new/ second hand boat recommendation

 hi guys,

 

I have been doing alot of reading and only being fed (what i feel) is sales pitches on what is the best boat for fishing/ family from the supplier/ boat yard websites etc.

 

in your opinion, if i were looking to spend around the $150k mark what would be a; no brainer - a no go - or an option to look at for a new or fairly new second hand boat?

 

ideally a hard top would be nice, soft top at minimum. i like the look of the yellow fin (not sure on ride quality) and Mclay boats... 

 

any and all input would be much appreciated

 

thanks!


Posts: 106

Date Joined: 02/06/17

 Caribbean reef runner. Ticks

Sun, 2025-03-16 23:08

 Caribbean reef runner. Ticks all the boxes.

davewillo's picture

Posts: 2527

Date Joined: 08/09/16

 I've spent a lot of time on

Mon, 2025-03-17 11:05

 I've spent a lot of time on a Caribbean 2300 which isn't much bigger and that is a great boat. Fished it in some very hairy conditions and never felt one bit concerned.

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 PGFC member and lure tragic

Swompa's picture

Posts: 3938

Date Joined: 14/10/12

 There is a 2300 i see

Mon, 2025-03-17 12:12

 There is a 2300 i see regularly at Woodmans Point. If i didnt have weight restrictions and wanted a glass boat, I would have absoloutely gotten one of them.

Visually good looking and have a great reputation. 

davewillo's picture

Posts: 2527

Date Joined: 08/09/16

 Yeah Paul I spent 2 weeks on

Mon, 2025-03-17 13:14

 Yeah Paul I spent 2 weeks on one in Exmouth and the Mackerel Islands and it was awesome. That included a horror 5 hour trip from the islands back to Exxy into a howling sou'wester that was the worst trip of my life! Water sheeting over the whole boat and getting smashed constantly. 

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 PGFC member and lure tragic

Faulkner Family's picture

Posts: 18110

Date Joined: 11/03/08

The yellowfin do seem like a

Mon, 2025-03-17 04:03

The yellowfin do seem like a nice boat. Have seen one in action up in hedland.  depends on the size your after as far as deck space.

 

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RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together

Posts: 1001

Date Joined: 26/03/17

i have a caribbean 2300 now,

Mon, 2025-03-17 12:35

i have a caribbean 2300 now, but had a reef runner before. for 150k reckon you would be able to get quite a late model with quite a few goodies to boot. there wasnt much i didnt do in that boat. loved it.

Posts: 5833

Date Joined: 18/01/12

 The flat sheerline on the

Mon, 2025-03-17 16:09

 The flat sheerline on the Yellowfin makes it look 20yrs out of date to me.

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 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.

 

Swompa's picture

Posts: 3938

Date Joined: 14/10/12

 The transom profile makes

Fri, 2025-03-21 08:48

 The transom profile makes them look like they wanted to save that extra 300mm of aluminium on the topsides...

Posts: 156

Date Joined: 23/11/14

boat

Mon, 2025-03-17 18:57

 I hace the 21 foot reef runner and its a real gem, others to consider incude seaferer vagabond or victor, both top hull. Hains hunter and signiture are also tops. Out of them all the reefy rules the waves.

Gaffatron's picture

Posts: 357

Date Joined: 07/07/11

 Thanks for the input

Thu, 2025-03-20 18:48

 Thanks for the input everyone. 95% sure i am going to go with a 770 Assassin HT. fair bit over budget but want to do it ones and do it right...

cheers!

Swompa's picture

Posts: 3938

Date Joined: 14/10/12

Assassin is a re-branded

Fri, 2025-03-21 09:48

Assassin is a re-branded Redline boat made in Bibra lake, made for the guys in Bunbury.

We had a look at a few of their builds and he does a damn good job. 

 

The billy plug designs are very popular too - we have a 7.2 made by Bullet. 

Posts: 5833

Date Joined: 18/01/12

 Assassin/Redline is a Bill

Fri, 2025-03-21 11:53

 Assassin/Redline is a Bill Plug design AFAIK

____________________________________________________________________________

 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.

 

Swompa's picture

Posts: 3938

Date Joined: 14/10/12

 Spot on. 

Sat, 2025-03-22 15:29

 Spot on.