I looked at one last week for son (on TMe), but it went for $15k. But it had lots of bling - top end of price range.

The hulls are quite light - so check for corrosion or cracks (around where it sits on the rollers). If it all checks out, you will have a decent boat - light to tow and suitable for 3 POB.

Others may also be suitable - but this is what I have experience of.

Had them for maybe 20 yrs.

Alan

No idea where you live but I live on Auckland North Shore and my boat is quite sufficient for my needs and is ideal for the inner Hauraki Gulf. I am a fair weather boatie and choose my days to go out. I find that bigger boats want to go further out - costs more in petrol and doesn't get anymore fish than I get ......

I tow with a 2WD vehicle (rear wheel drive) and 90% of my launches are off the beach. The boat is light enough to push into the water by hand and I retrieve with a strop - the car doesn't go near the water.

My boat is used just for fishing so family cruising was not a consideration when buying. It's ideal for 2pob and have fished 3pob - but I only use lures so more than 2 people can get in the way. 

When I was looking, I realized the most important component was the motor - you can't push on water and there aren't any tow companies or mechanics on the water. I wouldn't suggest anything less than 40Hp. Other things can be added as you go.

15' tinny's are notoriously tippy so I added a set of Dolphin Aqualisers soon after I got the boat however I've since got used to moving about on the boat and seldom deploy them.

Joining Coastguard is a must - have never used and don't plan to but they're worth their weight in gold for peace of mind. Do yourself a favour and do the Day Skippers course when you join.

Yeah that would be my thoughts as well. Awesome little fishing rigs and safer and more seaworthy. Less weight to tow as well, definitely easier to launch at north shore beaches like Narrowneck and Castor and you can then avoid Takapuna, also known as divorce ramp.

As a small boat owner in the Auckland region, i say welcome to the fun. You'll get some great fishing inshore and have access to beautiful beaches and islands - we are blessed with what's on our doorstep.

Looking various tinnys on trademe,most are older/repaired and how much life left in them.Motors old too.

10k budget dont rush in to the first one that fits. Many here in the under 12ft thread would be able to give solid advice      https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/out-with-the-twelves_topic26073_page390.html " rel="nofollow - https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/out-with-the-twelves_topic26073_page390.html  ;  try sending pm to these members who are out frequently.

110% correct - you need to be very honest with yourself as to what the boats purpose is (fishing vs cruising),  whether the missus will be with you on EVERY trip (comfort vs function) whether you will have one, two or three people with you for EVERY trip (crew can be very unreliable), how much you can afford to spend on EVERY trip, where do you plan to fish MOST of the time, where will you launch the boat MOST times, how much time do you have for washdown and cleanup EVERY trip.

Picking a boat (by brand) without getting this sorted could waste you a heap of dollars and give you a lot of frustration ...

I bought my boat specifically for beach launching, not having to worry about the gel coat getting scratched by my clumsy mates, costs less than a tank each trip, that I could get up my driveway and my missus has only been on the boat twice in 18 years.

A couple of answers for you:

1. I can honestly say I've never even noticed (let alone been annoyed by) the sound of water on the hull of my aluminium runabout (an FC). Not sure if that's because of the hull/floor design, or just too busy focused on fishing?  I'm sure there are various marine carpets etc, but I've never even thought about it. I grew up fishing in a Parkercraft dinghy, which was very thin hulled, and again, too busy catching fish to notice the sound...

2. My feeling is that it's difficult to fully overcome the shortcomings of a boat with an inherently wet design - and there are some pontoon designs that are notorious. Some people use 'clears' around the bow. A centre console can offer some protection, especially with a bimini. But in a small centre console, any passengers who can't squeeze in beside the skipper will need a damn good raincoat if it's rough (speaking from personal experience!!).

On open runabout format, with a small 'windscreen', will offer reasonable protection against spray and wind when underway (and rain squalls). But when seated on my boat, my head is above the line of it, so in the middle of winter I do end up with watering eyes unless I have glasses on - and I sometimes wear a fleece balaclava made for hunting.

i don't have any kind of sun/rain canopy etc. Sunhat and other precautions sorts out the UV, and a decent coat on the days when a shower comes past. I don't go out if it's bucketing down.

Good dry storage space, and a good dry bag for spare dry and warm clothes, is gold in small boats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C20Y8Srw1ZI&t=401s&ab_channel=OllieCraig-PrimalPursuit  " rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C20Y8Srw1ZI&t=401s&ab_channel=OllieCraig-PrimalPursuit   ;

I see he's got large 'clears' (though black ones) on. His new boat will be drier than an ex-lifeguard inflatable, though, that's for sure.

Well known softbaiter Andre Kassel has mid 4m Senator (centre console) and gets out in the open sea, to Little Barrier, Gt Barrier etc.

Shane, here's a nice pontoon boat in the price range on TradeMe. $8000 Only.

The vessel appears to need considerable horse power to get on plane… maybe less than economical on longer trips. The deck could be like one big bait board,  but you’d be bent over processing baits and your catch… likely not suitable for older fisherman with hip or back problems. Plenty of deck space for sunbathing though, possibly could add few marine bean bags for overnighting and a large bbq for cooking.

More a sheltered waters sort of craft I suspect, which you could maybe construct a houseboat super structure on. This would allow you to mount some nav lights and also erect some sort of mast, from which you could hoist the Jolly Roger or hang your marlin tag flags from.

Certainly has potential …. but maybe less than that flash little senator the previous poster put up in link.