Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:55 pm Post subject: New Boat - First Boat Advice
Hi All,
Have not been fishing in 10 years and have finally found my self in a position to take time off work and start regularly fishing again.
Used to fish daily of the rocks for bonnies, mac tunas, kings (pelagics)
Am looking at purchasing my first boat, just want a good solid fishing boat. Will be for me and my 3 sons (9yo, 4yo and 2yo, possibly the wife on occassions).
Currently looking at purchasing a Quintrex 610 Legend and powering it with a 175hp Evinrude.
Would be interested in peoples experience with center consoles, and also with Evinrudes (seems to be a lot of bad experiences posted on the web.
Would be interested to now also if this boat will be suitable for making the occasional trip to Browns mountain when conditions are suitable for a tinnie.
Anyway, interested in peoples experiences and any suggestions, including other branded boats / motors to check out within my budget ($50k).
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: New Boat - First Boat Advice
Howdy Frankie,
When you say solid fishing boat and $50k, the rig we've had since late 2010 is the one I would look at: Bar Crusher 560/610 with a Suzuki 140hp. The more time I spend in it the more I like it. Not the best in each aspect but 'solid fishing boat' for around $50k (2nd hand late model I'm thinking here).
Rather than spend the same money on a new quinnie etc my preference would be to get something slightly 2nd hand like the Bar Crusher or Surtees, similar sort of build.
I will openly admit I looked closely at both Quintrex and Stacer, but once I was introduced to both Surtees then Bar Crusher my mind was made up very quickly, in terms of what would suit us best for mostly offshore fishing for the family.
Good luck in the search, it's fun for a while at least.
Looked at bar crusher but was significantly higher in price, i did preferred the bar crusher though.
Never thought about 2nd hand, was always concerned about the motor on 2nd hand boats.no experience with purchasing second hand but have this fear of being sold a boat with underlying problems, maybe un warranted fear but have that fear none the less.
When it comes to engines, my mates have a suzuki and yamaha and love it.
Yamaha increased the price of the boat (in 4 stroke), initially i wanted a yamaha engine, purely on what i observed on commercial fisherman's boats, lots have yamaha, some suggests they are the better option if I'm doing 300+hrs a year.
If i go a yamaha, might mean having to delay purchasing a quality depth sounder/gps unit.
So much to way up before purchasing when on a budget.
Not so much fun really trying to work out what i want vs what i can afford.
50K on a first boat does seem like a lot,
don't know how much experience driving a boat you have, could be heaps, could be none, who knows, you could've worked on boats for years
but the first boat is gonna get knocked around a bit on ramps, docks, jetties and putting the thing back on the trailer the first few times in windy, choppy conditions can be hectic,
ya don't want to buy a nice boat like that and have it spend as much time in getting it repainted/dings knocked out as you do on the water, that's just the proverbial pain in the ....
a 6+ metre tub is a fair size boat for a first boat as well, manoeuvring it around in tight busy spots ( ramps, docks etc ) with other impatient boat owners can also be stressful
not telling ya how to suck eggs but a good 2nd hand first boat in the 15-20K..or a lot less.. range will do the same job...with less tears when ya hit a dock/ramp/trailer/ hard..and ya will until you get used to it..for a couple of years..or longer
I'm with Hammer, I'd be looking at a Barcrusher secondhand for around 50K. I actually have a mate selling a 575C which he only bought in September 2011. Only got about 30 hours, 115 Zuk, all the bells and whistles. Good rig for you and the kids but a pretty serious rig if you want to go offshore on occasion. Currently has it on Boatsales I think? Genuine reason for selling, he's moving house.
Frankie. Welcome to the site mate and I hope you get some good info from the guys here.
Can I suggest you get in touch with member " Snackman " as I feel it may well be benificial for both of you.
Wish you well and let us know how you get on.
Frank _________________
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:44 pm Post subject: Re:
Frankie,
I'll go out on a limb and suggest you could snag a 2-3 yr old Bar Crusher 560/610 (with 140 suzuki) for $50K no problem. I get mine serviced properly, flush it each trip and do the basic checks etc....I cant imagine other fisho's would be too slack in this regard? I would go out in it and possibly get a mechanic to check it though if it was me.
If you get something like a Bar Crusher or Surtees for $50K (or under), a couple of years old with say 100 (or less) hours on the engine, I cant see how you could go wrong. You should look into the future - say 2 or 3 years - and think what would the best option be now between buying a cheaper model new or something else slightly 2nd hand.
Anyhow thats my 'sales pitch' done - just FYI I have nothing to do with the company at all - just love my boat. Having said all that I've never owned a Quintrex to compare it, so bear that in mind.
I wont enter the debate about what boat to buy as you will get more options than what you need !!
Just wanted to make comment on the Etec...I bought a new boat last year and powered it up with the Etec and I am more than happy with the engine. It starts witht the 1st crank everytime and runs well. Not as quiet as the 4 strokes and probably use a bit more fuel but I really like the idea of a 2 stroke engine as there is less that can go wrong as compared to a 4 stroke. Its really a personal thing as there will be as many ppl saying 2 st is better as there are ppl saying 4 st is better. If you looking at cost and weight, the 2 st is better and the service intervals are less.....but the oil is not cheap (think its around $60 for 4 litres) however that does last a long time (maybe 25 hrs).
Like Stated by another I don't want to enter the debate either, but I will give you two bits of advice, jump in as many boats as you can, and find the one you like. The money your proposing will buy you a hell of a lot of boat. Besides the two mentioned, there are others in the plate market, TABS, Fisher, Even custom made such as CNCMarine they make a very nice hull as well. Its a buyers market, I would seriously look around.
Again get in as many different boats as you can, then make your choice.
Good luck _________________ Cheers
Katoh
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:01 am Post subject: Re:
mattg wrote:
I'm with Hammer, I'd be looking at a Barcrusher secondhand for around 50K. I actually have a mate selling a 575C which he only bought in September 2011. Only got about 30 hours, 115 Zuk, all the bells and whistles. Good rig for you and the kids but a pretty serious rig if you want to go offshore on occasion. Currently has it on Boatsales I think? Genuine reason for selling, he's moving house.
As a Bar Crusher owner you can't beat 'em for a good purpose built fishing boat..and preloved is exactly that. ALL BC owners love their BCs...if one comes up for sale you can bet it's been looked after and to sell one would hurt . Take a mate that knows boats when you do go look at 2nd hand rigs..or if you do know boats..and check them out to make sure all is well. _________________
A bad day's fishing beats a good week at work!
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. Take a mate that knows boats when you do go look at 2nd hand rigs..or if you do know boats..and check them out to make sure all is well.