I HAVE JUST PICKED UP A REEF RUNNER, AND THEY HAVE A SURPRISING AMOUNT OF ROO FOR THEIR SIZE. HAVING SAID THAT, IF I COULD I WOULD GO THE 23. THEY LOOK AMAZING.

once it is safe to do so am happy to let you hop in and have a look if ever you wanted to.

when i was deciding i looked at the barchrushers as was intiially going to go ally. were beautiful boats,deciding factor for me was seemed to be more expensive for what you got, and found the ride on glass better. having said that, they looked like amazing fishiing boats, amybe less family comforts.

 Thanks mate appreciate the offer.

 How's the merc 200? I'm interested in the v8 mercs, and if I did go a reef runner would go the pro Xs 200 I think.

would you fish 5-6 in the reef runner anchored up inshore?
they look a bit narrow in the beam to me.

i haven't had a ride in any of those ally boats, just thinking they might be a bit tougher for pulling and not be as worried pulling cray pots and stuff.

yeah i think without a doubt the ally boats may be better for pots etc, and will be lighter for towing. ....i am still scared to pull any in the new boat....

i found that the barcrushers seemd quite a narrow boat. think the 670 had a narrower beam than the reefy. cant really comment on the others.

if it was only me to thinnk about, i may have gone a crusher for ease, fishing etc, but with the family the creature comforts may be missed, that was just my impression.

unfortunately with recent events have only had the boat out once since  only got it 2 weeks ago.

the 200hp 4stroke seems great so far, defiintely not short of power. haevtn been able to suss out all the figures.

a few guys on the forums have the 150 and have done all the prope testes, speed, fuel etc.

reckon fishng 5-6 may be a struggle. reckon could fish 4 no worries, and could do 3 down one side pretty easily on a nice day. seem to be quite stable in water at rest, not much tipping etc.

other boat may be worth looking at would be the =haines hunter patriots. they seem to be very capable and come  abit bigger than the reef runners.

 Go a Veitch 27 .

Just had a look at the Veitch, looks mean, wonder the $$

 Have been on a 6.7 barcrusher=overated

carribean 2300=awesome

look at a 2400, for about a foot extra they have a fair bit more space. Mate has one and it’s a fair weapon.  

If Ally, have a look at Moda Custom boats in QLD. About to release a new 7.5m walkaround under 3.5t that would be close to your budget. Only heard great reports on their hulls 

modamarine.com.au/8000-2/

All day every day.  

That's part of the design philosophy. He wanted the boat fully fueled on the trailer to be under 3500 kg. Mr Veitch was a performance yacht builder in a previous life ( Mc Conaghy yachts, drool....... ) the methods and materials they're employing to build the powerboats is nothing short of spectacular. As far as the price goes...... 

A mate has one, if you use the flooding tank for stability at rest the deck is always wet and if you put the bung in the tank boat rocks and rolls all over the place.  

What a terrible dilema to be in, 150k to spend on a boat and too many choices. Hope it works out for ya.

 Dunno how to take that last comment, it's taken a long time to come up wth the money.

its a hard price point to shop, as most boats this size aren't held in stock, so can't necessarily see what your getting

ive found anyway.

im prob leaning toward the 2300, though interested if anyone has had much dealing with north shore boats? quite like the look

of their 760 though want it in a hard top

Like i said, too many choices.
I am a Big admirer of the 2300 Caribbean.

 Caribbean 24 Open would fit your budget, but just and have always liked the Hooker boats out of QLD. 

Caribbean 23 ft just listed on boats on line in Perth 2017 built 300 hp Yamaha 350 hrs $125.00 good buy ? 

For that kind of coin you could look at the Tidal Flare 24. Nick Davys (Nico) from this websit builds them. Can be customised and will help keep the money local.

 One thing against them. Only thing against them , IMO, but to each their own. The 2300 is legal without permit. Both awesome bits of kit, the 2400 is now available with a 400hp rated transom, previously limited to the same 300hp as the 2300. 2400 is also getting pretty close to the 3.5 tonne, or even above, depending on motor configuration and options fitted. Win Lotto, and I'd have a house in Exmouth, with a 2400 parked up there permanently. , towed by a big yank truck.   And I'd keep the Reefrunner for everything else I do, great bit of kit.

After 2 years and almost 500 hours of ownership , it still surprises me with it's capabilities. At first, I was following conventional wisdom in using tabs and a bit of trim to keep the bow down when it was sloppy. It took me a while to realise that this thing likes to be given it's head.  Forget the tabs ( although very useful if you need to correct for wind lean or need to plane at 12.5 knots in extreme conditions. ) Trim it up a it and let it rip. If you trim fairly neutral ( around 4.5 to 5 on the Merc indicator) and keep the speed well up, it just flies off the top of them , lands beautifully on the aft section of the hull and just keeps on going. Sure you get the odd bang, but not the jarring, teeth rattling ones.  As for stability, you can have three people along one side and it doesn't even register. You won't be fishing  six people seriously off ANY cuddy cab, you'll need a CC or walkaround for that.

