Hi Guys Am thinking of buying a Witblitz 4.3m for

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fishalitis

Senior Member
Hi Guys

Am thinking of buying a Witblitz 4.3m for estuary fishing and using in the sea for 1nm on flat days. The boat has 2x25hp mercs on the back. I am a big dude so am concerned that water will come over the transom. I have heard they tend to broach in a following sea. The console is also mounted on the starboard side and am wondering how practical this is from a balance point of view. ANy advice will be appreciated.
 
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Patrick

Sealiner
I owned a Witblitz for 2 years and fished up to 6nm offshore in various seas in the Cape. I never found my boat to broach at all. You will have water slopping over the transom when on the drift or on anchor due to the low transom. Its easliy resolved by building the transom up with a bit of plastic board and screws (see the link to the thread below where i posted it). As to the console on the starboard side, i dont think its ideal. Its a small boat and although not nearly as weight sensitive as a monohull, she still runs better will all the crew in the centre line. Moving the console will be a fairly big job if its glassed on.

 

http://sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=47595&forum_id=21
 
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fishalitis

Senior Member
Howzit Patrick

Shot for he reply. What bends are you referring to 4 the corners. Did you bend them round to fasten onto the gunnels
 
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fishalitis

Senior Member
thinking a small transom well like a calibre 15ft has could be easily made using a piece of hardboard as a mould and bending it in position with two pieces of flat bar. Riveting in position ans sealing with sikaflex. ANy thoughts
 
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mouse001

Senior Member
Hi Fish
I have a Witblits and no problems but does get water over the transom and i agree with Patrick i dont understand why it has a console on the side i find it a bit sensitive to weight and i also say they run niceley with crew in the centre.
 
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Patrick

Sealiner
fishalitis wrote:
Howzit Patrick

Did you bend them round to fasten onto the gunnels
Click to expand...

Yes. Just siliconed it along the gunnels and used the screws of the transom strip for the front bit.

Problem is with a false transom/motor well on such a small boat is that it takes up valuable space, gets complicated with the steering/throttles cables and is usually permanent. Just raising the transom a bit with plastic fixes any water over transom issues without all the engineering of a motor well.
 
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makaira

Senior Member
hi Patrick

i too have a problem with the water coming over the transom, i thouht it was because my motors was just too heavy.(2x40 yammies) im now looking at installing the gamefish/alley cat false transom. i would lose the back hatch but i still have all the packing space under the console. my petrol tanks are in the center hatch.

@fishalitis. the witblitz boats are great!!! i havn't had a broaching problem at all. I've been out about 6k's past mosselbay's point on quite a swell without a problem!!! imo its the best runabout boat by far.
 
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makaira

Senior Member
mouse001 wrote:
Gee whizz Makaira 2 40's on a wittie must run like crazy lol
Click to expand...
haha, mouse she goes like a bat out of hell!!! i bought her like that, i was running her a few weeks back on calmish water, got 55kph just under 3/4 taps. im too scared to run her open taps, haha.its more a case of, put wings on and she'll lift off. luckily my fuel bill is virtually no existent.
 
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mouse001

Senior Member
Thats awesome LOL mine runs 42kph on the highveld with 2*25s
i still say they're fantastic little boats not many for sale second hand up here in JHB.
 
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makaira

Senior Member
there are a few down this side but they are quite expensive, im itching for a bigger boat at the moment. ive got too many crew and not enough space. but for the time being this will suffice. got some lovely cob in march and nice bonnies in april. theres not much else i can catch this side as im limited from running to the good hake spots.

heres a photo of the cob and my baby
 

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fishalitis

Senior Member
No Worries Makaira

Thanks for Richards details. Had a great chat with him. Nice to chat with a boat builder who is willing to share ideas and knowledge. Awesome chap and manna to him and lots of boat orders.

Decided after talking to him will make my own false transom and live well. The one they sell will take up too much space. A vertical piece of glass just in front of the engines will do the job with a built in batt box and live well. A shelf like slot on the motors side will keep the wiring etc out the wet stuff.
 
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mouse001

Senior Member
Makaira i was also looking at getting a bigger boat so had a look at a Surfmaster 490 with 2*50 Suzi 4's.Then i started thinking the bigger the boat the more headaches eg my wittie with motors and juice on trailer +- 500Kg.Surfmaster 490 boat on trailer without motors +- 690kg add the motors and juice and you looking at 1 ton?? my poor hilux 93 model will not be strong enough The witie is so easy to tow,launch,the 25's are quite economical so i kept it but would still like to look at the bigger brother of the witttie ie the 520 centre console or the Kamassi craft which looks very nice too but unfortunateley must win the lotto first LOL @ Fishalitis my Witblits was manufactured in 2008 i got it in march 2008 by supreme craft.
 
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