ipk18

Cleaner water, with thru hull, holds the bottom better at speed, i have a friend that marks fish and bait at 50kmph. I like the idea of c channel, i have seen 5.5m on both single and dual axle, which will you go? 

11 hours ago, Terry H said:

Oh wow, that is high. Most Galey's I've seen their cast deck tops out around the bottom of the rod locker, so probably 100mm lower than yours. 

I was also thinking a lean post on the front deck.

What a coincidence though! Definitely different boat than the one I saw on FB, must be a few getting the change. SC would be so much nicer than the tiller.

Having a run would be really appreciated. Even if it's a slightly shorter boat, I imagine a few of the fit out things are similar, or at least applicable to consider when doing mine.

This weekend is out for me, maybe next weekend if the weather is ok, all the boats come out the same mould, so apart from the length and in my case the console the boat fit outs are the same, the real difference is the room between the back of the casting deck and the transom. 

Two other thought are, i would choose the sounder i was going to run and get them to put a thru hull transducer in, as the sealed deck makes this really hard later on and if you are going the Dunbar trailer see if they will change the rollers to the red poly ones, the standard grey ones leave big black marks. 

2 hours ago, Terry H said:

Hey mate, I saw your facebook post re converting it over to a CC. Good to hear they have you sorted! I've been in contact with Meth a bit and have a detailed quote and a pretty solid idea of everything I want in it. My build is scheduled to start in June. I really like the look of these rigs - but just need to get in one on the water to confirm. It would have to be a poor ride to change boats I think.  

I'd love to join you in the 4.8. Never hurts to see more boats, plus I haven't seen the 4.8 in flesh. Yours looks a bit different though - no gunwales / rod locker etc ?

I know what you mean about the extras  Going the 5.5 with 140 zuki and 150L tank.

Nabs mentioned the 2 console sizes to me, and said he'd go the smaller one if he got it new. The 5.5 I saw was the wider console which i thought was good. I'd probably run with no seats though to open up the deck.

I have thought about booking a charter up in Hervey Bay just to get out on one... lol

Thanks ! How did you find the comfort / stability at rest ? 

Not mine on Facebook, but happy to take you out, 140 Suz will be perfect, 150lts will give you huge range, i have 120Lts and have around 300km range. I think the wider console looks better and if you do with out seats then it should leave enough room. 

Photo of how high my casting deck is, i think you want it a lot lower 

10 minutes ago, billp said:

I have seen some very nice Bonito boats getting around lately. They are a local builder and look very solid.

Almost identical mould used for hull, i think Bonito Boats was started by ex Gale Force employee, 

I have a 4.8, really wanted 5.5 but didn't want to wait for a new one (was a 4 month waiting list) and got a bargain on the 4.8 that was less than 12months old, mine is a tiller steer and i will have a side console put in it soon. There is a few 5.5m and 6M ones around Brisbane, get on Instagram and search hashtag galeforce and have a chat to them, or a few charter operators in Harvey Bay run them as well, so maybe book a charter. 70hp tiller steer is hard work after 30mins of driving. 

One great thing about having one built is you can really get them customised, like the height of casting deck, would love mine lower as it gunnel height, the self draining deck and deck wash is good, but i keep bungs in the scuppers most of the time as it does get a bit of water on the floor. I have met the owner and have spent a few hours at the factory and they were really good. If i was having a new one built i would go with a larger engine, the 4.8 will take a 90hp, i would also have trim tabs put on, they make 2 size consoles, while the larger one looks better and would keep you dryer, it does take up more room. They also do a offshore transom which i think i would get. 

It will all come down to how much you want to spend, when i looked at new and told them what i wanted i added $20k to the base price.

If you want to go for a run in the bay one day i don't mind taking you but the 5.5 will perform differently.