 That tidal flare looks pretty good, maybe a bit basic for what I'm looking at, love that it's local though. Worth a look.

ranmar, cheers for your opinion, I've read and followed all your posts for a while regarding your reef runner.

im still interested in the reef runner, only time I will be fishing 5 or 6 is anchored inshore with the kids getting some whiting.

any offshore duties will be prob 4 blokes max. I'm wandering if the better ride, more fuel storage and size of the 2300 offsets the substantial price increase over the reef runner? 

 Preston crafts is another good Ali.  could squeeze that in 

The hh patriot has little fishing room and the Caribbean 24 is overwidth and over 3.5t if you want to carry anything. The 23 does look nice though  

Yeah I think the 2300 is the front runner. Made contact with Mansfield so will see what transpires there.

im still very interested in the north shore as well 760 looks the goods if I can get a hardtop 

 That the 2300 is "next level" compared to the Reefrunner. I have not personally tried one myself, only spoken to and read about the experience of those who have used both. So it would be pretty awesome, but yes, you need to try for yourself. Cost was one consideration for me, as it was by far the most I have ever spent on a pleasure boat, as well as towing weight--I was "marginal" ( illegal, actually ) with my GU Patrol ute , which had that anomalous 2.5t towing limit in that year range. Not to mention the ability to still be able to beach launch at  Ningaloo, and actually tow it in there. The  Nissan is gone now, so that wouldn't be a consideration any more. 

Just the standard warning here, too, about starting price--with any quoted BMT package, make sure you are getting a trailer that really is big enough for the rig, with some to spare. Mansfields are no better than any other dealer in shaving the cost of a package by offering a trailer which may be marginal for the loaded weight of the boat.

 Yeah I'm def leaning toward the 2300. Mansfield reckons the Yamaha 250 and 300 provide slightly better performance than the merc v8s? I would have thought the mercs will be a bit gruntier. Will more than likely go Yammie 300. I will be getting trailer at 3500kg, not flapping about there. I have a caravan and been through all the weight issues before.12-13 week build time they reckon, not in a huge rush due to all this covid shit, but would be nice to have by around oct which is about the next chance to go fishing I reckon.....

would take the build time with a grain of salt.....mine ended up being about 5 weeks overdue... but if your not in any rush, it will be worth the wait! saw a couple in the shed when i went to see my reefy at various times and the 23s look amazing.

Ugly and not sure of the ride .. but

for our conditions and safety.. would

go too a stabi craft personally.. but

i don't own one unfortunately..  

Go and have a look at the Haines hunters. There an amazing bit of gear. There build quality is A1. I've got the 650 classic I'm prity sure it's still the current hull design. The ride on it in rough seas amazes me. There's not to many days were I'm not doing 20 knots in any weather it's got great stability at rest. There's a dealer here in Perth which can at least give you service. There's a nice one just come up on gumtree for sale it's not new but could save a dollar. I do like the look of the 2300 never been on one. Good luck with your choice I'd love to have your problem. 

 Another one to through in the mix, Baysport 705 offshore?
watched some Brisbane Yamaha videos.

looks a bit small for 7 metres though?
good price though

 Cruisecraft 

Or north shore 

Whitepointer fiberglass looks good too

 Those white pointers are weapons, but price is insane. Same with the cruise crafts, looking at nearly 200k for the 2 bigger models. Unless the dealers are having a lend of me. Unsure of the Haines pricing, do like the look of the 700 hard top and 760R hardtop. Will enquire with a dealer though don't think any other fibreglass boats comes near Caribbean. As I've had a cat before I do like them, anyone know pricing on the sailfish?

 I have the HH 675 Offshore, 250 Yamaha. Absolutely love it. You are welcome to come for a spin when we can get out on the water.

Brando

 Yeah sweet, did you go the hard top? how does it ride coming home in a strong sw with a bit of swell? cheers mate

 No Comparison, Love my Caribbean Reef Runner to death and dont plan on selling it but the 2300 is in a totally different class but should be given the $$$ and the weight difference. Also need the heavier class tow vehicle. Reefy is a a very comfortable 2/3 person fisher, 2300 has that bit more deck and overall room for over nighters extended trips. Good luck on the new purchase.

 Thanks mate, the more I look and hear the more I think either the 2300 or 2400 or a big plate alloy, with the knowledge it won't ride as well but prob be more stable, bit tougher though prob cost more? also get a much larger boat though. Hmmmm. Feel like I'm leaning toward the Caribbean's though

If you really need to fish 4-5 people as mentioned in your original post you’ll need the deck space of an Ali. If trying to drift fish offshore I doubt you’d be able to comfortably fish even three on the same side 

 Hey BigbadDhu Haines rides beuatiful infollowing sea. No issues, runs straight as a die with feeling of broaching at all. I went wiht the Hardtop for the extra sun protection and can use the dpace for radios etc. As I said couldnt be happier but cant really go with the caribbean as well. Good luck mate

Brando

 Sorry that should read  with no feeling of broaching at all. My bad.

