calling all big ally boat owners!
Submitted by straith on Sun, 2014-02-09 20:33
Guys I need to tap into the collective experience of all big ally boat owners.
Looking at a trailcraft 660 walkaround this week and want to know whats everyone elses experience in different brand hulls in this size group?
Prefer personal experiences please. Everyones got a mate that has this.....
Not too worried about the kidneys though obviously softer ride is a plus.
More concerned with boats responsiveness and handling in all conditions. Rather be wet and feel safe than dry and wonder if im gunna get back.
Its a big outlay (for me) dont want to make a big mistake.
Surely there is some brands generally accepted as the top of their field?
Rob H
Posts: 5800
Date Joined: 18/01/12
I had the old 5800 Trailcraft
I had the old 5800 Trailcraft which is very similar to the 660 just a touch shorter.
Solid strong and very seaworthy, they will survive far rougher water than most people will want to.
But they are harsh riding.
As Ive said before I did maybe 10+ Abrolhos runs in mine mostly with a couple of my kids and some crap weather.
I (or the kids for that matter) never felt
unsafe or canned coming home for the weather.
Ive moved onto other things now but certainly look back very fondly on it.
Gotta say though, personally I reckon the walkarounds are ugly but that certainly doesnt mean they arent a good rig
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Heres a few ive been
Heres a few ive been on:
Razorline 7m - Rides pretty rough, hits the chop hard, huge deck space, have done 7 days offshore in one, a great boat i think
Airider 7.3m - top of the game in my mind, dont ask about the price ya dont wanna know haha. But they ride so well, leave the trophy for dead hahaha
Traily 640 - Rides rough, not as much deck space as i woulda have thought, never done any serious stuff in one so i cant add too much more.
Searider 750 ish? - Pretty good, good offshore platform just slow down a bit compared to glass
Oceanic 7.5m - Yet so go on it but Justin has only been talking good about his!
All of those boats bar the airider have a normal deadrise, the boats with a higher deadrise and chines ride better but need bigger hp.
I'm going to be trialling a 780 Barcrusher and a 7700 Origin in the next few months and will add more then hopefully!
Vinnie
petermac
Posts: 2946
Date Joined: 03/03/10
saw one yesterday
saw one (7.8 barcrusher at p/p boat ramp yesterday very very nice looking boat
Oracle
Posts: 355
Date Joined: 22/11/10
Stabi craft
No more to say!
Davenay
Posts: 31
Date Joined: 08/02/11
Center consoles
Hi straith,
I have an Ali center console 7.8 by cdm another Perth manufactor. I have had it 20 years and go on anything from the river to 3 weeks fishing off the north west.i preferre the openness of the c/c and a central steering . Hull wise the most important aspect was the knuckle which stops the water coming up the side of the boat. I had clears made but have only used them a few times as the boat keeps dry thanks to the knuckle.c/c's are very light so they are great to tow but not as smooth as heavier boats.
Trailcraft boats are tough thanks to the clinker hulls, I have been on several and could recommend from what I have seen. Center consoles to me are like motor bikes in that there is no screen to look through, I get a better feel of the conditions and where the fish are. The central steering position gives a great feel of the boat.
I have seen all types of conditions and like the extra deck space it gives me.
Cdm were in Henderson 20 years ago. Not sur if still there.
Hope this helps,
Dave
Supplier of anti theft devices for boats, cars, motorbikes and all mobile assets
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Awesome guys! Just what im
Awesome guys! Just what im after.
Also great to hear trailcrafts not all doom and gloom.
I think my budget is top of middle range by the looks but not quite into better range.
As for centres being not as good looking, beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. I agree though. My 610 cuddy was a pretty looking boat compared to the 660.
Would be interested to hear from chivers meridian owners and coraline owners.
Oracle whats so good re stabicraft? Do they do any other configurations or all look the same?
Rob H
Posts: 5800
Date Joined: 18/01/12
centre consoles look ok
centre consoles look ok though not my cup of tea, its more the TC centre cabs that look odd to me!
