Create Profile or Login

Forum Menu

Home > Forum Home > General Forums > The Boat Shed

Scorpion boats

  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Scorpion boats Forum Search Events FAQ FAQRegister RegisterLogin Login

 Post Reply Post Reply
Page  123>
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Hunter/Fisher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Scorpion boats
    Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 12:23pm
Hunter/Fisher View Drop Down
Silver
Silver
Avatar

Joined: 07 Apr 2008
Location: At sea
Status: Offline
Points: 205
Whats everyones experiences with these boats? Quite like the look of their 455 and 533 pontoon models. Anyone got one that can tell me how they go?
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote family affair Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 7:50pm
family affair View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 04 Mar 2010
Location: ngaruawahia
Status: Offline
Points: 1808
cheap and nasty man iv looked at them yea na not for me all depends what ya wana spend and what kinda fising you going to do. look at the more common well knowen rigs dude like stabi or senator or kiwicraft etc
mv maui
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote kaveman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 7:59pm
kaveman View Drop Down
Forum Sponsor
Forum Sponsor
Avatar

Joined: 18 Oct 2004
Location: Whangamata
Status: Offline
Points: 9731
agree with FA, dont go there Wink
www.kavemantackle.co.nz
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Fish Pimp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 9:04pm
Fish Pimp View Drop Down
Gold
Gold


Joined: 13 Sep 2010
Status: Offline
Points: 681
Definatly  ..DONT GO THERE..Thumbs DownThumbs Down .. As for experience more than most will ever have..
 
Ya can't make honey out'a Horse P.ss..
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Double Shot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 9:15pm
Double Shot View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 22 Aug 2005
Location: Tauranga
Status: Offline
Points: 3771
Not wanting to bag a product really, but I wouldn't own one from what I have seen/heard from owners I know....
70ml of 90deg C water pressurised through 13g of roasted finely ground tamped coffee for 25sec's to make a distinguishing sensory hit called a Double Shot    
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote mowerman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 12:52am
mowerman View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Location: Papakura
Status: Offline
Points: 5686
Dont bag them..I have a 620 hardtop.Its a good boat,not the rolls royce of the tin boats but you pay for what you get,its value for money.Mines powered by a honda 4 stroke 115 ( about 8 litres an hour)   and it goes like hell.Its not to bad in the rough and it looks nice .Everyone has their likes and dislikes with any product. Look at all the bad write ups over motors ..Same thing applies 
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote tightlines2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 7:25am
tightlines2 View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 2994
If you are keen go for a sea trial in one. That could be hard though, because I'm still waiting for a sea trial from 3 years ago. I got tired of waiting so bought a rig 2nd hand for the same money but much better brand of hull and motor.
Remember it's not the number of breaths you take that is important in life, but rather the number of times that life takes your breath away.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Mark Mac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 8:33am
Mark Mac View Drop Down
Silver
Silver


Joined: 11 May 2009
Status: Offline
Points: 168
Mowerman, thats great economy.
 
I owned the same boat for four years, powered with a Suzuki 115 four. Used 16 litres an hour an cruise speed. It did use about 6 litres an hour trolling of rmarlin
 
In the four years I owned the boat my wife hated it more and more due to its terrible ride. She eventually refused to come out on it. Bought a new boat with fine entry and deep vee. My wife was amazed at the difference in ride.
 
The problem with the boat is not so much the shallow 17 degree vee, but the extremely broad shoulders it has at the front of the hull. There is just no give when it hits a wave. The boat basically stops.
In the large following sea, it was downright dangerous. Coming down the face of a wave it would steer anywhere it wanted to.
My advice is dont touch them. I did hundreds of hours in mine. There are much better alternatives out there for similar money
Time spent on the water doesn't come off your life
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Dagwood Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 9:04am
Dagwood View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 17 May 2003
Location: New Zealand
Status: Offline
Points: 2321
Weren't the Scorpion pontoon boats a re-badged Reel Pontoon boat?

