new 4.8 meter boat

[munna1]

My father and I are researching new or near new alloy boats around the 4.8m size. It will be used on inland lakes plus on calm days at sea. We currently have a 5m broad-bill which we have had for over 15 years. Its been a fantastic boat but its starting to show its age. We would like to get something a bit lighter then a plate boat yet be heavy duty enough to handle some chop when we take it out in the bay and beyond on calmer seas.

Currently looking at
Stacer 489 bay-runner, 3mm bottom, 2.6mm sides
quintrex 490 fishabout 3mm bottom, 2mm sides
Clark Navigator 485 3mm bottom, 3mm sides.
pollycraft 480 (to heavy?)

The clark seems like great value but how does it go thru chop. Looks like the Quinny and stacer have better suited hulls for this? Which is the best boat at rest. Motors you recomend? Is 60hp enough or underpowered? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[chocolatemoose]

i have a 4.8 polycraft frontrunner ........i cant praise them enough. when i was looking for boats i wanted something that would ride soft and be very stable at rest "owing to my fathers terrible balance". i had looked at TABS master series boats "we are a tabs dealer" and quintrex millenium hulled boats. went for a few test rides. i was drawn to polycraft................some how. i cant remember. i think it was the "Easy to work with" side.. being i wanted to build the boat up myself instead of buy it already complete.
so sight unseen and non water tested i ordered the boat. it was delivered just before the boat show "like mental im going to go nuts season for us". and then winter. so i had a few months of having it in the workshop. fitting stuff to it. it hit the water that summer for the very first time.. my first time on a polycraft even. and i was BLOWN AWAY!!.... "other than change the prop to a 4 blade stainless for quick hole shot" i have not been in a more stable. soft riding. quiet boat under 8mt's
sitting at a high cruise of 30knts across lake king in 60cm chop you can hear the waves. but cant feel them. even when they coming abeam or bow-beam. having a keel keeps the boat tracking. and the reverse chines keep everything even

this isnt a puff peice.. i am trully blown away by the polycrafts

yep. heaiver than alloy. wider than most as well.
i recently bought a 20ft glass boat for our TV show.. and the polycraft eats it for room.

food for thought

[Noelm]

Stacer, 60HP minimum, look for a bit more HP if buying new.

[munna1]

i have a 4.8 polycraft frontrunner ........i cant praise them enough. when i was looking for boats i wanted something that would ride soft and be very stable at rest "owing to my fathers terrible balance". i had looked at TABS master series boats "we are a tabs dealer" and quintrex millenium hulled boats. went for a few test rides. i was drawn to polycraft................some how. i cant remember. i think it was the "Easy to work with" side.. being i wanted to build the boat up myself instead of buy it already complete.
so sight unseen and non water tested i ordered the boat. it was delivered just before the boat show "like mental im going to go nuts season for us". and then winter. so i had a few months of having it in the workshop. fitting stuff to it. it hit the water that summer for the very first time.. my first time on a polycraft even. and i was BLOWN AWAY!!.... "other than change the prop to a 4 blade stainless for quick hole shot" i have not been in a more stable. soft riding. quiet boat under 8mt's
sitting at a high cruise of 30knts across lake king in 60cm chop you can hear the waves. but cant feel them. even when they coming abeam or bow-beam. having a keel keeps the boat tracking. and the reverse chines keep everything even

this isnt a puff peice.. i am trully blown away by the polycrafts

yep. heaiver than alloy. wider than most as well.
i recently bought a 20ft glass boat for our TV show.. and the polycraft eats it for room.

food for thought

Everyone raves about the polycrafts they must be a bloody good boat! Probably is a bit heavy (over 100kg) heaver) then the other alloy boats and it doesnt really come in the configuration we are after either. But we will still take it into consideration seem too good to ignore.

Does anyone have experience with these Clark boats? This one has a 75 optimax. Are they a good engine? Similar to a E-tech? Seem to be a very good value boat. We are willing to travel to qld to if need be.

http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-...vigator/131432

The stacer and quinnys all seem to be around 32,000 ish with a 75hp engine, vs around 27000 for the Clark.

[ozynorts]

hey mate,
not sure how keen you and your Dad are but you could build your own for half what it would cost to buy one...
http://www.bowdidgemarinedesigns.com...t_to_20ft.html
Just a thought.
Cheers
Ozy

[mull dog]

Yep. I can't praise the polys enough and I don't even own one. Definitely top of my list for a small boat

[ozynorts]

and it doesnt really come in the configuration we are after either.