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Thanks Dave,I agree totally
Thanks Dave,
I agree totally re motor bike ref.
Hate being trapped in a cockpit. Legacy of smaller boats I guess.
Cheers
jng
Posts: 488
Date Joined: 03/08/07
Hey StraithI have had my
Hey Straith
I have had my oceanic 7.5 hardtop for couple of months now, got to say i was impressed the way the ally oceanic handled coming from a fibreglass boat, I personally think once you go over the 7m mark the size/weight of the boat makes a big difference in the way it handles and ride quality. hull is made from 6mm and 4mm sides
The boat doesnt pound on the chop as much i thought it would have compared to alot of other smaller boats, but comparing a trailcraft 660 to a 7.5m oceanic i think is a big difference, oceanic has large reverse chines and a relatively deep deadrise
PM me if you want more info,
Mason85
Posts: 158
Date Joined: 21/04/13
Lash out and go the
Lash out and go the Sailfish.....
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Sailfish?...... google where
Sailfish?...... google where r u...
Mason85
Posts: 158
Date Joined: 21/04/13
http://sportsmarine.com.au/sa
http://sportsmarine.com.au/sales/?dealer=sportsmarine&ToDo=list_boats&search=true&Make_Model=Sailfish&new_used=new&order_by=&pge=1
trepangdua
Posts: 38
Date Joined: 21/06/13
I have an Assassin 22 foot.
I have an Assassin 22 foot. Built in Bunbury
Tough construction rides really well (for an ali)
My next boat will be an Assassin as well
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
I have the TC 5.4 Cuddy.
I have the TC 5.4 Cuddy. Chose that up in Karratha because I like to fish in close to shore or bombies and also like camping on the islands so didnt want to risk scratches on a glass hull.
Initially I thought that the ride would be very very rough compared with previous glass boats, but despite being bang bang with chop it certainly wasnt unbearable. Tough as an Ox. And I trust it fully in all conditions encountered so far, including a nasty thunderstorm off Dampier with wind gusts to 60knots. Dodged the wind a little in the lea of Enderby, but never felt OMG.
Was always thinking I would upgrade back to glass when I moved back, but have been back about 2yrs (well the boat has been back that long) and it is still parked in the driveway.
I have learned to cope with the roughness off the ride, without having to pack death at any worries to do with gelcoats. I dont like people banging sinkers vs the hull on the boat at the best off times, but now at least I dont have a pink fit.
Now if I have to upgrade I think it would be a bigger Ali, with the Stabi or Barcrusher the top IMO. But then the budget need to be up with that.
Previous boats was bigger with a Deepwater 28 and custom glass 23ft we built (cant for the life remember the make???) but then I was a mad scuba diver and never heard off or seen a Great white shark
.
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Assassin 22 ???? Selling
Assassin 22 ???? Selling trepangdua?
Thanks for your insight too crasny.
Yeah im not the most careful boaty mainly coz I had a raw aluminium finish on last boat that was ex hire so could be pretty rough and didnt matter what "guests"" did.
Always worried with a glass that the hull will rub into the trailer on retrieval when its windy.
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
So you are saying you'll do
So you are saying you'll do a straight swap jng???? :-)
silly
Posts: 382
Date Joined: 02/01/09
Got the older 640
Got the older 640 trailblazer which is the equivalent to the 660 now. Tough boat as the others have said and heaps of deck room. Have fished 5 people before and wasn't too cramped. 4 or less would be ideal tho.
The walk around I think it would be good too, as there is still a fair bit of room under the centre console. The trailblazer had more than enough room under the front deck which I would easily sacrifice a bit of space, if I could get the extra "deck" around the front of the boat.
Been on a 6.6m assassin which was a well made boat but with the hard top it was a bit "tippy" in a rough sea. I guess that is one problem with having a higher centre of gravity with heavier roof.
