Well guys I've been seriously thinking about getting a new goat after seeing a bit of corrosion coming back out of the hull.

Some may remember I did a complete rebuild a couple of years back & thought it time for a new hull.

Prob end up going a bit bigger this time as well

As long as you do me a good price on your boat im more than happy for you to get a new one?

Will you buy a hull and fitout yourself? Will you steal gear from the old boat?

Is the corrosion repairable? Keep me posted Jumpy

Not really Jed

I spent a few months digging out the corrosion 2 years back & it's slowly coming back I dont want to go through all that again & think it's time for a new goat.

I have to decide what hull I want order it bare then fit it out the way I want it spray it then transfer all the gear over from current boat

go glass pal I know you want to

Fisher are a great hull and they will build it up to whatever stage you want.
Other then that I may be able to get you a good deal on a new Predator boat. They are tough as the back yard shit house and once again can get them to any stage you want. Bare hull, or through to turn key and go anything in between.

Yeah I've know steve from predator for around 25 years Frank.

He used to work for Marlin & branched off & started building the Condor Cats, Ross Hunter wasn't to impressed & started legal action against him claiming he was copying his cats.

Personally I couldn't see how that claim could be legit cause all boats are virtuall copies of one another.

Think that was around the time Predator boats started.

Thing I have against the Predators is that they dont have a step down & gunnel hight is way to high.

I'm not in a big hurry either current hull has still got a couple of years in her if I do quick repairs, so I'll be taking my time in deciding which hull I'll go for.

I wont hesitate in buying a 2nd hand hull if I find one in good nick & esp if I can get a hold of a STAR boat think they're the ants pants of plate boats shame the Co went under.

If I still had the workshop I prob would've built one from scratch geez I miss not having all my press's guillo's etc

..............................................
Think I will let this one pass over my head as condor cats only ring a bell with ferries liners etc.
The guy who branched out from Broadbill started and still is making Sailfish alloy cats.
He done it with Ross hunters blessings.CAN'T REMEMBER HIS NAME NOW BUT HE STARTED IN A TIN SHED DOWN
AT mINTO AND WE USED TO USE HIS DAM ON THE PROPERTY TO FLOAT THE NEWLY BUILT HULLS AND TEST FOR LEAKS,
( sorry hit capslock )
We would place 600kg of lead blocks in the hull then jump in and launch into the dam.
There may have been another guy branch out, which would be the guy you know.
Predator boats were liqudated about 3 years or so ago, a guy I know bought the jigs and rights to the
name and is slowly getting a few boats together, he does not mass produce and personal sweat and tears
goes into every boat he builds.

If you ever need a hand in doing anything like welding hull or anything like that I got a mig and some light equipement here. no folders, guillotines etc, but some hand tools and a willingness to lend a hand.

Must be a different guy who started Sailfish Frank

Steve was building the Condor Cats in Morebank I knew him quite well back in those days all his cats were painted a yellowy/orange colour.

Having said all that I'll prob stop in @ Predator tomorro & have a sqiz, going down for the day to have a looky @ a plate boat I'd seen a couple of months back in Greenwell Pt that was up for sale.

Was going to take the wittle goat down for a spin but the weather charts are showing the wind coming up so just going for the drive.

I still have access to guillo's & a press but it's not the same as having them in your own work shop.

I never got rid of any of my TIG/MIG welders still have all of them along with any tools [bloody alot of them ] which didn't require 3 phase power.

Noble Super V

A big yellow POLLY will solve all your problems,Heeps of fish,new friends, and no corrosison,and nothing to winge about anymore

I'll tell you what Phil !

You come back in 25 years & tell me your Yellow Plastic Bag hasn't melted in the sun & is still in one piece & only then will I tinkle with the idea of fishing in plastic

I've owned current boat around 18 years & prior to that it was a LFB in survey where it worked nearly every day.

It's on it's 3rd pair of motors & still going strong, the corrosion in Q was my fault cause I left the boat idle & without any maitanance for 5 odd years back when I had the big moored goat.

Like anything neglected it has a use by date & that's the only reason I'm looking @ a new boat, if I could get the same hull I wouldn't hesitate.

is this the type of thing u have in mind J.G.

http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sa...ts.php?de=36005

or is it to wide

22.4ft star

http://boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/u...ts.php?de=31763

Yep the beam is to wide to tow poly

Also think they're asking to much for it, I did go down to Nowra 2day to have a looky @ a few boats that I'd seen up for sale last trip down there.

One was sold & the other one was missing seems 2B the norm down there I'll start a new thread about a brand new polycraft that was stolen 1st thing that Dave said was poly took it

Also stoped in @ Predator Boats to have a looky will post some pics & say what I thought of their new designs later tonight when I go back & get the camera out of the car.

Virtually what I've currently got @ present poly

The Star has allways been my favoured plate boat that's where the Penguin hull came from, Star concentrated on building the larger moored boats & a couple of the staff branched off building the Penguins.

You'll find it's the same hull as mine only prob is that boat would be as old as mine.

