Scorpion boats
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=77313
Printed Date: 28 May 2026 at 6:22am
Topic: Scorpion boats
Posted By: Hunter/Fisher
Subject: Scorpion boats
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 12:23pm
| Whats everyones experiences with these boats? Quite like the look of their 455 and 533 pontoon models. Anyone got one that can tell me how they go? |
Replies:
Posted By: family affair
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 7:50pm
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cheap and nasty man iv looked at them yea na not for me all depends what ya wana spend and what kinda fising you going to do. look at the more common well knowen rigs dude like stabi or senator or kiwicraft etc ------------- mv maui |
Posted By: kaveman
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 7:59pm
agree with FA, dont go there 
-------------  www.kavemantackle.co.nz
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Posted By: Fish Pimp
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 9:04pm
Definatly ..DONT GO THERE.. .. As for experience more than most will ever have..
Ya can't make honey out'a Horse P.ss..
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Posted By: Double Shot
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 9:15pm
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Not wanting to bag a product really, but I wouldn't own one from what I have seen/heard from owners I know.... ------------- 70ml of 90deg C water pressurised through 13g of roasted finely ground tamped coffee for 25sec's to make a distinguishing sensory hit called a Double Shot |
Posted By: mowerman
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 12:52am
| Dont bag them..I have a 620 hardtop.Its a good boat,not the rolls royce of the tin boats but you pay for what you get,its value for money.Mines powered by a honda 4 stroke 115 ( about 8 litres an hour) and it goes like hell.Its not to bad in the rough and it looks nice .Everyone has their likes and dislikes with any product. Look at all the bad write ups over motors ..Same thing applies |
Posted By: tightlines2
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 7:25am
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If you are keen go for a sea trial in one. That could be hard though, because I'm still waiting for a sea trial from 3 years ago. I got tired of waiting so bought a rig 2nd hand for the same money but much better brand of hull and motor. ------------- Remember it's not the number of breaths you take that is important in life, but rather the number of times that life takes your breath away. |
Posted By: Mark Mac
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 8:33am
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Mowerman, thats great economy.
I owned the same boat for four years, powered with a Suzuki 115 four. Used 16 litres an hour an cruise speed. It did use about 6 litres an hour trolling of rmarlin
In the four years I owned the boat my wife hated it more and more due to its terrible ride. She eventually refused to come out on it. Bought a new boat with fine entry and deep vee. My wife was amazed at the difference in ride.
The problem with the boat is not so much the shallow 17 degree vee, but the extremely broad shoulders it has at the front of the hull. There is just no give when it hits a wave. The boat basically stops.
In the large following sea, it was downright dangerous. Coming down the face of a wave it would steer anywhere it wanted to.
My advice is dont touch them. I did hundreds of hours in mine. There are much better alternatives out there for similar money ------------- Time spent on the water doesn't come off your life |
Posted By: Dagwood
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 9:04am
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Weren't the Scorpion pontoon boats a re-badged Reel Pontoon boat? If they were, I wouldn't write them off quite so quickly. I've got a smaller 3.9m Reel and the ride is very good. |
Posted By: Hunter/Fisher
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 10:08am
| Yeah I have heard that. The pontoon boat I looked at the other day seemed to be quite well built. Is there any reason in particular that people are staying keep away? |
Posted By: family affair
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 10:30am
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you can buy a lot better boat for the money man just look around dude spooner balck has a dodge reputation mna ------------- mv maui |
