Which boat?

[brunsbreambo]

I am looking at upgrading my old tinny for something a bit more comfortable and versatile. At the moment I have no idea where to start! There are a few things I'm looking for.

- Will be comfortable for breaming in estuaries
- Able to go offshore (just in moderate conditions)
- Comfortable with 2-3 people
- No more than 8,000 the lower the better

The majority of the fishing will be doen in the river for bream etc though I would like to start exploring outside a bit.

Currently got a 6hp motor for the tinny. Would it be silly trying to take this offshore or is the no need to upgrade?

Any help appreciated
Cheers
Oli

[BloodWorm]

You could go worse than this style of boat, not sure what $8K would get you but gives you an idea.

http://www.breammaster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27156

[forsterfisho]

Not sure what $8k will get ya, I got a bluefin side consol with a 60hp on the back. Plenty of freeboard to get offshore and shallow enough to get up creeks and chase bream.

I also had a 385 explorer with a 25 on the back, took the offshore(ish) a few times, throwing lures around bombies and inshore reef it wasnt the greatest offshore but awesome for creeks and shallow, shallow flats. You'll get change from 8k if ya hunt around

[ozskippy]

Mate not sure if you are interested but I am selling my kitted out 420 quintrex wb dory. Seems to tick all the boxes you are after and still leaves change in the pocket. What you mentioned is pretty much what I used it for
Dropped the price to $7250 well below what most members suggest it was worth
I bumped the link so you can find it on this thread. Pm if you have any questions
http://www.breammaster.com/forum/sho...456#post446456

[redrocket]

Take ur time mate, dont be in to much hurry and the right boat will come along.
I looked for 6 months before I found mine. Look on other sites besides boat sales ect, like gumtree (where I found mine) ebay and the like, there are some bargains to be had if u take ur time.
I picked up mine for $8700 and then spent a bit more getting it how I wanted it but if money is tight any upgrades can be done down the track.
http://www.breammaster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44391

[brunsbreambo]

Thanks for the advice fellas! Been looking around a bit and have come up with some candidates. I have no experience in boating and have chosen these based on price, length etc.
Quintrex 400 Dart
Quintrex 390 Explorer
Quintrex Dory
Stessl Edgetracker
Ally Craft 3.95 Shadow
Stacer 399 Proline
Blue Fin 3.8 HD
Sea Jay 3.95 Angler

Okay so that's a massive list I compiled through a bit of research though obviously I have to narrow it down! You probably figured by now that I'm looking for something that will allow me to do some mods ie casting deck etc. and also small enough for bream fishing though able to handle light offshore conditions. Could you guys let me know if you had any experince with these or think they may be suitable or unsuitable.
Sorry for being such a pain though for me a boat is a big investment and I want to get right!
Cheers
Oli

[kingy1978]

Maybe a Quintrex 460 Dory? they are a very deep tinny that you would be able to customise with decks and lockers, but would be able take light offshore no problems due to the huge freeboard and massive beam. I reckon it would be perfect for what you after. As the Dory's get smaller though they get quite a bit shallower and narrower, thats why I reckon the 460 would be spot on and I've seen them in the flesh and they are a massice tinny for their length.

[brunsbreambo]

Just had a look on the web at the 460 Dory. They look great though they are a bit out of my budget which is below 7000. Do you think any of the above boats would be able to handle going offshore?
http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=12162750
How bout this^

[forsterfisho]

Hey,

I was told that if you buy quintrex, you are paying a percentage of the price purely for the name. If you hunt around, you will find a 385 or a 390 explorer with front and rear casting deck and vertical rod holders with an electric and a 20-25hp motor for between 4-8k depending on hours and condition. I sold mine for around $4k and it moved within a week. It was very well used and lots of hours on the motor.
A mate sold his, with low hours, immaculate condition with all the mod cons for $7000. He fished bream comps and chased kings and salmon in the harbour with it!

When you speak of heading offshore, where do you live? what are the bar conditions like? and how far do you want to go? I live on the mid north coast of NSW, at the time in Forster. On the ebb tide and a NE'er blowing the bar turned very nasty and I wouldn't tackle it in anything less than 5m, sometimes not at all.

I have a bluefin, not the one you mentioned but the same brand. very happy with the quality of the fit out and the ride. They are a bit cheaper than a quintrex, as your not paying for the name.

A person who I used to be mates with owns a 4.35 edge tracker, fished it in a number of tournaments and it was a great boat to fish out of. I believe he brought a barebones hull and fitted it out with decks, sounders, console, livewell ect from the ground up. Unfortuantly I doubt you will get away with $8k for one of those, as he had a 60hp on the back and they are worth
$8-9k alone.

Another mate of mine has a stessel, he loves it. He has his powered with a 30hp motor, a side console and all the bits. I think he paid a bit more than $8k for it, but theres nothing stopping you from buying the hull, motor and trailer seperate, hunting around for bargains as you go and saving yourself a motsa!

Do you homework and see what other brands the telwater business actually makes you may be surprised!

[kingy1978]

At the end of the day I think it might be a bit hard finding something reliable and decent as a crossover rig within your budget. I reckon you have two options, buy an estuary rig for 8k or less or wait a bit and spend a bit more. The Dory 460 I reckon would be the best option that closest to your budget, good luck!

[stacer420]

What is wrong with Ozskippys boat. It is a bigger more seworthy hull than those you have listed, at a good price, and with all the gear? If you don't like the way he has fitted the high casting deck, you could modify it. Seems like it ticks all your boxes.

[Kyle101]

If ozskippy's boat isn't to your standards, I just did a quick search on boatsales and there were about 10 or so results that fit your needs better than the boats you have listed above. For instance -

- http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=12324499

- http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=12670001

Take a look at the sites mentioned above mate, some pretty good boats getting around cheap

[oldbarboy]

As someone said take your time and look around. Winter is a good time to buy. Have a look around retirement destinations as old fellas retire, never use the boat, the missus is up them and they sell their boat.

You can pick up a bargin. I got a quintrex 420 discovery with a 35 johno for 6. It was a 92 model but well looked after.

Hope this helps

[ozskippy]

Thanks stacer420 yeah I am pretty keen to move it on as I have my eye on a new one so will consider any reasonable offer

[brunsbreambo]

Thanks for the advice fellas. I realised that I was being a bit optimistic thinking I could pick up a boat that would suit all my needs (or wants) for such a price. I decided to take my time and look around and in the end it didn't take long. We (Dad & I) have bought a 2nd hand Stessl Edgetracker 3.7. The hull is in great condition and we got it for an awesome price. I will post some pics up later. Sorry ozskippy, in the end we felt we didn't want to spend that much money and would rather invest it in other gear etc. Your boat is awesome value though I ended up over estimating how much I was able to spend. Good luck with your sale. Oli