Wairarapa Boating
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: General Forums
Forum Name: The Boat Shed
Forum Description: Discuss all things boating.
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=50473
Printed Date: 27 Jul 2026 at 9:52pm
Topic: Wairarapa Boating
Posted By: mpup
Subject: Wairarapa Boating
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2010 at 9:47pm
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Hi there, About time I joined up the Fishing Website. Always such great info. I'm Wellington based currently, but i've been convinced by the lady to shift to Featherston. Admittedly I was a little reluctant at first, until she starting dangling the prospect of me getting a boat to soften the move. My arm was easily twisted so I am now keen to find out about places in the Wairarapa where I could launch a vessel and the conditions I could expect, so I can start deciding on the type of boat I might need to get into. Budget is fairly limited, but I do think I could possibly squeeze 10-12k out of the old girl (yeah I know, she has the control!!). I mainly want to use the boat for sea fishing, however I am also keen to have something with a ski pole to use on the lake. When I have been around the Wairarapa previously I have not seen too many smaller vessels (ngawi, castlepoint, etc), which is probably due to the big seas, and most seem to require a bulldozer or tractor. Could someone please answer the following questions? Where are boat ramps located in Wairarapa? Where would be closest Featherston wise? Can a standard car / 4wd access these easily? Any advice about the type of vessel that would handle the conditions there would also be greatly appreciated i.e. ali, glass, etc. Many thanks Mpup |
Replies:
Posted By: wellifshr
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2010 at 7:27pm
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evening..... I'm in Featherston (past year or so) and have found only one boat ramp in the area.....thats on the ruamahanga river.. Apart from that its all beach launching, Ngawi / Castlepoint etc I've just upgraded from a zego to a stabi 389 centre console, I've launched the zego off the beach by Ngawi with a hilux, and intend to take the stabi out in the right conditions. Intend to join the Ngawi sport fishing club soon, they have tractors for members use. Hope that helps..... cheers |
Posted By: red89mx
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2010 at 11:10pm
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hi Mpup Took my old 4.8m alloy pontoon boat over to the Wairarapa a few times. For a 4.5 to 5.0 m boat sandy bay at tora is a good spot for launching. Anything 4.5 or under should be able to be beach launched. Brother in law used a Mac 3.6 to good effect and could drag/carry the boat down the beach. Most of the fishos I saw on the coast had smaller pontoon tinnies (< 5.0m) of which a number were made locally (ace boats etc). Suspect a 4wd would be the best for beach launching incl. sandy bay (unless a MAC 3.6 and comfortable with the armstrong method) The big name pontoons such as Stabi/Kiwi etc are likely to be outside your price range a for good nick later model boat and engine, the second tier Frewza/Tsunami or local brands such as watersport, Ace etc will probably scrape in. A good MAC is well within the budget. Theres plenty of guys on this forum with heaps of experience in the smaller toons...hardingsofwelly is an expert on the Mac360/420 and Stabi 389. A ski pole normally requires more HP which = higher purchase price, will leave this discussion to those more experienced. See http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Motorboats/auction-269041120.htm - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Motorboats/auction-269041120.htm I am a little biased as my old boat was a watersport, ugly and can be rough riding but a great workhorse. Good luck |
Posted By: mpup
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2010 at 11:58pm
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Cheers for the advice. Great to get some local knowledge. Pity about the lack of launching places, but I suppose that helps to maintain the fisheries and maximises the challenge. So perhaps my early thoughts of getting a small glass boat such as a gull wing sea nymph with a newish motor might be out. I will look into those brands you suggested red89 as it sounds like something along those lines might be a goer. Yep, the ski pole would be nice to have, but in reality fishing is definitely going to be where the most enjoyment will come from. A small sacrifice. I checked out the Zego and stabi 389 centre console Wellifishr. Nice looking vessels and I can see that both would be pretty good launchers based on the terrain you guys have mentioned. If you launch in the Ruamahanga River is there anyway to access the ocean? I suspect not, but thought I had better ask. I assume the fishing is pretty good out that way? Sounds like there is a lot of variety. Thanks a lot |
Posted By: Wide Load
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 8:26am
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Beach launching is reasonably simple on a good day on most of these beaches. I'd be looking at an aluminium boat or smallish Mac to keep weight down and make launching easier. Watch the locals they make it look easy. Most are willing to give advice if approached with the right attitude.
