All round boat for Fishing and family in SEQ?

[Gumboot]

HI

I am a new member  who lives in Brisbane.
I am not new to boating as been out lots with friends fishing and boating. But finally looking to buy a new boat and after some advice

We would  use the boat for

• Fishing Moreton bay in QLD.
• Fish in estuaries/ small rivers
• Be able to get to Tangalooma on to good day
• The boys love exploring, running up on beaches in and around Noosa , Bribie and the Gold coast broad water.
• We 4WD a lot and would like to take it up Cape York etc and in the river to fish on out 4wd trips . I was looking at something like a Mackay trailer KRX or custom   4wd trailer that we can drag it to some out of the way places.
• Want it under 2.5 tonnes.
• Preferably some sun protection if possible.
• Needs to be able to seat 5 max. ( 2 adults, 3 kids)
• Don’t need to over night on the boat.
• Prefer good quality
• If might get treated rough in 4wding, so was thinking aluminum over glass
• I think a full cabin is a bit of waste of space for us.( we wont sleep in it)
• The small open boats seem too small for 5, and lack of seating etc .
• Some people steered me away from bowriders.
• So I thought small centre console/ CC? Maybe seat in front of the console, Couple of seats at the console and a small bench seat at the back. We should get 5 seated. Some days it would just be 2 up fishing.

I looked at Australian Master Marine and their Sea Class 4900/ 5200/ 5700 Centre consoles. They seem to be well built and a good reputation.

https://australianmastermarine.com.au/our-boats/sea-class/

Also looked at

http://www.offshoremarinemaster.com.au/
The do some centre consoles as well

 

I would appreciate some advice from the brains trust please. I don’t want to buy and buy again and again.
So prefer to spend a more and get a nice all round boat for the above needs. Happy to wait while it is built.

Cheers

Robert

[ellicat]

Hey Gumboot,

That's a big question with a big answer required. I have some thoughts but no time at the moment, so will post them later.

How old are the kids ?

[Sylvathorn]

I have an old Stessl alloy cathedral hull with alloy Bimini top(Hydrofield clone), 6.1m (7m with pod) that does all of the above, although launching in small rivers would be difficult. Weight inc trailer is just under 2 tonnes. It's super economical to run. It now has a 9.9 auxiliary and can run at hull depth with the main motor up. Something around 18 foot would probably be great for your needs.

However I don't know if anyone makes anything like them nowadays, but would be worth looking to see if someone does.

[Bretto77]

9 hours ago, Sylvathorn said:

I have an old Stessl alloy cathedral hull with alloy Bimini top(Hydrofield clone), 6.1m (7m with pod) that does all of the above, although launching in small rivers would be difficult. Weight inc trailer is just under 2 tonnes. It's super economical to run. It now has a 9.9 auxiliary and can run at hull depth with the main motor up. Something around 18 foot would probably be great for your needs.

However I don't know if anyone makes anything like them nowadays, but would be worth looking to see if someone does.

That's a versatile boat mate. How much fuel does she hold/ what sort of range?

[Sylvathorn]

1 hour ago, Bretto77 said:

That's a versatile boat mate. How much fuel does she hold/ what sort of range?

120 litres in the main tank, the big Yam 4 stroke is very fuel efficient, uses about 3 litres p/h trolling at 5 to 8 kph and roughly 9 p/h at 3/4 throttle (35 to 38 kph). She generates bubbles under/between the hulls so there is very little drag, hence motor never works hard.

Very similar fuel usage to and almost as good as the Hydrofields. Couldn't believe it the first time I took her out trolling on the Broadwater - 3 1/2 hours and used about 8 litres.

[Bretto77]

12 minutes ago, Sylvathorn said:

120 litres in the main tank, the big Yam 4 stroke is very fuel efficient, uses about 3 litres p/h trolling at 5 to 8 kph and roughly 9 p/h at 3/4 throttle (35 to 38 kph). She generates bubbles under/between the hulls so there is very little drag, hence motor never works hard.

Very similar fuel usage to and almost as good as the Hydrofields. Couldn't believe it the first time I took her out trolling on the Broadwater - 3 1/2 hours and used about 8 litres.

The Yammy 4 strokes are good. A mate in Cairns has a 5.4m cruise craft with the 175 and on average (considering different trip conditions) gets just less than 1l/ nm. I think yours might better that. His is a glass boat and different hull design to yours.

Nice.

[Sylvathorn]

One thing I haven't mentioned. They are alloy and will bang in a head-on sea if you don't get your speed right. Quarter it and they are fine.

