Thread: I need advice for buying a fishing boat

I need some advice about sea fishing boats.
Relocating to live near Havelock, Marlborough Sounds. The move from Christchurch reduces mortgage enough that will be able to buy a fishing boat. Despite having owned 4 boats I know very little about sea boats and outboards as mine have all been river or lake V8s.
For use in Marlborough Sounds what would you buy and why?
Fishing and waterskiing. I know I need more than 90hp to ski.
Fibreglass vs alloy.
2 stroke vs 4 stroke.
Engine hours 2 vs 4 stroke.
Seems like bimini roof and some shelter would be ideal.
I know each thing affects budget. Hoping $25-45k for reliable boat we can keep long term.
What else to look for?

Um, this could be a bit like 'what's the best caliber for shooting deer?'

If you can, try and get a 4 stroke, you will appreciate the fuel economy over a 2 stroke. Direct injection 2 strokes are good but no longer in production so best to go 4 stroke.

Alloy v glass is a personal preference thing, Generally speaking alloy is more forgiving when it comes to banging into things like boat ramps, trailers and beaching. Glass tend to be softer riding when comparing the same length.

Alloy is lighter so easier to tow, doesn't need as much horse power to push through the water. The weight of a glass boat helps with it's ride once on the water.

I've had both and one thing I've noticed is alloy boats are often setup with a nose high feel which I don't really like.

I should add the above relates to my experience in 5-6m size boat, things change a bit when you go bigger.

You will appreciate some cover on a hot summers day.

The other then to consider is do you want a center console or a standard cabin boat.

I suspect the determining factor will be the quality of the boats you have to choose from.
Most modern boats will serve you well enough as long as they have been looked after and the maintenance kept up with.

A governing factor is whether you want family comfort, or hard out fish
hunting. Have you considered a stern drive? Do you intend some offshore, eg, tuna fishing or just sheltered water
inshore work? These considerations have major bearing on specs you need.

For ride and comfort its fiberglass and out on top would be a Haines Hunter just get enough horsepower on the back to ski - the ride is the best you will get bar none - your price range you will get a nice one - likely you will be looking at two stroke out board - nothing wrong there just a little hungry - but if you are more into fishing then maybe not the boat - nothing worse than watching kids bring up lines and taking paint chips of your nice boat by allowing the sinker to bang up against the boat - alloy for fishing would be better -just take knocks better - more economical to run - the only downside is the ride - can be scary if the sea comes up being light - but me if I had your budget Haines Hunter every time

Your lake ski boats were relatively flat bummed for smooth water.rough water you learn to appreciate a deepV so she sticks in the water more. Get out on a few different boats WELL BEFORE getting out the cheque book.

Another key question to add to the confusion. What's more important to you, a good ride through the chop or stability at rest?

Visit the local (Sounds) boat ramps and look at what the locals are using.

Make friends with a few and beg a ride?

Work runs a Fi-Glass Lightning boat, for a property in the sounds, not often used as a fishing platform, primarily for bach access and sightseeing. Too much carpet and soft bits to have fish on them really.
Nice riding in the sloppy stuff though.

yes good point MB the fishing I do and my style is all reasonable shallow drift baiting with berley trail and anchored boat - some of the alloys are just way to noisy for that in any slop and it sounds like someone banging a wet sack up against the boat - but UK EXILE if you want fish and ski thats very doable - but as Mickey Duck says be good if you can try a few - Haines Hunter -Fi Glass - Buccanear all good proven fi/glass hulls

You picked a great time to buy a boat prices have tanked
Very nice boats about in your price range

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You really need to get out and experience a few different options to firm up in your mind what will suit you. Four stroke outboards are heavier and more expensive, but in use offer so much advantage over the old two bangers that I would not recommend a 2s now. If your looking at a boat with one and it's cheap enough though???

I would not recommend a stern drive for a trailer boat at all, weight and servicing costs. Having said that, a leg on a launch can be a pain in the arse too! Better options around.

