new here! looking for 5.3 front runner

[Eug]

hi all just resigned up after the old forum... just doing my homework and was interested in the 5.3 warrior front runner. not much info and pics on them and my local dealer doesn't have one that i can see in the flesh. just wondering if any owners wouldn't mind throwing up some photos, be interested to see their storage capacity and how they handle offshore conditions.

cheers
eug

[BigFella]

G'day Eug
Dont know where you reside, but I have a 5.3 front runner in my hire fleet here at Soldiers Point if your interested in a test drive drop me a line.
No obligation (of cause) just the offer of a ride.

I will post some pics later tonight if I can find them that is!

[Pirate Pete]

Welcome aboard Eug


Doug has a 5.3 Front Runner but we cant seen to get him to post pics....





There was a rumor that his was up for sale but I dont think so. . . . . . .

[Eug]

BigFella: I'm up in Brisbane unfortunately BigFella. Thanks for the offer though. Any word on how they handle the chop?

Pirate Pete: Yeah I tried a search and couldn't come up with much, how are polycrafts in terms of storage space? I currently have a 4.2 aluminum runabout and find it handy that I can store things under the gunnels and what not - just not sure how I would go about that in a polycraft. i.e. rod locker, etc.

[poly]

mate this is how i carry the rods on my 4.1 plus there is the side pocket for those small bits piece's

[polyFrank]

Hi eug.
I live up at Bribie and have a Poly 5.3 cuddy, my last boat was a 4.75 Quintrex runabout.
You are going to find a huge difference between your 4.2 tinny and a 5.3 poly.

I used to live on the South side of Brisbane and fished all round the southern bay in both those boats. The Poly is both more stable at rest and has a more comfortable ride than the Quintrex.
As far as rod holders go there are 4 built into the top of the transom, It’s easy to screw on more wherever you want them.

Have no storage pics, but a one of the 5.3 profile a very bay worthy vessel if ever I saw one.

[Eug]

thanks for the replies and photos...

poly: that's kind of how i store my rods now, however since the walls aren't as thick they are tucked out of the way under the gunnels without imposing on walking space. i would like to get a rod locker of sorts put in but would like to see what my modification options are in a polycraft

polyFrank: thanks for the pictures it is much larger than i thought. do you find that the rear deck out past the transom takes up too much of interior cabin space? how do you find the spray over the bow? going from a runabout to a front runner i'm a little reluctant in opening up the front for potential spray.

thanks for the replies so far, i've called a few dealers to see if they'll allow for a water test but none seem willing.

[Pirate Pete]

Here is write up about my 5.3 Cuddy

http://www.polyboatowners.com/2010/vb/showthread.php?t=263

I cant believe that a dealer wont take you for a water test to sell you a boat!!!!!!

[Eug]

the issue is that i'm not quite ready to bring a deposit to the table (they certainly don't know that). however a water test will probably be the deciding factor. i am in upgrade territory and if the handling characteristics and low maintence appeal outweighs the lack of storage space then that will certainly change things.

by the way thanks for the link, currently going through it. i appreciate the comprehensiveness and you've certainly got a nice boat!

[polyFrank]

The distance from the inside of the transom to the back of the boat is not all that great, considering the weight of the motor. The Quintrex I mentioned would not be any less.

The center consol and front runner are wet boats as far as I’m concerned, I don’t see how these guys keep anything dry unless it’s shoved down their pants!

[sheebaridgeback]

Pete,

I've been in a similar situation, went to my local dealer not long back, looked around the yard of new Poly Boats, they only stocked the 4.1, 4.5, 4.8. I told the sales rep that I was ready to trade my 4.55 for a 5.3 Cuddy. Like anything, you like to at very least, look at the boat you want to buy, especially if your outlaying 40K plus. They weren't prepared to even show me a boat without signing a contract to buy. I've always had my boat/motor serviced by this dealer.
Needless to say I've wiped them for any future business. This was Cunninghams Marine at Redcliffe.

FREE PLUG.


Jason

[Eug]

yup a 5.3 is not something they just have sitting around in the yard. likewise i went to cunninghams as well.

polyFrank: that's unfortunate, i was considering/hoping a front runner would be able to head outside a little bit on a good day.

[BigFella]

I have taken ours outside for a couple of short trips and have to say it handles quite well. Got caught in some sloppy water the other day out on the bay, 1.5m swell with white caps running head on into 25k head wind, wasnt pleasant I can tell you, the only spray was wind swept as you would expect in those conditions.
I fitted clears around a higher then normal bimini and this configuration keeps you dry, safe and warm!
The clears work great and havnt made any difference to top speed, would be very careful towing though! I know another member in here lost his screen and bimini towing with clears deployed?

Shame your so far north, if you are looking at spending $44k, why dont you fly down to Newcastle for an overnighter, take my boat for a trial?
I am willing to refund your airfare if you proceed to purchase with me!

Ring me if you want to discuss further.

[poly]

EUG send bbjohn a p.m. he has a 5.3 front runner that he takes out to sea all the time plus he uses it to tow the kids around on a tube.
P.S. that's about the best offer from the BigFella i have seen on any site

Paul

[DvrDve]

bloody hell bigfella do u sell fishing gear?
what else can one buy for a free flight
nice offer

[polyFrank]

Bit of an exaggeration on my part as far as spray goes. I would normally expect to have some spray coming over the front quarter depending on conditions. As BigFella suggested, putting clears on would not only keep you dry, but create a large dry storage area.

[Pirate Pete]

Im still yet to put clears around my Cuddy cab as the whole Polycraft range do tend to throw spray that you then drive into but I still love my 5.3 & so do Miss Jane & "The Orphan".

I cant believe that Cunninghams donr have a 5.3 hull in their range. When I was looking for my boat I would always find Cunninghams on searches on the net for 5.3s

[Polyphonic]

thanks for the replies and photos...

poly: that's kind of how i store my rods now, however since the walls aren't as thick they are tucked out of the way under the gunnels without imposing on walking space. i would like to get a rod locker of sorts put in but would like to see what my modification options are in a polycraft

polyFrank: thanks for the pictures it is much larger than i thought. do you find that the rear deck out past the transom takes up too much of interior cabin space? how do you find the spray over the bow? going from a runabout to a front runner i'm a little reluctant in opening up the front for potential spray.

thanks for the replies so far, i've called a few dealers to see if they'll allow for a water test but none seem willing.

Hi Eug my wife and i have had a 5.3 frontrunner for over 3yrs and love it in all conditions. We had full clears and storm covers fitted to stay dry and they work great and more recently spray chines so we don't get the waves over the top. Had a lot of trips in hervey bay in all conditions also overnighters and been happy with the boats performance
cheers polyphonic

[Eug]

BigFella: Thanks for the generous offer. I am still shopping around and at this stage I would still need to trade/sell my current runabout before proceeding. I will keep you in mind though.

poly: Thanks will do

polyFrank & Pirate Pete: My current runabout has only the windshield with spray chines and it's more than adequete with water. However with a bigger boat I'll definitely be hitting rougher waters and clears would certainly be a consideration.

Polyphonic: Thanks for the photos, those spray chines look exactly like what I have on my tinny. It's nice to know that extra parts can be plastic welded as I have a bit of custom work in mind. How are you finding the lack of storage available? I have a fair amount of gear stored under my gunnels at the moment and don't see any similar options in the polycraft range.

Cheers all for your advice so far. I'll keep looking until one comes up that I can inspect, until then if you have any more photos of the interior and what not I'd love to see them.