Webster 5.2 twinfisher

[airlock]

So one of these has popped up on the area and looks to be in great condition and to be honest i'm tempted. The only problem is reliable reviews are pretty sparse and I rally don't know how an aluminium Cat is going to ride.
Looks like plenty of fishing space and still comfortable enough for mates and that lady up and down the river, one motor seems like a good bet for saving weight, fuel and money in the long run Its got a 115 4 stroke yam on the back so enough grunt.

how do these handle rough seas, bar crossings and are they ok for manuvability? Running a 5 meter glass cruise craft right now but i find it to unstable at rest when the wind blows and running out to the reefs in less then perfect conditions can be a real penance.

are they worth it or a bit pointless?

I would love a small shark cat or similar but i'll never be able to square it with she who must be obeyed.

[mitc69]

not the best built cats, rough seas... pending what u consider rough, for i 20 knot wind is rough ... mate of mine was out there with me on a 4.7 webster.. wind pickup after 4pm about 17-20 knots it couldnt handel it, he had to take do an illegal dock at green island for cover, dont know if the size was the problem but my 5.6 trophy was perfectly fine

maneuverability same as all cat, depth clearance about 60-80cm, stabilizability is great, dont need to worrie to much about weight problem when ppl are moving about
hope that helps u abit, likewise based on my exp on them

[Noelm]

With a single motor, it will not handle or maneuver like a twin engine cat, end of story, they do ride OK, but remember its a 5.2 meter boat.....not to sure about the 60-80cm depth bit?

[robothefisho]

I thought a 5.2m went reasonably well in 20 knots in the bay. They don't perform anything like a twin engine glass cat. But go better than the same length tinny mono. Their cruise speed is going to be around 19-20 knots. The single setup is prone to ventilate if trying to push hard in rough water. Super stable to fish from. Heaps of room. I wouldn't buy one new, but second hand at the right price id have one. If you want to fish rivers and bays great. Offshore id rather have a bigger mono.

[Crocodile]

Hello Airlock,
I have been running a 4.3 for eight years.
I have never had a run in a 5.2 but I would expect it to be more of the same only bigger.
My 4.3 would fit inside of a 5.2.
Pros;
Super stable
Never broaches or veers off course
Never ventilates the prop, (unless you over trim or jump it of the water!!)
Very soft riding until you start lifting the flatter aft section out of the water, so keep your speed down to say 18 knots

Cons;
Can be wet, belch out of tunnel and quartering head seas(remember that you will be going faster in bigger seas than equivalent monos)
Leans the wrong way in turns.

I find it very good for bar crossings, one day I carelessly allowed my self to overtake the wave in front and surf down the steep face while I was turning, I believe that the Webster saved me that day.

Mine is a '97 model and very little corrosion, apart from where a previous owner allowed sinkers to rest.
I would rate quality as first class.

Take it for a test drive and see for yourself.

[Moonlighter]

A mate had one and said it went great in the Bay. But with the single engine and a side-on sea one day, it scared the bejesus out of him, got up on one sponson and nearly flipped, motor out of the water, and it was sold a week later.

This guy is a very experienced boatie and said he wouldn't have one offshore ever again. Bays and rivers fine, but not offshore.

[AndrewB]

Not sure about the Webster but I have a 5.3m single engine Borger cat which I have owned for 7 years and the best boat I have ever owned.
The Borger only needs 300mm of water. Super stable, skims over the top of waves, can be wet in right conditions, poor in big following seas. Previous boat was a 5.6m old Yellowfin with added pod which was a chiropractors dream by comparison.
Never experiences any issues side on as mentioned by Moonlighter.

[perko]

Andrew beat me too it. I too have a 5.3 borger. Awesome boat. 2 for sale on boatpoint at the moment. Way better than a Webster. Take mine offshore heaps and it loves it. Heaps better ride than my dads 5 meter cruise craft explorer.

[Crocodile]

Hello All,

I have never been in a Borger, but they are to a Webster as a platey is to a tinny.
Much more heavily built.
I think that you need to regard a Webster as a two hulled tinny.
As for laying on it's side, I would like to know more because mine has never offered a moments concern.

[sowden1942]

Hi I owned a 5 metre webster when i was living in Canberra and did a lot of fishing of Batemans bay and Bermi I have been caught out in some rough weather and I never felt worried as the webster handled the seas quiie well. I think its is all about how you drive the boat to the conditions. Try ringing Inverloch Marine down in victoria you should be able to get any info you need. John

[Sheik]

Hello All,

I have never been in a Borger, but they are to a Webster as a platey is to a tinny.
Much more heavily built.
I think that you need to regard a Webster as a two hulled tinny.
As for laying on it's side, I would like to know more because mine has never offered a moments concern.

Yeah Borgers made in Ingham aren't they? Have a very good rep. Quality built for sure up to a standard not down to a price.

[Greg P]

Old man has a 5.2 with a Tohatsu 90 on the back. It goes ok in the bay but they don't have a lot of clearance in the tunnel so if the chop is up they pound like crap. They punch above their weight for sure and definitely better than an equivalent quinny etc though. Front windscreen set up is good for him for anchoring too.

[airlock]

Thanks for the info guys, just about everything i wanted to know. It seems like problems in rough seas side on is a common complaint, a bit worrying really, and a shallow tunnel is going to cause some issues when the chop rolls in.
I'll see if i can get out in it on a messy day and see how it goes. I'll take a look at the Borger offering and see if its in the right price range.