If they were, I wouldn't write them off quite so quickly. I've got a smaller 3.9m Reel and the ride is very good. 
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Hunter/Fisher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 10:08am
Hunter/Fisher View Drop Down
Silver
Silver
Avatar

Joined: 07 Apr 2008
Location: At sea
Status: Offline
Points: 205
Yeah I have heard that. The pontoon boat I looked at the other day seemed to be quite well built. Is there any reason in particular that people are staying keep away?
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote family affair Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 10:30am
family affair View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 04 Mar 2010
Location: ngaruawahia
Status: Offline
Points: 1808
you can buy a lot better boat for the money man just look around dude spooner balck has a dodge reputation mna
mv maui
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote kermie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 10:59am
kermie View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze
Avatar

Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 33
I agre e with you mowerman, I have had a Bluefin 620 from new for 5 years, with optimax 115. At the time it would have cost me 15K plus for the same size/ motor / extras. I knew it wasnt the top of the line but it tick anumber of boxes for me. In reflection, I have no regrets and it has served me well. I use it off the west coast where unlike the east coast you cant run and hide behind a island. I have done over 200 hours, without any issue, caught plenty of fish with my mates and returned home safely and generally comfortably. Every boat has its issues even extremes & surtees!! I enjoy this website and the discussions but I think there is a sense of elitism at times if you dont own the "in" boats
Quinny
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote paw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 11:56am
paw View Drop Down
Gold
Gold
Avatar

Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Location: Te Kuiti
Status: Offline
Points: 904
 I don't know anything about them but I see they quote their length as LOA ( length overall) which is quite different from hull length so be aware of this if comparing with other boats that may be quoting hull length. My senator 560 is only a 5.4 metre hull. 
sleeping is a symptom of caffeine deprivation
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Denny Boy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 6:35pm
Denny Boy View Drop Down
Silver
Silver
Avatar

Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Location: Urenui Taranaki
Status: Offline
Points: 492
Originally posted by brent262 brent262 wrote:

Whats everyones experiences with these boats? Quite like the look of their 455 and 533 pontoon models. Anyone got one that can tell me how they go?
Hi - I owned the 610 HT Scorpion for about 2 months and couldn't stand it. It wallowed through the waves and as another thread says above coming with the chop was dangerous. It would take off in any direction and it didn't matter where the T & T was set. Can't quote the 5m Scorpions but I took this one straight back to the dealer. As for the pontoon a friend of mine has got the 533 Scorpion pontoon and he quite likes it. He says it rides OK, predictable, easy to push along and light to tow. Was value for money at the time (about 32K new with 60hp Merc 4-5 years ago) but for a 5+ meter boat it is small, really squashed up inside and the finishing is quite honestly crap! Nothing is fully welded so there are heaps of spot welds through the boat inside and out-that's where the price diff is I guess. It would be however, a lot safer that the non-pontoon Scorpions
Cheers
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote family affair Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 7:02pm
family affair View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 04 Mar 2010
Location: ngaruawahia
Status: Offline
Points: 1808
i lookd at one after the surtees sold they were trying hard to sell it to me in morrinsvle but i looked at the workman ship and walked away my mate use to make there trailers and they were dodge to work for man STAY AWAY
mv maui
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Dunwurkn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 7:05pm
Dunwurkn View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 14 Sep 2010
Location: NZ
Status: Offline
Points: 2544
Whats the difference between bluefin and scorpion boats are the mde by the same place but just different branding? Anyone know?
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Fish Pimp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 7:16pm
Fish Pimp View Drop Down
Gold
Gold


Joined: 13 Sep 2010
Status: Offline
Points: 681
Bluefin cheaper build again. Or so I was told when I had dealings with Spencer''. These operators get others to build their boats dependant on what's required and how cheap they can get them made.'' Buyer Beware''.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Mark Mac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 7:57am
Mark Mac View Drop Down
Silver
Silver


