I've had a Surtees 5.5m for the past six years and have been very happy with it. I bought it primarily for fishing but also as a family boat. My 5yo lad 3yo little miss come out fishing with me and it is very safe for them, which is mostly due to the high sides. It doesn't have a self-draining deck which is one of the negatives I guess.
Someone mentioned above about getting stuck beach launching at low tide due to the ballast. Simply not true. Our boat has been beach launched in knee deep water more times than i can remember. You shut the ballast flap before launching and and conversely shut it off on the plane on the way back in to lock in the air. This reduces the draft considerably and makes it lighter and easier to manage once in. I'm in and out a million times easier than equivalent sized glass boats.
If you want comfort, padding, etc you definitely want glass. I'm not even going to weigh in on the glass vs ali ride debate because a good glass boat will always ride better. The improved ride of glass came at detriment to other characteristics I was after. I went for my boat because its light and easy to manage by myself, lower horsepower (you want maximum rated though), you bang it into things and be less concerned, and most importantly due to having folding seats you could play and game of cricket with the deck space. If you go one of these you definitely want trim tabs. They are light on the water without the ballast locked in and the wind catches the hardtop nicely.
And they are definitely not quieter on the water. Motor-wise with a four stroke vs two stroke yes, but hull wise, no way. The sloshing of the water in the ballast can make you wanna wee :)
Do yourself a favour and google "decision matrix analysis". Add the characteristics you require to suit your needs (ride, stability at rest, towing weight, etc.), apply the weighting on how important each factor is for you then it becomes quite clear and measurable. I'm an engineer and use this type of thing all the time.
Select to expand quoteborg said..
I've had a Surtees 5.5m for the past six years and have been very happy with it. I bought it primarily for fishing but also as a family boat. My 5yo lad 3yo little miss come out fishing with me and it is very safe for them, which is mostly due to the high sides. It doesn't have a self-draining deck which is one of the negatives I guess.
Someone mentioned above about getting stuck beach launching at low tide due to the ballast. Simply not true. Our boat has been beach launched in knee deep water more times than i can remember. You shut the ballast flap before launching and and conversely shut it off on the plane on the way back in to lock in the air. This reduces the draft considerably and makes it lighter and easier to manage once in. I'm in and out a million times easier than equivalent sized glass boats.
If you want comfort, padding, etc you definitely want glass. I'm not even going to weigh in on the glass vs ali ride debate because a good glass boat will always ride better. The improved ride of glass came at detriment to other characteristics I was after. I went for my boat because its light and easy to manage by myself, lower horsepower (you want maximum rated though), you bang it into things and be less concerned, and most importantly due to having folding seats you could play and game of cricket with the deck space. If you go one of these you definitely want trim tabs. They are light on the water without the ballast locked in and the wind catches the hardtop nicely.
And they are definitely not quieter on the water. Motor-wise with a four stroke vs two stroke yes, but hull wise, no way. The sloshing of the water in the ballast can make you wanna wee :)
Do yourself a favour and google "decision matrix analysis". Add the characteristics you require to suit your needs (ride, stability at rest, towing weight, etc.), apply the weighting on how important each factor is for you then it becomes quite clear and measurable. I'm an engineer and use this type of thing all the time.
The comment was they copped a bad name because of floating deeper in the water up in Northern WA. The lock of (Door) the ballast system was actually designed and implemented after this was realised as a down side. So yes yours is not a problem as it has the shut of, but the early ones didn't and often when parked over night BarCrusher owners (With out he lock of ballast system) would have to wait longer for their boats to float enough after the tide started to come in than other normal ali boats. The truth is if you don't close the flap, your boat will float a lot deeper, thats the design.. 
Select to expand quoteCraig66 said..
I think the chopping board is clean in this pic 
Nice 
Select to expand quotejbshack said...borg said..
I've had a Surtees 5.5m for the past six years and have been very happy with it. I bought it primarily for fishing but also as a family boat. My 5yo lad 3yo little miss come out fishing with me and it is very safe for them, which is mostly due to the high sides. It doesn't have a self-draining deck which is one of the negatives I guess.
