Interested In Upgrading Boat Options

[jack]

Hi


I am getting a bit over my little runabout and the fact it is not safe to take outside.

I had a look at formosa plate boats and like the 5.2 meter bow rider as it looks like an awesome family boat that can do a bit of fishing offshore as well (not trawling for marlin)

anyone have any experience with this brand? or can suggest another brand?

Jack

[NetPez]

Jack if you look at one of the other forums at the moment there is a big discusion an alloy versus glass
In my oppinion glass is far supirior to alloy a lot quieterand smoother
but maybe get jumpys opinion

[Jumpus GooDarus]

2 of my mates have those 4noses jack
both happy with them

[Spudly]

for a family boat Id go with Glass... Leave the Plateies to the clowns like JG....

Nah, have to admit, if you want a full time fishing boat go a platy, for a family boat a glass one! ;)

[Jumpus GooDarus]

Yeah right as if jack is going to listen to a pair of potato's

Guy said he wanted to upgrade not downgrade to glass

[quintrex101]

The Formosa is a beautiful boat, the Bowrider would be perfect. Just think about it mate. Cushions and seats up the front with the family, or if you go out by yourself convert the front to a casting deck with an leccy motor. You have the protection of the windscreen and the bimini, the deep v for cutting through the chop, you have the transom on the back to help you get in and out of the water..

If me and Dad upgraded i'd go for something like that, i love Bowriders, perfect alrounders imo

This post has been edited by quintrex101: Jan 22 2012, 05:40 AM

[Fed]

I can't think of one good reason to have a plate boat in preference to a glass boat.

[Jumpus GooDarus]

But then again ewe have probs thinking @ all
To many goose pills

[jack]

I can't think of one good reason to have a plate boat in preference to a glass boat.

Towing weight maybe, from what I see the glass boats seem to get heavier for the same size boat. I only have a 1600kg rated tow bar and am not planning on upgrading that and include a tranny cooler. Car can easily handle it though.

Price? Bar the bayliner which does not really look like a boat that can handle the rough stuff most glass boats tend to be more expensive. Bayliner 185 looks like a serious fun machine with mercruiser and very nice pricetag, but I don't think it should be taken outside.

Also with a glass boat I'd be scared to go close to anything that could damage it but with alumium I know it can handle rocks fairly well. This issue is not a major one, just need to adjust my skills :-)



Jack

[Spudly]

my 5.5m glass boat only weights 500 odd kg...

my overall weight is less than 1500kg...

[Fed]

I don't think there's a huge difference in weight either Jack and at the size you're talking about it wouldn't worry you anyway.
I doubt if my rig would be much more than 1000Kg if that. (5.2M cuddy)

Price is another thing altogether, I was thinking secondhand and to me it seems fibreglass are cheaper than plate but I stand to be corrected on that. I guess to be fair you'd have to price identical rigs.

Damage? It always seems to me that people think glass boats are fragile and I don't believe that's the case. Although I don't run my boat onto rocks I never worry about running it up onto a beach or leaving bumping against a wharf. (I should get some of those giant tampons I guess)

Then there's the transom/stringer rot but it's not nearly as prevalent as people think and can easily be avoided by sealing any penetrations properly. This is also more than offset by corrosion both electrolytic and galvanic in plate boats.

Build quality & strength, fibreglass boats are molded in one big piece and start off life in that shape where plate boats are welded up from bent pieces of metal totally reliant on the skill of the welder. If you're talking about pounding a boat for the next 10, 20, 30 years I'd choose glass over plate every day of the week.

All the rest of the stuff like warm, smooth, user friendly, quiet, better handling go without saying.

I can understand Jumpy having plate boats given his background but for someone who just wants to buy & use glass is for me.

Bowriders... PFFTTT! Gotta say I'm not a fan, great while your kids are keen but that probably won't last long.

If I didn't already have a boat I'd go & buy a RumpusCraft... top boat IMO.

Not trying to start a boat war or rain on your parade Jack merely putting forward another point of view.

[storms72]

Going by your requirements I would suggest a Polycraft frontrunner 5.3, store it on rocks if you like, run into wharfs, smooth quiet ride. Price very attractive.

Won't fade or yellow in the sun, no need to repaint when those little oops moments happen, weight 720kg approx, trailer 350kg approx, engine 90hp etec-150kg....plenty to spare for fishing gear and fuel......

Whadya reckon Poly

[Spudly]

Whadya reckon Poly?

I recon your sick!!!

But would be better than a plate boat for a family boat...

[nimrod]

I recon your sick!!!

But would be better than a plate boat for a family boat...

I must admit, IF I were to be in the market and have the $$$$ to buy a new boat, I would be seriously looking at a poly.
I have been dead set against them for a number of years solely based on the fact that I like making all things needed for my boats and with the polys I have felt excessories would be a nightmare to fit.
Lately I have been thinking IF I were to get/find a poly that had all the stuff where I wanted it, it might be a worthwhile thought.
Dought if I would ever see a poly with the layout I would want, so catch 22 still for me.
Glass is comfortable but heavy, alloy is workable, you can treat it rough as guts and is light enough for minimum amount of horse power and towing vehicle.
Alloy wins in most compartments with me, but as I say glass is comfortable.

[poly]

solely based on the fact that I like making all things needed for my boats and with the polys I have felt excessories would be a nightmare to fit.

no that's were you are dead wrong Frank, its very easy to fit accessories all you need are basic wood working tools.

Whadya reckon Poly

yep I do think a 5.3 front runner would be a good buy, why not send a p.m. to bbjohn i know he would be only to happy to give you all the info on them

http://www.polycraft.com.au/model-range/530-warrior

Paul

[Fed]

Another point I should mention is the ergonomics.

I like to be able to stand up & drive looking over the screen without having the wheel down near your knees.
Sit down & drive looking through the screen and have good foot support at the same time.
Full head room & side clears completes the package.

I'm not just saying that because it's what I have, there should be plenty of boats out there that would fit the bill.

The only short coming with mine is my feet don't comfortably reach the floor while seated but there are some footrests.

In my previous boat the seats were so high you felt like a cocky on a perch, remember Majed had the same problem with his old boat too.

It's a big decision to make if you're going to spend a lot of money.

[Spudly]

Just worth Noting about weight for ya Jack.....

Formosa 520 BOW ; 5.35m 600kg
Haines Sig 540f ; 5.33m 560kg
Haines BowRider 520 ; 5.35m 475kg
Polycraft Frontrunner ; 5.30m 760.00kg


If ya wanna go offshore I dont think a bowrider is a great option.. Great for the bay or the rivers though!!

[Fed]

There's always larger tinnys too, they have their own special niche in the market.

What's the story KK, I know you don't use yours much but are you happy with its performance?

[Jumpus GooDarus]

unbelievsble

Not one of them has ever owned a platey jack but they're all experts on what you should get

Hilerious ha ha

[Spudly]

unbelievsble

Not one of them has ever owned a platey jack but they're all experts on what you should get

Hilerious ha ha

Never owned a haines and you talk them down...

Oh and plenty of posts of you bagging out poly's on here and how many of them have you owned!?!?

Never owned a plate boat but went in a stabi and your within a few days and recon the stabi would eat your for breakfast too..