You should get plenty of input Andrew
There are a lot of keen boat fishermen on here who like to share their likes and dislikes.
Unfortunately I can't help you as my only suggestion at the moment would be one that I can afford.

(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

OK

BOW RAILS - haven't see your boats up close, but some (including mine) sacrifice sturdiness for aesthetics.

KILLS TANK - Under floor (so called) kill tanks are pretty useless. A built in esky is much better - or maybe an underfloor tank with a removable insulated insert?

ANCHOR/UNDERWAY (WHITE) LIGHT - I see so many boats that come of the shelf that don't meet visibility regulations in regards to these.

PADDED GUNNELS - Anyone that has been bottom bouncing in half a swell knows how uncomfortable gunnel bashing can be.

STRONGER BIMINI - At the moment you have the standard collapsable bimini or a targa. The standard collapsable bimini tubing is fine in sheltered waters, but I'd rather have the strength of a higher guage targa out on rough water.

BLADE FUSES - Why or why do we have std glass fuses behind bulkheads - lets have a robust buss and blade fuses.

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head so far.....will post more as I think of them.

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

Thefts from boats is a big problem - especially from Perth so:

Lock Up Bulkhead - I think you do this already.

Lock down Bulkhead instrument cluster.

Lock up gunnel pockets - so gear can be stored safely overnight - especially if it's not a cuddy with space behind a lock up bulkhead. 

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

Seats - spring loaded, height adjustable seats.

Instrument Bulkhead - space to flush mount your GPS and FF or Combo - lots of boats don't provide this - looks a lot neater, easier to read when underway and standing and more secure (harder to remove). Especially if you incorporated a 'theft shield' behind the bulkhead.  

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

No vinyl, I have taken the rear seat and vinyl side pockets out of my boat, hooks keep getting stuck in them and tearing and looks shabby.

Wide gunnels to allow easy positioning of rod holders.

Make trim tabs standard item.

Reinforce where fitting attach, Canopys, rod holders etc.

BUILD IT AS STRONG AS SEAFARER AND CRUISECRAFT, LOL

Yes, a good point, allows correct offset of rod holders. 

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

i dont see a problem with kill tanks.we have one and use it heaps.when we kill a fish it goes straight into the tank to bleed then into the esky on a ice slurry.esky stays alot cleaner and blood gets flushed out the back once we're on the move.i agree with the idea of more space for instruments ie:sounder/gps tho.

a large marlin board. we use ours heaps for landing bigger fish and on the flatter days we stand off the back and fish, i also think having a door to enter the boat from the Marlin board is a must instead of having to jump over the gunnel.

I think hard top needs to be an option on fibreglass with full windows no clears
Height of gunnels will help with out the need for padding as padding does not last in this area
Fibreglass bait board standard with drink & rod holders of coarse could sell as after market product as well
Excess switch panel for all those after market attachments
Auxillary or large fuel tank optional for those long distance trips.

Cheers
Jason

agree on the hard top and high gunnels also an electric anchor as standered, i think fresh water tanks would also be usefull when staying at rotto ect

If i wanted a dream trailor boat I would want It to be suitable for Fishing and diving, with sufficent space underfloor for dive gear, Then a kill tank with a foam inner to be used as an esky with bilge.
The underfloor fuel tank would have to be at least 200lt's for a 5-6mt boat.
I like the way trophy make the whole top of the boat out of 1 mould with gelcoated floor so no carpet, going into a set of auto bilge's or selfdraining so it can be washed down while at sea.
Try and utilize the underfloor space so there is nothing on the deck that doesn't need to be there, it keeps the boat clean and safe.

I'm with Andy. A boat that you don't have to worry about what gets wet. (apart from instruments) I fish with numerous people on all types of boats, blood and bait bits are always going to go everywhere regardless of how much you try to keep the boat clean. Its nice to get the deck hose and spray the living hell out of the back quarter of the boat until its clean. Saves a job at the end of the day and keeps the skipper happy when there isn't cooked on bits of squid and mulie etc.

A boat I went out on last week had the outrigger bases mounted to the canopy. Not sure if your boats come standard with it, but for game fishermen, theyre way cool, outa the way and easy to access.

Other than that, I'd have to sit down and have a think.

Yes, dragging anything over the gunnels, transom bearing water inevitably ends up with water on the deck. If seas sloped upwards and inwards, then the water would flow to the bilge. But they don't.

