First Boat
Hi guys, I am 14yo and planning on getting a boat between two other mates. I know the rules that people under 16 have to have 15hp or under but when we are 16 we want to be able to have the same boat and maybe go out to garden island. Just wondering what metre boat minimum would you recommend to go out that far. We are on a budget of 2 grand each so thinking of getting a second hand boat of gumtree and gearing it up live bait tanks etc. Will also use the boat for fishing and crabbing in the river but mainly fishing 1-10km offshore to get to garden island and squid in shallower. Any advice would be much appreciated as we do not want to head out undergunned as 3 14yo kids with no supervison ending up drowing. We will only head out far on calm days and also any other places with good second hand boats would be appreciated. Cheers.
beau
Posts: 4104
Date Joined: 24/01/10
Sounds like you're on a good
Sounds like you're on a good EBA with mum and dad, lools like the pocket money rate has gone up substantially since i was a kid!
baconi22
Posts: 46
Date Joined: 05/12/18
Na mate have a job on top of
Na mate have a job on top of years of saving up.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18027
Date Joined: 11/03/08
there should be plenty for
there should be plenty for you to choose from but size of tub with the size of motor your allowed to have im guessing about 12 foot is all you you would get the 15hp to power , i feel 14 foot would put a bit of strain on the motor. 12 foot would be suitable in the river and sound but you would have to be careful of the winds if heading out to garden isl unless your going from point peron . remember you must have all safety gear on board . it all adds up to $$$$$ .
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
baconi22
Posts: 46
Date Joined: 05/12/18
might just get a good second
might just get a good second hand 5m dignhy with mates for 4000 or so gear it up with all the safety gear with say 50hp+ and have an adult come out with us until we are 16 so if we want to upgrade we dont have to buy another one.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18027
Date Joined: 11/03/08
just remember boats can be a
just remember boats can be a money pit. if your not prepared to spend money on it in the future you might be better off saving for a bit longer to get a better one.
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
baconi22
Posts: 46
Date Joined: 05/12/18
like what sort of extras
like what sort of extras would I need might just get a small dignhy forthe river and what sort of things will we need to spend on in the future.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18027
Date Joined: 11/03/08
Look up the info needed on
Look up the info needed on line not too sure with river and near shore stuff but for offshore there is epirb radio flares and life jackets to start . As far as costs go there is rego for boat and trailor and servicing the motor and any maintinence . Not as simple as it seems. Ask anyone that has got a boat and they will tell you.
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Brock O
Posts: 3228
Date Joined: 11/01/08
Good stuff....don't rush the
Good stuff....don't rush the purchase. I'd be going 4+ to 5 for sure using the adult, I'm sure theirs a few on here with experience who would be happy to take you out which is a great way to learn also. Pending your fuel capacity and the conditions getting to and past GI is easy once you know the way.
I used boatsonline which is pretty good, just filter your size and dollar value. Don't over look the older fiberglass run-about as theirs some good cheap ones around, just need to do your research and get a mechanic to do an engine check if you can....minimum would be a compression check.
Keep saving though, as mention above there is always money to spend!
ricey
Posts: 738
Date Joined: 24/12/09
an ali dinghy
I would go an aluminium dinghy with 15hp for now, deeper sides the better, at least 3.8 m. I have landed plenty of fun things on similar, and maintenance and costs minimal.
Dinghy much less likely for any big bills, maintain your trailer, and the motor - well reliability is key. Front steering is way better. Want a sounder and likely GPS (phone is an adequate compromise with apps).
You could get crabbing, bread and butter fish, and stay inshore and river, land some demersals inside the 3 mile on the one day in 50 when the wind doesn't blow. Make sure you get the right safety gear.
You will want a better boat every year older you get, but you can earn more as time goes on too.
The best boat is other people's boat for now ha ha.
You will need an adult to launch anyway, so maybe they will come with?
sharing a boat costs likely to cause grief in future - so write it down, and discuss what happens if someone wants out... what if someone takes it out and damages... who pays etc.
All the best!
Wise man says - first take the plank out of your own eye before trying to take the speck out of somebody else's.
Ahpuka
Posts: 36
Date Joined: 23/05/13
4-4.2 ali with a 2 stroke
4-4.2 ali with a 2 stroke 25hp tiller steer would be the way to go and will last you for years. Take an adult for now, you will be 16 before you know it. I would stay away from the older glass boats unless you know somebody who knows what to look for and how to repair them. Ali is nice and simple and easy to repair if needed. Drag them up the beach, hit reef, jetty’s, etc and it won’t be a problem. Trailer for that size boat is easy maintenance and cheap to repair. Get someone to show you how to maintain / replace wheel bearings, change leg oil, plug and fuel filter and away you go. Just remember to keep it simple and don’t get carried away with accessories.
Sea goat
Posts: 969
Date Joined: 26/03/17
bing a recent new boat owner
bing a recent new boat owner myself, i would say ali is the way to go. light and easy to repair and less wear on the trailer, and prob easy to learn how to launch and retrieve etc. reckon gps and radio good idea even if not going out far. maybe dont worry bout the live bait tanks, and put it towards bait board, rod holders etc. reckon nothing worng with sticking in close for now, and look to save for a bigger boat in the future, then you have abit more experience to get out deep and do it safely. have caught quite a few decent fish well withnthe 3 mile reef, and will definitely be able to go crabbing, squidding etc.
good luck!
Sea goat
Posts: 969
Date Joined: 26/03/17
btw, did you see the stacer
btw, did you see the stacer seahorse 4.2m for sale in the buy/sell thread? may be worth a look?