 No worries, what sort of price was the Haines, if you don't mind? pm if you wish to keep private, cheers

Might need to find an anchorage 

 https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/cannington/motorboats-powerboats/big-boat-for-sale-suit-project/1245760729

This from anyone from Fishwrecked?   

 Interested in the Whittley sl25 and Sl26 as well, in the outboard version, wouldn't mind the stern drive, but it eats up too much room

 I have spent a fair bit of time in an SL26 including some in crappy weather. Not a lot of fishing room but it is the best riding boat I have been in by miles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQqp1Ed4hAI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Caj1dFkdXZY

 Yeah watched and read just about every review for trailerable offshore boats from about the last 10 years.

front runners at the moment are Caribbean 2300 and 2400

and assassin dhufish 710, though would prob visit redline and go factory direct

 https://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/new/trailer-boats/northshore-760cr-hard-top-new-build-2020-model/243070 

what do people reckon of this? I love that's it wa built, looks to have pretty reasonable deck space.

the elephant in the room, that inboard, though looking up some specs looks like it can produce pretty good fuel economy.

the 377 mag is basically a stroked 350 chev.

thouh it doesn't look "new" in the pics, like the steering wheel looks old, some of the switches and anchore look tarnished and trailer looks used?

like the colour and the look though. Good price and could drop a bit too Iimagine

 I had a whittly SL26 2014 which I noticed is for sale again ,  had a suzuki 250hp on back and would have one again in a heartbeat ride was awsome was a little rocky at rest as it was 24deg at stern and less fishing room than some othe 23ft boats but ride made up for it . there was one for sale at boats unlimited with a 300hp bit older and a hard top mine had a soft top which I did think was better as less weight up top but thats just my opinion.

To fish 6 must go either center console or min 25ft cabin style  

 Started looking at a few different boats now, leisurecat 7000 Gamefisher, looks to be decent, I had a sharkcat 560 and rated it.

150k fully kitted, but I know they are made in Malaysia.

opinions?
cheers

 Overwidth and I would say over 3.5t tow weight. Im not keen on Malaysian boats 

 Southern formula 2300 under 150k with good options. 

 The formula is the goods 

 I haven't looked at them for some time, notice they have renamed all their models now, do like the old school look of the,.

might have to look into them. Still have a month or so until I'm gonna order.

thanks mate

 Check out there face book page for SF2300 ,had a list of extras with great electrics 

+1 for the Southern Formula. I go out in a 2400 regularly. It's an incredible fishing boat.

PM sent

 second hand, via Mansfields. He called in for a chat, apparently, this one had just arrived, not even cleaned up, and there was a lot of interest. So he bit the bullet. 300 Yamaha, low hrs, boat is pretty immaculate, 5yo from memory.  Only has a HDS9 Lowrance, but he'll remedy that.

i hadn't been on one in a while, fark they are a big rig. Nominally only a foot and a half longer than the Reefrunner, but just big all round. Cabin bunk space is a tiny bit longer maybe, 50mm longer at the most, its all deck space and beam.. Can't wait to go for a run, but that won't be happening before I come back from Exmouth.

 Well bit of change of direction. Looked at a stabicraft 2400, and liked it.

went back for a second look, after a bit of research, spoke options and price.

signed up to it today, subject to a water test in rough water. Think I got a good deal.

will be my first ally boat, but from all I've read and watched, I should be happy, hopefully.

nuts and guts of it, 2400 Supercab, 250hp Honda, 16" Simrad NSS evo3, pretty well a full option list.

3.5t Dunbier super roller trailer.

 Congratulations the stabi are really well put together you won’t be disappointed. Nice 

 Yeah cheers mate.

cant wait for the water test

have seen those boats and they are pretty impressive, look unbreakable! congratz.

 Cheers mate, water testing Tuesday, can't wait

 Water test was pushed back to today, due to shit weather we have had in Sydney.

put in port botany and had a cruise around, then headed out of the heads.

in the port WOT was 82 km/h, engine only has 1 hour on it so might get a few more, which is plenty.

250hp Honda was whisper quiet, and punchy as hell, really impressed. Fuel economy looked good.

heading out of the heads, 3m swell, blowing 15 knots se and tide running out so was pretty rough. Cruised through at 55-60 km/h easy.

couple of bangs heard, but not felt. You don't feel the speed that your doing, impressed.

overall really impressed, so fully locked in, just waiting on the 16" Simrad evo3 s to arrive and be installed.

should pickup in 2-3 weeks. Can't wait.

cheers

 Bit of an update. Ive had thos boat since mid aug now, in sydney untill dec, and now living in mandurah.

Have put 40 hours on it now.

Have had it in atrocious conditions, and it still asks for more.

I do wish I had a bit more room at times, but I have had it in the estuary with 9 people on board crabbing, which is about the limit. Had 5 blokes offshore on a rough day no worries. 250hp honda has been awesome, good economy and plenty of power.

I need to learn how to use the sounder better, if theres any simrad experts near by, happy to take ya for a fish and few beers if ya wanna give me bit of a heads up on isong the simrad.

Any questions fire away.

Cheers