Someone mentioned above about getting stuck beach launching at low tide due to the ballast. Simply not true. Our boat has been beach launched in knee deep water more times than i can remember. You shut the ballast flap before launching and and conversely shut it off on the plane on the way back in to lock in the air. This reduces the draft considerably and makes it lighter and easier to manage once in. I'm in and out a million times easier than equivalent sized glass boats.
If you want comfort, padding, etc you definitely want glass. I'm not even going to weigh in on the glass vs ali ride debate because a good glass boat will always ride better. The improved ride of glass came at detriment to other characteristics I was after. I went for my boat because its light and easy to manage by myself, lower horsepower (you want maximum rated though), you bang it into things and be less concerned, and most importantly due to having folding seats you could play and game of cricket with the deck space. If you go one of these you definitely want trim tabs. They are light on the water without the ballast locked in and the wind catches the hardtop nicely.
And they are definitely not quieter on the water. Motor-wise with a four stroke vs two stroke yes, but hull wise, no way. The sloshing of the water in the ballast can make you wanna wee :)
Do yourself a favour and google "decision matrix analysis". Add the characteristics you require to suit your needs (ride, stability at rest, towing weight, etc.), apply the weighting on how important each factor is for you then it becomes quite clear and measurable. I'm an engineer and use this type of thing all the time.
The comment was they copped a bad name because of floating deeper in the water up in Northern WA. The lock of (Door) the ballast system was actually designed and implemented after this was realised as a down side. So yes yours is not a problem as it has the shut of, but the early ones didn't and often when parked over night BarCrusher owners (With out he lock of ballast system) would have to wait longer for their boats to float enough after the tide started to come in than other normal ali boats. The truth is if you don't close the flap, your boat will float a lot deeper, thats the design..
All good bud! Can see how that would be a problem. They are heavy winching back up the trailer with a belly full of H2O
Love it.
I use the recommended XD 50 in it and it runs on the smell of an oily rag, both fuel and oil.
Side by side it uses a bit less fuel than a mates smaller glass boat with 130 yamy 4 stroke.
Ps good spotting on the g2
Almost everyone thinks it's a 4stroke
Come from a long history of crayfisherman as a rec boat mates old man bought this for us ex calm boat ( Boat now sold heading upto leeman with some crazy cray fisherman) Survey boat decks was is good Had wave breaking over the front and drain out the back wearing rain jackets. The boats you have suggested should be categorized and border line commercial. Im not sure on your finantual position and the regularity your going to be using it But any one of the boats you listed are the absulout bomb. Infact there that good there out of reach for most punters like myself. Most of us can catch big fish and dive but don't have the con to enter you league ! 
I like the Suzuki`s running a suzi 140 but Got caught out other day 30 km offshore ****en oil pressure light flashing Inched back to fads and fone reception only to find its a 100 hr service . They should incorporate a service light into there display not a red flashing oil pressure warning. Thuink the yammies are good but apparently have a timing belt not chain. Honda is bomb but expencive Suzukis need the sacrafisical anodes changed. .
A big advantage to Ali it storing the boat outside. Fiberglass will have a tendency to get transom rot That's what you need to check when purchasing an older hull.
Soggy the pacemakers are an indestructible hull and well sort after for a repower. We ended up with a swiftcraft Viking But the transoms sits low
My brother made his own boat
Good to hear you think they are that good. I am not experienced in owning a boat but I love being on boats and have dreamt about having a boat for a long time. I am now in a position to get something...live close to a ramp into Phillip Bay and have a 3 year old son that likes fishing and I want him to grow up with a boat.
Becuase of my inexperience I am probably over compensating by looking to get something that will power through crap weather if it happens, although i will try to avoid it.
One day i may take it into the ocean when i am confident enough to do it safely.
So popped into a boatshop today to see the Whittleys, nice boats but there is no space for fishing and that Volvo engine takes up quite alot of deck space...i now see why they call it a caravan now...
They also had Cruise Craft, holy crap...those are bloody awesome boats!! I wish I had more to spend!!