Got a bit of a shock when I got a rough price by Predator today on the 7.2 meter boat, so I told the guy to sharpen his pencil & give me a price on hull only no cabin etc.

Really liked their new model hulls, original owners of Predator sold out 5 years ago & the new owner has changed the design of the boats, they used to be pressed sides & plate only hull, now the whole design is full plate.

My brain thinks @ 100 mph @ times & depending on what the new price will be will determine whether I build one from scratch or not.

Got told $ 45 k for unpainted complete boat as per pics below

Someone I know took delivery of a Mako Craft earlier this year just a centre consel unpainted still 7.2 meters & he paid $ 18 k for the hull.

Huge difference in price but have to admit alot more work goes into the Predator Boats.

I'll start costing plate next week should have the quote from predator by then & I'll see whether I build or buy

Boats I looked @ today that were getting built in the factory

This was a 6.1 meter to much cabin on it for my liking but the boat was built to owners specs, still the boat had heaps of room



This was a 6.8 meter getting built nicer lines on the gunnels etc & a mile of room, I'd like a 7.2 meter & think it would be the ants pants size wise for a trailer boat

i must say i like the look of the 6.1 she has nice lines and a good size cab, but one of the thing that peeps don't think about at this stage of the build is the placement sounders gps radar radios ect plus the general lay out of the office this is one of the places that the owner will spend a lot of time in and it should be the very best it can.

You may remember my "JB Disaster" Post.. Saturday morning and We had a split boat and stopped at a few places looking for someone to repair. Predator was closed but I could see somone in the office fiddling around and he opened up and fixed the boat withing an hour for a good price and a bacon and egg mc muffin.. Was very thankful for his help.. There was a 6.8m boat in its final stages of being kitted out for maritine or sommeone of the like with a 150 on the back.. Awesome boat.. Back then he said about 70k fully fitted BMT.. I know metal prices have risen dramatically since then though.

That's why I favour the Hard Top boats, dont like those semi hard top imitations which use clears to make up the hardtop.

I've got a fair bit of $$'s investested in electronics which the Hard Top protects unlike back in the old days where salt water got in.

I liked the lines on the 6.8 boat alot better



Yep it has I got a bit of a shock last time I had to buy some & that's why I need to cost B4 jumping the gun to save $5 k on the project would be a waste of time.

JG Been out on a couple of Predators, I guess you'd be fitting your twins on you new one.....We fitted up a 150 4st Yammy
to a 7m a few years ago....Geez it ran well at speed and ate up the swell and chop off broken bay..... Must admit my mates little 19ft Riptide CC is a real nice riding boat-only has a 100hp merc on it and the price was great for a hull of such quality build-can get you more info if you like!

I take it you're getting rid of the big boat??? What about the horsies and electronics???

I have 0 knowledge about predators except that I've deckied on a mates big custom CC on more than one occasion. It was built pretty tonka tough and although plain and simple it was nice to ride in. Well that's my contribution!

Cant say that I really liked the old Predators much @ all know a few peeps who have them & personally think they were pretty Fugly things
The one in the pic below is a mate of mines, not just the Fuglyness off it there are alot of things I just didn't like about it

His & mine @ the ramp next to each other



Think if you're going to spend the $$'s being asked for these days for boats you should get what you want & happy with.

The Predators are a different boat all together from the older ones & have to admit I much prefer talking to someone like Rod the new owner of Predator than some idiot clueless salesman out to get a sale throwing you a big line of Bullshite.

I generally get turned off by idiot salesmen & walk away & it was good talking to another tradesman who could answer any Q's I threw @ him.



Yep Yep !

The whole Idea is to just get a new hull & swap over all the running gear, cause I've gotten back into the gamefishing scene I'd like to add a 2nd control station up on the hardtop which will be collapsable of course.

You get to see that much more when up high w2hen trolling

Hey Jumpus ... That 6.1 looks great

This new boat thing has got the juices running for you again, hasn't it?

$45k unpainted is just plain wrong... I'm not saying they are robbing the customer though. I understand the overheads in running a business.

Jumpy, if they were pushing 10 of them out every month, they'd be 10k cheaper. Just the way it is..

Re- building from scratch; We can work out the cost on materials only next week.. But I'm going out on a limb here and having a guess on how much for metals only

$9200 The rest is going to be your blood, sweat and tears And there will be tears

P.S. that quote was exclusive of gst

Been retired for 7 years now Bees so a bit out of touch but did throw some figures around in my head & couldn't see the Alloy being under $10 k then there's tubing etc etc

Add to that gases mig wire etc etc the list goes on & on

I've rebuilt enough boats to know how costs escalate not to mention time it takes they could knock up a boat in the factory in a month whereas it would take me 3 - 4 times as long doing a one off.

To save 5 or 10 k is not worth it in my books & I'd rather just order one.

