Can anyone give me thier thoughts about Surtees aluminium boats .I am thinking about buying one but need advise such as (a) do they ride well (b) stable in the water at rest . I currently have a fibreglass boat but I have changed my fishing style where I will be using the boat in the estuary and close inshore fishing . I have found the old boat to heavy for estuary work . I am thinking of staying the same size about 5 mtrs .

I think Surtees originally made Barcrusher boats - BC imported them from NZ until they had a falling out with Neil Surtees. Now Barcrusher make their own boats in Vic.


My opinion - they are a slightly better quality boat than Barcrusher, look good and they are pretty good for the coin, although a quinny or savage would cost much less (albeit a rougher ride). I recently sold my Savage 6.0...it was crappy and noisy until I pulled up the plywood/carpet floor, sika-bonded all the ribs and bonded/rivetted a new alu checker-plate floor with kill-tank. It was then rock-solid. If the cheaper brands did this they would sell much better.

There are better plate boats around (Stabicraft, Extreme or Aqualine) that I would rather spend money on but that's another story.

Quintrex hornets are worth a look, not a bad ride in chop, IMO you carnt beat the glass boats for comfort, my lehmann Swiss cat 15 is a ripper, super stable, really low draft, heavier than a Ali but wouldn't change, spent a fair bit of time on the hornet as my mates a fishing guru for some prime location, and it's his choice of boat

A guy I know, mad keen fisherman, has one of these, around the 6m mark.

His wife used to hate going fishing with him, until he bought the Surtees.

SWhe is now forever convinced, and loves fishing, including overnighters ever since.

Having gone on "tandem" trips, awesome boats, you wouldn't be dissappointed..

Regards,

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Sailhack said..
I think Surtees originally made Barcrusher boats - BC imported them from NZ until they had a falling out with Neil Surtees. Now Barcrusher make their own boats in Vic.

I can verify this.

This link might be of interest. I hold Moonlighter's opinions in very high regard. www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php/202564-Need-help-deciding-what-size-Bar-Crusher/page2

thanks for the advice but i am unsure if my wife would go fishing with me as i only just got her into crabbing . She now wants her own small tinny to go crabbing in (just can not work women out)

You're lucky your wife goes crabbing with you. My wife gets seasick whenever she gets on my boat, even when it's still on the trailer!