So....think about roads, camber and catchment!

In a boat, you are on the ocean, so starboard to port roll will give you camber. All you need is catchment.

To acheive this, what you need is a channel below the gunnel pockets either side of the deck.

But what about those that want full carpet, that rises across the deck to the underside of the gunnel pockets. For visual asthetics? Easy, look at storm drains - have a 'welded' mesh system across the top of the channels either side to which is 'welded' the deck and 'side' carpet.

That way, as the boat pitches, the water will run into the port and starboard channels and run to the stern down to the bilge via a pitched channel from the side channels.

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

I would like to see a round fully plumbed live bait tank so the bait does not beat itself up, this includes the base, concave and not flat.

I like my kill tank, which is a full width transom well that drains overboard (actually at rest it has about 2-3" of water in it). I am able to bleed a big fish without getting blood all over. Those of you that have fished my boat have seen me use it and most have commented how useful it is. I am gong to miss that.

A deep anchor rope well. As most of you know, having a winch is useless, if the rope piles up under the winch. It must be deep enough for the rope to drop away and not back foul the winch. Last thing you want is to have to tend to the winch with every drop and retrieve.

Main deck above waterline and not only when the boat is empty and sitting at the dock.

Proper storage space for safety gear preferably in a gunnel liner.

My preference for a trailer fishing boa is a CC with a T Top, so provisions must be made to run antenna cables to the top of the T Top.

Have heaps more, but my better half is calling.

1985 Boston Whaler Outrage 18 Johnson 140hp 4stroke

High sides , and a decent killtank / infloor esky's , non slip fibregalss decking no carpet , seperate bait esky or tank  and a surface which is easy to clean at the end of the day , gaff holders in the sides , deck wash as standard  and not using one of those poxy coil hoses which everything gets tangled in and an option to  have a freshwater tank to wash from , decent amount of rod holders fixed at the correct angles , recessed cleats to tie off sea anchors , small portable toilet , a decent stainless baitboard with drain and hose out of the bottom ,  reinforced mountings for which to place out rigger mounts on , anchor winch , led deck lighting ect ect ect

I am taking kill tank to be where you bleed the fish, esky is for icing it down.

Couple of built in 150 liter ice boxes would be nice. Both with removable liners where the pluggable liner drain, plugs into the holder's drain when inserted, so both liner and holder can be washed down with out water accumulating.

Proper area to mount a cray pot tipper

Built in mount and power for squidding lights on either gunnel

Dual controls for anchor winch, with a set up front for when you are alone

1985 Boston Whaler Outrage 18 Johnson 140hp 4stroke

Keep it coming, as you are ticking things off the list already, its great, plus lots of other great ideas/comments. Very valuable, thanks, and alhough other builders can see this, take note, its all about the customer.

Factory Direct - Australia Wide

www.commodoremarine.com

Good height between the deck and sides of the boat.
So you can stand at the side and the height be over your knees minimum. Self draining deck.
Easy access to anchor.
Good canopy coverage and comfy seats too. JMO

www.rockyreefmarine.com.au

Maybe a see through inspection box for the shallow water for the people who cant dive,dropping pots etc.

good idea diji, a glass bottom commodore boat

oh now here is a topic to sink ya teeth into  .... my idea boat would need to be a little bigger than most would want (25 foot) as im down south and love my space ..

ideal layout for me would have to be a rear mounted walk around cab . the back half of the hull is more comfortable and moves around less in heavy swell . something like the trailcraft centre cab but a little further back . to offset the weight i would place 300lt of fuel and maybe water up forward under the deck to make up for this - ballast or kill tanks could also be used if needed. as for esky's i would like 2 custom built ones that would slide under the main seats (sticking back about 60cm) and be secure (access to be gain by half hinge flip up lids) lids to to padded for the third and fourth seat. eskies to have taps and not bungs so pipes can be attached to drain out the scuppers. . very low bow rails would be nice so fishing is easy up front . gunnel height to be mid thigh all around .maybe casting deck up front to allow this and still be a dry ride. bait boards need to be removable and live bait well would be forward of cabin(mid deck) agian to offset cabin wieght..anchor locker would need to hold a min. of 200m of 14mm rope plus chain. being fibreglass would restrict bunks but as long as the leg area was under deck height it might be possible (toilet would be in cab too) ... standard salt water wash down is a must . ... well thats enough from me :) i could go on all day :P 

But might work 

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

How bout a gps already installed with all Goats marks in it lol. But seriously how bout a gps with all goats marks in it.

