FC430 good ? - bad ?

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Wanda_Ra Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: FC430 good ? - bad ?
    Posted: 05 Jan 2020 at 12:31am
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starting to look into a FC430 with a 30hp for me n my kid harbour west coast n the odd bar trip and off coro.
Had 7m and 12 footers currently own a 5.5 surtees but wanting something reliable and solid i can beach launch and figure this is a decent size not too big,not too small and dont need to huge outboard sucking gas.
Just looking to get basic tiller steer runabout.

They seem to have a good rep, anyone own one that loves it, dislikes things etc.. Every boat has its pros n cons
If you think you are too small to make a difference,try sleeping with a mosquito in your tent.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MacSkipper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jan 2020 at 5:08am
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Only hear good reports on FC boats - having down sized in 2013 to a Mac360  I got caught with a 30hp electric start manual trim remote steer - ended up retrofitting a power trim which was costly and difficult as i hated having manual tilt and did not realise till stuck with it.

If you are fishing off beach with 2 or more to help hold boat - ok manual start etc but if you are using a fish finder so have electrics anyway?  I know electrics adds cost and weight - but have you actually tried one?  

Maybe PM Redfinger who works at FC boats in Akld - a good bloke and get a demo first?  Once you buy you are locked in to configuration...

Just saying based on my experiences.
Good fishing trip nothing breaks, great trip catch fish.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote letsgetem Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jan 2020 at 9:22am
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I had two boats with tiller steer. Basically I hated tiller steering, and progressed to full front steer and electric trim.
 
Tiller steer -
- had to sit at the back, which made it too arse heavy, so hard to get planning, ploughed along.
- sitting at the back with bow up, meant visibility forward was poor.
- Manually lowering and raising the motor was a pain.
- inability to adjust motor trim, meant no way of trimming motor for speed, weight etc.
- manual start - hard, and temperamental.
- I suspect that crossing a bar with small tiller steer, would be asking for trouble. I would want at least a superstructure and screen to shed water over the front.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Steps Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jan 2020 at 10:26am
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Of any current alloys boats, it is the FC that stand out for me based on so many comments, propping , re powers ..
 Its as if they have taken the classic SN/ haines sea boat gull wings of the 70s with the steep bow at the water line where hits chop.
 I would go min 30hp, pref a little more once loaded up for fishing.
 And go electric trim for sure.. it will make a huge difference to getting on the plane, and how the boat rides (level) and how handles a little bit of chop.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Fishinmad1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jan 2020 at 10:43am
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I have an FC465 which is the same boat as the 430,
Only difference is it’s got FWD steering and a pod and boarding platform Aft. Have a 4stroke Merc 40 Hp on it Power tilt ect, bit slow out of the hole but a great harbour rig, in saying that I’ve done Bowentown bar a few times but I wouldn’t do a west coast bar.
Cheap to run wit the 4 stroke, I can go from Te Atatu to the Tirri side of the Noises and back to Cheltnam before I’ve got to swap tanks.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Joker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jan 2020 at 11:47am
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I had the FC500 C/C which is basically an extended FC430 that was a wonderful boat to own. The build quality was excellent with the stability of a pontoon boat without the wetness - the dryness of these boats is legendary. During the 3 years of ownership we took it everywhere like the Mokes, Both Barrier Islands and many Manukau bar crossing. At all times we felt very safe in this stable and unsinkable boat.
I have since moved up to an FC560 C/C which is IMHO the perfect fishing rig - big enough and small enough.

I would seriously consider either a centre or side console rig rather than a tiller steer - but that's my preference.

However the FC430 is a very capable boat in tiller steer and I have encountered a number of them on the outside of the Manukau bar over the years. 

