I have a 4.2M Mac Fisherman which I have been using on Manukau Bar for 8 years now and I like it.  Not perfect but works for me, punches above its size, Mac 570 not well known but would be a good boat - are you wanting for diving or fishing - for diving easy boats to get in and out of.Like the material - plastic is real easy to live with.  Boat was poorly setup from new - had to adjust engine height and fit a permatrim but good now.  One plus is boat and trailer made in Akld so any spares or repairs needed are easy to arrange.  

I do like the sound of the mac 5,7. I havnt heard much about them either.

I've heard heaps of good about the kiwi craft but it is narrow.

I want to go out over the bar and long distant east coast trips.

I need space for 4 on the boat incl me.

I'm a fisherman so jigging, popping, softbaiting.

Cheers. Will have a good look. I know the older pontoon boats bang in the rough but I'm keen on the safety aspect.

Makes sense.

What are the senators and mac 5.7 like does anyone know?

Jelliman wrote: What are the senators and mac 5.7 like does anyone know?

Go for the Senator 540 with a Yammy 90 , may be able to pick one up for $25k now.
Good ride with a fine entry for a pontoon boat, way more freeboard than the Mac. One of the strongest screens you will see with acrylic set into a fully welded frame. I really appreciated this a couple of times when taking breaking waves on the cabin while launching in the surf. Had my Senator 520 out in 50kn winds and 3m swell just for fun a couple of times to see how it would cope. It never felt unsafe. The NZ fishing news review a few years ago rated them as the "best surf boat in the country"High praise.

yellafin wrote: I have been in several different brands of pontoon boat in varying sizes. IMHO One brand, no matter what size, rides better than the others - kiwikraft. However their main problem is a narrow internal beam, especially in the smaller models. Not a lot of room!

Not an easy decision. Are the kiwi kraft a lot narrower?