455 Bluefin Drifter Tournament Pro Advice

markas76 · #1 21-02-2014, 09:22 AM

Hi all, Im after some advice please....Im looking at possibly buying a Bluefin Drifter Tournament Pro with approx 70-80HP motor, does anyone own one or knows someone who owns one with a similar size engine???
Id like to know how it goes with that size engine and if theyve ever had trouble with the boat porpoising, also like to know their opinion on the boat in general, good points, bad points any info at all would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers in advance.

MODIFIED · #2 21-02-2014, 05:35 PM

hey mate,

I only have a 4.2 meter Bluefin unfortunately but they are a decent Aust built boat. id say the biggest plus would be that the Brad and the Bluefin team are always interested in what their boat owners are doing. they even have a Bluefin fishing team. I found this review. not sure if your read it already

http://www.trailerboat.com.au/review...ent-pro-review

nice looking boat.

markas76 · #3 21-02-2014, 06:26 PM

Hey Modified, thanks for your response, I have already read that review but thanks for posting it anyway. You sound like your happy with the quality of your Bluefin so that's good to hear. A new boat costs a lot of money these days so im after as many Bluefin owners opinions as I can before I hand over my hard earned $$$$$.
Thanks.

bamm · #4 21-02-2014, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markas76

Hi all, Im after some advice please....Im looking at possibly buying a Bluefin Drifter Tournament Pro with approx 70-80HP motor, does anyone own one or knows someone who owns one with a similar size engine???
Id like to know how it goes with that size engine and if theyve ever had trouble with the boat porpoising, also like to know their opinion on the boat in general, good points, bad points any info at all would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers in advance.

I've got a bluefin barracuda 4.5 with a honda 60

I'd buy another one again

Handles well
Well built
Life time warranty on hull
And affordable

Juzza · #5 21-02-2014, 09:38 PM

I have a Wildcat with a 60HP and it goes great. Built stronger than the big brands I think.

Rattler · #6 21-02-2014, 11:02 PM

I've got a scoundrel and love it. Had it for 5 years. The only problem I have is with the paint peeling on the top sides. Maybe anodes might help. The drifter looks like a great boat and I would defently buy another bluefin as the fit out quality and designs are great.

markas76 · #7 22-02-2014, 01:39 AM

Thanks Bamm, Juzza and Rattler in the above posts for responding to my question about Bluefin boats. Its reassuring to hear positive feedback about the brand of boat im looking at getting, thanks for taking the time to respond, its much appreciated.
Cheers guys.

bamm · #8 22-02-2014, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markas76

Thanks Bamm, Juzza and Rattler in the above posts for responding to my question about Bluefin boats. Its reassuring to hear positive feedback about the brand of boat im looking at getting, thanks for taking the time to respond, its much appreciated.
Cheers guys.

No dramas mate

Only boat
I've had dramas with was Formosa and mercury engines
Just my experiences is all

If I was buying a new boat if get the suzuki hands down and second choice honda

I no this might open a can of worms but I'm not up for debate

markas76 · #9 22-02-2014, 03:47 AM

yeh mate, Suzuki is top of my list of choices aswell. If I go with a 455 drifter pro I would like to put a 80hp Suzuki on the back which is the maximum horsepower it can take without upgrading the bottom to 4mm. I was hoping someone on this site had a 455 with a similar size motor who could comment on how it handles that much engine. I only put up my post last night and already have 4 people offering advice so that's great. Im not looking at getting the boat for about 6 months while I save a bit of extra cash for a decent sounder and a I-pilot so I think ill get plenty more advice by then.
Cheers

forsterfisho · #10 22-02-2014, 04:41 AM

I got a bluefin wild cat and the boat is great. Quick for a 60hp motor, solid, doesnt bounce around in chop and is just the right size for what I want to do...I'd buy another.

Vespadito · #11 22-02-2014, 05:09 AM

I have a wildcat 4.35 limited edition.

We live on the Gold Coast and have had a lot of interaction with the bluefin crew.

I have 4mm plate bottom, so could of upgraded to a bigger merc, but decided to stay at the 60 4 stroke.

The guys are going to make a recessed footwell for my motorguide, and have asked us to help with their commercial coming out in the next few months.

I really don't know any company that offers service like bluefin in any industry. Their staff fish out of bluefin, and the management do too!

I suppose it depends on what your going to be doing in your boat, but for bream, barra, jack and bass fishing mine has been awesome both by myself and with four in the boat too.

Hope that helps.

Don

PS I am a member of the bluefin fishing team..

markas76 · #12 23-02-2014, 09:26 PM

Thanks forsterfisho and Vespadito for your response. Great to hear even more positive opinions on the brand. Vespadito, ill being using it 90% of the time for bream fishing as my mate and I have just been getting into the BETS comps over the last year and a half or so and we're pretty hooked on the comps now but I need something a bit more family friendly than a skeeter style boat as ill be taking my kids out for a fish fairly often as well, my sons only 4 years old and he already loves throwing a lure for bream as much as I do :-)

Bronco T · #13 24-03-2014, 12:56 AM

A mate of mine bought a Drifter pro 455 with a 60hp Suzuki on it about 3 months ago. He's very happy with it he's just been pondering as to whether he should have got a larger motor or not. I have been on it about 5 times and found it to be a pretty much an ideal estuary boat, it sits well on the water when fishing and is quite stable and the fit out of the boat is first class and looks a well built boat, as for the motor size I suppose it depends on how fast you want to go the 60 was quite a capable motor in my opinion.

Cheers

Tinwah · #14 24-03-2014, 10:41 PM

Hi there, I have a 4.25 Mangrove Jack & love it. As others have said the build quality is exceptional. I have a 40HP E-TEC on the back which is maximum HP & weight (115kg's) for the hull. You need to trim it out 1 up, but OK with 2+ and/or the livewell, that is up the front, filled as well. I would definately own another.
cheers
Andrew

markas76 · #15 25-03-2014, 01:54 AM

Thanks tinwah and Bronco T for your replies, its much appreciated, its very reassuring hearing good things about a brand of boat im considering buying. But im really hoping to hear from someone who has a 455 drifter tournament pro with a 80hp or 90hp motor, id really like to hear feedback on how it performs with its max HP or near max HP motor on the back, also like to know if this model has any issues with porpoising as ive heard some boats with this style of hull with a flat bottom can have issues with this... ANYONE????