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Thanks silly, Yeah im coming
Thanks silly,
Yeah im coming from a 610 sportscab and the 660 cc does look a bit cramped behind the helm but as you say plenty of room up front. No probs i guess when fishing but when on the move standing room only.
Re assassin
Sadly it seems hardtops while very sexy are heavy and have heard that same comment from other brand boat owners.
Oh well giving the 660 a trial Wednesday morning so will report back on performance. Has a 200 yammy on back so should be fun as long as hull doesnt do anything unexpected. Thats the clincher. If it doesnt "feel" right for any reason it will be back to the drawing board.
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Haha very funny Mason! Yeah
Haha very funny Mason! Yeah why not, hell I might get 2!
:-)
DTrain
Posts: 486
Date Joined: 10/02/12
The 660 Trailcraft has a
The 660 Trailcraft has a 2.55m beam. Just over the towing limit. That means overwidth permits and restrictions if you want to stay within the law.
You do see a lot of people driving them around without the banners though because it's only 5cm off but there's always the risk of having insurance claims refused or getting a ticket from the police.
A lot of the boats around that length get close to the 2.5 meter width limit. Something to look out for.
Rob H
Posts: 5800
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Yeah that is true DT, I
Yeah that is true DT, I wonder if they were smart enough to change that while tooling up in China?
The salesman here spun a cock and bull story about it
"I have it in writing from DOT that your allowed 1" over on each side"
"I thought it was Main Roads that deals with that but can I get a copy please anyhow"
3 calls later
"Oh I seem to have misplaced it, I'll get back to you"
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Hmmm ... Thanks dt. Didnt
Hmmm ... Thanks dt. Didnt even think about coz I assumed (again) that wa company wouldnt be stupid enough to make outside limits when its their biggest market group.
Looks like water test may have failed already.
Rob H
Posts: 5800
Date Joined: 18/01/12
you'll likely find your 610
you'll likely find your 610 was the same
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Yeah just found that out
Yeah just found that out too!!
Wow talk about buyer beware!
660 sale is off. Spoke to dealer he reckons never been a problem and had main roads measuring at boat shows etc.
Not offering any written proof of exemptions though.
Seems to be a "she'll be right" attitude to this subject.
As they say "its all fun and games until someone loses an eye". As someone who always has been the one losing his eye im not willing to risk it. Its not getting pinged for it that worries me its the potential for those upstanding pillars of our society the insurance companies to backout just when I need them that does.
If I didnt mind an overwidth boat I dont think id be driving a trailcraft.
This really needs to be sorted out. Must be alot of ppl out there taking the risk or like me blissfully unaware.
Amazes me that a wa boat manufacturer would produce a trailerboat they mustve known was outside regs without an exemption.
Rob H
Posts: 5800
Date Joined: 18/01/12
yeah I had all the stories
yeah I had all the stories also-gotta ask, why would the Transport Inspectors (aka mermaids) come to a boat show and measure a boat?
Its of no interest to them unless travelling on the road.
I actually asked one of them who I happened to walk past as they were parking and he "implied" that displaying Overwidth for a few mm over will see you pulled over regularly and checked.
He appeared to be saying that you would be very unlucky to get picked up for it as rec boaties are low down the list-barely on the radar.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Never a problem at the
Never a problem at the boatshow hahaha did he tell you about how they lost the 30ft searay on the fwy too?
I hate salespeople they are stupid, when one told me this i told him to pull his head in!What a joke!
Dont tow over the legal width its just dumb. the cops dont know the laws, true but i give you the tip the insurance mobs will!
A lot of the bigger boats are over width, and the same with most american boats!
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
HI I have a 7.4 Sea rider
HI I have a 7.4 Sea rider she 2.7 wide big boat .Very easy to get a permit to tow. $50 for three years .can tow after dark .Can't go on freeway witch is a bit of a bugger .As for the Sea Rider good boat shit loads of room .We go to the Abrolhos for 4 days no probs.we have 450 lt fuel. 225 honda ,We cruise around at 22-25 knot ,WOT 37 Knots .I had a 635 hainse before this boat .I don't think any ali will ride as good as a glass boat .The ride is not bad we can sit on 20+ knots most days.The thing with ali you will never get the same deck space on a glass boat of the same size .yes you sacrifice a little comfort .but well worth it.
