Hi there,

About time I joined up the Fishing Website. Always such great info.

I'm Wellington based currently, but i've been convinced by the lady to shift to Featherston. Admittedly I was a little reluctant at first, until she starting dangling the prospect of me getting a boat to soften the move. My arm was easily twisted so I am now keen to find out about places in the Wairarapa where I could launch a vessel and the conditions I could expect, so I can start deciding on the type of boat I might need to get into. Budget is fairly limited, but I do think I could possibly squeeze 10-12k out of the old girl (yeah I know, she has the control!!). I mainly want to use the boat for sea fishing, however I am also keen to have something with a ski pole to use on the lake.

When I have been around the Wairarapa previously I have not seen too many smaller vessels (ngawi, castlepoint, etc), which is probably due to the big seas, and most seem to require a bulldozer or tractor. Could someone please answer the following questions?

Where are boat ramps located in Wairarapa? Where would be closest Featherston wise?
Can a standard car / 4wd access these easily?

Any advice about the type of vessel that would handle the conditions there would also be greatly appreciated i.e. ali, glass, etc.

Many thanks

Mpup  

hi Mpup

Took my old 4.8m alloy pontoon boat over to the Wairarapa a few times.  For a 4.5 to 5.0 m boat sandy bay at tora is a good spot for launching.  Anything 4.5 or under should be able to be beach launched.  Brother in law used a Mac 3.6 to good effect and could drag/carry the boat down the beach.

Most of the fishos I saw on the coast had smaller pontoon tinnies (< 5.0m) of which a number were made locally (ace boats etc).  Suspect a 4wd would be the best for beach launching incl. sandy bay (unless a MAC 3.6 and comfortable with the armstrong method)

The big name pontoons such as Stabi/Kiwi etc are likely to be outside your price range a for good nick later model boat and engine, the second tier Frewza/Tsunami or local brands such as watersport, Ace etc will probably scrape in.  A good MAC is well within the budget. Theres plenty of guys on this forum with heaps of experience in the smaller toons...hardingsofwelly is an expert on the Mac360/420 and Stabi 389.

A ski pole normally requires more HP which = higher purchase price, will leave this discussion to those more experienced.

See http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Motorboats/auction-269041120.htm I am a little biased as my old boat was a watersport, ugly and can be rough riding but a great workhorse.

Good luck

Beach launching is reasonably simple on a good day on most of these beaches. 

Mmmmmmmm....from all your comments I am starting to get a little excited about a Mac 420. I don't mind too much about getting wet, but I don't know how launchable such a boat would be from those Wairarapa beaches. Some of the forums seem to suggest that the Mac 420 is pretty heavy, so what would you thoughts be on one person getting it on and off the trailer alone?

Also Wellifshr do you know how much an annual membership at the Ngawi Boating Club would be?

Thanks a lot 

Beach launching at Akitio further up the coast from Castlepoint as well is an option. With the more expose coastline you need to be able to run the boat up the beach when the sea gets a bit rougher to get clear of filling the back of the boat up with water from the waves, hence more of a preference for ali boats in this instance. PLenty of people head off fishing and if member of club access to the tractors. Good close beach cummunities in these parts can be a lot of fun.

Thanks heaps for all your advice. What a great forum. I am starting to lean the way of one of the following vessels, although these are examples only as I will not be purchasing for a little while. Still research to be done. I suppose the thing that also entices me about these two vessels, is the potential for dragging a skier when required. What do you think?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Motorboats/auction-271406970.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Motorboats/auction-270466575.htm 

Cheers

Excellent.... thanks for the advice. I did think the 60 knot claim was a little over the top. Yep, saw the motor was bit older on the Stabi, so will look for an newer one when the 'buy time' gets closer. What would you say the weight difference between these two would be? Cheers 

To add to Alan's comments, that engine is also not a 1996 model with that cowling in the pics, it looks like a 1986 model, but solid workhorses none the less. The difference in weight between the Mac and Stabi would be around 250kgs at a rough guess - enough to make a big difference. A 100l underfloor in that boat is way overkill and you'd need 60hp just to haul it's arse out of the water!

Also bear in mind, as much as I love the Mac 420, if you have a single garage, then that 2.2m beam plus trailer guards is a killer and will not fit in a small garage - no issues if kept outside however. Plastic boats are very durable in beach launching with a double skinned 10mm hull on the Mac. You will get something in that price range, but will be very secondhand - that's not a bad thing if you buy wisely - I'd also be looking at a pontoon 4.2 open like a Frewza, Rockhopper, Tsunami, Stabi, Kiwikraft, Seasurge with a 2nd hand tiller-steer 40hp with a ski pole/rocket launcher mount - very versatile.

Mate at Riversdale is just getting his second Hardy - this one is 4.0 with a Honda 45hp - he will be beach launching at Riversdale and also at adjacent farms with coastal access.  He likes them because they are manufactured with the Wararapa coastline in mind, you sit more forward in them than equivalent Stabi or KiwiKraft (more room on board and better through the surf), lightweight (he luanches on hiis own with a quad) - he will go out to the bank in it - 9km?  Doesn't like my Mac 420 as he feels is too heavy and too low at the back - shipping water when launching. 

HI folks