5.5m recommendations
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=138632
Printed Date: 07 Jun 2026 at 4:10pm
Topic: 5.5m recommendations
Posted By: Rockhoppa123
Subject: 5.5m recommendations
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2024 at 10:36am
| Hey ppl. It’s been 25 years since I last owned a boat, a 475 stabi and I’m looking for a new vessel for offshore trips 25-50km off akaroa. Looking for secondhand $30K to spend. Main requirement is a decent ride and able to handle the nasty harbour entrance when it chops up. Only going to be used for fishing, no diving and only 2-3 blokes, not for the family. Thinking either McLay or Kiwikraft. I’ve heard and experienced too many ppl complaining about the harsh ride into a head sea in both stabi and frewza. Thinking the pontoons are pretty unnecessary for what I require. Needs to be easy to tow and launch for an old bugger. Any recommendations please fellas? Open to any suggestions, figlass, surtees, kiwikraft, stabi osprey McLay, lazercraft renegade etc, but especially interested in McLay 5.3-5.6 and kiwikraft 505 - 550. Or would a 6m McLay be a better option for what I want? Obviously would need underfloor tank and pref a Honda/yamaha/zooki 4 stroke for economy? |
Replies:
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2024 at 12:48pm
| Would you look at glass |
Posted By: Rockhoppa123
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2024 at 1:42pm
| Yes definitely will consider glass. It’s been so long since I’ve had a boat that I’m happy for any advice |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2024 at 5:06pm
|
Plenty of good glass boats around, I’ve got a 6.0 metre alloy boat because I fish in the mussel farms a lot and a glass boat would get scratched up. But I do like the way glass boats ride especially it that 5.5 metre size. I would look at Huntsman, buccaneer figlass, Haines Hunter, challenger and reflex. But to honest you can’t go wrong with most of the NZ made glass boats. |
Posted By: Rockhoppa123
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2024 at 5:49pm
| Appreciate the advice. I have been looking at a figlass lightning just now |
Posted By: Fish Addict
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2024 at 6:06pm
| I can't comment on the brands Kandrew has mentioned other than the Haines Hunters. I've been on a few and they are great boats. They have a very good reputation in my part of the world. |
Posted By: Pcj
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2024 at 7:09pm
------------- "Times up" |
Rockhoppa123 wrote:Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2024 at 7:38pm
| The Figlass Cavalier is a good 5.7mtr boat as well |
Posted By: Pcj
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2024 at 7:59pm
------------- "Times up" |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2024 at 9:04pm
|
Posted By: letsgetem
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2024 at 9:09am
|
I have had a Figlass Firestar for 5 years. Its around 5.4m I think. Basically I think its a very good boat, and particularly good value, being a bit cheaper than others. I didnt get a bigger one, as its about all the trailer width I can handle and all the size (windage) when handling by myself at the ramp. My only reservation is the trailer galvanising is a load of crap - after 2 years it was corroding significantly. If a bar crossing is important, I would personally go for a bigger Figlass either Cavalier or Lightning; and with plenty of power to better keep up steerage on bar crossings. Recommend getting something better in trailer galvanising.
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Posted By: Rockhoppa123
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2024 at 11:41am
| Thanks for your input. I’ve decided a Figlass lightning is the way to go. No wood and much better shaped hulls than what is possible with plate alloy. Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age haha |