Fishing Victoria Forum

Hi guys, i currently have a 5.2m boat with an outboard motor but want to get a boat with an inboard motor as i like to spearfish, dive, swim and just chill on the boat with the boys. I normally like to go out to the back beaches of Philip island via newhaven boat ramp but it gets quite shallow there and I'm not sure if anyones had any experience launching from newhaven with an inboard. Also open to suggestions of other good launching locations to get out to the back beaches (peninsula, Philip island, or bass coast) for inboard motors and any tips would be very helpful!

Stick with the outboard.

Surely outboard is better for spear fishing and diving?

Diving gear takes up a lot of space, and I want as much deck room as possible when going out for a dive.

I don’t see a possible scenario as a recreational angler/spearo where an inboard is more valuable... but that’s just me.

Inboard vs outboard does not need a different ramp.

Each boat is different, steeper deadrise being the main factor, will need more water than a boat with a shallower deadrise.

Ie deep V glass boat vs a flat bottom tinny.

Having the big swim platform right across the stern can be a useful feature for divers which is not possible with an outboard.

My family used to have a Whittley Voyager with stern drive and it could be launched at any ramp that was deep enough for that size boat.

SteveoTheTiger wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 18, 2020 10:55 am

Having the big swim platform right across the stern can be a useful feature for divers which is not possible with an outboard.

My family used to have a Whittley Voyager with stern drive and it could be launched at any ramp that was deep enough for that size boat.

That's exactly the reason, and I don't really spearfish for the fish, more for the experience and enjoyment of the sport. Would Also like to bring the kids and family with me to play in the water etc do not 100% spearfishing time on boat more like 30%.

Can i Also ask what ramps would you consider to be big or deep enough for your boat? The usual suspects you go to?

We always launched in the Patterson river. But that was back in the 80s.

My advise would be to look for something with an outboard that still has a generous swim platform either side of it. And make sure it has a good, easy to use ladder.

Or just get a good boarding ladder fitted to your current boat.

Also a decent bilge pump, you wouldnt believe how much water kids bring onboard when they are constantly climbing back into the boat and jumping into the water.