Typhoon. Roderick Walmsley's old boat. He caught everything out of it, bream, bass, barra, snapper etc.

http://www.tournamentboats.com.au/vi...g.php?view=676

Cheers,

Matt

Thanks Matt

I had a chat to Roderick about it at Mondy a few years back - he only just bought it ( looks a nice rig)

Chris

[NAGG]

A mate & I went through the TABs factory this morning ...... & while it is known that they build good boats - It was awesome to see the design ,extrusions , materials used & the level of construction . Clearly their top ender style of boats will fit the bill as a capable crossover particularly with some customisation . Very impressed!

chris

[bert]

What about a bluefin wrangler

[NAGG]

What about a bluefin wrangler

Yep ....... its on the list - but does fall behind other offerings on design , build & finish....
I came Oh so close to buying a bluefin a few years back . ....... but they fell short at that time

But certainly am willing to revisit bluefin

chris

chris

[matt fraser]

The 4.75m Bluefin would be one of the best priced crossover boats, but its not a plate boat and would not compare to a plate or glass boat in ride or dryness. You get what you pay for.

Matt

[Apollo]

Another great thread Chris. I am in the same phase of looking for the crossover boat and probably would have had one by now if we weren't destroyed in the floods.

As you know I have a little glass boat (cruisecraft cierra) and fish the sandy straits, dams, and all the little creeks running off the straights. After having runs in ally, poly and glass boats of similar size, I will absolutely be sticking to glass for the next one, but that is my choice.

I don't need a more offshore orientated boat as I have mates with them, but would like to duck out the front or to the top of fraser if the weather is right.

After a lot of looking and research, I will be looking at a Scout 175 Sportsfisher as it goes closest to fitting my list of requirements.

Will be interesting to see what you end up with and hopefully will get to have fish out of it one day.

Steve

[NAGG]

Another great thread Chris. I am in the same phase of looking for the crossover boat and probably would have had one by now if we weren't destroyed in the floods.

As you know I have a little glass boat (cruisecraft cierra) and fish the sandy straits, dams, and all the little creeks running off the straights. After having runs in ally, poly and glass boats of similar size, I will absolutely be sticking to glass for the next one, but that is my choice.

I don't need a more offshore orientated boat as I have mates with them, but would like to duck out the front or to the top of fraser if the weather is right.

After a lot of looking and research, I will be looking at a Scout 175 Sportsfisher as it goes closest to fitting my list of requirements.

Will be interesting to see what you end up with and hopefully will get to have fish out of it one day.

Steve

Thanks Steve ........ Its certainly been a good thread with some great suggestions & opinions. That Scout 175 - I fell in love with when I saw it at the Sydney boat show a few years back ....... the yanks certainly do that style of boats well & would be awesome fishing around Fraser Is.
I'm still trying to get my head around what I really want and need ....... It may become clearer as a mate is looking at the top end genre atm & is close to making his purchase - so it will be good to see what he comes up with.
I do have an idea of taking a TABs wildfisher & having no rear casting deck & a single bucket seat with removable swivel seats - pad the coamings ........ that could allow me to fish down the back in rougher conditions or when on the anchor . The large front casting deck would be perfect to lure fish ( which I do 90% of the time) . It cetainly would be a weapon & be capable of doing up near 100km/h on flat water but a fairly decent ride in choppy conditions. - We will see