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Paul i thought with the
Paul i thought with the relaxing of the towing laws you can now tow at night, just still not on the fwy ? Which is a massive +!
Rob H
Posts: 5800
Date Joined: 18/01/12
thats what hes written Vin!
thats what hes written Vin!
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Duh, read that wrong. Ignore
Duh, read that wrong. Ignore above haha
Rob H
Posts: 5800
Date Joined: 18/01/12
only up to 2.7m though for
only up to 2.7m though for those not aware.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Yes can tow at night If it
Yes can tow at night If it wasnt for that change in the rules .I would not have got the boat.
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Thanks paul.I tend to go
Thanks paul.
I tend to go south alot and I live northern suburbs so fwy is essential for less towing time. Funny that they let you take an overwidth vehicle on skinny alternative routes but not on smooth flat multilane fwys??? Should be other way round if you ask me.
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Yer had some close calls on
Yer had some close calls on the road through leeman .had a small truck come around a bend on my side how the hell he missed the boat got me stuffed .Woke me up i can tell you .
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
skinny road
yeah that bit of road is a worry even with a smaller boat, I got a flat on the trailor along there last year its not a good spot to be pulling over
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
hi, i recently got a
hi, i recently got a westerberg after being on the verge of getting a cruisecraft 685. the westy feels bomb proof (it would have to be given its from albany) and rides pretty well. depending on weather it cruises anywhere between 22 - 28 knots at about 1L/km and have had it to 40kn in a bit of chop and not trimmed out, so more there if i wanted to accelerate global warming.
it is 7.5m x 2.5m beam so no restrictions on towing. has 560L of fuel so can go pretty much anywhere, can sleep two normal size (6ft) humans in cabin comfortably without touching each other and several on deck if required. can fish four comfortably off a side. has a toilet and an enclosed cabin so comfortable for family and also a bit of added security to keep the honest ones out. launches and retrieves easily as well, drive on drive off trailer (if the ramp allows). have run into a couple of other westy owners who absolutely love their boats so there are a couple in the size range you are looking at.
my boat is under 3.5T loaded so my jeep tows it effortlessly - have brought it back from albany and been up to jurien and back without any dramas. planning on abrolhos trip at some point when work and weather coincide. am also taking it to exmouth and coral bay for first two weeks in april.
to date it owes me about $10k per kilo of eating fish, but i haven't had much of a chance to fish on it as weather has been crap or we've just been in the river for a family cruise. looking forward to getting amongst it. this weekend would have been great but i have to go to a wedding in dunsbrough and have been ruled out of taking the boat...
so, to sum all that up, getting a big ali will give you a lot of pros and the only real con is the comparable ride to glass. my boat rides better than the smaller glass boats that i've been on, but gives me a lot more options than what the glass boats would provide. i am very happy with the choice.
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Always liked the look of the
Always liked the look of the westys, reminded me a bit of my old star boat which I loved dearly.
Sadly I drive a woosey prado that only wants 2500kg tops.
One powerball......
,
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
I got rid of the prado and
I got rid of the prado and got the jeep prior to getting the boat.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
+ 1 Can buy my Trophy and my
+ 1 Can buy my Trophy and my Jeep if ya want hahaha
I might add Jarrid needed lots of persuasion to buy the Westy :-P
Im still looking at the Westy Airider but at 175k its still a little while off. Westy have lots of very good smaller boats too that come on the market from time to time !
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
Vinnie - seen this?jarrid -
Vinnie - seen this?
jarrid - yeah wife won't go for it, too industrial but otherwise ticks boxes
jarrid - wife likes it. Bought
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Starting to think I might as
Starting to think I might as well get an overwidth boat and just wear the permit.... money in my pocket burning a massive hole.
