Boat choice for top end trip

I bought a 3.5 seaprite and a 15hp Merc for a cape trips a few years back and was very happy with the hulls performance. I used it a lot from Seisa and went out to Possesion island a number of times. It was always calm when we left in the morning and by 10am when we returned it was always rough and choppy but was still happy with the size. I have a 4.75m runabout so this is what I compare it to. I would get a 15 instead of the 8h and if you are happy to tow and cop a few stone chips on your hull then I would take your 4.8m boat.

Leroy

Never been to the Gulf except on board a 100' charter vessel for work, but have a 3.8 mtr Stacer with 15 HP Honda. 8HP even on a 3.2 would be under powered, used to have a 3.2 Stacer with 6HP Johnny, and two up + gear it struggled to plane particulalrly when rough, suggest 15HP.

Used to go to Depuch Island (between Roeboure & Port Hedland m\- 6.5 mtre tides) with 3.2 Stacer & 5.5HP Evinrude,(still have it - 1965 model and still goes like a clock) fill it with trevally and queenfish, but wouldn't do it now. The 5.5 handled the tides fine.

I have a 3.5 Sea-Jay Nomad, with 15hp Yamaha. Great hull shape, gets up on the plane with 3 up but a bit tight for lure casting. 2 is a lot better. Will do 35 kph with two in smooth water.

Travels on top of the vehicle, and loadand unload with a Auto Boat Loader advertised on here.

Agree with the above comments, min 15hp on a 3.5m as there were times when we were up there with wind and tide against you it was barely enough.
If you have the bigger boat already I'd take that, the cost of another boat and outboard would be far in excess of any wear and tear on the bigger boat travelling up there.
Remember you are at sea in a remote area and will need to carry more gear (food,water, clothing etc) than you probably would at home.

I have a 3.7 quintrex traveller with a 15hp suzuki it is a great car topper with a rhino boat loader.We have fished the roper river but not at roper bar. the suzuki is a 4 stroke because of the distance we travel. most of the rivers up that way snake there way to the coast and the 4 stroke gives you better fuel range.the other reason we picked a 4 stroke was we are camped in remote locations and you can only carry so much fuel. the only down side is the weight of the 4 stroke.

regards barrman

Tony,
If you end up taking the bigger boat then I suggest that you get some shade cloth and lay it over the trailer, cut around the rollers etc and hold it down with some wooden battens or aluminium strips. Make some sort of simple frame to bring it up around the bow. A sort of 'boat bra'.

I did this years ago when I towed a fibre glass boat all over the place on dirt roads. It seemed to make a difference as I did not get nearly as many chips and dings.

I know aluminium are much more robust in this regard but it may be worth the effort - not much $ cost just time.

Have fun whatever you end up doing.

alastair

we took a 3.75m quintrex dart and a 15 hp merc 2 stroke. have carried this on a hilux ute and also an 80 series wagon. 15hp will push 2-3 people with ease and 3.75 m boat copes with rough conditions reasonably well( read wet if rough).
We now have a 3.9 dart with 25hp which we tow on an offroad boat trailer and find this easier as everything is set up ready to go at anytime. sometimes it would be too much effort when rooftopping to get everything together for a short fishing stop.
Your trailer would have to be pretty well built to survive this trip. we went last year and saw a couple of trailers in various states with owners camped beside the road while waiting for parts. enjoy the fishing! molzy

For my money, when you're in the water with a big lizard, the more freeboard the better. The roads across the Top are OK for towing a boat, you won't need to leave the sealed road (albeit a single lane), unless you have access to private stations. In fact there are only a few places to access the Gulf. Stone guard would be a smart option.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer my question.Its been agreat help.
Cheers