Have a talk to Russel at FC boats Auckland - he runs the 430 and is a really decent guy who will advise or the real pros/cons without bias.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote Redfinger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jan 2020 at 11:54am
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Hi team - Maybe i am getting old but wouldnt consider bar work on smaller  tiller steer boats - maybe on .5m-1m  swell conditions but would upgrade engine from 30hp to 40hp for sure. Also consider engine upgrade if diving or carrying particular heavy loads ALOT OF THE TIME. If just fishing 2-3 up a 30hp is ok. The fc430 tiller has been extremely popular - parrticular in 2019  - lots of room, stable and safe (2 forms of buoyancy) . Another bonus of 40hp is you get the option of trim and tilt and electric start

cheers

Russell .
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Joker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2020 at 9:02am
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A good owners review of the FC430T on youtube
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Hodder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2020 at 2:09pm
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The FC 390 had cracking issues with the 3mm hull not sure about the 430 ....
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Steps Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2020 at 4:12pm
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The FC 390 had cracking issues with the 3mm hull not sure about the 430 ....

 Im not so sure about that...
 I just , by coincidence posted this in another thread a few minutes ago..

......Do you hold the boat down on the trailer with a strop across the gunnels or 2 stops from transom down to the trailer type of thing?
 Glass boats should never be held down with a stop across the gunnels.. this is the primary reason the get gelcoat stress cracks
Discussing this a while back with engineer who specialises in alloy .. he said the same stress would be made on alloy boats. I pointed out that some brands of smaller tinnies in particular are prone to seat weld etc cracking...and he confirmed immediately that if held down across the transom this would eventually happen...
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Tonyg26 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2020 at 6:35pm
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Only heard good things. Fc430 ok in tiller but knew someone who upgraded to fc500 tiller and finďs it hard to see over the nose during bar crossings etc.
40hp would be much better if you can stretch
http://www.waikatosportfishing.co.nz
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote foulplay Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2020 at 6:53pm
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My fc390 weld cracked. More from poorly configured front roller on trailer and unsprung trailer. Very minor and easily fixed. Great boat.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote The Tamure Kid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2020 at 7:39pm
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Originally posted by Joker Joker wrote:

A good owners review of the FC430T on youtube

Also check out Fishwisperer's posts from the saltwater reports (or here on YouTube) - he's been running a FC430T for a little while- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nwaLrg19iJ999_fgTyxTQ

Fishes out on the Kaipara and Manukau (looks like he beach launches at Huia or Cornwallis?).

If you want another independent opinion, try calling Sam Mossman - NZFishing News writer - who personally owns an FC430T. He must have reviewed and fished out of dozens of small boats over the years, so would have some useful comments I'm sure.

Like Fishinmad, I have the 465 and really like it. In the 2+ years I've had it, I haven't seen a similar sized boat from another maker and gone 'what have I done!'. Marco does a tiller worth looking at. Frewza is the other make people on the forum speak very highly of. Going down from a 5.5m, you'd be talking the F14 i guess. 

The stern shape of the 465 is brilliantly accessible for solo beach launching and pushing out to sea in the shallows before jumping aboard (I've only launched at a ramp once). 430 a bit more agricultural to jump on board. The Voyager low rider is ideal, too. 
In terms of the feel of the 430/465 at sea, it's great in my opinion.

I have never considered a bar crossing, and have no experience of that - so listen to wiser heads re that aspect.

But I've been well out into the Firth, off the Northland coast, and out from Kawau - all in fairly choppy conditions (including one very rough rounding of the point near Challenger) - and felt very safe. As Joker told me once when I was going through the process you are, the small FCs punch above their weight. You feel like you're in a much bigger boat in terms of stability, solidity, sea keeping, dryness etc.

Like Fishinmad I have the 40hp Merc 4 stroke and can go from Howick to well past Shag Island at the Bottom End, move spots plenty of times, and back on less than a 25l tote. I circumnavigated Kawau from Algies on less than half a tank, which really surprised me.

Lots of dry space in the bow, for its size. 

Unique live bait tank. Lots and lots of fishing room.

The only 'improvements' I've made after my experience with the boat so far are to fit a flat wooden platform to sit the tote on (under the rear shelf on the port side) and to fit a Railblazer rod holder between the skipper and passenger seats to hold my softbaiting/stick baiting rod horizontally when moving drifts. 