Posted By: kermie
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 10:59am
| I agre e with you mowerman, I have had a Bluefin 620 from new for 5 years, with optimax 115. At the time it would have cost me 15K plus for the same size/ motor / extras. I knew it wasnt the top of the line but it tick anumber of boxes for me. In reflection, I have no regrets and it has served me well. I use it off the west coast where unlike the east coast you cant run and hide behind a island. I have done over 200 hours, without any issue, caught plenty of fish with my mates and returned home safely and generally comfortably. Every boat has its issues even extremes & surtees!! I enjoy this website and the discussions but I think there is a sense of elitism at times if you dont own the "in" boats Quinny |
Posted By: paw
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 11:56am
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I don't know anything about them but I see they quote their length as LOA ( length overall) which is quite different from hull length so be aware of this if comparing with other boats that may be quoting hull length. My senator 560 is only a 5.4 metre hull. ------------- sleeping is a symptom of caffeine deprivation |
Posted By: Denny Boy
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 6:35pm
Hi - I owned the 610 HT Scorpion for about 2 months and couldn't stand it. It wallowed through the waves and as another thread says above coming with the chop was dangerous. It would take off in any direction and it didn't matter where the T & T was set. Can't quote the 5m Scorpions but I took this one straight back to the dealer. As for the pontoon a friend of mine has got the 533 Scorpion pontoon and he quite likes it. He says it rides OK, predictable, easy to push along and light to tow. Was value for money at the time (about 32K new with 60hp Merc 4-5 years ago) but for a 5+ meter boat it is small, really squashed up inside and the finishing is quite honestly crap! Nothing is fully welded so there are heaps of spot welds through the boat inside and out-that's where the price diff is I guess. It would be however, a lot safer that the non-pontoon Scorpions Cheers
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brent262 wrote:Posted By: family affair
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 7:02pm
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i lookd at one after the surtees sold they were trying hard to sell it to me in morrinsvle but i looked at the workman ship and walked away my mate use to make there trailers and they were dodge to work for man STAY AWAY ------------- mv maui |
Posted By: Dunwurkn
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 7:05pm
| Whats the difference between bluefin and scorpion boats are the mde by the same place but just different branding? Anyone know? |
Posted By: Fish Pimp
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2012 at 7:16pm
| Bluefin cheaper build again. Or so I was told when I had dealings with Spencer''. These operators get others to build their boats dependant on what's required and how cheap they can get them made.'' Buyer Beware''. |
Posted By: Mark Mac
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 7:57am
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I was told by Black that the 610 scorpion and 620 bluefin are exactly the same hulls. The bluefin has a 10cm longer bowspit. I would agree with this having studied them.
I have no axe to grind with Sportcraft boats. They treated me fairly during the purchase and subsequent build, though they did hide a few things from me.
I am saying though that there are far better boat manufacturers out there for similar money
------------- Time spent on the water doesn't come off your life |
Posted By: Moki Marko
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 2:03pm
some good unbiased info in your posts MM - what boat did you end up with? |
Posted By: Mark Mac
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 7:28pm
After 20 years of owning bigger and bigger boats, (Up to $80, 000) I have finally realised that I'm a small boat kind of guy.
I purchased a senator 400 inshore last December. Powered with a Yamaha 40 2-stroke tiller steer. Spent 3 grand on fish finder though.
Still catches fish that a big boat catches. Its a bit wetter and colder, but I launch and retrieve anywhere on my own.