How about pedistool seats with some sort of shockabsorber system in them. Wouldnt be hard to do. If they already have them on the market then disregard this comment.

With the high performance motors these days its easy to get the configuration to get high speed and stunning performance, and we can say we've done that. But in light of fuel prices which won't come down, what would be the best configuration? Good range good cruising through to great performance less range. Leave the issues of what brand motor alone, but boat weight and weight distribution are an important factor.

Secondly, what about the accomodation issue, is it imortant/needed or is it a necessity from a storage versaility issue? If we have one belief is keep the deck clean and keep it large and we will keep away from clutter, so storage space is required.

Do fisho's really use the cabin for sleeping or is it just a great place for that stuff we may use oneday?

Factory Direct - Australia Wide

www.commodoremarine.com

what i would like to see is the side rails made to suit the alveys on anywhere along it without having to weld lugs all over the place ,that way you can move it without a problem.

RUSS

"A family that fishes together stays together"

Commodore Marine wrote:

With the high performance motors these days its easy to get the configuration to get high speed and stunning performance, and we can say we've done that. But in light of fuel prices which won't come down, what would be the best configuration? Good range good cruising through to great performance less range. Leave the issues of what brand motor alone, but boat weight and weight distribution are an important factor.

That's a hard one to answer for all people and fishing habbits Andrew, some will want high performance and medium range, some will want range, but happy with 'medium' performance and others will want performance AND range.

To maximise (all) customer(s) satisfaction, I think you'd need to have different configurations to satisfy each of the three groups. As you say, balancing the motor to the boat is paramount.

Maybe a boat that has two sizes and therefore a broader motor HP range between the two and the underfloor config adaptability to fit a medium range tank, a long range tank or two tanks.

Wise move not to buy into which motor LOL.

Commodore Marine wrote:

Secondly, what about the accomodation issue, is it imortant/needed or is it a necessity from a storage versaility issue? If we have one belief is keep the deck clean and keep it large and we will keep away from clutter, so storage space is required.

Do fisho's really use the cabin for sleeping or is it just a great place for that stuff we may use oneday?

Again, a tough one, different strokes for different folks. We have a Cuddy Cab and slept in the V VBirths quite a bit, doing overnighters when we were in Perth. Since coming down here and fishing out of Albany, we've only done it once.

I loved it when I did it, but personally, I's have rather sacrificed the cuddy cab and got more deck space. But there is a few considerations:

1) Wife power - we bought a cuddy cab because that's what the wife wanted.

2) Stowage - Yes, some storage forward of the helm is very handy.

3) Modesty - The necessity for a porta lew with privacy will be determined by the gender of those fishing on it. Not having that will not be attractive to most females.

4) Deck space - A full V berth/fordeck takes up a lot of space on any boat less than 6m in length. So, unless the boat is < 6m, and even then deck space compromise could be seen as an issue for a 'deck hungry fisho', a smaller lock up cab with a built in (concealed) lew is, I think, very important.

5) Ride / Comfort - The V Perth that we have causes the helm to be further aft - this gives a much more comfortable ride, safety and dryness when helm position, high coamings, flared bow etc are combined, so the bridge shouldn't be too far forward.

So again, I think the solution is to have different configurations available. I know there are diseconomies of scale issues here, but, if you are after satisfying as many customers needs as possible, then you need to be able to meet those different needs - only different 'above deck' configurations would stand any chance of acheiving that IMO. 

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

Walkaround boats are the only way to go for fishing. Easy and safe to get to the anchor and attach the clears in rough weather, the ability to fish right around the boat if need be (big gt's, billies ect).
Our 18ft walkaround has a cabin and we swear by it, it holds all the tackle, 50lt waeco fridge, saftey gear and two people can sleep easily in it.
I agree there is nothing better than sleeping on the deck in my swag but up here in the tropics you can never count on it not raining.

As for it taking up deck space If you design your boat right it really doesn't take much up, and all your gear can be stored securely out of the rain and your way.