Good luck with your search!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Fishinmad1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2020 at 9:27pm
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Mine has the canopy with clears and I fitted a rocket launcher in the first summer. I like your idea of the flat boards to hold the tote tanks on. I’ve got storage for eight rods under gunnels 4 each side. I haven’t used live bait as that’s not my thing maybe one day. But yea reel stable had 3 adults and 2 teenagers out from Whangarei but most of the time I go solo from Stanmore bay, Shelly beach or Te Atatu. I’ve changed the jockey wheel on the trailer to a make beach launching easier. I’ve recently scored a recovery Winch to make beach recovery’s easier as my Ute is a 2WD drive.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Wanda_Ra Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2020 at 11:17pm
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Thanks for the advice and tips guys.

going out in a 430 tiller with both 30 2 stroke and another that has a 40 2 stroke soon.
If you think you are too small to make a difference,try sleeping with a mosquito in your tent.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Hodder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jan 2020 at 12:53pm
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Originally posted by Steps Steps wrote:

The FC 390 had cracking issues with the 3mm hull not sure about the 430 ....

 Im not so sure about that...
 I just , by coincidence posted this in another thread a few minutes ago..

......Do you hold the boat down on the trailer with a strop across the gunnels or 2 stops from transom down to the trailer type of thing?
 Glass boats should never be held down with a stop across the gunnels.. this is the primary reason the get gelcoat stress cracks
Discussing this a while back with engineer who specialises in alloy .. he said the same stress would be made on alloy boats. I pointed out that some brands of smaller tinnies in particular are prone to seat weld etc cracking...and he confirmed immediately that if held down across the transom this would eventually happen...

Thats ok I'm sure..... I owned one and so did a friend and they both cracked.. Talking to an ex FC boats salesman he said it was a problem with the 3mm hull. Hopefully they have rectified this because once they crack they will keep cracking...

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Redfinger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jan 2020 at 2:03pm
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Fc boats have changed the stringer set up now on fc390 hull - these strengthened "mark 2's" have been in production for at least the last two years now. 
Re trailer and springs - there has always been options to purchase trailer with springs - some people didnt want to pay extra $$ for this option while others quite rightly didnt see the need for springs when they were not towing far. Good to have the option i suppose.
Just to clarify i do not work for fc boats - i work for fish city albany - totally seperate company and independantly owned - pleased to be a dealer for fc boats as well as mclay, fi glass and whatever else we trade or get to sell on behalf.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Steps Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jan 2020 at 8:57am
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Thats ok I'm sure..... I owned one and so did a friend and they both cracked..

 My comment was general, not pointed at any brand , alloy or glass hull in particular...
Just general point to good care... best practice ???
 I wonder, where they straped across the gunnels or down from transom?
 Wonder if the original design was for gunnel or transom?
On many brands of glass boats modern and old there are tie down points for transom on cross members of the original trailers. On older boats the rear cross member and on modern that cross member is well under the boat.. crawl under to get to it..
 Yet ppl will throw a strop across the gunnels , strap down, often way more than required.. Being close they dont see the gunnels actually pull in.. but obvious when watch to one side

 Just a bit of food for thought, best practice??

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote FizFisho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jan 2020 at 1:06am
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Well it appears in the 40 interesting boats so its amongst some elite company.

Id prefer a side or centre console version if you could afford it. But honestly if you want a quality fairly large open boat that doesnt cost TOO much (its not cheap, but not expensive), its certainly at the top of the list of open tinnies for its price range.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote crabman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jan 2020 at 9:27pm
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I've owned an FC430 tiller for 3 1/2 years now. I only fish in Taranaki with it and regularly cross a bar although a very moderate 1 at that.
I cant speak highly enough of the 430 and am always impressed with its handling in rougher conditions (Im not a fair weather fisherman) Many people who have been out on the boat have been very impressed with it and a couple of them have almost gone and purchased one for themselves. Definitely recommend going for a sea trial before committing to purchasing and compare to similar priced and sized rigs, you will soon see why Wink
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