Seen a Really nice seafox :-)
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Thats what I would have thought
If you want a boat of a certain size, the last thing that would concern me is an overwidth permit. Bigger boat should mean bigger beam, and I for one wouldnt want a long skinny boat. Go for it!!
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
petermac
Posts: 2946
Date Joined: 03/03/10
hey niels
I quite liked those southwind banana boats never been one but apparently great sea boats , however my mate upo from dampier told me he fell over board on 1 because of the low gunnel height
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Good spearo boat
Good spearo boat
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Certainly not catching any
Certainly not catching any fish posting comments here.
Procrastination ended.
Thanks everyone! Good thread.
See you out there soon.... in something!!!
Doooma
Posts: 791
Date Joined: 05/12/09
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-a
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/west-perth/motorboats-powerboats/660-trailcraft-centre-cab-price-reduced-must-sell-this-weekend-/1002219706
I bit overpriced but looks nice!! Has all the bits n bobs
cutter
Posts: 150
Date Joined: 30/12/10
Well said
Well said Paul G, the deck space you get from Ali compared to glass is the winner
Tmacca
Posts: 18
Date Joined: 09/03/14
Guys just wondering about
Guys just wondering about your thoughts on a 6.1 westy open hard top verse a 6.10 BC , I got a quote on the westy and I thought it'd be fair bit cheaper than the 610HT BC but it was pretty close to it. Any thoughts guys?
Tmacca
Posts: 18
Date Joined: 09/03/14
Just had another look and
Just had another look and the price of the westy was closer to the 670HT barcrusher
catchalittle
Posts: 1875
Date Joined: 04/09/08
Surtees just dont buy from
Surtees just dont buy from the WA dealer really bad service
Nathan
straith
Posts: 421
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Just an update for those
Just an update for those interested.
I eventually defected and bought a glass boat... my first.
Bought a whitley clearwater 2100 walkaround from sydney.
Absolutely stoked with it. Rides like i always wanted but never thought possible. No overwidth probs either.
Im gunna have to treat it with a bit more care than my allys though. Maybe wear a cravat and smoking jacket too... lol.
Cheers!
kamo king
Posts: 190
Date Joined: 30/08/09
Razerline
Does anyone no the weight of the 7.2 razerlines, I heard around the 3 tonne mark
is this correct?
petermac
Posts: 2946
Date Joined: 03/03/10
had a razerline
I had a razerline C/C when I lived in Dampier , I bought it because they were ali boat manufacture of the year , I had heaps of dramas with it with the ali deck cracking up , I got no back up from razerline because I was in the N/W . I had Mario Mangano try and fix the deck and as any 1 in the N/W would know he is a gun ali welder Mario spent hours chasing the cracks and then came to the collusion that the ali razerline had used on the deck was crap ali ended up selling it on dreamers corner
Tmacca
Posts: 18
Date Joined: 09/03/14
Nathan , did you get one
Nathan , did you get one from over east?
81macca
Posts: 270
Date Joined: 02/07/09
I have the 6.10 TC island
I have the 6.10 TC island cab. Good safe boat huge range with a big fuel tank and 4stroke outboard. Heaps of room to fish and light to tow. I have been a lot of places in it and have put nearly 1500hrs on the hull with out a structural issue of any sought. Harsh ride but very safe.
I actually fish.
81macca
Posts: 270
Date Joined: 02/07/09
If I had the money I would
If I had the money I would buy a Stagg no questions asked.
I actually fish.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
They look nice, i am waiting
They look nice, i am waiting for a price now.
Why so good ? Anyone on here got one ? ( Think Lyndon does ?)
Tmac buy a nice Shiny Trophy 2152
Tmacca
Posts: 18
Date Joined: 09/03/14
Haha, na thanks V . Too
Haha, na thanks V . Too flash for me mate :)