Alright lads let me have it , all and any opinions welcome.

Sold the buc 550 classic 6 months ago due to lack of use, big running costs and never coming close to the fish v dollar return i see on the kayak.

Now looking for a small boat under 4m to do the same things I can on the yak, access remote locations with easy launch but get where I want to faster and also further on good days.

I've narrowed it down to Mac 360. Smartwave 3.5 & FC 385T. My favorite of the 3 is the FC. All about the same price new, but big variations in the second hand market.

As said above would be great to hear what you have to say. Also not fussy and happy to hear about other brands . Frezwa, scorpion, ramco, etc , etc.

Goo old sea nymph v13,go just about anywhere,miss mine

I've only fished from one but the little Stabis (1400?) really impressed me. Even with only 20hp it went ok. 30 to 40hp would fly. Very stable and like all boats that size pretty much a one or two man boat

I don't know the cost of an Allenco but I doubt it would be the cheapest option but they are bullet proof and Harvey offers customised boats

Thanks for the responses guys.

Keith where do you take your SW, really like them but the low gunwale on the 3.5 has me a bit cautious,

Kandrew thats good to hear, how much hp you running and would you feel it was big enough to have two kids on board ?

I run a 15hp Merc on it and have taken 3 adults out in it but it was a bit gutless. Fine for 2 adults and I’m 100 plus kg. They are rated for a 20hp which might be better with 3 pob. No centre seat gives you plenty of room also dragged the kids around on the ski bisket no problem.

2nd the FatCat 4000. (they are 3.8m so 12' 5").
Because it is a cat it leaves the monohulls behind with fishing area and stability.
I have a centre console one for harbour fishing use.  40hp parsuns on the back and electric motor on the front.  The hull and electric motor allows me to cruise in only 20cm of water depth.  Very easy to launch and retrieve solo, especially since the trailer is a tipper as well.

I migrated from the Smartwave 3500s to the Fatcat 4000 because I wanted more room. My Fatcat has a double console and T-top and the 40HP, which makes it a bit more cumbersome than the Smartwave, so I wouldn't try single-handedly launching into surf.

I think Hopkins was asking about a small boat to do solo launches and, in my opinion, a tiller steer Fatcat 4000 (at 3.8m loa and 2m beam) might even be at the upper limit for a solo launch off a beach.

Hopkins, do yourself a favour & do a sea-trial on the SW3500. I've had Frewza and Stabi under 14 foot and the Smartwave is "stable as" for what you want. It is also a fraction of the price of the pontoons 2nd hand.

Kandrew wrote: I agree the smart wave is a great little boat and would do anything you want. I’ve also spent many hours driving small ribs and have always been impressed how well they handled the sea conditions. I driven 4.0 ribs from manly all the way up to the top of kawau island in 26 knots chasing sailing boats and had no problems. You just need to get one with good tubes as leaks on older ribs can be a pain and remember the tubes don’t like fish hooks so I would make it a habit to net every fish.