Beats the hell out of me how that guy I spoke of earlier with the Mako got his for $ 18 k

My figures are a pure speculator... See how it pans out

this is just something to think about, if you intend to sell the old hull the best way to do it is with the motors still on the boat and being 4strokes they should bring a better price as for replacement motors the best place to get them is in the u.s. here is a pair of yammys at a very good price for new motors

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/-Yamaha-...150TXR-92154979

They're not far off the mark Jed

Poly I have no intentions of getting rid of my motors & definately not interested in buying new ones from the US
P{rob with to many peeps is that they only see the $$ signs & never pay attention to the other costs involved including freight tax's etc that will be incurred.

Also bear in mind that if something goes wrong with imported motors Yamaha here in oz have no obligation to honour any warranty & to me thats like driving a car with no insurance.

Ill give it to ya JG... Ya dont Fark around.. I can see a great build up story and some good adventures coming up..

up in sydney today... wasnt really a planned trip, kinda a rush job to catch kkw and help nan out with a few jobs..

sounds good jg .... keep us posted


yeah u are right ... keep the motors .... there like new anyway no point in buying new ones ...


when it is time too sell your old one ... what do you think it would sell for ???

i doubt very much that J.G. will be looking for a big price for the old hull as i can not see him selling it without giving a fair descriptions of the problem, and the age of the boat.

the trailer will you keep it or sell it ???????????????

$2.15 per Kilo atm.. And they will pick up!!

Not wrong Bees boat is worth over $ 3 k just in scrap metal




All I'm doing is getting a new Hull everything else stays



If I get something in my head very rare I back down

Wow, I wouldn't have thought it weighed that much.. I'm impressed.. No wonder it's like Driving Miss Daisy when your towing it. I thought we'd never make it last time




I'm not saying dont build a new boat . I think it would be a great adventure.. I'd love to help wherever i can.

But if you can build a new boat, you can fix the current one. Either way you will be down a boat for a while. (Once you start stripping the Penguin)

The boat tows very well, it's just the way I drive, to many idiots on the road & it may seem like I'm crawling along @ times + I'm never in a hurry




You any good @ making Latte's ???




Every has a use by date

Here you go WATTO !

Those pics you were asking about

"AAAAHHhhhh i see!" said the blind man

Very easy!! I'm confident even you can pull it off now (boat bulding, i mean)

Have you got a close up of the bow?? Very interesting

Maybe something of interest for you Jumpy...

http://www.platealloy.com/index.htm Sell pans, kits ect

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/archive/i...hp/t-65540.html Thread of someone who has built a 7.4..

http://www.bruceroberts.com.au/books/bbwal.htm And you can buy a book on it as well ( cant be too careful)

And these blokes will sell you plans for $395.00 http://www.bruceroberts.com.au/books/bbwal.htm

Happy Hunting pal..

P.S. When you pop out to the wild west... Ill make you that Latte

Well the way I figure it is simple

They let me loose to work on Aircraft all by myself without supervision

Building a goat will be a walk in the park

ps] here's the bow you asked for

You're kidding!!!. When I popped in to see you, you pulled a used teabag out of a tin of used tea bags and made me a cuppa with the muddy dam water. Told me it coloured the tea, because the bags have been used a couple of times.

JG gets a Latte - I am coming with him next time.

Bees, your right on the money mate!!

I thought thats just the way he drives with the boat on the back.

NO NO BLOODY NO!!!

We went for a drive last Tuesday (with no boat on the back), and i kid you not, if we were going any slower we'd be going backwards!!!

To make it worse he never even gets out of the right lane, even in the M5 motorway, where he still wouldnt go over 50 km/h

I was slumped down in the passenger seat rather embarrassed!

Bet you are that guy in the TV add who hogged the tea bag kk

The sign said you were only allowed to dunk 3 times

You too, salty. JG asked me why all the motorists who were flying past him in the left lane, were swearing, shaking their fists and tooting their horns at him. I just pulled my collar up, my hat down, and slouched in the seat and siad, "I dunno"

Thats when you punch him and put him in the passenger seat My Dad does that on Freeways now... Never used to. Must be an age thing

Stop talking shit salty

How on earth could you see the speedo or if any cars were passing us ???

I didn't have any milk crates in the car for you to sit on

Tell you's what as those who've been in the car with me can vouch for I DO NOT SPEED so you's tell me how I've managed to get 2 speeding fines in the past 8 months

Rolling down hills??

Bloody Speed Camera's Jed, they put them in Bullshite places to catch peeps out.

I even went out & got myself one of those Tom Tom thingy's cause they let you know where the cameras are.

Only prob is that the Tom Tom keeps wanting me to go to Lithgow

when u get to Lithgow turn right and head up a north and say g'day to Sumo

well we have moved way :offtopic: J.G.are you any closer to making a decision on weather to build or buy the new boat

Yep a good bet is that I'll build one

Build it, and they will come...

Il start collecting 2 of everything mate.

salty you bloody Ninkompoopy !

That quote came the Movie Field of Dreams

Not Noah's Arc ! think you're trying to Short Change us with your quotes

its time, for a new thread i think