Supreme or Kosi or Equinox or? Benguela?

A

Addict1

New member
Newby on the forum but long time lurker...

I currently have an 8m Lee-Cat which I love but it's just a lot more boat than I need anymore so I'm selling her.
My fishing interests have changed/reverted to lighter tackle and fly, more inshore stuff. I'm over the long expensive 120+ NM round trips to the drop-off here.

So I'm looking for a new boat, specs are:
Max 2 X 70hp (1L)(So Yamaha F70)
Cat, Max 18.6 (Change my mind?)
Possibly something I can squeeze into a 40 foot container (heaps cheaper to ship.)

Boats on the table thus far:
Supreme 520
Supreme 570
Kosi 17 Walk-around (So pretty)
Equinox 565c
Benguela 530cc

Just for interest sake, I have emailed all these companies (Except Angler) and so far only Len/Michelle have gotten back to me... mmmm

I live in Seychelles so won't be surf launching and the boat will be Marina based.
The ride of the boat is obviously important and I know some are better than others but are the others truly crap or do some just stand out.

For example, the big (8m+) Butts have a better ride than my Lee-Cat but the Lee is so much nicer (at the time) and better finished and I was never left wanting with her.

I know you're all thinking, "So, just buy a dam boat, no waves there anyway..." True, we don't have the "Cape of Storms" swell but we have a nasty 1.5m short period wave which when the wind gets up can get pointy and uncomfortable, the big Lee eats this up on the long trips.

Most use for the boat will be spin type and popping and drop/shot with a bit of trawling but also scuba and keeping the wife happy with some island hopping.

Thanks guys; comment if you dare, I have lots of questions....
 
S

Skeltonsc

Member
Howzit and welcome to Sealine.
Have nothing constructive to add except I'm so Jealous, we have offices in Mauritius, maybe I should put in for a transfer.
The Boating part of the forum seems a little quiet these days maybe the guys are all out fishing.

:welcomesea:
 
A

Addict1

New member
Haha Seems like the boat builders are out fishing too! Thanks for the welcome! It is lekker here, lots of fishing opportunities,
 
F

Fin-S

Sealiner
Supreme 570 and nothing else on the list.

The chop will beat you up on the others and 2 x 70 is overpowered for the 520.
I have fished a reasonable amount in the islands and think that extra 1/2 metre will be invaluable when you have more than 2 anglers on board.
 
A

Addict1

New member
Thanks Fin-S; that's pretty much what I was wanting to hear. Other than reports from the web I haven't spoken to anyone that can vouch directly for the ride of any of these boats. I am more used to the bigger boats here, 25-30 foot mostly.

There is a 570 here, brought in by Neil from Nauti-Tec I think, I'm not sure who owns it now but it does need a bit of love and is an older layout. I'd love to chat to him about how it handles here.
 
A

Addict1

New member
Yup, the 6.1m would be great, size wise, but I don't think they produce them anymore; from what I gather 4.9, 5.2, 5.7 then 6.6m. The 660 would be ideal for me but I seriously doubt the 660 would fit into a container, even sideways (I will investigate though). Shipping a flat rack with two sides oversize is around ZAR 170k which is almost the cost of the bare boat, not to mention the VAT this side is cost of the boat including freight (CIF). It may be worthwhile following up on the 570 here and seeing if the owner might want to sell her; at a good price, the work on her might be worthwhile. She has 2 X 90 Zukes which is heaps of power for a boat that size, I imagine.
 
B

benniejordaan

Sealiner
I've just been through the exact same exercise and I think the seacat range is the best value for money at the moment. The Seacat 520 is big for a 17' and you can get it with a pair of 70hp Yamaha 4 strokes for 430k. It's good value. But if you dont mind spending a little more, The Seacat 565 is a great boat.
 
B

benniejordaan

Sealiner
Personally, I'd only look at the Beguela on your list. That boat has the best build finish available in any boat. A couple small quirks though like skinny hand rails and slanted forward console. But very nice. Supreme craft had a lot of comments regarding floatation and build, but I cant confirm through personal experience. The Kosi cats are notorious for banging a lot. I personally owned one, they are solid. No comment on Equinox.
 
Y

youart

New member
Is there a cut down Butt 6.6 running with 70 Hp Yamaha motors .
However the width and length should be to much for a 20 ft container ..

I cannot purchase a Butt 6.6 as I have a 2.5 m width mooring
restriction , A Tom Cat 19 fits in .
 
A

Addict1

New member
Hey guys, thanks for all the feedback so far, definitely narrowing it all down for me.

The Sea Cats seem to get a lot of good reports; does anyone know who manufactures these? I will need to do a few personal mods to which ever boat I order so talking to the builder is usually important.
 
B

benniejordaan

Sealiner
Addict1 wrote:
Hey guys, thanks for all the feedback so far, definitely narrowing it all down for me.

The Sea Cats seem to get a lot of good reports; does anyone know who manufactures these? I will need to do a few personal mods to which ever boat I order so talking to the builder is usually important.
Click to expand...

Fiberglass and Marine in Isithebe, KZN is the manufacturer. However, Yamaha is the distributor so you can contact them direct or I'd recommend you speak to Ryan at Durban Yamaha. Ryan will sort it out for you.

Fiberglass and marine - +32 459 1420
Durban Yamaha - +31 309 5313
 
A

Addict1

New member
Great, thanks for the info Bennie; I'll drop the builder a line just to get an idea of what they can customize at build and then if I decide to order one, do the deal through one of the Yamaha dealers if it's required.
 
B

benniejordaan

Sealiner
You wont be sorry. Well built and well priced. A 17' Tom cat is 150k more. O know for a fact Durban Yamaha has a new 17' with 70hp 4 strokes for R430k.
 

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A

Addict1

New member
Thanks guys, I'm definitely leaning towards the Sea Cat; I have an older Explorer which I love, even ten years ago the boats were really nicely built. Got some prices today, a bit more than the Butts but not ridiculous.
 
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