Cheers Scott

i agree with the walk around cab ... its a must down here too .. a space big enough for a loo and a few spare rods is a must for me as well ... depending on size it could use bunks . if it was under 20 foot i wouldnt bother with bunks . just a small area for toilet and enough room for a few rods to be stored. 

oppps

as for power of motors .. im more interested in range than raw power .. i'm happy to cruise at 18kt to get out deep on less fuel .. this will only increase as fuel prices go up ... must abmit im already looking at down sizing my boat to something a little more friendly for towing and fuel consumtion ..  

Our boat has a 350 chev in it and it is more economic than our old boat that had a 90hp 2 stroke on the back.

We can cruise on an average speed of 20kt any faster than 28kt the motor just sucks up the fuel.

Nathan (russes Son)

"A family that fishes together stays together"

foam fill the hull to absorb the shocks in choppy conditions and design the hull on simular lines to the boston whaler, sea pro, giving it the ability to handle chop at a reasonable speed without getting the crap knocked out of you

I also think the walkaround is the best fishing option, i partically like layout of the centre cab that trailcraft and other ali manufactures make, Iam supprised that other fiberglass boats have not got onto this layout as i belive it would be a real winner with aussie fisherman. My ideal boat should have a toilet in the small cabin for the ladies and would be great for storage, I would also like to see a transform door wide enough to pull large fish abord, two large kill tanks under the deck a live bait tank and fuel capacity of atleast 250ltr The boat would be foam filled about 6 metres in lengh with 2.4 to 2.5 beam with a hull weight of about 850kg to 1050kg. Trail weight on or under 2 tonnes on the road. For me this would make my perfect sportsfishin rig.

Cheers bolts.

Deep coaming pockets - This is so handy for storing items that require aversion to water and being handy.

Targa Overhead/Underway/White Light - incorporate this in the targa bar - suggest aft as apossed to forward to acommodate and overhead light. So take a 'J' bend amidship, but aft!

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

Also good sized battery storage, able to house min of 2 decent sized batterys and easy access to iso switch. Also good sized storage area for an oil tank and water sep fuel filter. These items need to be able to be removed easily for maintenance and filling of oil. My oil tank is a pain in the arse to get out of its locker. Also on a centre cab, big tubing under the floor for control cables, wiring looms etc to go from helm to engine.
cheers andy

Glass boats that cater for the hard core fisherman are limited most cater for the allrounder in IMHO,

I went for Alli for the following reasons,

No full length rear seats or corner seats - fishing right to the back of the boat is great

Easy to clean wash down deck (self draining)

Rear door and solid ladder and solid marlin boards - mine has a small but strong board each side of the motor (diving and fishing)

No full length bunks - give me the extra deck and fishing room (If you want to sleep overnight do so in a swag on the deck)

I like the idea of a hard top that can hang a large sounder and mount C/Bs into a console(spotlights on the top) but the hieght can make Garage storage an issue

I like the idea of a lockable Cab that keeps rods and electronics away from prying fingers

No frills glass boats in the 19 - 21ft range(ideal for me) I would consider buying for their fishability would be:

Alison 21
Seafarer Vagabond - (a few frills)Vagabond from this site has taken the rear seat and vynil side pockets off his and it has come up mint.
Yalta Craft 6 mtr
Leeder custom craft ( I think thats the one)

There are surely some others but these are the ones I have looked at in the past.

All lights to be LED for low drain when night fishing.

Manufacturer to include at least 2 pull thrus for the rigging tunnel.

1985 Boston Whaler Outrage 18 Johnson 140hp 4stroke

Why not just buy an Allrounder....LOL

arse shaped split buttock supporter with seat belt!!
yeah, its for us poor bastards who have IBS !!!!!! lol

I`d rather be fishin`!!!

Definately a wash down hose for cleaning of the sea kill mess.

Tez

Get your heart racing get a PACEMAKER

Hard core fishing boat

Full walk arround not climb arround. So an island cab style but still with a raised foredeck to shed water. Think like a normal bow but you can walk inside your gunnel then up a couple of steps out onto the foredeck.

I dont need a sleeping sized cabin just good dry storage and locker space.

Must have a dash that can accommadate todays electronics.

Full canopy, solid or canvas dont care, and clears or full on cabin with glass windows. Like the old penguins had. quality swivel seats so you can turn them arround when fishing and relax. Enough room between the drivers seat and helm to stand and drive.

6.5 meters is probaly as small as you could fit all that in.

