Advice needed on new boat

C

calefx

New member
Hi Guys

I need some advice, i am looking to get a ski boat for some offshore fishing, i will be surf launching in ballito.

I want a boat that is easy to surf launch, thats easly towable with a normal bakkie, but at the same time i want something comfortable on the sea, wont be fishing with more then 4 people on the craft. also must be a forward console

Thanks
 
MichaelK

MichaelK

Sealiner
mate there are so many boats on the market that could fall into that catagory.

I guess it all boils down to what your budget is and what you intend using it for (Diving , fishing)

Check gumtree, there are plenty good secondhand boats available at excellent prices
 
F

Fin-S

Sealiner
I presume you have used the search function and then narrowed down your choice to between 5.2-5.8m as this will be the range that can fish 4 and still be easily launched.

I also presume you have searched and decided to go mono hull as it makes launching slightly easier especially on a steep beach with not alot of room.
After doing the search you may have a shortlist containing Swift, Expression, Sensation, Odyssey, Orgasm (OK I made that one up...) and more.

Then those with vested interests will come on and tell you to go with a duck (easier and cheaper), cat (the pinnacle of marine transport), Mercury because it has a 5 year guarantee, only use a Toyota coz everything else breaks, Shimano because Penn is made in China....and you get the picture.

Well, to save you all that, buy a Seacat 520 with 60'S on.
Yes, you could also do King, Kosi, Cobra, Game, Sodwana, Yeld etc. But you asked for some advice.

Maybe one of your local guys could find a new FC mono hull in that size range that would outweigh the benefits of the cat, in which case that would be worth looking at. But, there is a reason why so many KZN surf launched boats are cats.
 
S

Ski Scout

Member
You will be spoilt for choice.best is to go test drive as many as you can.

The main things is to makd sure it has a valid and current bouancy certificate. When buying an older boat the bouancy may not be compliant as per the new regs.

There are many sheister out there who will give a certificate which is not worth the paper it is written on.remember that your club safety officer must be satisfeid with that document, and they can spot the good from the bad...

To lift a deck and redo bouancy correctly, is big bucks so just be wary. Ask for photo report if bouancy was redone. Have a look at the ski vee page. Those pics goes to the surveyoyr who does my boat , and goes with my boat should i ever sell it

Trust the above of assistance
 
S

Ski Scout

Member
Another aspects is crew. To say you gonna have 4 people when going out is not realy going to happen. in the beginning maybe you will. But as time goes on You going to be lucky to get you plus one, as come fishing day you going to get all the excuses in the world..if you buying the boat you buying it for yourself, so dont go to big, have something you can handle with two people, go for two cylinder two stroke motors, that way the craft gets used and does not become a very expensive driveway ornament.
 
W

willem wikkel spies

Moderator
Staff member
if im not mistaken

this launch site is terrible and they don't allow big vessels there?????
only up to 585 size if not mistaken.

you would need a boat with enough hp for a possible hairy surf launch there
 
Q

QuQ

New member
You haven't said what your budget is? There is a very nice, recently overhauled FC 18'6 Ace Craft with twin Yamaha 70's on sale in Durban (on Gumtree), advertised at R169k. It looks like new and would be well worth a look.
 
C

calefx

New member
My budget is around 200 000

I have my mind on a seacat 510.
A kosi 16

But also now thinking of finding something with a cabin. Not sure if you can surf launch cabin boats. Can you?
 
C

calefx

New member
Can you guys tell me more about your typical 16ft FC CAt powered by 2 40s, are you guys happy with this setup, is there enough power, how is it in the surf etc
 
W

willem wikkel spies

Moderator
Staff member
2x 40hp is ok on a 16ft.
my friend has a 16 ft kosi cat fward console with 2x 50hp yammies.

that boat really pulls!!!!
very good hole shot.
mine has 2x60hp on, more weight on the ass.
 
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