Alloy is good, way better for toughness and customisation and especially if you are planning on beaching the boat. Doesn't need to be that noisy in terms of design too (stabicraft are you bloody listening - blunt snotted pricks of hulls...). The pontoon ali hulls are great fishing and diving platforms, and stabi are great work platforms despite my earlier jab - they just are very flat nosed for punching through a chop which might or might not be an issue in the sounds depending where you are planning on going.

Glass is warmer, quieter, harder to do anything with in terms of chipping gelcoat etc but still makes for a nice boat. When you are looking, get the boat inspected and make sure that the guy looks at the state of the electrics, the batteries, the wiring, anchor setup as well as the fuel system (and as best as they can inspect the inside of the tank for water and crap as it can be a mongrel sorting that out) and not just the state of engine hull and trailer.

I wouldn't get scared off 2 strokes too quickly. The modern ones are pretty reliable, and the fuel consumption equation really only kicks in if you spend a lot of time above 60% throttle setting. They are almost half the weight of a 4 stroke. And for your money you should be able to pick up one cheap enough that the savings vs a boat equipped with a 4 stroke will likely add up to 5 -10 years of average pleasure boating use in $ of petrol burned.


Edit: Good on you for making the change. Enjoy life for what you can, whilst you can. No one should be burdened with a mortgage when there are options available to get rid of it and swing the work life balance in the right direction. That neck of the woods is a great base, for local and not so local adventures. Enjoy.

@7mm tragic Great info. Recently out in friends CSB Hunstman Crusader. It had 250hp 4 stroke. Amazing engine. Way above our budget though! It certainly rode well when t did get a bit rougher.
@Woody I guess a bit of both comfort and fish. Would be sheltered only. Maybe out towards Cook straight if really calm and good forecast but generally within the sounds only. Hadn’t thought about stern drive. Was thinking outboard for lightweight and manuverability.
@Barry the hunter thanks for heads up. There certainly seems to be lots of Haines Hunters. Many variants too.
Had thought alloy for long life, no chips from fishing weights, buy once, cry once but prices of those Haines look attractive.
@Micky Duck will try to trial a few. Going to join one of the local fire brigade so hopefully a few quick connections made via that.
@MB hadn’t thought of that! Assume ride through chop since we’d choose a calm place to fish, or would go out another day.
@ROKTOY when we were in Havelock recently saw lots of Senators, but they’re 3+ times budget ☹ Parking space at house limited too. They seemed very high. That might be an issue too.
@No.3 what’s your thoughts on engine hours of 2 stroke vs 4 stroke? Seeing 2 strokes in budget 10-300hrs but the four strokes are either over budget or 500-2000hrs. Any outboard I see not starting always seems to be a 2 stroke. Maybe just age and hours. With my V8 boats 500hrs was nothing, 1000 still fine and if regular oil changes 2000-3000hrs before a local garage rings and bearings job required.
@XR500 not too concerned about fuel cost. Is what it is. RUC disappearing on petrol soon right?
We’re super excited about the move. I can work from home remaining 10yrs so income sorted. The move means the mortgage that would have been paid off when 60-62yrs old is gone. We gain 5-7years of freedom. We’ll get a small mortgage to buy boat, replace carpets, do some other renos etc but will be gone within a couple of years. We’d long thought about it but with wife’s mental health issues last few years and ongoing struggles, a couple of family deaths this year (age related & homicide/accident), friends spinal injury where I was first responder, etc we decide do it now. Why wait. Life can be too short.

90hp seems to be common size but I do need to ski behind one to see if its enough (I slalom ski to high level, do some waterski coaching, etc. No pro but really enjoy slalom course. It's my happy place)

whats the major pros & cons of alloys that look like inflatables vs alloys that are single skin hulls? Non sinkablility?
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/b...ing/4837626129
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/b...ing/4814424910
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/b...ing/4817216001
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/b...ing/4849883896
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/b...ing/4767335207
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/b...ing/4857353731

FYI the house sale and purchase is now unconditional but not settled until early October so won't be buying boat before then