Solid full lenght side pockets that are strong enough to stand on. On my signature those pockets also have built in rod holders that are handy. Properly designed rocket lauchers that dont stress the welds and snap off throwing your rods overboard.

Min 200 fuel liter tank, insulated kill tank with pump, some kind of bait board.

Things like plumbed live wells and deck washes are nice but can be optioned as can a bigger fuel tank. 

Oh and after returning from Onslow I need a new L5. Tin boats make great fishing boats but travelling in choppy seas broke my back

.
.
No Orange Hats Allowed

V8 twin turbo diesel....Ohh what a feeling!

nice thought Andy .... might have to get a caravan one and plumb it into my bait board which just drains over the side ... not that im worried about my sunnies but the missus does like to wash her hands in a bucket and your idea sounds better.

We have taken all your input and we are a long way down the trach in our new boat to be released at the Mandurah Boat Show.

The new boat is based on the Abrolhos hull that won this years 2008 Boat of the Year. We have taken the success of the Couta 685 (The Green Machine) walkaround and developed an 8 meter walkaround.

Going to be called the Abrolhos Walkaround

Apart from the biggest deck, largest walkaround ( not hang on around) configuration we could muster, it will sleep three big fella's, have room/Seating for 4 to 5 guys to home home dry in.

The helm will have a dash big enough for a 12 inch screen, storage pockets everywhere, a small sink at the transom with a foot operated tap to wash your dirty hands, 2 large under floor kill tanks, a transom mounted kill pen to keep the deck clean when bleeding out a fish, transom door, toe to hull fishing, side pockeys, led Hella lighting, toilet, sullage tank, water tank, transom shower, 32 mm bow rail, self draining deck, radar loop that will have rocket launchers on it and can mount game poles, lockable cabin door that doubles as a table, drum anchor winch, 450 liters of fuel, deck wash mid ship, rod holders and bait board mounts at bow, drink holders everywhere, marlin board or rear steps with recessed dive ladders.

There is a lot of other little items on the new boat, but that all good news.

It will be available as an outboard with something like the Yamaha 350 V8, or with a diesel stern drive. In the stern drive configuration there will also be a removable kill tank/esky. All this and it will be still under 3500kg on a trailer to keep it in Landcruiser/Patrol towing limits.

Thanks for all your input and look forward to seeing you all at the Mandurah Boat Show, please drop in say hello.

Have alook at our other developments http://fishwrecked.com/node/15635

Factory Direct - Australia Wide

08 9417 7200, 24 Tichborne Street, Jandakot, WA 6164

www.commodoremarine.com

Dont know if its already been mentioned but dont forget rod holders inside the cabin on the roof for storage and is it gooing to have a wheelhouse setup or are you going to use clears? Fully enclosed for WA waters if you ask me. Sounds like you're really on to something special here!!

Sounds like you are on a winner there Andrew! Well done for taking on everyone's ideas - give the customer what they want and you'll sell boats - not rocket science is it?

But, sadly missed by many.

QUESTION - Will you be insulating those kill tanks? I know a lot of us, including me have a very large kill tank and they are only good for storing sea anchors or transom mounted bait boards because the heat through the lid and through the hull (from the water) melts/warms any slurry or other ice config. 

Oh! When do we see the pics?

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

Would be good if any of you guys that go to the boatshow could grab a few photos..  Sounds like a serious fishing boat!

The least we can do is post the first photos on this web site as an appreciation of the input that was given regarding the boat.

When its raedy I will post them, and this will be before the boat show. 

Factory Direct - Australia Wide

08 9417 7200, 24 Tichborne Street, Jandakot, WA 6164

www.commodoremarine.com

Andrew,

As I said before - looking forward to the photos.

Looks like you missed my question on kill tanks - see above  :)

EDIT - Ideally, it would involve a 'drop in, lift out' insulation shell and lid (that could be pop fixed to the FRP lid. That way, you could lift it out for easy cleaning. Just a thought...

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

Colin,

Kill tanks will be insulated as much as we can and on he stern drive option there will be one if not 2 removable. Depending on client preference.

Factory Direct - Australia Wide

08 9417 7200, 24 Tichborne Street, Jandakot, WA 6164

www.commodoremarine.com

One of my biggest bug bears, as I said before, I've found the non insulated kill tank in my boat, though huge is useless for storring and keeping fish in good condition.

Thanks for that. 

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)