12ft boats
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Newbies Corner
Forum Description: If you're new to fishing this is the place to ask any questions about getting started ...
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81786
Printed Date: 28 May 2026 at 6:22am
Topic: 12ft boats
Posted By: uncleping_88
Subject: 12ft boats
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2012 at 4:34pm
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Just a quick question for all those 12fter. What are you limits of your 12fter? ie max wind, swell, distance from shore or how far out you go? A general idea in good conditions would be good. I go out in a 12ft stabi all the but I think it would be interesting to see the 'limits' others have with their 12fter and what is safe or not to them and would help myself and possible others. Obviously it depends on what 12ft dinghy/ boat you have. Any help would be useful for me Cheers |
Replies:
Posted By: U357
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2012 at 5:23pm
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A jetski is the answer!
------------- 404. That’s an error. That’s all we know. |
Posted By: Keith C
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2012 at 6:54pm
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Uncleping, like everything it depends on more than just numbers. The wind & sea direction & tide all need to be taken into consideration. My best advice is to err on the side of caution until you are comfortable with your own and your boat's capabilities. You will find that the little Stabi will handle far more than the average 12 foot tinny. A basic rule I use is that you will normally be able to cope with 5 km of wind per metre of boat length. This doesn't take the wind against tide scenario into account as somewhere like the Motuihe Channel or Tiri will soon test your nerves even with about 20km of wind. Also, from a safety perspective, I have also worked on 1 person per metre of boat. Your manufacturers plate should give you a weight limit so add up the weight of all the stuff on board e.g fuel, anchor, chain, bait, ice etc and see how many kg you have left. You may then be down to as few as 2 on board depending on the size of the people. You see many a 12-footer in Motuihe with virtually no freeboard. That is fine as long as the water is calm. However, even a wake can cause the fertiliser to hit the fan in a small boat. With each litre being another kg, it doesn't take much to cause hassles. Even more so if the water begins to move around inside the boat, as this can quickly destabilise the boat. The good thing about most Stabis, even with low gunnels, is that you can get the water off quickly through the duck bills as long as you can stay moving. If you are in any doubt about the conditions, my advice would be not to launch or head home if aready at sea.
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Posted By: Bounty Hunter
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2012 at 9:45pm
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i think with a 12ft pontoon/inflatable - as long as theyre not too weighted down, youre really only limited by your fuel range and how long you want to spend bashing into an uncomfortable chop whilst sitting on a hard benchseat. within reason of course. a conventional 12ftr - parkercraft/fyran etc - is a different story. i feel that with their limited safety margins, you really need to have your wits about you and be very conscious of the wind/waves. their inability to recover from a swamping, means that your first mistake may well be your last. ------------- No disintegrations! |
Posted By: clickngofar
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2012 at 9:07pm
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I'm new to boating and had exactly the same questions as you.
I got steered towards a pontoon and ended up with a 3.6m Mac with a 25 HP Honda.
Took me a while to get it sorted, but now that I have I have absolute confidence in it.
I never go out unless swell-map is 6 or better, not because the boat won't handle rougher conditions, rather I just don't enjoy fishing in lousy weather.
Mine's a forward steer so I don't get wet - ever - and it is completely dry now that I have extensions welded on the transom to stop any slop coming aboard.
Macboats, who did the job, said my motor was way to heavy for my hull, and that was the only reason for getting slop over the back.
Needless to say, I love mine.
You're welcome to come out with me for a trial if you want - PM me.
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Posted By: Huggybear
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 1:17am
Sounds like you have a great little boat and motor there and with the raised transom freeboard all the better.
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clickngofar wrote:Posted By: Huggybear
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 1:29am
88, as the owner of a boat similar to yours but better  - I have a 3.5m Kiwikraft - I feel very safe in my boat. Of course the pontoons are much safer than the parkercraft-type dinghys. The pontoons increase the stability and the floatation immensely. Nevertheless, for me if the wind forecast is more than 15kn I am cautious unless I know that I will be in the lee of the land. Once the wind is 15kn or more and you know you'll be out in the open there can be some good sized chop created out there on the briny, and as above noted, the likes of the narrower confines of the Motuihe Channel can lift wave size etc significantly. What's the point in going out in stink weather, it just makes it uncomfortable for everyone. That said, the little pontoons like the Stabi, Mac360 and Kiwikraft, etc, can handle a heck of a lot. I'm very happy with mine on many levels.
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Posted By: uncleping_88
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2012 at 3:32pm
| Thanks for all the info Keith C and everyone else. Yeah I've been out on the stabi on days where it's scheduled to be call then wind against tide comes and make it a real wet ride. I was interested on peoples thought on the subject of other 12fters. Yeah I guess little stabis and macs can take much more pounding. |
Posted By: riga
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2012 at 4:40pm
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Alot depends on the reliability of your outboard and the experiance you have.
I have a 12ft tinnie with a new 15hp Yami and I am fairly comfortable in taking it out in 15knots provided it is not too far offshore as the ride is not the best and can be a bit slow.
Havn't been more than a couple miles from land in it so far (as have been fishing the shallow foul areas) but wouldn't hesitate to take it further if I knew the wind was not going to get up and cause a slow trip home.
Obviously don't want to be stupid and go miles offshore if you the wind 15+ etc.
Also if you know the wind will be against the tide later in the day make sure you are home before that happens to avoid the messy water
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Posted By: Bounty Hunter
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2012 at 7:43pm
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i note the latest issue of pacific powerboat magazine has a little news article on a newly released Fishcity/Maxicraft fc390 - little brother to the popular fc430s. features appear to be essentially the same as the larger boat - and include sealed buoyancy under the floor and gunwhales. a big safety improvement on traditional 12ftrs. ------------- No disintegrations! |
Posted By: DeKay
Date Posted: 04 Sep 2012 at 4:25pm
| There was a fatality in a small dingy in Wellington Harbour a couple of weeks ago. One guy stood up and the boat rolled. They were close to shore (50m) but not wearing life jackets and one poor guy did not make it. Take care and always wear a lifejacket. |