boat choice question

[lukereneeseth]

try to keep it simple; any advice would be much appreciated.

looking into 1st boat and have narrowed it down to:
Smartwave 3500
Stessco SF409

Use: 99% of boating will be just me in the local rivers.

Smartwave Adv: 100kg, poly, get away with a 15-25hp, no extra on paint, good temp in sun, buoyancy > size.
Dis: space compared to stessco. Pushing a comfortable fish with 2 people, no change of bay action.
Stessco Adv: 3mm/2mm, floor layout has ample room for very comfortable fishing and gear. Comfortably get in the bay close in.
Dis: 215kg empty, min 30hp, extras will add up which the SW has (paint, rod holders). Size & weight solo at the boat ramps.

They seem 2 polar opposites in figure but with only $1300 between the two for boat + trailer (no motor).

ideally the stessco is exactly what im looking for if only it were a 3.7m. the smartwave in my opinion is a perfect solo boat more than capable with its stability and features. the main predicament I have is; is the Stessco going to be too big of an effort every week when I just want to get in a get out there or is the smartwave going to be too small and just give me the shits.

As ive never owned a boat im sure a lot of people have lived these issues, too big or too small, maybe even owned one of these. So please share with what your solution/choice would be or another boat that might fit better. But I don't want to spend over $4200 for the hull.

[TheChief]

The tinny is gonna cost more but be a much better all round fishing platform. Will also have much better resale value down the track.

Pros:

Heaps more room.
Endless options to customise it's layout.
Option of putting a livewell in it.
Heaps Faster.
Handles chop better.

Do it right the first time IMO.

[Kyle101]

Tinnie. You will prefer it in the long run.

As Adam said, do it right the first time!!

[TheChief]

I have a 4.3m Tinnie and they are easy to get on and off the trailer solo. Will be no different to the smaller poly. You won't notice the extra weight much but you will notice the extra space and comfort when it gets choppy!

[Kyle101]

Also out of curiosity have you looked at the Stacer Proline and Proline Angler?? They are good boats and fairly cheap. Nabs has a 399 model pimped out and its a sweet ride. Might be another option.

[StuKlose]

I have a 4.75m plate tinny and find it very easy to handle in all respects solo. You will work out a system that works for you. A good trailer setup really helps.

[Alex]

Tinny, the poly is way too small.

I had a 4.35 Hornet with 40 HP Yammie and never had any issues to launch and retrieve myself.
Should have kept it

[Hazell]

Poly is a great boat material but that's too small, wouldn't even be tournament legal so go with the tinnie I reckon!

[lukereneeseth]

thanks a lot guys, I guess that answers the question pretty simply.

kyle101- ive looked at the prolines on paper/pics. for me the Stessco comes up trumps. Stacer is 1.6mm top and bottom, Stessco is 3mm/2mm. Tad more room through the floor to build a rectangle framed box and split it for live well and ice/catch section. The hulls are around $5300, where as I can get a Stessco SF409 on trailer for $5800. That's for letting me know other options though.