Look id recommend outboard 100 percent But just a personal choice. It can get really stressful at a busy boat ramp! If you get a boat that size as a first boat go down to the ramp when its not busy and practice your launches Your going to need a decent deckie too He should be present aswell and should be your boat biatch ! ! Someone that doesn't mind Jumping in freezing water at 05:00 when your boat sinking on launch to put your bungs in ! Towing and What your going to be towing it with is an issue aswel. If its a 6m ali youd probably want a light truck or a 4wd with low range so your not smoking clutch retrieving! Just remember The ongoing inclusions on the boat aswel. Boats are expensive High maintenance. My crew run slightly cheaper boats but we have always justified owning a boat by the fish we have caught Its a Slav/wog thing ;-) Its very easy to over capitalize on a boat! The price you are paying for a bar crusher you could buy a new dingy take the kid for a spin and then go to sea-lanes and get 50,000 grands worth of fish ;_)
Yep, I dont want to be the one causing a traffic jam in the middle of snapper season.
Have a hilux so no worries pulling the thing however i am more worried about pushing it as i still need to learn how to reverse a trailer!!
Btw I am taking a year to decide what to get and will then start shopping.
But right now, i think a good 2nd hand Cruise Craft will do me!! But but..
The trick to reversing is have the trailer and hulux in the right direction (pointing the way you want it to go) before you start to reverse. As in the last few feet of driving forward.
Oh and learn "left hand down / right had down"
Select to expand quotejohnjvv said..
Yep, I dont want to be the one causing a traffic jam in the middle of snapper season.
Have a hilux so no worries pulling the thing however i am more worried about pushing it as i still need to learn how to reverse a trailer!!
Btw I am taking a year to decide what to get and will then start shopping.
But right now, i think a good 2nd hand Cruise Craft will do me!! But but..
Oh my god, a decent cruise craft would suit anybody
Now your starting to talk quality..
Select to expand quotejohnjvv said..
And there I was thinking I discovered something new!!!
I have some good tips like dont drive of with the anchor still down cause it might rip your boat in half or in my case it was like bouncing 20foot in the air behind the boat ! Make sure your anchor is attached to rope before you throw it overboard done seen alot of funny stuff
Select to expand quotebusterwa said..johnjvv said..
And there I was thinking I discovered something new!!!
I have some good tips like dont drive of with the anchor still down cause it might rip your boat in half or in my case it was like bouncing 20foot in the air behind the boat ! Make sure your anchor is attached to rope before you throw it overboard done seen alot of funny stuff
You'll be leanring all sorts of new things to delight and amaze you...
...like when your bringing in your boat to dock with a stonking off cross wind - concentrate concentrate concentrate - kid decides NOW is the perfect time to be funny and switch the engine off by the key... 
5 year old wonders why Dad then completely looses his **...
And like getting blown towards rocks and motor won't start
Remember that gear lever in neutral is your friend
left 2 rods in rod holders drove out of drive way and lures got hooked on a tree drove 18k to the boat ramp went to reverse boat into water and like WTF Why don't I have ant line on my reels? !
there was a bar chrusher out on a spot today geeze what a mean looking unit they are.
Teeth painted on ????
Oh dear who does that ?
I went for a fish out side today, saw a few bar chrushers, look like a purpose built to fish, but I really didn't get that good of a look as I left them in my wake .
Ps. Due to my lack of fishing (catching) skills I'm having BBQ chicken for dinner
Select to expand quoteCraig66 said..
Love it.
I use the recommended XD 50 in it and it runs on the smell of an oily rag, both fuel and oil.
Side by side it uses a bit less fuel than a mates smaller glass boat with 130 yamy 4 stroke.
Ps good spotting on the g2
Almost everyone thinks it's a 4stroke
I thought it was an old chrysler
Select to expand quoteTurtleHunter said...Craig66 said..
Love it.
I use the recommended XD 50 in it and it runs on the smell of an oily rag, both fuel and oil.
Side by side it uses a bit less fuel than a mates smaller glass boat with 130 yamy 4 stroke.
Ps good spotting on the g2
Almost everyone thinks it's a 4stroke
I thought it was an old chrysler
It is, amazing what you can do with a few stickers and plastic covers
