Bigger is better, but what's suitable

[Still_Dreamin]

I have a 1750 Tournament. It will handle conditions worse than I am interested in fishing. Go out to Barwon Banks, wide Caloundra and east of Cape Moreton. More worried about swell and frequency than wind. Prefer less than 4ft and greater than 10 Secs. Gets uncomfortable over 15kn but drogue helps slow the drift.

[lethal]

I've got a Haines Signature 520C with a 90hp four stroke. Boat, trailer and motor package weight of 1350kg including fuel. Add a bit of gear and towable with a mid sized sedan.

I happily fish 2 and occasionally 3 but mostly fish solo. I bought this boat as it is easily used solo as well as comfortable for the family. Cabin protection and bimini for shade with plenty of room to fish. I troll up to five lines without any trouble.

The 100lt fuel tank gives me an excellent range and a comfortable 10 hours of continuous running with fuel still in the tank upon returning to the ramp.

As for conditions, I've found myself in dangerous conditions twice in the past 5 years and the boat handled it well. Weather forecast way out both times. I like to fish reefs in weather of 5-13knot winds and swell under 1.5m. Any more wind and the drifts are too fast. Trolling, if the forecast is 15knots I'll head out and accept up to 20knot winds. If the forecast is 20knots I will NOT go out.

As for size, jump in the 492f then the 520c and I think you'll see the extra length and beam of the 520c creates more comfortable fishing room. I doubt you will fish 3 trouble free in the 492f.

Good luck with your purchase

[kind_cir]

I've got a Haines Signature 520C with a 90hp four stroke. Boat, trailer and motor package weight of 1350kg including fuel. Add a bit of gear and towable with a mid sized sedan.

I happily fish 2 and occasionally 3 but mostly fish solo. I bought this boat as it is easily used solo as well as comfortable for the family. Cabin protection and bimini for shade with plenty of room to fish. I troll up to five lines without any trouble.

The 100lt fuel tank gives me an excellent range and a comfortable 10 hours of continuous running with fuel still in the tank upon returning to the ramp.

As for conditions, I've found myself in dangerous conditions twice in the past 5 years and the boat handled it well. Weather forecast way out both times. I like to fish reefs in weather of 5-13knot winds and swell under 1.5m. Any more wind and the drifts are too fast. Trolling, if the forecast is 15knots I'll head out and accept up to 20knot winds. If the forecast is 20knots I will NOT go out.

As for size, jump in the 492f then the 520c and I think you'll see the extra length and beam of the 520c creates more comfortable fishing room. I doubt you will fish 3 trouble free in the 492f.

Good luck with your purchase

That right there just about sums up my useage

[kind_cir]

Realy like the layout of the Savage Mako, but not shure how it would go.

[odes20]

I started offshore fishing in 15 and 16 footers. Moved up to a 6.1 metre rig. Way greater room, security, relaxation and peace of mind. And as mentioned the opportunity to get out more often.

[WalFish]

What are you going to tow with mate? I had a 480 Freedom Sort and was an awesome little rig - took it 50-70 km offshore while in Nth QLD. Reason I ask about towing is that it was on a single trailer which was prone to bounce around a bit when going over speed bumps and on rougher old bitumen roads. Now have a bigger boat on a dual axle trailer and would do everything possible to have my boat on a dual axle trailer in the future (within reason regarding length, probably 5.2 metres and bigger). Tows so much better over any rough surfaces or bumps.

[Smithy]

Budget? New or 2nd hand? Tow vehicle? Glass or aluminium?

[kind_cir]

I am going to stick with a glass boat, and hope to keep it under 20k. As for a single axle trailer, it's more about not chewing up the grass when turning it in the back yard. I have my truck there at the moment that does that. Towing with a Patrol that will handle 2.5t, and it would be good if I can get the rig in my 9x9 shed (a bit full latley).
Hey Smithy, do you still want them led tail lights? If not I may keep them for the new rig if it needs them.

[scottar]

Concrete the back yard - win,win - less mowing = more time for fishing

[kind_cir]

Concrete the back yard - win,win - less mowing = more time for fishing

The cost to concrete the back yard would be about twice the price of a new 6.5m glass boat with all the fruit. Then i'll have to work more and fish less = not winning.

[koastal]

Concrete is $80 m2 now

[Rip it up]

20k is a sensible budget to find a 5m fibreglass boat.

My weapon of choice is the older Haines. Find a solid example with a good motor and trailer and your set.
Four stroke motors would be preferred as the travel distances and fuel economy play a big role in offshore work.

My setup started with the original 1996 115hp Johnson 2st. Whilst a great motor that was suited to the boat, it was thirsty. So a modern fourstroke replaced it and is 70% better on fuel for my extended trips.

The two design features that will be your compromising points is dead rise verse stability. Your cant have both easily. Basically a deep vee is better for the ride handling, but you will rock and roll around a lot at rest.

The 5.3m cuddly cab size is perfect for 3 people offshore. Room for a large esky, tackle and 2 bunks if needed during the overnight sessions. Just a little painful to climb forward and setup the anchor. But we use a retrieval ball setup when leap frogging around a reef to save climbing up the front. It's all about being organised with good storage and not taking out everything including the kitchen sink every trip.


Damo's dodgy boat building repair shop.

[Smithy]

I'd like to get my hands on those light for sure. I have just been working every weekend since PMing you.

Here is a tidy CC with a 2 banger.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium

Tidy HH with 2 smoke Rude. Just buy a new trailer for it.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium

Dual axle but you get a modern outboard, even if it is just an E-bang.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium

You could get something cheap like this and repower with a 2nd hand 4 banger.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium

A great repower option.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium

And another but the old Rude might go forever if you can live with it.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium

Pretty tidy with the best of the 2 stroke 115s.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium

One of the Ausfish members boats. A Dale from NQ. Local out at Landsborough. Also nice Yammie 2 stroke.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium

[kind_cir]

Pretty tidy with the best of the 2 stroke 115s.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium

Yeah, I like the look of the Southwind with the walkthrough front and self draining deck.