Thread: Show us your boat

Great to see people asking for advice about boats – let’s build a thread to store information and opinions from members.
Maybe a bit about your boating and fishing experiences, past and present.
The boat market is huge in New Zealand. Spare cash that was spent on overseas trips is now going into luxury items like boats.
It looks like boat prices continue to increase as demand outstrips supply of new boats and equipment – amazing to have long waiting lists to get a new boat.
Just post a few pictures and details of your boat and what you use it for – brand, type, motor, electronics, trailer, kayaks etc – if it floats – it will be interesting.
We could develop a database of valuable knowledge so anyone looking at buying a boat can refer to it as part of their decision-making process – there are lots of old boats around, many are solid and in great condition.
It's not a pissing contest, just ongoing information from members for all of us to absorb and enjoy.
I will start from my 47 years of owning boats – two more to follow if it gets any traction.

Boat 1 - 4.6m Fleetline Saphire 1974 – 65HP Merc – a solid boat made by Fibre Glass Moulders - it was a great setup – used it heaps at Taupo, Wanganui and round Kapiti Island. An easy boat to launch off the beach at Paraparaumu. Pic of my Wife and a close fishing and hunting friend – also the first of my many Labradors that always came fishing.

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Boat 2 - 5.5m Fleetline Solitaire – 1978 – 115HP and 7.5 HP Mercs - used it heaps at Taupo and Wanganui. She was a great setup, a solid boat made by Fibre Glass Moulders who also made Haines Hunters , heaps of power from the straight 6 motor – it performed well in the sea off Wanganui. It had a Marlin chart plotter that was great for finding fish and reefs off Wanganui. We ran a few long lines and caught plenty of blue cod and gurnard. A handy size in a domestic garage with a removable dodger. Got involved in lifestyle block developments so put it in a shed for about five years. Got it out and ready to start up then noticed the alloy cooling circuits on the side of the motor were corroding – had a new cooling side installed and it was fine. We changed to a larger boat and this one spent many years as a family ski boat.

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Boat 3 - McLay 5.95 Fisherman – 1996 – 115 and 15 HP Mercs – used it heaps at Taupo, Wanganui, and South coast off Makara – launching at Plimmerton. A great setup for sea fishing but very bouncy in rough water heading home – just about jar your teeth out. We used to look across Cook Strait and wonder if it was feasible with a larger boat. So decided to go bigger and back to fibreglass.

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Two more to follow – if there is interest.

My first boat. A FC 430. Initially went halves with a mate, then paid him out for his share.
Was a great boat. Very stable and roomy. Zero shelter though and could get a bit wet. Used to fish on the Far North, Coromandel and Manu Bay. Caught lots of fish. On the few occasions I have been checked by mpi they told me we had the best catch seen that day.
Not quite big enough though.
Earlier this year we traded it in for a Surtees 5.5m workmate.





So much more room than the old boat and much more shelter. It's way less noisy when underway as well. Got a 90 2 stroke Yamaha. It's a fairly old set up but runs pretty good.
Only downside is the lack of fishability up front. No regrets though.

Old zodiac 380 with a 25hp mariner on it, wish I could justify a big flash boat but not at this stage. Wee girl gets us from A to B, good to dive from gets up and goes with three blokes and dive gear no worries and getting to hunting spots or picnics on the lake etc.

Old inshore fishing boat.
Travels slower than the speed of smell, its a really stable boat and great to take kids out in as the sides are quite high. Plus since its so slow the kids can all have a drive.

I use it for setting nets and long lines mainly, has a "well" in it for keeping fish alive too.

Originally Posted by norsk

Old inshore fishing boat.
Travels slower than the speed of smell, its a really stable boat and great to take kids out in as the sides are quite high. Plus since its so slow the kids can all have a drive.

I use it for setting nets and long lines mainly, has a "well" in it for keeping fish alive too.

Proper boat. Nice.

im running a fc 465 with 60hp 4 stroke
awesome harbor boat most of my fishing is harbor fishing in 1-5m of water

Im one of those fools that have the pleasure of building them for those on the waitlist for new builds.

Times are looking tight though as far as engine supply goes. Got told the other day that Yamaha (if i recall correctly) are no longer going to supply outboards for repower. All new engines will be sold to a new hull.

Originally Posted by keengunNic

Im one of those fools that have the pleasure of building them for those on the waitlist for new builds.

Times are looking tight though as far as engine supply goes. Got told the other day that Yamaha (if i recall correctly) are no longer going to supply outboards for repower. All new engines will be sold to a new hull.

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Are you building a 540 Senator? I have one being built now.

Originally Posted by cb14

Are you building a 540 Senator? I have one being built now.

That’s a Profile if I’m not mistaken, very nice boats.
I just sold my 540 Senator.


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Originally Posted by cb14

Are you building a 540 Senator? I have one being built now.

Build pics please.....and a cost breakdown please.

Very interested in one myself.

Sorry I don't have build pics. Cost about $90k as i got every extra you can get lol PM me your email and i can send you a breakdown if you want.

Originally Posted by cb14

Sorry I don't have build pics. Cost about $90k as i got every extra you can get lol PM me your email and i can send you a breakdown if you want.

All the little extras add up pretty quick aye

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Build pics please.....and a cost breakdown please.

Very interested in one myself.

Progress photo

No boat as such, but this thing is a fish killer!

@norsk that third photo is a stunner

Here is a few shots of mine in action over the last couple of years.

Stabicraft 1410 with a few MODs.
Wouldn't trade it for anything, love it









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