Choosing a boat for the Camper Trailer

I don't know what part of the country you are in, but have you looked at a poly boat. I don't have one but have heard some pretty good reports about them.
Poly Industries in Bundaberg makes them http://www.polycraft.com.au/about.php.

from Marty.

Pete ,

I have a Quintrex 3.75 DART on my Trak Shak and talking to a few other members who fish up North amongst the crocs and wind , there is a concensus that with its high sides and deep V for windchop it is amongst the best .

They are on the heavy side , but I think you will find it worth the trouble once you have to bash your way home for half an hour after the wind has suddenly strengthened .

I also put those AIR_O_FLOAT sausage floats on the sides to give increased stability when we are standing up casting in croc country . I run a 15 HP Merc on it .

I have also made removeable floor mats ( made out of those blue lock together EVA camping mats ) that fit between the ribs and are removed when out of the water as are the rod holders , battery , depth sounder , safety gear , anchor , cutting board , esky and oars . Absolutely everything must be removeable to make it possible to get this on the CT without too much effort .

My wife and I can do it . We rest the bow up on the rear roof rack bar and then both get on the stern and lift and push .

Cheers ,

Willie .

Patrol22, I've been going through a similar process.
Of the Quintrex range, I prefer the Darts. A bit heavier, but also a lot deeper, which I like. The 355 Dart weighs 82KG and will take a 15HP. The 375 weighs 86KG and will take a 20HP (which of course is heavier than the 15 HP).

Check the Stessel. I think it may be made from 1.2mm ali (the sides at least). The others are 1.6mm throughout. Not sure on this, but check.

Some of the Sea Jay range is well worth a look. The Nomad 3.5 weight 68KG, will take a 15HP and is 680mm deep. The Nomad 3.7 weighs 85KG, will take a 20HP and is 730mm deep. These boats are fully welded (ie seats are welded, not riveted in) which is the case with most otheres, including the Quintrex.

The Sea Jay Rebel (which is riveted, like most others in the range) is also worth a look. The Rebel 3.5 weighs 63KG, is 760 deep, but will only take a 10HP. The Rebel 3.7 weighs 76KG, is 870mm deep and will take a 15HP.

I've got the beam width for all these as well if you want.

I'll probably go either the Quintrex Dart 355 or the Sea Jay Nomad 3.5.

I've also got the weights for a lot of the 15HP motors if you need them. They range from 35KG to 41KG.

Interested in which way you go.

I've also got a git of info I've researched on fold up boats if you are looking at them as well.

mate i ahve a bermuda vee nose punt 3.75 m very stable but a bit wet at times which i carry on the KK mariner swing over boat rack and a 15 hp merc and then i went and bougt a real eszy folding trailer after the first trip away to NQ without a trailer and with just clamp on wheels
if you are in croc country about 3.75 m is as small as i personnaly would go
also i believe you need a trailer cause i found the camping areas are rarely within walking distance to launch a boat
at the end of the day though you have to buy what suits you and what you think you need - and depends where you want to go
i must say the new quinnie 3.75 m vee nose traveller with the spray rails looks pretty good to me
hope this helps in a small way
see you greg

I have a 3.75 Stessl Edge Tracker Lite - carry it on top of off-road CT. Use 18hp Tohatsu 2-stroke - also seems hardy for carrying in CT.

I guess this is equivalent to old 12ft tinny reference.

I also have a Little Bulldog collapsible trailer for using when camping - but also as a normal road-registered trailer for when around home. Only issue with this at the moment - is best way of carrying the trailer when towing CT - am looking at Kaymar wheel carrier adaptation at moment via ARB.

I wanted something that was licensed to carry 4 people - being me, my wife and 2 kids. I weigh 115kg - but offset by kids being less than average (in adult height terms!). Some did not carry license of 4 - which I was not comfortable with.

I have been very happy with it all - and have had a number of similar comments from people I have bumped into with similar.

Alan

Decisions, decisions. They're half the fun of the holiday.

Just my tuppence worth now. I recently purchased (2nd hand) a Campomatic CT which included a Stessel + all the bells and whistles, (trolly wheels etc) and swing over boat loader.

But the other extra that came with the boat was a roof top carrier with pully lifter for the wagon. Now I have not had time to use any of this yet. But I like the option of being able leave the CT at camp (or home) and take the boat away (on top) if it's some distance away to the favourite fishing hole.

Also when storing everything at home I don't have to worry about storing an extra trailer, rego etc.
Good luck with the final decision and tight lines.

Thanks everyone - that gives me a good range of things to think about before I take the plunge.

Cheers
Pete

I have a habit of following a couple of the fishing/boating forums which indicate that Mr. Stessl has closed down & reopened business a number of times. This alone would help me make a decision.

The external T piece keel would be the klincher, sooner or later you ARE going to run over a "floating rock".

Ian