Boat choice for Moreton Bay and Watersports

[Simon001002]

Hi all,

Looking at getting a new boat for getting the kids into water sports at the lakes around south east Queensland as well as some fishing and exploring Moreton bay. I have no experience on the bay and the question I have is around a suitable do it all vessel. 
 

I like the idea of bow riders as they have plenty of capacity to take additional people (some have legal capacity for 8).  Looking at under 6metre (19ft). Not sure how the bowriders would go in the bay if the wind got up a bit from what I have read?

If someone with a bit of relevant experience could point me in the right direction it would be appreciated.

 

Simon

[Kat]

So glad you asked this question.  I too am looking for a similar boat - preferably one I can take offshore on a mint day as well.  Can't wait to get some advice.

[benno573]

I used to have a great all rounder which was a 5.3m fiberglass half cab. Was great in the bay, estuaries and offshore on the right day. Easy to tow around the place, made it as far as 1770 a couple of times, as well as to the dams. Ideally I would have loved a slightly larger boat but I still enjoy trolling for flathead in a foot of water so you have to compromise. 

Bow riders certainly have their place but I personally wouldn’t look at one as the best “all rounder”. The issue you raised with chop etc could potentially cause a problem in a choppy bay, meaning the front covers would have to be on, negating the whole purpose of the bow rider in the first place. They aren’t the best fishing boat generally as a lot of deck space goes to lounge space, dry space, shade  and storage could be an issue as well. Also would suggest having a think about numbers - 8 people in a 6m boat is a very crowded and heavy boat. While it may be legal, it may not be overly practical.

 

i would look for something in a half or cuddy cabin around 5.5-6.2m with a modern 4 stroke outboard. Glass or plate - personal preference really. Both have their pros, and cons. If you are planning on getting out and about and travelling with the boat, spend some time really checking over the trailer and making sure if fully supports the hull for those longer trips.

 

other than that, just have a think about what else you really NEED in a boat. The latest 26 inch touch screen sounder gps might be a cool toy but is that $3-4K better spent on a boarding ladder, upgraded lighting, live bait tank and deck wash system and other stuff. No-one can really answer that one as what I like might not matter to others and what matters to others might not matter to you. 

 

Hope this has been some help.

[GregOug]

Okay. I’ll put my two bobs worth in. I’ve had heaps of different boats over the years from 10 foot tinnies to 35 foot flybridge cruisers, so here goes. Please don’t take offence if I find fault with the boat design any of you currently have. 

Firstly, having had plenty of half cabins I personally think they are a complete waste of time unless you intend to spend the night in them, which most of us rarely, if ever, actually do. The cabin takes up a lot of the available space, and you end up with a couple of seats and a fairly small deck area, which is usually taken up, at least partially, by all your gear because half cabins have very little storage space. These observations are general only and obviously some brands are better in these areas than others. On the plus side the cabin does provide some protection from the wind and waves.

An open boat like a large centre console or tiller steer negates the drawback of wasted cabin space, but once again these usually have limited storage areas and can become rather cluttered. Downsides are minimal protection from the elements, wind and waves. Upsides are they are usually a bit cheaper, provide all round fishing and anchor access and good visibility (unless it’s raining! Lol).

Bowriders gain the extra space taken up by a cabin and usually have heaps of storage, because even though there’s more seating, those seats are also storage lockers. Visibility is good with moderate protection from the elements and wind. With regard to the waves, if they’re big enough to be coming over the bow, they’d be big enough for seawater to be hitting the windscreen on a half cabin, which can cut visibility to near zero. I’ve found this can be more dangerous than a few sprays coming into the front of a bowrider, because you can’t see the seas coming at you. As @benno573 said a lot of bowriders are not fishing friendly, being more set up for lounging and cruising, however some of the newer designs provide rear decks where you can sit and fish from quite comfortably. Upsides are heaps of storage and ability to use for more than just fishing. Convincing the Minister of Finance might be slightly easier too over an open centre console or similar. 

Then there are the larger boats like your flybridge cruisers. I would never go near another one unless I won multiple millions of dollars. They are slow to manoeuvre in tight spaces, extremely costly to own, run and maintain, require permanent berthing and did I say, costly?

In the end, I think that the boat that suits you best ultimately depends on your stage of life, financial situation and the time you have available for boating. Good luck with your search for that perfect boat!

 

[ellicat]

Oh dear.

[Drop Bear]

The only boat that you should ever buy is a 5m Tiller steer...

You are welcome 

Sorry not helpful I know. 

I do like tillers as you get so much room but I like bowriders and cuddy cabs for that matter, they really do have their place.

Bowriders Pro's

more room for day use

Can take more ppl

Great comfortable seating for when you are at anchor. Good for picnics etc. 

Can cast from up front, good for squid etc

Easy to get to anchor

Better for skiing and tubing as people can sit up the front out of the way waiting their turn.

Con's

Can't overnight

less dry in bumpy weather

I would be very wary taking one through a bar as it will fill with water if you make a mistake and hit a curling wave (in saying that I do it in my open tiller... but only on good days)

All that seating gets messy when you catch a squid

Can be colder on those early morning Tailor runs (like I am doing Thursday with @Angus)

 

 

 

[Simon001002]

Thanks for the responses,

Very helpful. I would say 70% lake use,  and 30% in the bay. The reason I liked 8 person seating is we have a young family of 4 with plenty of family of 4 friends. It would never be 8 adults but maybe 4 adults and 4 kids between 4 and 9. But definitely take your points on overloading. 

wouldn't be looking to traverse  a wavy bar in this as I had a bit of a near miss in NZ a couple of years back where we were caught by a set and rolled on a bar........bit of a wake up call (I wasn’t driving) but sure gave me a greater appreciation for how things can go terribly wrong in a matter of literally a few seconds!!

I have only ever had outboards and the thought of an inboard for cost/reliability is a bit of an unknown.

Simon

[GregOug]

5 hours ago, Simon001002 said:

Thanks for the responses,

Very helpful. I would say 70% lake use,  and 30% in the bay. The reason I liked 8 person seating is we have a young family of 4 with plenty of family of 4 friends. It would never be 8 adults but maybe 4 adults and 4 kids between 4 and 9. But definitely take your points on overloading. 

wouldn't be looking to traverse  a wavy bar in this as I had a bit of a near miss in NZ a couple of years back where we were caught by a set and rolled on a bar........bit of a wake up call (I wasn’t driving) but sure gave me a greater appreciation for how things can go terribly wrong in a matter of literally a few seconds!!

I have only ever had outboards and the thought of an inboard for cost/reliability is a bit of an unknown.

Simon

Stay away from inboards!

[Ed.]

Tend to agree with Greg on this!

[GregOug]

Have a look at the thread on here about Stejcraft SS64’s. They’re not perfect but then no boat is. Most of the owners on here love them. They might be just what you need. There is a smaller 5.8m version as well. Just search ss64 and you should find it.

[Old Scaley]

If you want to compare different boat styles and how they compare in a bit of wave action, go to YouTube and search for Haulover Inlet. A mob called Boat Zone have a few vids up, including a 2020 compilation of craziness at this inlet bar. Absolute madness. Worth a look if you have a bit of spare time. Some of these people should be banned from boating forever. 

[Simon001002]

Haha nice @Old Scaley! Take your point @GregOug seems from what I have read a lot of dollars go into inboards compared to outboards! The stejcraft look great but are a bit pricey......will be looking 2nd hand for under 40k. Can’t see anything older than 2020 but will do some research.