What's a good first boat?

[MAINEVENT]

The saving has started for my first boat. What does everyone recomend? Any one still have pics of their first boat?

[Huggy_B]

1. a boat you can afford to purchase
2. a boat you can afford to insure
3. a boat you can afford to run and maintain

[Emo]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....8886&rd=1&rd=1

[Shane]

Because I am going through the process of boat purchasing can not imagine how many times I have re-written this.

My 1st boat was the budget project boat from a magazine not related to this site. For $3.5k I got a hull that leaked, a 25hp Jono that was in working order, and a 55lb Minnkota that required a new battery. All in all I was happy with the boat and gave me many hours of joy.

Now what do you want this boat to do? If you are just looking for something to putt around in and not enter any comps and such I would use 1 of the many online boat classfieds and find out what is out there. You could pick something up cheap and just slap a leccy on it.

But the biggest bit of advice I can give is, write down what you want the boat to do, what it has to have on it for you to do it, and how much you are willing to pay. And kick alot of tyres before you buy.

[squeek]

ive had three boats but to get my first good decent boat i got a loan out, repayments were not that much. but any boat is better then no boat

[MAINEVENT]

Im not saying price is out the window. But if you could afford a Nitro or something similar would you get one for your first boat. Probably not. Im looking at it as if it were a car. You would be silly to get a new HSV or WRX for your first ever car. I want to experience boating with something a little less expensive/easy to use just to get my water time up. Learn the ropes. Increase my boating confidence (and fishing confidence) Then hopefully upgrade to something bigger & better.

I was thinking something that is reliable, stable to fish from, handles most if not all river systems, i like the side console, easy to steer with the leccy. (if there is such a boat out there)

[breamN2wheels]

Anything will do really.

A forgiving hull like a Hornet, Explorer, Edgetracker etc (theres lots of different styles like this out there) will let you become confident in driving the boat. Hulls like this are wide (for balance while fishing) and mean you can hit most waves you will find in an river and generally be quiet safe (wont dig and jolt).

I like alot of guys started with a regular tiny (3.45 Savage Gull), I put an 55lb Minnkota Riptide on the nose and had a 15hp motor to drive around with (15's can go pritty quick!).

There was never EVER a day the river could produce a large enough wave that stopped me taking it from my local yacht club (PFSYC) to Maylands area. It would go through some crazy waves, take several fires and still be awsome to fish on without decking (adventually put some in however).

Start where ever you want any "tiny" in a good one

[Timmah]

Hey mate,

Im in the same position. Looking at getting my first boat and i have no idea were to look or what to look for. I want mine for mainly river fishing here in wa and to be used in comps when i get the time. But i also want something for up north for the ocassional fishing trip to exmouth broome etc. I also want it to be a bit of a project. Other question we always seem to ask is ali or fibre glass. If there's anyone out there with advice please help.

Cheers
Tim

[Bear]

Guys,
If you're interested I'm about to put the 475 Hornet Dad and I got together. Not going too expensive so if you want to have a look or chat drop me a PM.

Like the guys have said, there are a number of boats worth while, but always make sure you leave enough for things like electric (if required), PFD, sounders, spare tyre and so on.

[Yardi]

If all goes to plan my 4.35 Hornet might be up for sale in the oncoming weeks, will keep ya posted
Yardi

[Nick]

Hi,

I looked hard at this when I got a boat and after going to a couple of ABT events and looking at the condition of some of the tinnies I was surprised how bad they don’t stand up to the bash and crash of comp fishing if they aren’t looked after. I was looking for stability and strength and in the end I went with a Polycraft. Have a look at these, as I would recommend one as a first boat as you can bash into anything and will not damage it. They are very stable and quiet on the water and you will never have a problem with electrolysis or splitting the seam in rough weather.

Just my opinion.

Nick

[MAINEVENT]

You getting a new boat Yardi? Giving away any hints?

[MAINEVENT]

Any particular models of Polycraft i should be looking at?

[fats212]

The 410 would be ideal for estuary, river, impoundment work. you can get it in tiller steer side, or center console.

Depending on what else you want the boat to do, the 455 would be usable as a bream boat too

My opinion is based only on my own research into a new boat. I have never been in a poly.

[Shane]

Polys are a very nice boat, but very pricey in WA There are some good second hand ones going around, or get onto the guys on the polycraftowners board. I could have got a poly 4.55 with 60 E-Tec on the back for $18k from over east where as I was quoted something like $25k from dealers in WA.

This may have changed since I kicked up a fuss But I doubt it. But I am sure you could get a bargin secondhand one, and lets face it it would take alot to stuff a poly to not make it worth while buying