Must be able to handle some swell, a bit of a cabin/shelter area for brewing a cuppa on those cold winter mornings. Dont care if its Alu, glass or gop, fishing is the name of the game so plenty of room for 2 blokes fishing 4 rods. Was thinking no bigger than 6m.
What should I look for?

Hmm...did I mention easy to trailer and launch?

Everyone will have an opinion but I believe the best boat you can buy is one you will use the most. You can buy a fantastic boat but it you hardly use it, its a waste of money. I would look at the following:

1. What will you tow it with 
2. Where will you mainly launch from
3. Where do you plan to fish
4. What type of fishing will you be doing
5. How many People on board

Answer those questions realistically and then start looking around at what boats are being used in a similar way, by similar people doing similar things. Ask people what they like about their boat and more importantly ask them what they dont like or would change if they could. Plenty of people will tell you their boat is perfect but everyboat is a compromise and suits different conditions or purposes.

Davo wrote: it'd be hard to go past this one...looks like it'd match up your criteria perfectly and it is a total fish magnet  http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=593132148

WOW 20k is a really good deal for your boat

dooh...didnt see the 20k part...must learn to read! 

Moki Marko wrote: Keencast wrote: Must be able to handle some swell, a bit of a cabin/shelter area for brewing a cuppa on those cold winter mornings. Dont care if its Alu, glass or gop, fishing is the name of the game so plenty of room for 2 blokes fishing 4 rods. Was thinking no bigger than 6m. What should I look for? I'd start by looking for another 20k

Im in the same (excuse the pun) boat as Keencast.
You say look for another 20k but in my case I use the boat here in Auckland for say 4 times through the year and then at Coromandel a couple of time as well as for 3 weeks at Christmas.
Now the 40k your suggesting is a few overseas hollidays so 20k is about what I will be spending (give or take $5000)
For those that fishing IS their life 40k is  great but if Keencast has a family and wanting to wanting to look to his future, then 20 is plenty.
Ive been looking at frypay 540 and 525s but have had a few people say they are not too stable. Ive looked at Surtees 5.5 and they start at about 25k and the last few days have been looking at ramco dominators in the 5.5 to 6 meter range
Keeping in mind that I may one day look at the manukau bar a fryan is possibly not as good but toots is only a couple of hours north and no bar to cross.
The decision the Keencast has to make is a bloody hard one.
As soon as you start talking boat money, your wifes car needs replacing or new carpet and tiles needs replacing.
Me, I intend spending up to the $20 (may be pushed a bit further) and spending the other $20 on carpet and tiles.

My thoughts exactly Stan
My last boat had a few old hooks under the ply floor so I was pleased I ripped it up a couple of months after buying it.
Personally, I only look at Alloy for the robust nature needed around the rocks of Coro and they are easy enough to tow for sure.

^ Pro Tournament 24 and 27 plans are available next month....:)

have u got trademe emailing u weekly for stuff in your range

took me about 3 months but i picked up a sweet deal.

23k

5.5m sea nymph
130hp yamaha 2 stroke with 50 hours
trailer is like brand new, lake use only. literally not a spot of rust last time i looked for it
mint interior (garaged whole life)

should be some deals in winter too, just be patient and keep an eye out