Joined: 11 May 2009
Status: Offline
Points: 168
I was told by Black that the 610 scorpion and 620 bluefin are exactly the same hulls. The bluefin has a 10cm longer bowspit. I would agree with this having studied them.
I have no axe to grind with Sportcraft boats. They treated me fairly during the purchase and subsequent build, though they did hide a few things from me.
I am saying though that there are far better boat manufacturers out there for similar money
Time spent on the water doesn't come off your life
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Moki Marko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 2:03pm
Moki Marko View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 24 May 2008
Location: Nelson
Status: Offline
Points: 1403
Originally posted by Mark Mac Mark Mac wrote:

I was told by Black that the 610 scorpion and 620 bluefin are exactly the same hulls. The bluefin has a 10cm longer bowspit. I would agree with this having studied them.
I have no axe to grind with Sportcraft boats. They treated me fairly during the purchase and subsequent build, though they did hide a few things from me.
I am saying though that there are far better boat manufacturers out there for similar money



some good unbiased info in your posts MM - what boat did you end up with?
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Mark Mac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 7:28pm
Mark Mac View Drop Down
Silver
Silver


Joined: 11 May 2009
Status: Offline
Points: 168
Originally posted by Moki Marko Moki Marko wrote:

Originally posted by Mark Mac Mark Mac wrote:

I was told by Black that the 610 scorpion and 620 bluefin are exactly the same hulls. The bluefin has a 10cm longer bowspit. I would agree with this having studied them.
I have no axe to grind with Sportcraft boats. They treated me fairly during the purchase and subsequent build, though they did hide a few things from me.
I am saying though that there are far better boat manufacturers out there for similar money



some good unbiased info in your posts MM - what boat did you end up with?
 
After 20 years of owning bigger and bigger boats, (Up to $80, 000) I have finally realised that I'm a small boat kind of guy.
I purchased a senator 400 inshore last December. Powered with a Yamaha 40 2-stroke tiller steer. Spent 3 grand on fish finder though.
Still catches fish that a big boat catches. Its a bit wetter and colder, but I launch and retrieve anywhere on my own.
First pontoon boat I've owned, and I love it. Uses 7 litres of petrol an hour and takes 5 minutes to hose down at the end of the day. But I digress..................
Time spent on the water doesn't come off your life
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
Page  123>
Forum Jump
Forum Permissions View Drop Down


This page was generated in 0.277 seconds.

Most Thanked Forum Posts

4 2026 Grunter Hunter
3 Manukau Harbour & West Coa...
1 tauranga fishing
1 Manukau Harbour & West Coa...
1 Manukau Harbour & West Coa...
1 A new setup
1 Uncle
1 Crossing Cook Strait
1 tauranga fishing
1 Hutchwilco Boat Show

Fishing Reports Visit Reports

Saltwater Fishing Reports
Bream Bay Fishing Report - 14/05/26

Move over snapper, the trevs are here While for many of us snapper are a... Read More >

14 May 2026
Freshwater Fishing Reports
Rotorua Fishing Report - 14/05/26

Season of change For the Rotorua region we are in a transitional stage with the... Read More >

14 May 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Outer Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report 14/05/26

Perseverance pays off As the calendar edges deeper into May, the outer reaches of the... Read More >

14 May 2026
Freshwater Fishing Reports
Canterbury Fishing Report - 14/05/26

Autumn has well and truly arrived Autumn has well and truly arrived; these days are... Read More >

14 May 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Bay of Islands Fishing Report - 14/05/26

Yellowfin still here! Can you believe it? A yellowfin tuna was caught last Friday and... Read More >

14 May 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Tauranga Fishing Report - 14/05/26

Harbour and beaches producing The weather has at least let us get out after a... Read More >

14 May 2026
Fishing bite times Fishing bite times

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Major Bites

Minor Bites

All information © 2026 The Fishing Website