Thread: WTB Alloy boat

Originally Posted by Larskramer

I'm going to be selling my mclay this year 7.5m cruiser, hardtop, lockup cabin, custom lifted floor, 225 yamaha 4 stroke, trim tabs, top range garnin sounders plus all the electric bells and whistles, optima blue batteries etc all newly rewired throughout, anchor winch etc, but will be looking around 110k

Only 80k over his budget…

Originally Posted by Fat belly Dog

What size senator do you have @BRADS

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Only a toy mate compared to most 4.8, but was within the ops budget of 30k


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My thoughts are

1) package boats come with the least hp motor to boat ratio , great for you and a couple of mates fishing but add divers / cray pots or any other amount of weight your going to be pushing the motor hard / to its max burning fuel..so look for a well powered second hand boat

2) boat slap and / or bashing is more about the driver than the vessel, reading the conditions, trimming of the motor, reduce speed and cruise home rather than punching full on into a running sea , the same for a following sea launching off waves ease up pick a path, balance your boat, move weight..dive gear to the front giving the boat some weight, on the nose, get the crew to stand and brace for the ride home,

Absolutely some boats run better than others , our older stabi is very flat bottomed and requires us to run off shore on an angle then back onshore with the swell / chop behind us on many occasions.

Senator are a great boat , but the person at the wheel / throttle makes a hell of a lot more difference than hull design.

3) motor is everything, do your research , check the prop for damage, is the steering loose , look at all connections and hoses. Remember you cannot walk home if the motor breaks down.
Get them to start it from cold not pre warmed up.

4 ) boat stands for bring another thousand ( VC quote) check the trailer bearings , rollers are not seized …salt water eats everything so the less supprises the better!

Stabi flat sided pontoon, some are extra wide giving now days, giving better internal space.

Osprey and kiwi craft are rounded pontoon which takes up internal room but very stable at rest.

Senators fished out of one which was a very simple model two seat and heaps of fish storage space , the other the used up the space for comfort , which leads me to my second point , visualise the boat full of gear, cray pots , dive gear, fishing mates …every boat looks huge empty but dump gear in it and space disappears very quickly.

Underfloor fuel tanks verse tote tanks another question.

The old man has a 6 meter stabi loves dive tanks up front and the crew foward , big under floor tank with a large 4 stroke yam hanging off the back ..all food for thought.

Originally Posted by stingray

Stabi flat sided pontoon, some are extra wide giving now days, giving better internal space.

Osprey and kiwi craft are rounded pontoon which takes up internal room but very stable at rest.

Senators fished out of one which was a very simple model two seat and heaps of fish storage space , the other the used up the space for comfort , which leads me to my second point , visualise the boat full of gear, cray pots , dive gear, fishing mates …every boat looks huge empty but dump gear in it and space disappears very quickly.

Underfloor fuel tanks verse tote tanks another question.

The old man has a 6 meter stabi loves dive tanks up front and the crew foward , big under floor tank with a large 4 stroke yam hanging off the back ..all food for thought.

Thanks mate appreciate the advice!

Originally Posted by stingray

Stabi flat sided pontoon, some are extra wide giving now days, giving better internal space.

Osprey and kiwi craft are rounded pontoon which takes up internal room but very stable at rest.

Senators fished out of one which was a very simple model two seat and heaps of fish storage space , the other the used up the space for comfort , which leads me to my second point , visualise the boat full of gear, cray pots , dive gear, fishing mates …every boat looks huge empty but dump gear in it and space disappears very quickly.

Underfloor fuel tanks verse tote tanks another question.

The old man has a 6 meter stabi loves dive tanks up front and the crew foward , big under floor tank with a large 4 stroke yam hanging off the back ..all food for thought.

If and I repeat if you can find a 601 Aqualite then I highly recommend you take it for a spin. 23-degree hull with reverse chines designed by Scott Robinson. I have seen a couple come up that would fit your budget. Just not as common as other pontoon brands mentioned.

I have its big brother the 645 and if you are ever up this way your welcome to come out for a spin.

The aqua lite is the aussie name for kiwicrafts if I'm not mistaken ?

Originally Posted by Quackers

The aqua lite is the aussie name for kiwicrafts if I'm not mistaken ?

No not correct. It's Aqualine. I was told it actually went to court as considering they are both alloy pontoon boats the name was just too close. Not sure of outcome.

I've got a 5.2m Mclay which I've had in 2.5m swells and handles that pretty well. It was 30K new with a 60Hp 2 stroke Merc on which pushes it pretty good. Bought it about 5ish years ago so prices have gone a bit wonky since then

maybe a bit too late,

Kev & Ian’s in Manukau - Auckland is closing down after 30+ years,
was told all stock must go by today, some silly bargain on offer.

Wow shit .good time to buy a stabi from them

Originally Posted by BRADS

Only a toy mate compared to most 4.8, but was within the ops budget of 30k


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That looks perfect for down at blackhead 😜

After a whole heap of researching and talking to people I think I will go with a pontoon of some sorts.

Hopefully pick up something cheapish mid winter.....Frewza by all accounts seem to be really good bang for buck....Senator must be a bit out of reach but you never know when someone wants a quick sale!

Cheers for all of the input team much appreciated

I really like "pontoon" style hulls and am on my second one. They prove their worth when you end up in weather that you shouldnt be out in.
The older ones were notorious for being hard riding as were most early alloy boats. You could negate this by not driving like an idiot though.

Also the older carbureted 4 strokes were not particularly great in the reliability department so something to be mindful of.