View Full Version : Hi everyone
Heya,
Having just retired and moved up to Bundaberg, we are about to order a 5.3 Frontrunner, 115 hp (still thinking though motor chocies of Etec, Optimax, Merc 4-Stroke) bimini, front curtains, tandem trailer (Oceanic) plus a few other bits a pieces.
Decided on the Polycraft due to it durabilty and ride quality.
Hope to show some pics in a month or so,
Cheers
Mad_Dad (Stephen)
Welcome aboard Stephen. I've got a boat like that with a Suzuki 115. Must say I'm pleased with the boat, although it's a big bugger to tow.
Don't listen to three quarters of the members here as they're mad. The other quarter report to their parole officers once a week. Watch out for people with coloured boats and Etecs..... wink, wink, say no more!
Pirate Pete
21-02-2010, 13:57
Welcome aboard Mad Dad
With a name like that you will fit in round here.
I have a 5.3 Cuddy in Tassie & love it.
They are a big beamy boat & that helps their stability but like Doug's said it makes them a big boat to tow but I dont have any problems.
115Hp is right for them. As for brand . . . . . . . .
http://williamthecoroner.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/istock_can-of-worms.jpg
. . . . . . . .
But most will say go for the BEST LOCAL DEALER/SERVICE
Cant wait for the pics
Welcome to the site Steve and welcome to Bundy.Nice sounding boat for this area.If you are keen for a fish I will PM you my number as I live at Bargara and work in Bundy.Still trying to find all the places to fish here.
Finally put the order in on the 5.3 Frontrunner, so all going well should be ready in about 5 weeks or so.
Also chose the E-Tec (115hp) will have to find out myself whether they are as good, as some say, or as bad as others say. :)
Went through a stage of considering the 5.99 Cuddy, in the end decided it was just too large for our needs.
Great that they are made here in Bundaberg, as we always like to support local companies and the dealer here in Bundaberg (Adrians Marine Centre) has put together a good value package.
Have been reading through the forum now, including the archives, has been good reading and everyone here seem really friendly.
See you on the water soon,
Stephen
Brucesta
26-02-2010, 18:31
if a dealer has done well by you then by all means let everyone know, if they have done bad then we keep that to ourselves as it's not fair that the dealer cannot defend the statements made.
congrats on the purchase and it doesn't exist until there is photographic proof!
bushbeachboy
27-02-2010, 08:37
Well done Steve!!!2thumbsup There'll be nothing wrong with the Etec. It should be a top choice of motor.2thumbsup
By all means name the dealer.
At long last have finally sighted my boat at Polycraft, drove past today and it was outside the factory, double axle trailer and dark blue stripes, so knew it was mine, only thing missing was the windscreens.
Looked great, now just have to wait a week or so for for the dealer I bought it from to install motor and other stuff.
Nearly two months since it was ordered, had a chat to one of the lady's there and she said they had been run off their feet since March, lots of boats on order.
Will take camera tomorrow for a pic :)
Mad_Dad (Stephen)
Poly_Hustla
28-04-2010, 21:03
I have heard a lot of knockers about the etec's!!!! My mate has a 21ft caribean that has a 200etec on the back and i have to say that i have been over 100kms from port have never feared the beast breaking down!!!!! We fish out of Portland 20-30times a tuna season and have never missed a beat. Sometimes we can travel up to 300 clicks in a trip......thay are that good in mop....
cheers adam
Have heard the talk re. the ETECS too, lots of it.
Will wait and see I suppose
Weather today was nice, just hope when I get the chance to launch it that its not a howling gale ... else the wife might get a bot wet lol
Stephen
Believe the corrosion protection measures taken in this brand of outboard are inferior to others I have had exposure to. Ridiculous issues like the tilt lock seizing because of corrosion forming within the pivot pin galleries and tiller handle bottom cover securing screws seizing give me this impression. OK my motor is 2 years old, the Yami it replaced was 3 years senior and displayed none of these symptoms. 1982 Mariner that spent its idle time on a mooring in the Torres Straits also had no corrosion issues.
Gravy
First image of my boat, pic was taken Saturday 1st, boat is still at Polycraft as its not finished yet.