First pontoon boat I've owned, and I love it. Uses 7 litres of petrol an hour and takes 5 minutes to hose down at the end of the day. But I digress.................. ------------- Time spent on the water doesn't come off your life |
Posted By: Moki Marko
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 8:52pm
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you are allowed to digress MM - thats what we're all doing - I think the senator design of using the bottom of the pontoon as a chine is really good - Stabi do something similar now and I think it works pretty well too. The aqualite has a seperate chine under the pontoon, seems to work well but must be expensive to build - this is an area that I think some pontoon designs like Kiwikraft and osprey have slipped a bit behind in. The Senator always looks very pointy in the bow and I wondered if in a following sea a wave could pick the bum up and you could end up with some bow steer - although everyone that I have spoken too speaks very highly of them so they must be pretty good |
Posted By: kermie
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2012 at 7:51am
| To Gold , some trailers may have been made by them and maybe rubbish but they were also made by Prescott Trailers, as mine was, who do build a good trailer |
Posted By: BBFisha
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2012 at 8:56pm
| Are these reviews in regard to the pontoon models only, or the boats across the Scorpion/Bluefin range? Saw them in one of the fishing mags, looked reasonably priced for the size and it looked like a basic package. Are they more dangerous than other boats in swell/wind v tide conditions? Poor ride? Poor workmanship? All of the above? Always good to hear from owners/users rather than 'Saw one at the boat show' type comments :) |
Posted By: mowerman
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2012 at 9:43pm
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Im an owner of one of these boats..Theres nothing wrong with them..you pay for what you get..To many experts in here that know so much they should be brain surgeons,. I have owned 2 bluefins now. I note that some say they are not good in the rough.Well we dont go out in the rough..meaning over 15 knots.It blows up on us sometimes but the boat handles it ok. My opinion only fools go out when its rough..maybe thats why so many boaties drown . My honest opinion is ALL aly boats ride harder than other constuction.However they are an easy boat to look after,dont have to paint ,stong..But they do need alot of attention (cleaning) or they corrode.Dont buy a painted tin boat..They look nice but will be corroding around the paintwork in 5 or so years.Wash them,polish,earth the boat when not in use
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Posted By: Cookie177
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2012 at 2:43pm
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Have a blufin rides nice and is stable at rest, in regards to quality the guy who makes the boats under licence to blufin was one of the main builders at Marco boats and makes an excellent job of the builds. The basic boat is not flashy but thats to keep the price point down.
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Posted By: Moki Marko
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2012 at 7:40pm
hear what you are saying BBF but unfortunately the boat 'owner' reviews are often very biased, it's a bit like asking a guy that has just bought a new car if he likes it - of course he does. Boat making in NZ is a very competitive business, they all buy their materials from the same suppliers and it takes X amount of man hours to make one. SO I think in general when it comes to boats - you get what you pay for. If one boat is cheaper than the competition then I'd look at what they have done to make it cheaper - and there will be something. |
Posted By: mowerman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2012 at 8:45pm
| I think some manufactures make them cheaper by keeping their labour rates down..recently had a small job done at fryan boats..never again,they charge like a wounded bull..if this reflects across everything they do no wonder things are dear |
Posted By: BBFisha
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2012 at 4:58pm
| Cheers guys. Understand there will be opinions from either side of the fence. Good info though and great discussion. |
Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2012 at 5:27pm
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mowerman how do you earth them?>
------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">  MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: mowerman
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2012 at 7:18pm
| a length of 2 wire cable,1mm will do..drive a earth peg in beside the boat and run the wires back to that with a 5/8 conduit clamp...2 alligator clips...1 to the trailer and 1 to the boat ( clip on to the winch fitting thats welded to the bow |
Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2012 at 7:38pm
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Ok cheers for that :) ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: Big -Dave
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2012 at 8:35pm
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Earthing the boat whilst sitting? Never heard of it. Definetly disconnect the batteries... |
Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2012 at 9:38pm
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The earthing was discussed last year some time for some reason it works :) so thanks for the info had a holes looking for how it was done. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: mowerman
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 7:20am
of cause its done whilst sitting..bit had to do this wile going anywhere  ... and you dont have to disconnect the batteries
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Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 9:56am
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we never keep battery in the boat anyway. every thing comes out ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: Senator.
