Different sound ~ eh ?

Budget is the next consideration. If you could afford a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 Diesel ~ you would probably buy one. If you couldn't, but still wanted good gear, you would probably settle for a Toyota Prado or similar. Failing that ~ go for a Kia or a Santa Fe.

They will all do the job ~ just at differing comfort & resale levels.

Now change to the other end of the towbar & read Stabicraft / Senator, Frewza & FC

The boat show is a good place to "seal the deal", but I would be wanting to have my ducks all lined up by then. You have to get out on the water and experience the comparisons. The boat show is where you shop for the best deal for the product that you have decided on.

If you use the boat show to but "the cheapest available" ~ it will end in tears !

 

If you are looking at second hand, you maybe will want to take out Stabi (their old hulls are definitely not a patch on the new ones) and possibly Frewza (nobody wants to sell theirs !)

In terms of the cabin, its just a case of having something to get out of the spray/weather while boating to and from the spot. I know one sacrifices soft baiting/general fishing room, but ultimately I am ok with that. Just a knee jerk from too many ferry wake sandwiches on my small boats I guess!

 

Joker - the FC boat is this one: http://fishcity.co.nz/boating/fc-boats/fc-510.html

 

Check it out - you might just trade in your center console on that baby!

 

Greg

Contract - to say older stabis are less good than new stabis is not logical (even though you'd think progress would have improved them) .  A 490 stabi placed against either slightly smaller or slightly bigger newer stabi (or similar size and similar horse power) would eat it for sea keeping.  Simply because newer ones were built for more cookpit room over their sea keeping.  New ones might help you put a bigger marlin in boat or ferry few more people and require bigger horsepower to get same speed and would be less fuel efficient.  And simply won't ride as good (especially in head sea) due to their  wider beam. Been in a 509 with 80 hp yami 4/ for comparism against well used 490 with a yamhi 50 4/. The rides are different. One is better and it is the older narrower boat with higher bow configuration - which is probably we why run up to a 100 miles a day out to 50 nautical miles offshore in a 5 meter boat with a reasonable degree of confidence

 

How important the aspects will be, is a matter of opinion. To me, important things are -

- better (softer) ride in choppy sea. Generally I believe, softer will come from - longer hull, narrower beam, sharper bow and hull deadrise.

- narrower beam means narrower trailer - hate wide trailer for towing and parking.

- lateral stability - better if wider beam, and major downturned hull chine (usually called gullwing). This varies a lot - external pontoons usually have a pronounced gullwing, some non-pontoons do some don't.

- reserve buoyancy - when swamped (water in the boat), would like it to stay afloat, and preferably right side up. Pontoons do, others maybe but most appear to be inadequate.

- price - higher is hard to justify, unless Im rich (which Im not).

 

Anyway - I am intrigued by multi-hulls. VMG make a major hull with 2  minor hulls beside (called sponsons). Maverick make a 2-hull model. Both reckon it gives a softer ride; as the hulls are much finer entry than single hulls, and stability is good with multi hulls. However, downsides are - much wider beam (don't like), much higher price (don't like).

 

Generally - I think selecting a boat is hard, unless you have had a lot of experience. It took me, 4 years and 4 boats before I got mine about right. Not quite though - would love a 5m boat.    

 

 

Sorry Shaneg. I am talking about their new Arrow pontoons. I have been in similar length (older) Stabi's and the ride difference is quite apparent. I am not saying that the oldies are "no good" ~ I am saying the new ones are better. I still stand by that. That is the logic I am using ~ one of experience & ownership !