Have now ordered a rear bench cushion as I forgot that in my orginal order, have also now ordered ski hooks (for the sons, not sure they realise that only reason I'll tow them is if I want to go live baiting for sharks lol)
With the addtional changes may not get completed for another week, but I have waited so long now that another week will not bother me.
I do though have a question regards the front section, forward of the windscreen, was quite suprised to see that the seats are not in the original hull, are these front bench seats simply cushions?
Though that makes sense as that would mean that they have one hull mould only.
There aren't any "seats" forrard Dad - you lift the centre hatch and put your feet in the 'ole. The cushions sit on the deck around the hole. Frankly they're a waste of money, so don't order them. If you still want them later, I'll sell you mine, as I have never used them and they take up a lot of space in my garage!
Pirate Pete
03-05-2010, 19:20
Have now ordered a rear bench cushion as I forgot that in my orginal order, have also now ordered ski hooks (for the sons, not sure they realise that only reason I'll tow them is if I want to go live baiting for sharks lol)
Did you see my Pole Dad??
http://www.polyboatowners.com/2010/vb/showthread.php?t=356
Im the only one in our family that can Ski but . . . . . . . Im also the only one that can drive the boat . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saw it Pete, jut thought it'd be easier still to get them fitted on order. Sorry that's me just being lazy to tell the truth.
Doug, seats are to keep the wife happy, and occasionally my parents, so wanted the boat able to seat 6 adults, not going to far with that load, but had to have that ability.
Did you see my Pole Dad??
Geez Pete, I thought this was a family sitelaugh1laugh1
Had a go with a 5.3 Warrior Front Runner on Sunday, even though I have a license thought I would go through the course and test again (quite a few years since I have driven a power boat) at ABC Boating at Burnett Heads
Leon (instructor) was really good, worth the $150 for the day.
His boat has a 115hp Honda and impressed not only me, all the other 'students' were very impressed with the boat itself.
He (Leon) said he is very happy with it for its stabilty, durability and maneuverability.
Anyone looking to get a license in or around Bundaberg I would certainly recommend giving him a call.
My own boat was today 98% completed, sitting at Adrians Marine Centre, just needed rego plates and a few other safety bits fitted.
Has been a long wait, but after the go on Sunday in Leons boat I am even more looking forward to it.
Hope the weather clears a bit on Wednesday as I'll be looking to head out to sea
Mad_Dad (Stephen)
FINALLY brought it home this evening, wife and I are heading out of Burnett Heads in the morning.
http://www.users.on.net/~stephen_carney/Boat/Home_at_last.jpg
Pirate Pete
18-05-2010, 18:13
FINALLY brought it home this evening, wife and I are heading out of Burnett Heads in the morning.
http://www.users.on.net/~stephen_carney/Boat/Home_at_last.jpg
COOL GOING
Now all we need is PICs PICs & more PICs of the new BABY
Hey MD,I was drooling over your boat at Adrians marine today.They were fitting a stainless prop to it then.Nice rig,hope the weather we have at the moment holds out for you.
I hope you wiped the drool off Giffo.
I thought S/S props were standard on E-tec motors?
Went out today from Burnett Heads, not fishing was just having a run and seeing whats what on the boat.
Was a bit lumpier (ocean that is) than I had thought it would be, but not too bad, but no drama's at all, never got wet at all (the extended windscreen stopped any spray coming over).
Can understand Dougs comments on the front cushions, not much use really, though wife did have a bit of a sit up front for a while, will see what they are like with six on board on the weekend.
Launching the boat was simple, drive on drive off, winch not used except to unclip and then reclip.
Wife was very happy with everything to do with the boat as I am myself.
Took a couple of pics, will post them tomorrow (going out to dinner, Club Hotel has some great steaks at great price on Wednesday's)
Mad_Dad
Pics, was as good as I could get on the day,
anyone looking to get a 5.3 Warrior Front Runner .... get the clears and bimini!!!!!!!!!!!
First fish caught on the poly,
Third cast on a squidgee
Three of these were good for dinner for the six of us here.
Tomorrow Monduran!!!
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