Looking at a first boat - VIC

[stockstandard]

Hey guys,

Was contemplating putting this in the classifieds area, but i figured it would be better in here. Mods feel free to move it if this is the wrong area

I have been looking around the net for opinions what would be a good first boat to get into. All I have managed to narrow it down to is something between 3.7 - 4.2m, 15 - 30hp and around 7.5k.

It will be my first boat and essentially I want to use it for camping trips and fishing at lake eildon plus the odd trip out into Port Phillip if the conditions are right.

The plan is to keep it for a while so I am leaning toward a bigger boat as I dont want to be selling it 1 year down the track for something bigger and I dont want to get something smaller just because it is cheaper.

More often than not it will be myself and 1 other person, but there is a chance for up to 4 (not that often and only inland fishing).

I have been looking at sea jays, stacer pro-lines, savages etc and I am now 100% confused. Any advice would be appreciated guys.

Cheers,
Christian

[bargeass]

Hands down the 4.2 with the 30hp mate. I have a 3.7 with an 18hp and it gets the job done but fishing out of my mates 4.5 is far more comfortable and you'll stay drier when you head out in the bay if there's a little bit of slop

[Windknot]

If you hadn't said that you wanted to go out onto Port Phillip Bay every now and then, I would have recommended a 3.9 Quintrex Explorer with a 30hp motor, which would be close to ideal for general estuary and some lake work.

In my view, punts and even v nosed punts have no place on Port Phillip Bay, except on the calmest of days.

If you're looking for a great all round level entry boat then I think it would be hard to go past something like the 4.2 Quintrex Busta with a 30hp motor. This conventionally shaped dingy will handle choppy conditions far better than any punt, yet it will still be in its environment in more sheltered water.

Whatever you buy, you will need to be able to fit a bow mounted electric on it, when funds become available to buy it.

[stockstandard]

Originally Posted by Windknot

If you hadn't said that you wanted to go out onto Port Phillip Bay every now and then, I would have recommended a 3.9 Quintrex Explorer with a 30hp motor, which would be close to ideal for general estuary and some lake work.

In my view, punts and even v nosed punts have no place on Port Phillip Bay, except on the calmest of days.

If you're looking for a great all round level entry boat then I think it would be hard to go past something like the 4.2 Quintrex Busta with a 30hp motor. This conventionally shaped dingy will handle choppy conditions far better than any punt, yet it will still be in its environment in more sheltered water.

Whatever you buy, you will need to be able to fit a bow mounted electric on it, when funds become available to buy it.

Hey mate,

Reality is that PPB will probably be minimal, but i would like the option.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/belgr...uki/1023241040

Something like that is what I am thinking, i like the idea of casting decks

[Windknot]

The 3.8 Savage with the 15hp Suzy looks okay. It seems to be priced about right, IMO. It's not a good PPB boat, but it would still be alright for calm days. I think it would be a reasonable estuary boat. I don't know how stable it would be when you're standing on the raised casting deck, but it could be okay. It's hard to tell unless you actually try it.

When you buy any boat, you are faced with compromises. You can't escape that fact.

If you are looking at say 90% estuary work, then I would recommend either a Stacer or Quintrex (they're both the same) v-nosed punt in the 3.9 size. These boats are super stable. They're very wide for their length. These boats will perform, to a degree, with a 15hp motor, but they're much better with something like a 30hp on them.

[stockstandard]

Originally Posted by Windknot

The 3.8 Savage with the 15hp Suzy looks okay. It seems to be priced about right, IMO. It's not a good PPB boat, but it would still be alright for calm days. I think it would be a reasonable estuary boat. I don't know how stable it would be when you're standing on the raised casting deck, but it could be okay. It's hard to tell unless you actually try it.

When you buy any boat, you are faced with compromises. You can't escape that fact.

If you are looking at say 90% estuary work, then I would recommend either a Stacer or Quintrex (they're both the same) v-nosed punt in the 3.9 size. These boats are super stable. They're very wide for their length. These boats will perform, to a degree, with a 15hp motor, but they're much better with something like a 30hp on them.

Thanks for that mate. Yeah i wasnt sure on it purely because for the stability at rest factor. I dont think I am going to get the versatility that I want for the money I have at this stage.

Reality is I will probably be doing 90% estuary stuff, and only going to PBB when it is basically glass anyway.

[stockstandard]

There are a couple out there that seem pretty decent to me, but then again i am a novice. eg

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...Ridx=22&eapi=2

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...Ridx=26&eapi=2

[MattyA]

Hey mate, check out the 429 proline. Should fit the bill perfectly matched with a 30hp yammi.

[mr perch]

Stacer 429 rampage ......What you want to do with yours is exactly what i do with mine......Great in rivers and rough seas ....very stable , cant fault it

[stockstandard]

Thanks for the info guys, keep it coming.

I think i may be limited to a 3.7-3.9, but its starting to get clearer.

Could almost stretch the funds a bit to this.
http://www.nwhmarine.com.au/boats/de...MPAGE-14865941

[mr perch]

Originally Posted by stockstandard

Thanks for the info guys, keep it coming.

I think i may be limited to a 3.7-3.9, but its starting to get clearer.

Could almost stretch the funds a bit to this.
http://www.nwhmarine.com.au/boats/de...MPAGE-14865941

Stretch it mate....Great allrounder.

[Windknot]

Originally Posted by mr perch

Stretch it mate....Great allrounder.

Yep, I agree entirely.

[crabcrusher]

I saw this on Gumtree, which may suit what your after in size and budget..

Not being a Vnose punt, it may be a tad tipy.. The motor is also fairly old, but looks clean..

A 40 hp on this thing would fly....

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/lakes...art/1025185761

[stockstandard]

Jesus that looks pretty nice, might be worth a look.

What do people generally get out of a 2 stroke, before rebuilds? I have heard some crazy numbers up around 1.5k hours.......

[stockstandard]

and of course I have now found this bad boy on this site......too much to choose from.

http://www.breammaster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54789