420 Estuary Tracker Tourny

[fats212]

I have been shopping around lately for a boat to buy. I have looked at the Explorers and Hornets, along with similar boats from Seajay, Allycraft, Stacer etc, but I think I am pretty sold on a 420 Makocraft Estuary Tracker.

ET Tourny 420

Ideally I will power it with a 40hp, but I am wondering if I can get away with a 30 and save some cash for better leccy's and sounders etc. Going fast isn't my main priority, but I will need to be able to fish 2 up with a full livewell (or 3 up) without putting too much strain on the engine.

This hull is rated to 50hp but still only weighs 220kg (although it is 2m wide).

Has anyone got any experience with this particular hull? What was it powered with, and how did it go?

Cheers

[Angel]

if you get the 30hp you will regret it later when everyones passing you.

[Hooked]

Definitely go the 40hp hey...like Angel said the little cost saving will see you sadder later on.The more pony's the better when getting up on the plane with all your gear, livewell full of fish and two bloke's.l have a 40hp Honda and ldeally ld have like a 50hp.Trust me your 30's will do it but your 40 will do it easier and may use less fuel in the end.
Sounder's and the like's can be saved for.lve yet to have my sounder hook me a fish anyway.That come's down to the angler in the end.You will have your motor for some time unlike sounder's that you later may want to update.

Cheer's Steve.

Sorry forgot to mention lm running a 4.25 Stessl Edgetracker fully decked out with a side console and it need's every bit of the 40hp with all the added weight.lt's plenty and has me sitting on 25knts comfortably with some to spare.

[fats212]

Thanks guys, especially hooked. Its that type of answer I am after.

I think the 40 will be what I end up with. The only reason I ask is that I am looking at the Tohatsu's and the 40 is almost 1.7 times the price of the 30, and I wanted to make sure it was worth it.

I would love to hear more opinions though, keep em coming.

[BLACK SWAN]

Nothing less than a 40hp 2 stroke will do the job.
If you go for four stroke at least a 50hp.I have a
50hp four stroke on a 4m hornet and fully loaded
it needs all of that.
Make do with a cheaper lecy and sounder because
it's easier to upgrade them later.

Cheers Gary

[ruski]

Hey Anth,

I started to take photos of the fit out yesterday for ya mate, but they didn't come out right for some weird reason , sorry mate! Must have been the fixed zoom lens, didn't give myself enough room...

But as others have said, try and get the 40 - It is also a safety precaution in case you need to get back in a bit faster.

The mako crafts are a nice boat! We pre-fished out of a 440 (I think?) and the ride was very smooth and they're very well fitted out.

How much are the Yamaha's compared to the Tohatsu?

Good luck

[fats212]

Cheers Paul, take your time with the photos, its really no rush.

How was the ride of the 440 compared to your 435 Hornet??

The Tohatsu's are quite a bit cheaper, but I am not sure exactly how much. I have been quoted about $3800 for a Tohy 3cyl 40hp, does anyopne know how that compares with a similar Yamy?? Does anyone know where I can find a cheaper Tohy.

[breamN2wheels]

Thats a very cheap 40!

I just got a brand new 40hp 3cycle Mariner tiller steer that cost $4450.

So for $3800 your looking very good. Don't know what there like as a motor but apparently there not bad.

good luck!

[ruski]

Fair bit smoother mate, but it was a tourney hull after all (compared to our standard hull)

But compared to the 435 hornet trophy that another mate has, they're very similar.

Cheers

[fats212]

Thats really interesting Ruski, I would have thought that the hornet was the smoother of the two. The price certainly indicates that it should be .

breamN2wheels - I believe the smaller Mariners are re-badged Tohatsu's, so I would say its the same motor as you have.

[breamN2wheels]

Originally posted by fats212
breamN2wheels - I believe the smaller Mariners are re-badged Tohatsu's

No there not!! (sarcastic)

[fats212]

I could be wrong, I am only going on what I have been told.

[breamN2wheels]

Empty your pm's Anthony .

[Rosie]

This is going to open a can of worms but only some of the Mercury and Mariners are rebadged Tohatsua. There are two types or Mercury, the US made by Brunswich corp which are considered "real" mercs and Japanese made by Tohatsu. These are only i the 2-Stroke range as far as i know.

At the end of the day it all depends what you're after and what you want to spend but here's a couple of things to consider.

The Japanese motors are an ugly peoce of engineering. I have a 30hp one and it's loud, rough as guts all through the rev range and veryprimitive with stuff like 1 tilt level and the gear DohDohDohDoh on the side of the engine which will give you the DohDohDohDohs reaching for.

The American made ones are far superior. I have a 15hp one in this range and it's way way nicer to use. It has the gears in the throttle, has 7 tilt settings, is quiet and smooth for a 2 stroke, better then the older honda 4 strokes.

Doing work on them and servicing them I find the Americal ones look and feel better built from the way things are machined and the way different things were done on them.


In the Merc Range the 8hp lw, the 15hp super, the 30hp lw and the 40hp 3 cylinder are all built by Tohatsu and are resprayed and rebadged. The mercs fetch slightly better resale apparently and i hear a theory that the external paintwork and rust treating on the mercs is meant to be better.


Back to the size. I'd go as big as you can. The 30hp Tohatsu or merc will be up to it but will labour and you can't expect to go fast. In my opinion it will be underpowered. The 40hp will be good, they are a quick engine and it will get you going well. Idealy though an oil injected 40 or 50hp or even a 4 stroke would be the go. Remember, the engine will always be on the boat and is the thing which gets you out there. Kotas, sounders and all the toys just make it better so try not to scrimp and go as good as you can.

I hope that helps you and others, Ben

[fats212]

Cheers ben, very helpful.

Thanks for clearing up the Tohatsu/ Mariner thing.