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Buccaneer vs Relfex Chianti 485

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: General Forums
Forum Name: The Boat Shed
Forum Description: Discuss all things boating.
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=136548
Printed Date: 03 Jun 2026 at 6:51am


Topic: Buccaneer vs Relfex Chianti 485
Posted By: smudge
Subject: Buccaneer vs Relfex Chianti 485
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2022 at 10:22am
A friend is looking to buy a boat for just him and his wife for fishing in the Manukau. Any feedback on these boats?  I imagine they would be pretty similar.

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Best gurnard fisherman in my street



Replies:
Posted By: Malcolm in the Middle
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2022 at 12:56pm
What model Buccaneer are you looking at?


Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2022 at 2:46pm
All I know is it's the same size as the Reflex a 485 I think

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Best gurnard fisherman in my street


Posted By: Bounty Hunter
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2022 at 5:51pm
i think the question is too simple.

the package and purchase needs to be assessed in a broader sense.

what is the motor like - age, hours, maintenance history, perceived 'strength of brand'

trailer looked at in the same light - although im not sure if there are preferable brands here?

the hull - what ever suits them really - although i feel that reflex is a bit of a south island lake brand - and buccaneer is better regarded up here - as well as being closer to the factory if you need their support


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No disintegrations!


Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2022 at 8:37pm
Originally posted by smudge smudge wrote:

All I know is it's the same size as the Reflex a 485 I think
It will be either a 495 classic or a 525, both excellent boats.

Buccaneer will have a far better resale than the reflex so you will pay more for it and they need more hp, 495 at least 90hp but more 115 and the 525 will need 115 to 140hp.

Both good boats on the water, the 485 buccaneer is a big volume boat may have more room in the cabin and the 525 comes in the billfisher, no carpet setup for fishing.

I like the 525 buccaneer great boat.


Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2022 at 8:49pm
Yes absolutely depends on the total boat package as is always the case when buying 2nd hand. My understanding is that neither of these boats have inherent issues with regard to ride & stability. Is that a fair call? Reading between the lines my friend wants a boat that's easy to launch, is reasonably good in a Manukau short chop and stable enough at rest to not scare his wife. My advice is to go with the package with the best motor and trailer. Fair call? I have only been on one Billfisher, maybe another Buccaneer years ago so not to familiar and have never been on a Reflex


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Best gurnard fisherman in my street


Posted By: Kevin.S
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2022 at 2:08pm
Our last boat was a Buccaneer 510, really nice boat.  We looked at quite a few similar sized boats at the time and this was a better size than some we looked at.  Room in the cabin for two people to sit opposite each other.  It had a 90hp on it which we found plenty of power for the harbour.  Was OK for solo launch and retrieve.  Don't have anything bad to say about it, only changed because we had the opportunity to buy a new boat that was big enough to go out over the bar. 


Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2022 at 5:07am
Thanks Kevin

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Best gurnard fisherman in my street


Posted By: yellafin
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2022 at 4:24pm
What about a 485 Haines Hunter? Use to own one. It was a great little boat and only needs a 60/70 to push it along. 


Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2022 at 7:32pm
Thanks Yellafin, I'll pass that on

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Best gurnard fisherman in my street


Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2022 at 9:36pm
The figlass dominator is another good boat to look at if the budget is limited.

One other thing smudge if they are looking at new boats the reflex boats are now made in China.



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