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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: darrenh on November 05, 2011, 07:15:39 PM

Title: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: darrenh on November 05, 2011, 07:15:39 PM
I am trying to decide on which tinny combination is the best for me and I am seeking some advice from those that have tried out a couple.
I have tried a 3.7m quintrex traveller (V nose car topper) and found it to be very rough and banged alot.
I am favouring the seajay 3.7 nomad as they "appear" to be a little sharper at the front.

I am planning to put is on a rack on my Flamingo Junko

Any advise would be great

thanks
Darren
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: Gunna Do on November 05, 2011, 07:30:41 PM
Darren, I have a Stessyl tinnie very similar to the Seajay nomad, and have found it brilliant for rougher water, and that style also seems to have a bit more side height (freeboard) than the v-nosed punts.  The down side is that they are a little less stable than the likes of the Traveller, as well as drawing a bit more water for those trips up shallow creeks and streams.

I've always liked the looks of something like the Seajay Discovery, which I think has the v-shaped nose with a flatter bottom.  I have absolutely no experience with these though.

(http://myswag.org/gallery/d/4597-2/The+Wells+018.jpg)
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: darrenh on November 05, 2011, 07:37:03 PM
Gunna
thanks for the reply. do you know what model stessl you have got. The open dingy or the edgetracker ? I am guessing the edgetracker as it looks similar in the nose to the seajay.
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: D4D on November 05, 2011, 07:43:39 PM
I had a Quintrex Dart 375, whilst it would cut through the chop ok, don't try and stand up as it was all over the place.
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: Gunna Do on November 05, 2011, 07:46:17 PM
It's actually an Alf Stessyl (spin off company) and is fairly old now, but it is very similar to the Open Dingy style of the Stessyl range.  As I said it's been a great tinnie, but when smaller kids are in it they feel a little uneasy about how it rocks around.  Never found this to be a problem with older kids or adults though.
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: darrenh on November 05, 2011, 07:50:49 PM
d4d and gunna
Thats exactly what I am trying to avoid as I have a 7yr old and stability is a key credential. The open style dingy with the sharp entry ride better but little stability. 

I think the seajay maybe for me as i looks like a good comprimise between v nose and punt.
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: D4D on November 05, 2011, 07:57:06 PM
Your other problem will be keeping the weight down in the hull to get it on the roof.

I'd probably get something like this next http://www.quintrex.com.au/Aluminium-Boat-Range/400Hornet
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: Gunna Do on November 05, 2011, 08:03:08 PM
I'd swap mine tomorrow if I could.  Another benefit of the v-nosed punts is that they sit flatter on the roofracks when your carting them also.
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: ferret on November 05, 2011, 08:03:42 PM
Hi Darren, I purchased a Sea Jay Nomad 3.5 a couple of months ago after a bit of a look around and it was a winner for me because it had higher sides than the others (my wife reckons it would be harder for the crocs to climb in)  ??? it had a v nose, was the lightest at 68 kg, and it could take a 15 hp motor which most of the car toppers can't  >:D it has a flattish hull and was very stable even when standing & casting and pulling in crab pots also the hull is 1.6mm where the cartopper types mostly had 1.2mm hulls..
Admittedly they are about $100 - $200 more than some of the competitors but I think well worth the extra money for the above reasons
I have not been in much chop with this boat so I can't comment on that aspect but for me this is not an issue as I primarily fish estuaries
If you want any more info just ask

Cheers  :cheers:

Frank
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: Gunna Do on November 05, 2011, 08:07:36 PM
Frank are you allowed to tell how much the hull only was worth?  (PM if you prefer)
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: ferret on November 05, 2011, 08:10:08 PM
Yeah Gunna $2100 here in Townsville
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: darrenh on November 05, 2011, 08:31:13 PM
I think I've made my mind up with the seajay nomad now. Thanks for the feedback. Now for a motor. merc, yamaha or tohatsu?


Nice pics with the boat and camper in tow and the sand nice and deep. With over a tonne and a bit hooked on to the back makes you start to sweat a little.
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: D4D on November 05, 2011, 08:32:28 PM
2 or 4 stroke?
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: Gunna Do on November 05, 2011, 08:34:23 PM
I've had my Mercury 15 hp for over 20 years now trouble free.  But it's horses for courses.
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: darrenh on November 05, 2011, 08:34:47 PM
2 stroke.  The 4 strokes would leave me gasping after carrying it an loading into the back of the wagon.
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: lightweight on November 05, 2011, 08:36:12 PM
2 stroke for weight considerations. And Yamaha for reliability and resale.
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: darrenh on November 05, 2011, 08:36:40 PM
I hear that there is a japanese model and an american model mercury. Is one any better or worse ?
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: D4D on November 05, 2011, 08:37:12 PM
I don't think you can go wrong with any of those. I had a Force 15hp which was a homebrand Mercury and I couldn't kill it.
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: darrenh on November 05, 2011, 08:41:04 PM
so $2100 for a 3.5m nomad.
I wonder whats a fare price for a 15hp motor?
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: ferret on November 05, 2011, 09:33:01 PM
You'd be looking from $2500 - $3000 for a new 15hp depending on brand but I didn't do a lot of research on motors coz I decided to use my exsisting Johnson

Cheers  :cheers:

Frank
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: bullfrog on November 05, 2011, 09:41:39 PM
the American model Merc has the throttle, gear shift & shallow drive controls all in the tiller. the Jap model has a separate gear lever on the side. I bought a 9.9hp Merc 2stroke (USA mod) new a couple of years ago for $2200, a 15hp was a little cheaper.
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: Bird on November 05, 2011, 10:16:47 PM
Quote from: Gunna Do
I've had my Mercury 15 hp for over 20 years now trouble free.  But it's horses for courses.
I think from memory all mercs <60hp are now made in China. that is if the factory is finished from when I was working there... should be
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: Beachman on November 07, 2011, 10:50:47 AM
2 or 4 stroke?

I just changed from a 15 two stroke to a 20 four stoke and the four stoke is considerably heaver.

I always had plans on throwing the tinnie on top of the camper when the kids got older, but not sure if I could manage the weight of the outboard myself. 
Title: Re: aluminium boats 3.5m - 3.7m
Post by: darrenh on November 07, 2011, 05:59:54 PM
i carried a 25hp merc 2 stroke on the weekend. Just plain carrying was ok for 20m but to try and lift it into the 4b is a challenge. The 15hp 2 stroke is the one.