New to boating - where to start...

[ozynorts]

Apart from noise and smell..... both of which are either not an issue or a deal breaker according to your preferences.... one thing that was said to me once about 2 or 4 stroke choice....

Do you want to pay for the travelling up front or over time?

The money you save in fuel economy is already spent in up front cost for a four stroke. Also the servicing costs are higher so taking it all up, the economy issue might not be as significant as you imagine.

Having said that... After a while the upfront cost is dealt with and forgotten and its a matter of the days outing cost to your pocket.

Heavier is definitely a potential factor but diminishes as you go up in boat size.

All up a four stroke will make it more enjoyable perhaps.... but we love our boat and motor even if it is a 2smoke.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Good points here but when buying second hand the upfront cost of a 4 stroke isn't as much of a factor but the cost of refuelling is imo. It costs me between $200 and $250 for a reef trip with my motor and that would be halved with a 4 stroke.

[Chimo]

But servicing costs for the old carby two strokes are very much less than for four strokes so unless your doing really big long distances runs the two stroke still ends up cheaper.

Also todays fuel is not all that good. ULP goes off quite quickly and if you mix two stoke oil with it even quicker. All fuel injected motors really hate water in the fuel while the old carby style puts up with both stale fuel and some water.

If your not doing lots of hours you can put up with any motor but with an old one that just goes and goes there will probably be less potential for expensive repairs and maintenance. By the way I run a couple of two stoke carby motors and I know my mates with smaller four strokes spend a heap more than me on their motors.

C
C

[Ozwatson]

ULP goes off quite quickly

Actually this came up in the training. When I prompted about it they suggested it is a good idea to drain the tank and run it in the car if not going out on the boat for more than a couple of weeks and put in fresh fuel next run. But if the fuel is mixed for 2-stroke - can't run that in the car.

[Still_Dreamin]

Oz, I went to moreton two weekends ago and the forecast was 10 knots all day ( on sea breeze,bom,wildly weather) glass all the way over. Wife and kids had a ball moving around the boat. At 1100, 15 kn NE rolls in by the time we packed up and headed back to Scarborough it was 20 kn and gusting more than that. Plenty of white horses and very uncomfortable. Kids (5 & 3) feel asleep on couple of bean bags in the cuddy cabin and the wife and I stood the whole way home to absorb the chop. The cuddy cabin earned every cent that day!!

[cormorant]

Actually this came up in the training. When I prompted about it they suggested it is a good idea to drain the tank and run it in the car if not going out on the boat for more than a couple of weeks and put in fresh fuel next run. But if the fuel is mixed for 2-stroke - can't run that in the car.

The size motors you are talking are oil injected so the oil is in a separate tank and only injected into the carby/ fuel as it is used. As long as it isn't ethanol I wouldn't have a issue of using 1 month old fuel as long as it is properly stored as long as you aren't overloading your motor. If you know you won't be using it for a period , yep is easy run it through the car or you can use fuel preservatives if in a harder to empty underfloor tank.

[gford001]

Oz, I went to moreton two weekends ago and the forecast was 10 knots all day ( on sea breeze,bom,wildly weather) glass all the way over. Wife and kids had a ball moving around the boat. At 1100, 15 kn NE rolls in by the time we packed up and headed back to Scarborough it was 20 kn and gusting more than that. Plenty of white horses and very uncomfortable. Kids (5 & 3) feel asleep on couple of bean bags in the cuddy cabin and the wife and I stood the whole way home to absorb the chop. The cuddy cabin earned every cent that day!!

I bought an older Caribbean half cabin. Everytime we go out I end up with the 2 youngest kids sleeping all the way home. That bit of shelter is great for the little ones. Haven't had much interest in overnighters yet, but just for the dodgy weather or longer trips, the bunks are great.

[Chimo]

But if the fuel is mixed for 2-stroke - can't run that in the car.

Andrew if you get one with premix I can use it my 1973 car that needs leaded petrol and the two stroke goes well in it. just let me know and we can arrange for collection. No charge to you either............

Cheers
Chimo
GOM but here to help!

[deckie]

Yeah i agree with the guys saying to steer clear of the teeth rattling tinnies. Runabout types in particular force you to sit whilst underway and for the uninitiated try to imagine driving on the worst corrugated dirt road with a skateboard at 40kph...if its smooth you;re fine, but with wife and kids you;re likely to up and out late morning when the wind is only just starting.
Luv any sort of shleter/cabin for family...plus teenage boys like a bit of risk and adrenalin. The ability to throw them around on a biscuit or just flying along in smooth water keeps them coming back. Yours might be a bit more adventurous than the typical trophy types i once had a bad habit of marrying...but in general women i reckon dont like to get their hair wet and like a bit of comfort. Make it easy to get on and off is also a factor...not just at the ramp but at the local beach u want to pull up to. Standing up whilst underway can be so much more comfy and a cuddy delivers that but runabouts dont in general.

Wouldnt be concerned about managing a slightly bigger glass rig...teen boys make excellent help at the ramp steadying the back of the boat up to their thighs in water.

So...4 onboard ? Women plus early teens ? Bay work, but possibly branching out to close offshore later when experience is gained...a 4.6-5m ish f/glass cuddy would be the go to me. In fact its hard to beat them as the perfect all round fun and fishing rig for the experienced boatie as well.

Can start with a 2stk but a 4stk is terrific if u can stretch to it...yes it is louder and does use a bit more fuel and oil which costs, but a 4 stk will cost more up front and cant service yourself so no real savings. Would rather get the boat right than worry about 2stk or 4stk at the start...just make sure its not underpowered and u get flexibility.
Steve.

[Ozwatson]

Hey Steve. Thanks for the tips.

[AnthonyL]

We had a blufin bowrider for 5 years and it was a great first boat for the bay. It was a bit thumpy compared to a glass boar but we got a lot of use out of it.

When you get your boat and venture out for the trip make sure you have membership with VMR or Coastguard. I couldnt count the amount of people we have been called out to who were in trouble on their first trip. It is much cheaper to pay the membership and have the security if something goes wrong as it can be costly to get a tow back without it.

[Ozwatson]

Thanks for the tip about VMR. What about your radio? I understand you need a radio licence. Do most people have that our don't they really enforce it?

[ozynorts]

You don't need a licence to buy one, only to use one...

[Fed]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SEAFARER-...-/251371354427
I admit I'm a seafarer zealot.

[Chimo]

Nice rig and ready to go, Just needs Qld regos

Cheers
Chimo
PS Luv the new hardtop..............(on my Vag)

[Ozwatson]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SEAFARER-...-/251371354427
I admit I'm a seafarer zealot.

It does look nice - one of the boats I keep coming back, although it is straining the budget a little. I actually did work experience at Seafarer when I was at school, so if you have one built around 1984 with bubbles in the hull - that was probably me not rolling it down properly. Disgusting work - don't recommend it.

On the radio thing, so you all have a radio licence right? Where do you get that? Is it just a form to fill in and some more cash or do you have to do a course?

So much to learn. Aaarrrggghhhh. Doing my head in...