I've been in the boating game for about 4 years now. 95% of my boating is out of Auckland. My first boat was a 3.5m smartwave with a 15 hp on the back. Bought something small because I didn't know if boating was a thing I would do a lot of (most folks I know buy a boat, use it hard for the first summer and then it stands in the backyard for a year or so before they flick it on). Well, I used the smartwave plenty! Then about a year ago, started fishing a lot with my partner and she wanted something bigger that can 'drive from the front'. So got a great little Fyran 385 with a 30 hp. Again, we get really good use out of it and it certainly doesn't end up standing around.

 

So we are thinking about upgrading again. Looking for a cabin type aluminium boat around the 5m mark with maybe a 60 hp motor on it. I have done some yards and at this stage like the look of the FC510 and the 495 Surtees Workmate. I do like that they have the ability to flood the bilge and add a bit more weight to the boat for stability. I have not looked hard at the pontoon boats like the Stabi 1650, but they just feel smaller in terms of space. I might need to have another look at the boat show with a tape measure.

 

From what I saw: FC510 - looks like the dryer boat, nice nose config, live bait tank, high sides, ability to flush bilge, can keep ballast upfront

Surtees 495 - better finish/build quality, more compact package, feels more polished.

 

I have also done a bit reading and from what I see both these feels a bit heavy in the ass with a small window for now you are on the plane, now not.

 

Can anyone provide some feedback on these boats and tell me if I am missing any other models? I have also looked at the Maclay 521 and the Fyran Rebel 500 and feel the FC510 and Surtees are a step up.

 

Any opinions/experience appreciated.

 

Thanks

Greg

 

Different sound ~ eh ?

Budget is the next consideration. If you could afford a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 Diesel ~ you would probably buy one. If you couldn't, but still wanted good gear, you would probably settle for a Toyota Prado or similar. Failing that ~ go for a Kia or a Santa Fe.

They will all do the job ~ just at differing comfort & resale levels.

Now change to the other end of the towbar & read Stabicraft / Senator, Frewza & FC

The boat show is a good place to "seal the deal", but I would be wanting to have my ducks all lined up by then. You have to get out on the water and experience the comparisons. The boat show is where you shop for the best deal for the product that you have decided on.

If you use the boat show to but "the cheapest available" ~ it will end in tears !

 

If you are looking at second hand, you maybe will want to take out Stabi (their old hulls are definitely not a patch on the new ones) and possibly Frewza (nobody wants to sell theirs !)

In terms of the cabin, its just a case of having something to get out of the spray/weather while boating to and from the spot. I know one sacrifices soft baiting/general fishing room, but ultimately I am ok with that. Just a knee jerk from too many ferry wake sandwiches on my small boats I guess!

 

Joker - the FC boat is this one: http://fishcity.co.nz/boating/fc-boats/fc-510.html" rel="nofollow - http://fishcity.co.nz/boating/fc-boats/fc-510.html

 

Check it out - you might just trade in your center console on that baby!

 

Greg

 

*note some of those brands have won best in show at boat shows so good brand, but just not talked about in the small vessel range.

 

**another point, but who else hates reading views from the boating mags about boats under 5 meters being for entry level boaties. Idiots.

Contract - to say older stabis are less good than new stabis is not logical (even though you'd think progress would have improved them) .  A 490 stabi placed against either slightly smaller or slightly bigger newer stabi (or similar size and similar horse power) would eat it for sea keeping.  Simply because newer ones were built for more cookpit room over their sea keeping.  New ones might help you put a bigger marlin in boat or ferry few more people and require bigger horsepower to get same speed and would be less fuel efficient.  And simply won't ride as good (especially in head sea) due to their  wider beam. Been in a 509 with 80 hp yami 4/ for comparism against well used 490 with a yamhi 50 4/. The rides are different. One is better and it is the older narrower boat with higher bow configuration - which is probably we why run up to a 100 miles a day out to 50 nautical miles offshore in a 5 meter boat with a reasonable degree of confidence

 

How important the aspects will be, is a matter of opinion. To me, important things are -

- better (softer) ride in choppy sea. Generally I believe, softer will come from - longer hull, narrower beam, sharper bow and hull deadrise.

- narrower beam means narrower trailer - hate wide trailer for towing and parking.

- lateral stability - better if wider beam, and major downturned hull chine (usually called gullwing). This varies a lot - external pontoons usually have a pronounced gullwing, some non-pontoons do some don't.

- reserve buoyancy - when swamped (water in the boat), would like it to stay afloat, and preferably right side up. Pontoons do, others maybe but most appear to be inadequate.

- price - higher is hard to justify, unless Im rich (which Im not).

 

Anyway - I am intrigued by multi-hulls. VMG make a major hull with 2  minor hulls beside (called sponsons). Maverick make a 2-hull model. Both reckon it gives a softer ride; as the hulls are much finer entry than single hulls, and stability is good with multi hulls. However, downsides are - much wider beam (don't like), much higher price (don't like).

 

Generally - I think selecting a boat is hard, unless you have had a lot of experience. It took me, 4 years and 4 boats before I got mine about right. Not quite though - would love a 5m boat.    

 

There is no such thing as the perfect boat as what you need for a good ride is generally different from what you need for stability at rest and vice versa.

I have always loved cats because I think they are the best for both worlds, but they are generally more expensive and not a huge market for them so not much choice and not as much resale yet sadly. Aussie and SA seem to have adopted cats much more readily than we have and have some interesting looking boats. I do love the look of the Maverick, but I am not an early adopter and it needs a cuddy version and about 4 grand knocked off the price. VMG I have never seen before. Black Dog Cats are interesting and would like to look around one. They do look pretty rough / utilitarian, which probably suits me.

 

Sorry Shaneg. I am talking about their new Arrow pontoons. I have been in similar length (older) Stabi's and the ride difference is quite apparent. I am not saying that the oldies are "no good" ~ I am saying the new ones are better. I still stand by that. That is the logic I am using ~ one of experience & ownership !

 

All the feedback seems to indicate that ducks need to be in order before the show and then just negotiate the deal on the day. Are the deals to be done that good? Assuming a $35k boat, would there be $1k or $2k in it doing the deal at the show or is it more healthy based on experience here?

 

I definitely got $2k or more at the boat show especially when extras were added - at cost price to them. Talk about base price boat do the deal then ask for a cost price deal for extras. If your looking at FC see Ben from the Hamilton branch - he will be there and a great bloke to deal with. 

keep a list of the pro's and con's of all the boats you look at, when you are done looking at boats then review the list and see who has the best ratio of pros vs cons and go with that one. Sure it wont be perfect (nothing is) but it will be the one you feel most suits your requirements with the smallest amount of compromise.

 

Should get it in 2 weeks or so.....

 

Who needs a boat show anyway ;)