Thread: I need advice for buying a fishing boat

Currently have my boat up for sale as I’m going bigger.
We ski behind it no problem and well set up for fishing.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/trade-me-m...4961230830.htm

@LBD thanks, however we tending towards something with a bit higher sides for if we get into some rough water

Saw a Senator RC540 cuddy yesterday with Yamaha 90hp four stroke. Looked like it could be a good first sea boat for us. Big enough, not too big, light enough to learn with, etc. Thoughts on them?
https://www.senatorboats.com/boats/c...onsole/rc-540/

The only Senator I have had experience with was a hard top 690 but was an excellent boat. Having spent a lot of time in the Sounds in power boats, my only comment on this boat is that unless you pick your days very carefully you are likely to ship a lot of water.

The Sounds tend to be reasonably calm in the morning and the surface chop increases during the day as the wind increases. The sounds generally run north/south, and the predominant wind is a westerly, so you are quartering on to the surface chop, and it tends to come over the front of an open top boat. You can of course improve this by altering your speed and direction relative to the chop.

I have a Buccaneer 525 which is similar configuration to this boat, but a higher windscreen, and we used to get quite wet from time to time, but we were travelling long distances - out to the Strait most days. We have more recently been using a hard top Profile 635, and you certainly stay a lot drier with the hard top, but of course you pay a lot extra for it.

Done some more searching and there's so many pontoon style manufacturers. Some only bigger build bigger than we want and/or are well above budget, however Frewza made in Invercargill currently shining through on value for money.
The F17 hardtop looks particularly good value. We'd stretch it it to get new motor, warranties, peace of mind, not outgrow it, etc.
https://www.frewzaboats.co.nz/boat/frewza-f17-hardtop/

Looks like a nice boat. I don't have any experience of the brand, but they seem to have a good reputation. I'd go for an engine upgrade, the cost difference is minimal and one of the main things people seem to regret about boat buying is not getting a bigger engine. Never heard anyone say I wish I had less power!

@MB 1000% agree!!!!

Then comes down to which brand is 'better'. My uneducated thought is buy Japanese so Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha over USA Mercury. But that could get argued forever! Ford vs Holden.
What I have learnt that is real is the same hp outboards of different brands have different displacement, weight, gearing and prop options so a smaller hp X brand might actually perform better than Y brand on a particular hull.

FYI during recent northern Italy holiday saw hundreds of Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and barely any Mercury. Suzuki being the most common. Also saw a couple of diesel outboards. Can't remember brand of the diesel outboards.

Originally Posted by uk_exile

Then comes down to which brand is 'better'. My uneducated thought is buy Japanese so Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha over USA Mercury. But that could get argued forever! Ford vs Holden. What I have learnt that is real is the same hp outboards of different brands have different displacement, weight, gearing and prop options so a smaller hp X brand might actually perform better than Y brand on a particular hull.

I deliberately avoided commenting on that one! My mate is a proper boatie with 30 years bar crossing experience. He is currently running three boats with newish four stroke Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki outboards. Each has their pros/cons, but he is happy with all of them and when it came to building his latest boat, he just went with the best deal rather than a particular brand. For my own part, when I finally decided on the boat that I wanted, I could have any brand of outboard as long as it was Mercury. I wasn't thrilled about this, but 2.5 years later and no complaints. Fuel efficiency is good.

I changed from a thirsty 150 Johnson v6 2stroke to a 150 merc efi 4 stoke in 2013 that now motor was an absolute game changer for us never skipped a beat soo reliable 1st start every single time , waaaay better on gas so quiet when idiling i occasionally try to start the motor thats already going. I have a 12 foot starcraft with a 8hp (evinrude i grew up as a dedicated OMC fan) when we had the 2stroke we used the 12 footer around the bay setting nets ferry people about to save gas on the bigger boat. Since i got the merc the 12 ft has been left on the foreshore and not used since - must get rid of it and the motor.

Those 115 merc 4strokes have a good rep too.

When i upgraded to a new boat last year i got it priced with the 150 but my darling wonderful love her tobits wife said

“Go on get the 200 you won’t be happy if you don’t”

200 v6 is brilliant gotta make sure people are holding on when i hit the gas as the acceleration could darn near put them in the tide !

After viewing a few boats, both alloy and fibreglass, various hull styles and lengths we were still completely unsure what we want. But not wanting to dither all summer, we decided to get something in interim that can fish, can ski, should be reliable, low cost to buy and should be relatively easy to on sell once we know what we actually want/need. So here is is, our compromise interim boat.
Barchetta XC with 115hp Yamaha saltwater series 2 stroke, 180hrs, one owner, mostly freshwater use, annual services, good trailer, NZ made (Timaru), etc etc. In a couple of years once we've learnt the sea, the Marlborough Sounds area and what features we want in a boat we'll change (if necessary). It's been maintained really well by the fussy 76yr old owner. Only real fault is the fish finder doesn't work so will fit something basic for depth and GPS location. Will also add a basic bimini for some shelter from sun.

Barchetta brand isn't common but it's NZ made and however reviews are good. https://powerboatmagazine.co.nz/barchetta-502ec/