Aluminium Bowriders - need help

[Gaz_2000]

I am lookiong at buying an aluminium bowrider between 5.1-5.3M.

There are a number of brands on the market, stacer and quintrex at the upper price range, then there is allycraft, bermuda (same as allycraft) 4 seasons (anyone know this brand?) and bluefin.

Does anyone have any feedback on these boats, I am looking for the typical compromise, something for me to fish in, mainly bays and close off-shore and a boat that the family can enjoy as well.

Is the Stacer worth the extra money or are you paying for the name?

The blue fin comes in plate sides, some tell me this gives a quieter and softer ride, others say it does not???

The bermuda seems like good value, are they durable?

I am getting confused, can you help?

cheers,

Gaz

[MTpockets]

Hi Gaz,
I have only ever owned Stessel tinnies myself, but saying that I know fellas that have some or all of the brands you mention. The price difference is only a problem if you dont quite have the funds, and can actually make the difference. My experience is that for bay fishing in a tinnie with family onbaord dictates a slightly larger boat than needed, higher sides and good seating. Thickness of the hull and sides is also very important as you prolly know.
Blue Fin are made local (brissy area) and have a good reputaion, and a growing popularity, not sure on price versus design and strength tho. You wouldnt go wrong with a Stacer, Quinnie or any other brand really, they are all great boats.

I suggest looking at Stessel cos they represent value for money, and the design these days are very good versus Quinnies ect.... Go for strength and depth of sides ect .... and test driving a new boat is the very best way to decide these days. Make sure they can offer you the chance to test in water mate, only then can you really get the feeling of "Yep, this ones what I want"
My best mate owned a 4 seasons from new and had a hand in its design. Very high sides and nice thick alloy, but he sold it due to the splash not being diverted out. The splash always made its way onboard, usually meaning the family got drenched

Hope I have helped in some way.
Cheers
Les

[Jeremy]

I think you need help fullstop if you are looking at a bowrider. In my opinion they are a fad boat for the know-nothings. If I am wrong, educate me. A wet boat with not much fishing room.

If you like getting wet, get a centre console. They are the best fishing boat available. If you and your family don't like getting wet, get a runabout or cuddy.

Just my opinions

Jeremy

[davo]

I thought bowriders were a waste of time too. Then my father had an AMM plate alloy 4.5m built for him. He is an ex pro fisho and has fished in all types of boats. I have a Fisher 4.8m side console and it's excellent but when I get to the stage of wanting more shelter I'll get Fisher to build me one. His bow rider has heaps of room and a great casting area out front. It was the first one AMM did and it worked well. Access to the front is better and you drive the boat mid ship so the ride is better.

[easyrider525]

BOWRIDERS RULE!!!!!!! all the rest are way behind the best....

[SeaHunt]

Hi Gaz,
You said you were looking for a compromise family/fishing boat so I will disagree with Jeremy here and say a bowrider is the perfect compromise. I own a 2002 model Quintrex 475 Freedom Sport, 60 Hp 4 st. EFI Merc, cost about $25k, and could not be happier with it.
I use mine for fishing , just crusing around and water skiing type activies.
Two people can easily fish from the back and the front converts to a casting platform , great for 1 person fishing or throwing a cast net, try throwing a cast net from a half cab or centre console.
I see you are in Sydney so you can ignore the cast net stuff.
Conditions have to be pretty rough for any water to come in the front. The only time I had people getting wet was going through 6 foot swell/chop at an angle in windy conditions, and even then it was only a matter of stopping and putting the clears on,and the passengers behind the windscreen as opposed to in the Bow.
My last boat was a 17 ft. fiberglass half cab, and it was not good to fish out of , seems like all that area in front of the windscreen was wasted and getting the anchor in and out was a pain in the arse.
I bought mine new and checked out the Stessl and Stacer versions of the same thing, but went for the Quinnie because of the (extra) flared bow which diverts the wash away from the boat and also because of the maxi transom design. I went for the 475 because it just fits neatly into my garage, a 5.3 m might have been better in the big stuff but I have no complaints.
Quintrex have changed their Bowriders a little since mine , they now have carpeted inside walls and a self draining floor etc.. and they have rounded off the pod transom a little making it effectively smaller, god knows why.
Not sure if you are looking at new or not , but try to get a 4st. and make sure you take it for a spin.

[Morlers]

Hi Gaz
Check out the Sea Jay Wanderer range in 4.75m, 5.05m and 5.35m at http://www.seajayboats.com.au/ . With 3mm bottoms and 2mm sides they are quite strong boats. The beam ranges are from 2.1m to 2.42m so good room for fishing and family. I have had a Sea Jay 4.55m Centre Console for past 2 years and can say they make excellent alluminium boats.
Just another thought for you. Sorry if its just added to the confusion.


Morlers

[davo]

Check out the AMM bowrider. My father lure fishes out of it, trolls, uses his castnet, crabs, and bait fishes out of it

[davo]

Here's one from the back.

[Jeremy]

OK, I'll stand (at least partly) corrected. The main thing for anyone is that you are happy with your rig for the purposes you use it.

Jeremy

[easyrider525]

as stated earlier, bowriders are great. mine is a stacer 525 with a 75 merc and all the gizmo's you need. i had the canopy extended to cover all the rear end and then clears to make a full camper body. my wife and 18mnth daughter can stay out of the wind and sun and if it does blow up nasty they can stay dry. all my fishing is usually done from the front casting deck. if the boys come with me then zip off come the covers ( takes 5 min at the ramp or home) and then you have a good fishin' battle wagon. never had any problems with water coming over the bow in the rough stuff cos i had a good cover made up to fill in the bow section if needed. my mate has a mustang walkabout, great boat, and we have taken many an offshore trip in both boats down off eden. truley would not swap my bowrider for anything. except when maybe im too old and need a smaller one. will post a pic when i find a decent one to show.

[Gaz_2000]

Easyrider,

Do you find the 75hp is enough power for that size boat?

[SeaHunt]

Hi Gaz,
Easyrider might not think so , but I would think a 90 hp would be more the go on that boat. My 475 was originally supposed to have a 75 on it, I downsized a little to the 60 to get a 4 stroke. If buying new, do your home work on the motors regarding weight as well as price etc. For 4 stroke try Suzuki, Yamaha , Mercury or maybe Honda which tend to be a little heavier than the others , depends on HP though.

[wannabe]

I'm thinking of getting a 475 coast runner tinnie very soon. How do you guys thinks an evinrude 75 hp etec will go on it?

[propdinger]

on the 525 bowriders i looked at every dealer told me 90hp was best but would run a 75hp i tend on going for a run in the bluefin 525 which has a merc 2stroke 90hp very soon BUT money situation a little tighter now i HAVE to get married (not a shot gun wedding)
jut cant handle her going on and on.....lol

cheers
jeff