I just had a look at the Poly craft range and the only configuration in the 4.8 they don't offer is tiller steer. Is that what you are after?
What layout are you after and what price range are you looking in?
http://www.polycraft.com.au/model-range/480-brumby

[LittleSkipper]

My father and I are researching new or near new alloy boats around the 4.8m size. It will be used on inland lakes plus on calm days at sea. We currently have a 5m broad-bill which we have had for over 15 years. Its been a fantastic boat but its starting to show its age. We would like to get something a bit lighter then a plate boat yet be heavy duty enough to handle some chop when we take it out in the bay and beyond on calmer seas.

Currently looking at
Stacer 489 bay-runner, 3mm bottom, 2.6mm sides
quintrex 490 fishabout 3mm bottom, 2mm sides
Clark Navigator 485 3mm bottom, 3mm sides.
pollycraft 480 (to heavy?)

The clark seems like great value but how does it go thru chop. Looks like the Quinny and stacer have better suited hulls for this? Which is the best boat at rest. Motors you recomend? Is 60hp enough or underpowered? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

This is my rig, as previously mentioned can't praise the Poly enough. Even my brother in law was impressed when he came with me on my first water test back in 2010. I'll be repowering very shortly to an 80hp Mercury FourStroke.

Heavy Boat? Who cares! It's ease of maintenance is outstanding.








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[munna1]

I just had a look at the Poly craft range and the only configuration in the 4.8 they don't offer is tiller steer. Is that what you are after?
What layout are you after and what price range are you looking in?
http://www.polycraft.com.au/model-range/480-brumby

After one with just a front windscreen, or a small cuddy. I could not find one like that on the website that front-runner is not really like that. The cuddy one has to big of a cuddy. The old man doesn't like the look of the polycraft so I guess thats out the window now anyhow. He said he is sure they are a great boat but would I couldn't talk him into it.
Another couple of options we have found that look to be a bit more expensive but considering

Surtees
www.surteesboats.com/our-range/boat/4-85-workmate

Formosa
www.formosamarineboats.com.au/models_runabouts.php

Also heard good things about seajay but I couldnt find out much about them website seems broken.

[munna1]

This is my rig, as previously mentioned can't praise the Poly enough. Even my brother in law was impressed when he came with me on my first water test back in 2010. I'll be repowering very shortly to an 80hp Mercury FourStroke.

Heavy Boat? Who cares! It's ease of maintenance is outstanding.








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Thanks for the pics really nice boat I will be sure to show the old man.

[ozynorts]

After one with just a front windscreen, or a small cuddy. I could not find one like that on the website that front-runner is not really like that. The cuddy one has to big of a cuddy. The old man doesn't like the look of the polycraft so I guess thats out the window now anyhow. He said he is sure they are a great boat but would I couldn't talk him into it.
Another couple of options we have found that look to be a bit more expensive but considering

Surtees
www.surteesboats.com/our-range/boat/4-85-workmate

Formosa
www.formosamarineboats.com.au/models_runabouts.php

Also heard good things about seajay but I couldnt find out much about them website seems broken.

Of those two mate I would take the Surtees every day. They are a really well built boat.
If you want any more info here is a thread the boat hog did on his.
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...hlight=surtees

[LittleSkipper]

Thanks for the pics really nice boat I will be sure to show the old man.

No worry's. You mentioned you weren't interested in a heavy boat? Well here some facts for you, the Surtees 4.85 workmate you've been looking at weighs 735kg dry weight, the Polycraft Brumby Cuddy 4.80 weighs a mere 590kg dry weight and it has a slightly higher HP rating than the Surtees. Go figure!

You should check out the torture test videos on the Polycraft website then tell me if you would do the same to a plate built boat?


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[GBC]

Tell your old man to drive the boats side by side before he buys anything. My old boy didn't like the look of a poly either, but for ease of access, simple ability to launch and retrieve and straight up sea keeping ability that's what he ended up with. He has the 4.8 front runner with the 80 honda and loves it now. I had a 4.5 centre console as well.

[munna1]

Tell your old man to drive the boats side by side before he buys anything. My old boy didn't like the look of a poly either, but for ease of access, simple ability to launch and retrieve and straight up sea keeping ability that's what he ended up with. He has the 4.8 front runner with the 80 honda and loves it now. I had a 4.5 centre console as well.

I must say I have found the weights very confusing. Of all the reviews I have read the surtees seems to have plenty of go with a 60hp (32 knots) flat out and really gets on the plain quick. Yet people are saying 60 is just enough for the stacer when it weighs significantly less. Not convinced on the quoted weights perhaps some have the windscreens tanks etc. and others are just a bare hull.

Its hard living in country vic to test out these boats, perhaps a weeks holiday to the GC is whats needed .

[Noelm]

Don't be confused with what's OK HP and what is great, almost any motor will push the boat along "OK" but to get the best out of the boat and motor combo, the right HP is the best option. Ring around a few dealers, lots have demo models to test out, I know my local guy does.