| When buying a boat there are many different | | | | larger, better outfitted and therefore more |
| types and models to choose from so you really | | | | expensive secondhand trailer boats. Those that |
| have to identify exactly what you need, and can | | | | can provide a toilet, galley unit with stove, sink, as |
| afford. Your budget is the most restricting factor, | | | | well as a fridge, shower, storage cupboards and |
| but there are plenty of other issues to be raised | | | | many other cruising accessories. |
| such as the size of your family, where you intend | | | | Can You Tow It? |
| to use the boat, fish or family boat. etc. | | | | Make sure you are aware of the legal and |
| Application. | | | | practical towing limitations of your tow vehicle |
| Where you intend to use the boat should be one | | | | before you buy a new rig. |
| of your first decisions. If pottering around the | | | | With most of the larger 6.0 m plus cabin cruisers |
| harbour, skiing, fishing, or perhaps general family | | | | and half cabin fishing boats for example, you will |
| boating, then most types of boats up to around | | | | need a 4wd or larger car to meet the legal |
| 5.0 m will be more than satisfactory. Conversely, | | | | towing requirements. |
| if you intend to go offshore fishing, then a larger, | | | | Storage |
| more seaworthy craft will be required. | | | | If you intend to store your boat in the garage, be |
| River and lake fishermen and those intending | | | | sure to measure not just the boat length, but the |
| fishing remote locations may prefer a smaller, | | | | overall length of the rig - from the trailer coupling |
| lighter, and more robust aluminium boat. Open | | | | to the back of the outboard and the length and |
| barra style boats, and deluxe aluminium dinghies | | | | height of the rig before you buy it. |
| are very popular with estuary and river | | | | Parking the rig out on the front lawn is okay, |
| fishermen. Larger pressed and plate alloy boats | | | | provided the boat is behind a lockable fence, or |
| are great for regions with poor boating facilities | | | | you fit some sort of trailer locking device. Keeping |
| because they are better able to handle the | | | | your boat out the front on the medium strip is |
| knocks and scrapes likely to be experienced. | | | | not a good idea it will create complaints from |
| Fish Or Family Boat? | | | | neighbours and the local council. |
| While it is possible to fish from a family boat and | | | | Townhouse and unit dwellers, should consider |
| visa versa, some boats are more conducive to | | | | storing the boat in a fenced off compound or dry |
| fishing, others to family boating. As a general rule, | | | | storage rack at a nearby marina. |
| prior to the 1990s, most fibreglass trailer boats | | | | Launch & Retrieve |
| were designed more for family boating than | | | | Don't try and save money by cutting back on the |
| fishing. These family orientated boats tend to be | | | | trailer. Your trailer should be capable of steering |
| more luxuriously outfitted, with carpeted floors, | | | | your boat on straight. As you drive your boat |
| upholstered cockpit surrounds, and better seating. | | | | onto the trailer. Easy launch and retrieve |
| In contrast, fair dinkum fishing rigs tend to have | | | | encourages the family and friends to go with you. |
| few creature comforts. More important is a large, | | | | There is nothing worse than having to fight the |
| uncluttered cockpit with good access into the | | | | boat onto a trailer after a long days fishing. |
| transom corners, as well as specific design | | | | Running Costs |
| features like wider side coamings to allow the | | | | Trailer boating can be quite reasonable costs wise! |
| fitment of rod holders, as well as the provision of | | | | While service and maintenance costs are |
| a live bait tank, fish box, big side pockets etc. | | | | expected, storing the boat out of water reduces |
| Historically, pressed sheet aluminium and plate | | | | maintenance considerably. Fuel costs can be high |
| aluminium boats have been favoured for fishing | | | | for those that under power or zoom around with |
| because of their basic fit-out, spacious interiors, | | | | the throttle fully open. However, a full day on the |
| and ease of customisation. In recent times | | | | water running a 50 - 75 hp should cost no more |
| however, fibreglass boat builders have | | | | than $50 to $75 if fishing. If running 150 – |
| dramatically improved their fishing models, and | | | | 200Hp, that cost will almost double but that's still |
| there are now many good, albeit late model | | | | pretty good when you consider you get a full |
| fibreglass fishing boats available. | | | | days entertainment and fun. |
| Seating | | | | Safety & Seaworthiness |
| Pretty obvious really, but if you buy a boat | | | | A safe, seaworthy boat is one which can be |
| without enough seats for your family or regular | | | | safely operated in the sea conditions and |
| crew, you may find you'll soon be fishing or | | | | environment for which it was designed. |
| boating by yourself. While few passengers will | | | | Seaworthiness is determined by the shape of the |
| want to sit down while enroute, a seat will be | | | | bow and forefoot, the angle of vee or deadrise, |
| appreciated once you've reached your destination. | | | | the breadth of the hull shoulders, the beam, the |
| Overnighting | | | | amount of flare, the angle of the chines, etc. |
| Few half cabin owners actually use their cabins for | | | | Important questions to ask yourself during a sea |
| overnighting. Although there may be enough room | | | | trial of a boat is; does the boat have enough |
| for two people to stretch out on the cabin | | | | freeboard to keep the sea out? Will it broach in a |
| berths, there are rarely any other overnighting | | | | following sea? Does the bow bury when running |
| facilities in even moderate sized craft. | | | | into a head-sea? Is it stable enough at rest and |
| If you're serious about overnight and weekend | | | | underway? Does it have built-in flotation to keep it |
| cruising, you really need to look at some of the | | | | afloat if it capsizes? |