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Posted By: mrtarps
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 12:59pm
would you recommend the zego? did you have any problems with the one you had? ------------- tarps |
wellifshr wrote:Posted By: mpup
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 4:31pm
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Mmmmmmmm....from all your comments I am starting to get a little excited about a Mac 420. I don't mind too much about getting wet, but I don't know how launchable such a boat would be from those Wairarapa beaches. Some of the forums seem to suggest that the Mac 420 is pretty heavy, so what would you thoughts be on one person getting it on and off the trailer alone? Also Wellifshr do you know how much an annual membership at the Ngawi Boating Club would be? Thanks a lot |
Posted By: wellifshr
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 6:05pm
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to mrtarps - replied to your PM mpup - the boat ramp on the river will get you to lake ferry but not out onto the coast..... As for the membership fee not sure the contact details are on this site: http://www.fishing.net.nz/index.cfm/pageid/224/ViewPage/Wellington I have just not got around to following it up yet :) its on the to do list for the next few months.... |
Posted By: [email protected]
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 6:06pm
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Beach launching at Akitio further up the coast from Castlepoint as well is an option. With the more expose coastline you need to be able to run the boat up the beach when the sea gets a bit rougher to get clear of filling the back of the boat up with water from the waves, hence more of a preference for ali boats in this instance. PLenty of people head off fishing and if member of club access to the tractors. Good close beach cummunities in these parts can be a lot of fun. ------------- ---/--- Better a Slackline that goes Tight than a Tightline that Goes Snap. |
Posted By: Wide Load
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 6:37pm
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At Akitio you can hire club tractors for $10/day. There's a good webcam on Horizons Regional Council site under the orange tab "keeping people safe". Castle point is good beach launching either into the lagoon or out into the bay. |
Posted By: mpup
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2010 at 12:01pm
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Thanks heaps for all your advice. What a great forum. I am starting to lean the way of one of the following vessels, although these are examples only as I will not be purchasing for a little while. Still research to be done. I suppose the thing that also entices me about these two vessels, is the potential for dragging a skier when required. What do you think? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Motorboats/auction-271406970.htm http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Motorboats/auction-270466575.htm Cheers |
Posted By: flyfisher
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2010 at 1:22pm
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I've owned both those boats, but would swing to the Stabi only due to the fact the Mac is bloody heavy to beach launch and non-self-draining which is a big bonus if you take one over the back! Both great choices, that stabi has after-market high sides which is a plus, although the motor is getting on a bit - nothing to worry about if looked after though, just ask RedMx! Both will pull a skier... I think the "60 knots" claim however on the stabi is a typo, it would do 30-35 knots tops. Also check out Hardy Boats website - local Wairarapa built and they KNOW about launching in these areas. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/user/troutboynz |
Posted By: mpup
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2010 at 3:44pm
| Excellent.... thanks for the advice. I did think the 60 knot claim was a little over the top. Yep, saw the motor was bit older on the Stabi, so will look for an newer one when the 'buy time' gets closer. What would you say the weight difference between these two would be? Cheers |
Posted By: red89mx
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2010 at 12:10am
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Hi Mpup Whilst everyone here will strongly reccomend the "best" or newest possible engine for fishing off the Wairarapa coast given that help is a bit harder to come by and beach conditions can change very quickly ....do not discount the Stabi due to engine age. A good marine guy (RC1?) in the area can quickly advise re condition...also check with the company that was servicing it (possibly follow up reason for the new prop). I have had a number of Yammies including the 3 cyl 30, and my last was a 1987 70 hp . If maintained and looked after these keep on going (spose same for all brands). High sided stabies with internal tanks seem to fetch a premium (All Stabis/Kiwi's have a premium) and this seems to be well priced, reflecting the age a bit. If you negotiate well you can treat the engine as "free" and put aside some $$$ for a latter upgrade...I did this and never needed to replace the engine. I do not think you will get into a stabi with newer engine for anywhere near this - some 389's that I was following pre xmas for a neighbour went for $18k...but Andrew and other on here can advise closer to time. Interesting the owners comments about the auto mixing - this is probably why he did not use the internal tank....100 liters would almost take this thing to the chathams. |
Posted By: flyfisher
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2010 at 12:36am
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To add to Alan's comments, that engine is also not a 1996 model with that cowling in the pics, it looks like a 1986 model, but solid workhorses none the less. The difference in weight between the Mac and Stabi would be around 250kgs at a rough guess - enough to make a big difference. A 100l underfloor in that boat is way overkill and you'd need 60hp just to haul it's arse out of the water! Also bear in mind, as much as I love the Mac 420, if you have a single garage, then that 2.2m beam plus trailer guards is a killer and will not fit in a small garage - no issues if kept outside however. Plastic boats are very durable in beach launching with a double skinned 10mm hull on the Mac. You will get something in that price range, but will be very secondhand - that's not a bad thing if you buy wisely - I'd also be looking at a pontoon 4.2 open like a Frewza, Rockhopper, Tsunami, Stabi, Kiwikraft, Seasurge with a 2nd hand tiller-steer 40hp with a ski pole/rocket launcher mount - very versatile. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/user/troutboynz |
Posted By: mpup
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 11:45am
| Very helpful. Thanks heaps for the advice everyone. When it comes to the 'buy' I will let you know how I get on. Cheers |
Posted By: Rig63
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2010 at 9:44am
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Mate at Riversdale is just getting his second Hardy - this one is 4.0 with a Honda 45hp - he will be beach launching at Riversdale and also at adjacent farms with coastal access. He likes them because they are manufactured with the Wararapa coastline in mind, you sit more forward in them than equivalent Stabi or KiwiKraft (more room on board and better through the surf), lightweight (he luanches on hiis own with a quad) - he will go out to the bank in it - 9km? Doesn't like my Mac 420 as he feels is too heavy and too low at the back - shipping water when launching.
Just his views - good luck in what you get
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Posted By: flyfisher
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2010 at 10:21am
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Agree, Tim "Tropic" just brought a Hardy Moocher 4m of a mate of mine, they are excellent boats and good value for money. The thing I like about them for beach launching is they the rear of the pontoons are reversed under, so as to create lift when a wave surges in instead of digging the arse in, works very well. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/user/troutboynz |
Posted By: RH580ikanui
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2021 at 5:20pm
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HI folks Im new to the area having just bought a few Ha in Dannevirke. Looking for fishos in the area that have some local knowledge of the Akitio area. Planning on joining the boating club there. Got the RH580 set up with deep water sonar gear to sniff out the Puka down there if anyone keen to join me sometime Cheers Phil ------------- "IKANUI" RH580 SUZUKI DF140 |