What would you do?

[Rowboat]

Ok, so here's the situation. The old 375 Stessl Edgetracker has been a great servant but after close to 20 years I reckon I'm due for an upgrade. I fish 90% of the time on my own so am thinking about something around the 4-4.2m range....something that I can handle easy enough on my own...I know it's only an extra 25cm but the 4m looks a heap bigger than what I've got at the moment. Also looking to get a side console...is this stupid in a 4m boat?

The main style of fishing I do is 95% lure casting in rivers/estuaries for bream and Jew. Will also start doing a bit of impoundment stuff for bass and hopefully cod. Am based in the Hawkesbury area so would like to get out to Pittwater/Broken Bay to chase the odd kingy where areas are a bit exposed but would only do this on a good day....I'm not one to throw caution to the wind.

Of my research and googling, in my head I'm leaning for a Bluefin Drifter Tournament or a Anglapro Outlaw. Was at the Melbourne boat show last week (was nearby for work....convenient!) and had a chat to the Anglapro and Bluefin guys and also saw a Clarke Cod Catcher which didn't look the worst but don't know a lot about them. Of these models, anyone with feedback? Positive or negative?

I'm thinking of spending up to around the 20k mark (max hopefully) and reckon I should make the change over to a 4 stroke as I always feel a bit guilty with the smoke and stuff the 2 stroke puts out. Doesn't have to include electrics as I am pretty well sorted (new sounder and can upgrade my old electric down the line) and from time to time have thought about about doing tournaments so a kill tank would be handy which can be transformed into a livewell if/when the time comes.

This is where I'm at and what I'm thinking but understand there are many options...tiller or console, plate or pressed, alloy or poly etc. Everyone would have different thoughts if they were in my situation which begs the question.....what would you do?

Cheers,

Rowboat

[Tackleberry]

a boat in the 4.2 size i went tiller as i wanted the room as it doubles as

my off shore boat as well , i got the bluefin and couldn't be happier and

it has a 40HP HONDA and wow this thing flys for a small boat 54.5kph and

banging on the limiter (needs a bigger prop) and all i can say is it a

pleasure to flick lures out of as it's very stable for a v hull , 3mm bottom

and 2.5mm sides and 8 ribs up each side this thing is built like a tank .

[Juzza]

Second the Bluefin , tough and stable.

[Nimbin157]

I toyed with the idea of side console but in the end went for tiller. Not only did i save a fair amount of money but i reckon ive got more room to move than my mates closed transom 460 Renegade.
I ended up going for a 4.28 Seajay Avenger 40hp Suzuki 4 stroke. Very stable with over 2 metres beam . Comes standard with bow mount plate . Under floor fuel tank. 6 different seating positions. Front and rear storage as well as big side pockets and a gravity fed live well in the rear cast deck which probably wouldnt suit comps but is great for squid or keeping upgrades .

It handles a bit of slop quite well although not as soft a ride as the Quiny millennium hull.
I love it.Great crossover boat .

[Nimbin157]

A couple of pics

[Rattler]

I have a bluefin scoundrel 4.2. It's the old model with a 1.85m beam. I have had it for 7 year and put in a rear cast deck, under floor fuel and rod locker. It's a great boat, the only problem is the thin sides, I wish I got the 3mm sides. I use to live on Pittwater and the southerly can be horrible. I would look a V bottom rather than a V nose punt as they are still really stable and offer a bit better ride than the drifter style. You should be able to do a test drive in one at most dealers. Hope this helps.