Hi everyone I'm after some advice im struggling lol ,boats!! im in the wrong forum maybe, probaly should be in the boat shed,
im a newbie so thought id try here aswell anyway;) worth a shot
Im trying to decide what fibreglass boat to choose if I could get some help,opinions that would be awesome, im relatively new to it all .my budgets around 10k + or -
Im looking for a boat around 16ft with a small cabin to get out of the weather,store camping gear keep things dry.
Would be used for trips up the lakes with my 2 kids camping,cruising etc
Something to fish out of in the slow moving river where I live and for a bit of close to shore sea fishing hopefully ,which would mean because of where i live id be launching off a beach only on perfect days when the waves are minimal, as I'm not sure how a small 16ft cabin boat would handle anything but small waves ,someone told me they could be to light in the front being a cabin boat and only being 16ft it's not ideal punching through a wave?
Anyway I know people rave about the 14.6ft sea nymphs I looked at a wasp but found the fishing space a bit cramped for me.
Im looking at a 16ft condor craft cabin boat at the moment ,if anyone's heard of them?
I like the look of it ,it has a good cabin more space for fishing than the sea nymph ,but im unsure how the hull would perform, looks to have a real fine entry veed bow,apparently owner said its really stable at rest for fishing etc
If anyone has any thoughts on this be much appreciated.
Another boat which I've been thinking about which are hard to find a good one down south here is the 16ft bonito?
And or haines hunter v163
Theyre a couple boats that I've been thinking about, I like the condor craft but i am unsure about it mainly because there isnt much information about them on the net,if anyone has had any experience with them good or bad would be great to know?

im looking for a fibreglass 16ft cabin boat that if I managed to get myself in a situation the boat is capable enough to handle it, I understand the seas are unforgiving ,so im happy waiting for the good days and not heading to far out.
Im going to get the boat fully checked over by professionals,and trial it before purchasing just for peace of mind etc

Be great to get some advice and opinions, be really appreciated, i thought id try the newbies corner and see how it goes anyway ,cherz for your help:)

Thanks for that mate
It's good to know they're all proven hulls,I wish my budget could allow me to get something newer definitely.
I may go that route and save up.
definitely going to pay to get them thoroughly inspected, especially for my first boat ,thanks for your advice mate

MB wrote: Boat choice is very personal, so feel free to ignore me. I would question the value of a cabin on a small boat. Might be useful for a small child to curl up in, but they'll soon outgrow it and sitting in a cabin is a guaranteed way to get sea sickness if susceptible. They usually just end up as disorganised storage cupboards. Open boats (centre console; tiller steer etc) give a lot more space and 360 degree fishing. If the weather is that bad, stay at home. It wouldn't be much fun on any style small boat.

yea they all valid points thanks mate , definitely open boats better for fishing etc..and they are nice and basic they look easier to maintain..I was thinking about a frewza beach launching dingy there for awhile , but i would like to do a few camping trips up the lakes etc with the kids ,thought a cabin boat would be better suited for that,keep us more protected from the chilly mornings down here etc
I do wonder if I got a cabin boat I may wish it was more open for fishing and regret it ,all things to think about though,cherz mate

Left field idea, an inflatable like the surf rescue boats. No sun shelter and a wet boat. However, 10K would buy a very good setup with money to spare. Tiller steering so less to go wrong, light so it’s easy to tow, launch and retrieve and stable as. You can still tow a biscuit for the kids and they can leap over and clamber back in with no issues. The simpler and cheaper you can make it the more chance of actually using it. Watch some old youtube clips of Ollie Craig.

If you are looking at a small economical boat with a bit of protection and some desk space, the Macs also come in forward steer with a small cuddy. Could get a reasonable one 2nd hand for around 10k.

Mac forward steer

Very stable, so good with kids, especially if it’s high-sided. No maintenance, but could still be wet.

(There is currently a Mac 3.6 tiller steer with 2022 motor and quad bike, both on same trailer for 11.2 in Timaru/Oamaru on TradeMe).

Mate , to be honest any of the old glass boats are pretty good . Just get them checked by someone who knows what they're looking for, and ask for the engine to be checked, compression etc . Anything you do buy if water pump, impellor had no proof of replacement get that done as well.

i really liked all the boats i've
owned.

ramco dinghy
mac 420
sea nymph 14'6"
surtees 550
mac 420

i wouldn't own another sea nymph, despite
the great ride

i would own another mac 420 though. and they are about your price range.

i think the transoms cracking were pretty rare. lots of people put bigger heavier motors on then they were rated for and drove them hard. the transom/engine mount pods were pretty robust and attached to the floor. even if it was it would be a pretty easy remedy per the guys at mac boats

i liked the original side height personally. i wouldn't raise them near the back.

Well done. May you get many hours of pleasure.