Hi, I am looking at getting my first boat. I am looking for something small and easy,cheap to use.
This is be mainly used for fishing and maybe pulling ski.

I am looking at these boats and I would like some input please.
Figlass dominator or cavalier
Macboat 600 or 570
Surtees 475.

I think I would prefer aluminium as it's easier maintenance.

Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

I can personally recommend the FC500/535 range as a dry, stable, very easy to launch/retrieve boat and IMHO a perfect fishing boat that fits your criteria of small, easy, cheap to use and alloy. For me the FC500C/C was a go anywhere in safety boat. 

As it is a first boat, Id personally recommend a used boat in good condition. Older isnt always a bad thing (things do go wrong, used boat might not be as worried if you make a mistake, ding something etc).

Also if you buy brand new decide boats arent for you that could be a bit hit on the back pocket.

Given your tow vehicle Id be saying alloy up to 5.8-6m max should be ok (at a guess, others on here will have a better idea. 2007 2.7L v6 santa fe tows our 520Lazer with ease. Holds its 90km up hills just chews a bit more petrol in the process).

Key things with either option (with the new information you provided I will have a think before I suggest my ideas) is whatever you pick, lots of HP never hurts.. well powered smaller boat will perform much better than a slightly larger undergunned boat.

4 adults comfortably well.. that rules out our 520lazercraft. 4 / 5 is doable but not comfortable, our setup is for diving so we have heaps of space with how we positioned the two seats.. others will chime in but id be thinking youll need upwards of 5.5m?

i haven’t been in a mac 600 but have been in a 570. completely different designs, the 570 is a pontoon and four adults could easily stand against one side without much lean. i have had two of the mac 420 now and they are a great low maintenance boat but limited to how far offshore you can go. the 570 would be more suitable for farther out ventures.

plastic is by far the lowest maintenance material.

i would suggest you spend some time on these boats nefore making a decsision. ask around if anyone will let you crew. do some sea trials.

but if you are like me it doesn’t matter anyway. you’ll sell it soon enough and buy some other boat!

Thanks for the input.

I'm going to look at the macs next week. Hopefully can get a good deal perhaps.

Thinking of waiting for the boat show to buy? Maybe better deals?

5.7m alloy boats at a guess fully loaded might be in the 1500kg bracket? Others may have a better idea. Could be hard on the tuscon but probably more than ok in my eyes.

JustAnotherSpearo wrote: 5.7m alloy boats at a guess fully loaded might be in the 1500kg bracket? Others may have a better idea. Could be hard on the tuscon but probably more than ok in my eyes.

Go pay Redfinger a visit at Fish City Albany. I've only heard good feedback

Thanks heaps for all the replys.

I'm looking hopefully at mac 600 sport next week. Anyone have feedback on those?

Really appreciate all the feedback.   One thing I don't understand though is how the surtees 495 is a 5m boat but not actually as other 5m boat is bigger?

End of the boat marked and where they consider the end of the boat. Hope this helps