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 10:04am
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buy mine http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=467374790 - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=467374790 |
Posted By: BBFisha
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2012 at 1:55pm
| We are in the market and your rig is in the range of what we are looking for. Will certainly keep it in mind Senator. :) |
Posted By: Cashedup
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2012 at 8:11pm
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Posted By: Richard34482
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2012 at 12:36am
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Hey Brent Are you buying new or 2nd? I have a 97 Stabi 550and some people have said its a crap boat and others its good, I love it and that is all that matters. As a rule of thumb, Smaller alloy boat because of their weight give a harder ride in all conditions but better fuel economy, where as f/glass boats being heavier may have a better ride but less economical. These dudes on here saying Scorpions are no good in rough seas should say what they mean by rough seas before making such statements ( ie 1,2, 3 meter swells plus wave chop). As for someone saying they wont steer with a following wave thats down to the driver and the speed I have the same with the stabi, keep ahead of the following wave and keep steering and all is sweet. If you are buying 2nd take it a test run for as long as poss, offer to pay for some juice, then when you get back see how much sea water pours out of the bung, could be some of the welds are going. Hope this helps |
Posted By: mowerman
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2012 at 1:11am
| Richard ,I agree with you,lots of know it all no nothings on this site..just go fishing for a day their the same on the water,driving a car or at the boat ramp. |
Posted By: huntfish
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2012 at 7:01am
This is my new Scorpion, hope it goes better than everyone on here says , arrives today so full report pending......  |
Posted By: tennut
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2012 at 8:57am
| Hi Huntfish,,thats a nice looking boat,,,good luck and maybe you could let us know what she goes like after a while? Looks like a fish catching machine to me!! |
Posted By: Boatingnz
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2012 at 10:08am
| Nice looking boat .Im sure you will get alot of enjoyment out of it .They build a nice boat and and have been in the market place for years and have seen builders come and go but they are still there they supply good service and are great guys to deal with and have a product that fits in the market place good on you for making a decision Im sure it will be everyth ing you want it to be ,Cheers and tight lines |
Posted By: Mark Mac
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2012 at 12:37pm
Richard, I spoke about scorpions being difficult to steer in a following sea. I owned one for four years. I fished in large swells, up to 3 meters on the east coast. To give advice to "keep ahead of the following swell, keep steering and all is sweet" is fine if you're negotiating a bar. On the open sea, no one is going to drive at the same speed as a swell to keep ahead of the following swell, as the swell is very fast in open water and slows as it approaches shallower water. As my boat came down the face of a wave the bow would steer in one direction or the other. I ran trim tabs and had my engine trimmed correctly, yet I could not prevent it. I tried many different scenarios but couldnt prevent it. Its just the hull shape
Mowerman, you speak of the know it all nothings. The original poster asked for peoples experience with scorpions. I gave him mine. It is obviously different from yours, and thats great, it gives the OP different perspectives. To say some people giving their opinion are know it all nothings is a bit rich.
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Posted By: mowerman
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2012 at 6:05pm
| I wont enter into this any further.. kiwis tend to be all of the same feather.. Im one myself ..however the know it all no nothings is typical of Kiwis..all mouth .This country is ruined by know it alls..to PC correct..the list goes on .. |
Posted By: Mullins
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2012 at 6:16pm
| That makes zero sense mowerman. |
Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2012 at 6:36pm
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To give advice to "keep ahead of the following swell, keep steering and all is sweet" is fine if you're negotiating a bar. On the open sea, no one is going to drive at the same speed as a swell to keep ahead of the following swell, as the swell is very fast in open water and slows as it approaches shallower water. As my boat came down the face of a wave the bow would steer in one direction or the other. I ran trim tabs and had my engine trimmed correctly, yet I could not prevent it. I tried many different scenarios but couldnt prevent it. Its just the hull shape. that is the same problem we are having in a 2mtr swell from the north east. was scary stuff when the boat wanted to go side on.. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: Richard34482
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2012 at 9:34pm
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thanks for answering the question about bad handling, posting a boat is bad without specifics is a bit vague, now we know what you mean |
Posted By: M.I.L.F
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2012 at 3:18am
she's a nice looking boat, mate all i can say is as long as you are happy with the boat that the most important thing all boat got pros and cons you just have to find what works for you and you new mrs ------------- KING SMURFIX |
Posted By: blackboat
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2012 at 8:27am
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looks a great wee boat Mark ideal for sounds fishing looks well made im sure it will catch plenty of fish ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Bossco
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2012 at 12:32pm
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Find that most boat owners are only truly honest about a boat after they have sold it. Given that though that boat doesn't look like what I was expecting after reading this thread...looks real nice you must be stoked. |