5.3 cc vs frontrunner vs cuddy

[Will]

OK, I've made up my mind that I want to get the 5.3. I've had a good look at the 5.99, and in terms of bang-for-the-buck they are hard to beat but in the end it'll be just too big/heavy to tow with my car and handle on my own.

Now, the problem is which 5.3 to get? The boat will be used 80% for family fishing/cruising trips and about 20% fishing on my own or with a mate. Most trips will be closer inshore (missus doesn't like straying to far from land) but I will occasionally go out to the reef. I'm also planning on doing some creek/bay fishing.

I love the space on the CC but the lack of protection is a worry esp. in the chop/wind that can get up pretty quickly here in CQ.

The cuddy is good for protection & somewhere to take a nap for the kids but how will it go fishing 4 people out the back?

That leaves the frontrunner. With a bimini & clears (like the setup BigFella has got) it should be OK to deflect most spray. I'm not sure though about fishing out the front? The back has limited space so only 2 people there, I'd say.

Would love to hear opinions from other guys with 5.3's or people in a similar situation.

[Brucesta]

go with your instincts, the front runner would be pretty hard to fish from the front with without a custom casting platform i would have thought, Doug will comment more here is am sure as a owner and someone who chucks fluff around the water as well. Cuddy cabin all the way, you could fish 4 at a squeeze but you'll have the protection from the chop for sure.

[BigFella]

the front runner is unique in it has a flat floor up front with removable cushions.
The flat floor is ideal for fishing, remove the centre floor section, place the cushions on the floor and you actually sit with your feet in the floor well.
There is no fixed seating, or bulk heads to steal fishing space.
If I were looking for a family boat that could ski the kids, take me and the boy fishing it would definitely be a front runner.

[wrassinator]

Mate I have the Cuddy. Can only fish 2 @ rear when bottom bouncing (unless tanges are your thing). Could also fish one out of fore hatch at a pinch. If you go mostly family, less fish then go the cuddy. I use mine most fish less family, and I cope but only fish with one or two others usually. Hope that helps.

Ado

[Pirate Pete]

As it has been mentioned before I have a 5.3 Cuddy yippy.

We usually fish 3 up most of the time with out tooo much trouble, but Miss Jane & the "Orphan" appreciate the cab.

[Doug]

I think you sound like you need the Frontrunner (Happy wife, happy life). I built a copy of Bargy's casting platform for fluff chucking, but I suppose you can always chuck dead bait from any position......:D:D

It's certainly a much more friendly family boat, however if the rug rats are young enough to get hypothermia, and whinge a lot, then maybe the cuddy.......

Did that help?????????????piratesign

[polyFrank]

I have a 5.3 cuddy, I fish in Moreton bay and Bribie passage. Mostly just the wife and I, some times with other family as well. Four is a crowd in the back as far as fishing goes and fishing out of the catch is not a lot of fun either.

The advantages of the cuddy are, dry storage, feeling of security from the elements and a female toilet.
I put a curtain up across the entrance of the cuddy because both daughters and their respectve husbands occasionally like to come fishing. They are comfortable with the fact thay can have a piss whenever they want one and can enjoy a full day out on the water.

"(missus doesn't like straying to far from land)" Get her a loo Will!!!!!!!

Polyfrank

[Pirate Pete]

"(missus doesn't like straying to far from land)" Get her a loo Will!!!!!!!

Polyfrank

One will fit with ease

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee312/Polyboatowner/Toilet53.jpg

[BigFella]

Guess who has a 5.3 Cuddy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,(pirate)

[Snowman]

Will,
I have the Front Runner, and for the types of fishing that I do (Reef, Bay, Barra in the Dams and the occasional river trip) I find it awesome. When it is a bit rough however, I can't help but think oh I should have got the Cuddy. I find that the windscreen is set too low to help with any wind blown spray, the water just comes over the top and into your face, chest and lap, and if its more than 1/2 mtr, you will get water coming you're way.
I am in the process of putting on some spray chine extensions, so I hope that they will fix it a bit, I have heard that they do.

The front area as Big Fella has said, is flat, I find it perfect for chucking lures, and have even thrown the old fly from up here to Tuna etc (wish I never bought the cushions though, as I have never used them, and the money they cost could have been spent on better electronics). This area can be fished while at the reef, with no worries, I often fish 4 out of my boat when bottom bashing. Three fishermen is perfect for throwing lures to the mangroves, 1 at the front and 1 at the rear and the other driving. I also find three is perfect when fishing the dams, you could put another person in (plenty of room), but I find 2-3 is perfect for what I do.
These hulls are a bit power hungry, I put that down to the extra drag of the side sponsons (very stable though, I love the stability) and undulating bottom sheets (I guess because of the mold process, they end up with dips and hollows on the bottom planing surfaces - mine has anyway).
All in all I love my Poly, just wish I had more time to use it, I have 325hrs up on the Suzuki 115Hp in almost 4 years.

[Will]

Thanks guys, good feedback here. I'd give you all gold stars if I could :D

OK, so what I'm reading is that the cuddy is too small for fishing 4 people, as I thought :( The cuddy would have been my first choice but my 2 kids & missus like fishing so I have to look after them as well.

Soooo, it's looking more and more like the front runner might be the best option. I like the idea that the front can be used either as fishing space (flat floor) or a "lounge", and with a bimini + clears spray should be kept to a minimum.

Has anyone fitted a rocket launcher to a front runner? I'm thinking of a stainless unit that can double as a anchor/structure for the bimini, but fold (hinge) out of the way when storing the boat. Maybe something like this:

http://www.nautechmarine.co.nz/stainless-steel.html

[Pirate Pete]

Thats a top looking Rocket launcher.

add some clears between it & the Screen & you will be setup with about the best compromise.

[Whitty]

Will, I have a crew of four plus me, we need all the space we can get so the CC is our weapon of choice. Two up front, three at the back and everyone is happy, with minimal tangles and plenty of space. To combat the spray across our lovely harbour, i keep a towel in the car for when we get home. If its windy, we get wet. End of story. Dry yourself when the boat is on the trailer. Its a small price to pay for the massive amount of room you gain, and reality is, its not that cold up here in CQ. I had a targa top across the console, but one of the kids used it as a swing to get into the water one day, so it is no longer with us. I ended up chopping the rod holder to size and screwed it to the bottom front of the console, so the rods all live there now. The targa acted like a giant sail especially in the creeks, which made it a pig to go crabbing in. Shade was good, but driveabiltiy is now a lot better. As with everything in life, it is all about what compromises you are willing to make. My boat is always available for a look in town if you want.

Whitty