Size and price range please!

A catamaran or inflatable.

12 foot dinghy whether a tinny,fibreglass,plastic or wooden will need some sort of trailer to transport it and you will need a decent launching spot.

An inflatable the same size can be transported in the boot of back of the stationwagon and once assembled in about 15 minutes can be launched pretty much anywhere.And will handle surf launches and slightly worse weather.But can be snagged or holed a little easier from hooks/fish spines/rocks.

Depends where you go, how elaborate you want to be, and what your budget is.

had a mac 420 before i up graded to surtees 5.5 loved the mac had a yamaha 60 on it was fast & very stable(great for divers) the main reason i upgraded i wanted the high sides for stand up game fishing on the west coast the mac 420 has the most room for a boat that size & excellent for shallow water fishing would reccomend them to east coast fisho's

I have had a 360 macboat with a 15hp for 7 years & it has been used extensively but it really needs a 25hp to help it get up & go when it isnt flat. It would be one of the cheaper options, but is quite heavy. Sam Mossman has talked about his upgrded one in the fishing mag, but it is also in the Saltwater Fishing "How To" articles on this site.

I'd have to say that the best small boat would be a FORCE4 (or similar) inflatable with alloy hull, I say this as I have been fishing out of one and it is honestly the best ride for its size,
Its light as, easy launching, easy on the gas, great fishing platform with plenty of room, best performance in rough weather, stable as ( 3 people on same side and still no problem).
Also its surprisingly a dry ride, unlike the macs ive had the pleasure of swimming in

Those blackdog cats are 18k'ish for the hull I think or 18k all up. Either way it's pricey. Used an inflatable for years rolled up in the boot of 4wd. Quicksilver 3.4m. Went like a bullet with one person and 15 HP on the back. Could still plane with 3 POB loaded with land based gear. Whole package from Mr Boats in Chch is in your budget. As mentioned they are easy to puncture with spines and hooks but after you've put a few patches on it and bought a net you'll soon stop doing it. My little boat went everywhere from the Kaipara to the Cavelli Islands. Everything is a compromise with small boats. Having said all that, if you can afford it, I'd get a stabi 349 as someone else mentioned. I have a similar boat now in the 4m range and what a bonus not having to pump the thing up every trip.

Heh heh heh - all of us: "get what I've got".

it depends where you will go,i think.