A mate had a Frewza 4.1m for a while and we spearfished out of it and he did a bit of soft baiting etc.  It worked well and was a good option price wise too.

https://www.frewzaboats.co.nz/boat/aluminium-dinghy-4-1m-high-sided/

I've now got one of these:

which is a completely different option (apart from both being aluminium pontoon boats).

There are a number of other similar options from Stabicraft, Profile, Senator etc.  My mate did a fair bit of research when he bought the Frewza (new) and it was excellent bang for buck when compared to others - and it lived up to it. We could have two of us sitting on one pontoon with no problems (when at rest) and we got in and out of it a lot when moving between spots spearfishing.  It also had an OK ride (if not better than OK!) for it's size.

Having said that, my boating journey was very similar to FlawOne. Started with a small F glass dinghy, oars, then a small 4 HP Merc for it. This was mainly lake fishing. Then a 12 or 14 ft tinnie with 30 HP, manual start and tilt. Did heaps of fishing in it. Finally chnaged for elec start and tilt, then current Fyran 530. I had years of good fishing from those tinnies. A mate who I still fish with from all those years still has his 12 Ft tinnie and a 15 HP motor. He catches near as much as anyone else - bit more weather limited.

Stability, I have never had an issue with them (never had a pontoon boat). If you got the right buy -ie a genuine article, that had been well looked after, and not a heap of crap, you will get your $3ks worth of fishing for sure. Take your time looking, buying will prob better as winter approaches.

Alan

OK but still a great 1st boat. other than its glass and a condor craft 

But seriously, that would get you most places you need to get too. 

Alan

I drove from Hawkes Bay to Mangawhai heads to look at a likely boat. And turned it down. Had to o/night in a campground with no gear etc. Slept between 2 mattresses.

Finally found the right boat somewhere north of Akl.

Alan