[kmcrosby78]

I think the ones you are looking at are on the right track. I bought a second hand (2003 model) Fisher centre console which is very similar. Mine is 500 with a 60cm extended transom (so 560 overall).

Definitely get a plate aluminium boat (instead of a pressed aluminium hull) - you’ll get a better ride.  If you have the budget for a brand new AMM (is similar) you’ll end up very nicely set up  . I haven’t been in one but meant to be very well built.

A centre console will give you the versatility you are after - add a T-Top and you’ll have some shade - depending on the age of your kids you can look at options to extend the shade all the way to the transom and may also be able to erect an umbrella at the bow if needed. You should be able to get a T-Top that folds down when towing and also if needed for storing in a shed, etc (I’ll be looking at this soon - currently have a large canopy but is slightly too high to fit into the shed at our new house). 

You can also look at getting clears to go around the centre console/T-Top (including the sides) to give more protection from copping spray over the side.

With three kids, if they are all going to fish (and are likely to into the future) I’d be going a minimum of 520 and maybe 570/575 - only problem as they get bigger their getting heavier to tow to places like Cape York (we’re going this June - yay . No boat this time though ). 

Good luck - show us what you end up with and what trips you do in it, we love boat porn . 
 

Have added a couple of pics of mine in action for inspiration - will try to remember to add more tomorrow from my computer.

[ellicat]

Centre Cab.

Gives you shelter from the elements for all aboard - sun, rain and a cool breeze. Gives you all round access like a centre console so you can spread out for the fishing. More comfort for the passengers when traveling with two comfy seats in the cockpit and 3 along a bench seat at the rear or put two backwards facing seats behind the driver and 1st passenger.

Centre console seating is not that flash as I see it. The passenger in front of the driver gets the poorest ride, there's rarely enough room for two passengers to be comfortable on the driver's seat so inevitably one stands hanging onto the console. A T-top doesn't provide much shade either, particularly in the middle of the day when the sun is at 12 O'clock and the shade is just over the console itself.

Definitely ally for what you want to do with the offroad/remote stuff/running up on beaches etc. For your remote stuff you will want storage for large eskies etc. The cabin gives you much more space for this sort of stuff leaving the deck clear of clutter.

A 5.5 metre boat will kill it in Moreton Bay on most fishing days and would easily handle a day to Tangalooma or Curtain Artificial reef or trolling around the northern bay for tuna and mackerel. An offshore run is definitely on the cards too.

No recommendations on brands, but check well for reviews on the net and Facebook pages. There are some horror stories out there.

[Gumboot]

Thanks for the great feedback.
To answer the earlier Question 'Ellicat', they are 9, 11, 15
Lots of searching, I think i have found a boat that ticks most of my boxes for a family and fishing boat. 

An Aluminium Formosa 595 Centre Cabin

Plenty capable for Moreton bay and local fishing
Aluminium -  4mm or 5mm bottom and can run up on the beaches.
Takes 5 fine ok, two at console, two at back , one or two in the seat of font of the console or standing. 
Under 2.5 tonnes
Good beam, deadrise and seems to have an effective ballast system
Self draining floor
200 or more liters of fuel  
Foldable hardtop for storage
Customisable layout to a degree
Decent Shade  
Can take it up north no issues - just need boat covers to keep the dust out.
Better protection than a centre console.
Walk around so can fish anywhere.
Just need to find a good offroad trailer. I know Mackay trailers do a KRX tandem offroad alloy trailer . Sure there are also others.

This seemed like a good review of the boat.
https://www.fishingworld.com.au/boats/reviews/formosa-595-srt-pro-centre-cab-review

I will go check one out in person and see what i think
Thanks for your guidance. Very helpful 
cheers

[ellicat]

That's a nice looking boat. Perfect, I reckon.

[benno573]

looks pretty good mate.  i think you could have many fun days on the water with that one.

[Hweebe]

Looking at your requirements above - That looks close to the ideal boat. I think you have just about nailed it for your requirements.

• Caters for up to 5 pax
• More shade compared to standard T-top
• 1/4 cab doesn't eat into fishing room
• Gets you in the bay or in the creeks no problem

 

 

 

 

[Huxstang]

A workmate (now retired) bought one (595) when he finished….loves it.  Serious fishing boat, no issues with quality.

Easiest thing would be to go and load up the family inside and see what its like for space.  5 fishing in a boat under 7 metres will be very full on I think.  Formosa is nice and beamy though - 595 is over 2.4m so its not going to be too bad inside just lots of lines in the water IMHO.

You could look at Seatrail trailers at Hemmant if you are in Brisbane.