New Boat Advice.

[The Jester]

I'm going to be buying a new boat over the next couple of weeks and i'm thinking of an Explorer Elite or a Predator 165. I'm having a mile stone birthday this year ( well quite a few mile stones actually ) and the missus says i can buy a new boat so i'm not arguing. Was wondering if anyone has either of these boats and would like to give thier opinions. Nothing wrong with the boat i've got it just a boys toys thing as the missus says but i've always had second hand boats and now fancy one thats new. My budget doesnt stretch to Warrior prices and these 2 are in my price range £13,000......Thats with my Reiver as p/ex.......Opinions Welcome....

[Falcone]

I love the Raider boats, if i had that amount of money to spend then i would probably go for one of them.
At the moment i can only dream of such a thing.

[The Jester]

Me too but the second hand prices are stupid.

[oldessox]

Me too but the second hand prices are stupid.

I've got the explorer elite , it's almost 2 years old now , I looked at the predator and nearly bought one , I think the explorer is better layed out.
If you want a proper look at an explorer and a run out in it and you can get up to Amble I'll take you out and tell you 100% no bull exactly what I think of it , warts and all......and the reasons I didn't buy the predator.
There are a few rievers in the marina , they look good boats , why not stick with them?

Ray

[The Jester]

Hi Ray, Thanks for the offer i wont be able to get up to Amble at the moment due to not having a car only a company van ( no private use ). I get a new car tuesday so maybe next weekend. But anyway the reiver is a cracking boat but it has very limited storage and i like things tidy.Its a 2003 boat with a 2005 2 stroke, and i have the oportunity to get a new boat so i'm going to take it, The new model Ex Elite has loads of storage and with a mariner 60hp 4 stroke is around £12,000. What didnt you like about the predator ?

[oldessox]

If you can live with a 50hp honda you can get the warrior 165 brand new within your budget , warrior 165,honda 50 4stroke, roller trailer, cover ...all brand new from warrior boats for £12950 Warrior Boats special offers

Ray

[oldessox]

The predator had poor storage , the battery was hidden down inside the steering console and looked impossible to get at for maintenance and there was no where to put spare fuel tanks , the explorer has space for all of these , though they are all at the stern which makes the boat quite heavy at the stern which is fine till someone sits or stands there as well.

Ray

[The Jester]

Thats a good point for the explorer, i carry 2 25 ltr tanks on the reiver and 2 batteries. I'll have a look at the warrior package but i can get an elite local and no hassle part ex. What engine does yours have on it ray...

[oldessox]

I have the mercury 60 , is the boat you are looking at a new 2010 model ?

Ray

[The Jester]

Yes, it comes as a package with navigation frame, aeriel etc, Ive just looked at the warrior and its a pretty basic package for the price and doesnt seem as good value for the money as the elite.

[oldessox]

There's a new model for 2010 with lined walls inside the boat and lockers at the stern , looks nice but not sure how practical the lockers are for storing and changing fuel tanks . Mine just has two huge voids either side of the stern with a shelf built into one for the battery and a tray set up built into the floor to stop the fuel tanks sliding about , the bilge sump in the middle has an electric bilge pump and i made a plywood cover for the sump and store the boat cover on there when I'm out fishing.
This layout makes boarding from a slip or beach launch a bit more difficult than say a predator or warrior where you can climb aboard from the stern at the side of the engine , but I'm not that old yet that I have difficulty getting my leg over (the gunwales at least ) .
The auxhiliary is attached to a bracket on the port side of the stern , I'd hate to have to use it in anger , it's in an aweful place to use , but then I guess most are.
I think the package as a whole is a good all round boat , and like you say, all the extras come as standard.
Let me know if you want a run out round the island in it next weekend or one night through the week , it's better to have a go in one first , it's a lot of money to spend without a test drive.

Ray

[The Jester]

Thanks for that Ray, I'm going to have a look a an elite tomorrow hopefully and i'll check out the storage for the tanks and let you know if it will take 2 tanks. I'll let you know about next weekend its very kind of you