North Australian FISH FINDER TM forums

Hey Olfella, Sorry for digging through old posts, but I am looking at investing a large amount of cash in a 550 tomahawk territory and unfortunately it seems to be the Darwin people I know either directly or indirectly that keep steering me away.... I have googled till the cows come home and the majority of comments on Formosas in general are good. But just need to be sure.
Any advice would be appreciated
Ted. Cheers

Come for a spin in mine and make your own mind up, 580 tomahawk territory, send me a PM if you want to come for a spin.

We purchased a Formosa boat in 2006, only a 4.8 m but, we have considered up grading it, but we can't fault it. We just replaced the Motor, instead.

When you test drive one take your chiropractor and dentist with you. Both will be working overtime.

Tried to send a PM to you Silverfox but looks like it didn't go, can you confirm if you received or not.

Received an replied....

c9h14n wrote:When you test drive one take your chiropractor and dentist with you. Both will be working overtime.

This is exactly the type of comment I am talking about .... A one liner with absolutely no evidence, example, experience referred to as to why you have come to this opinion......

Mate had a Formosa Tomahawk 5.2m side console.

Fished out of it and slept in it in both the Roper and Fitzroy (Qld version). Slept 3 across easily. Nice high sides.

Heavy boat. Plenty of room especially up under casting deck.

Fine in rivers. Never went outside with him.

Developed a couple of underwater cracks in the hull towards the stern.

Only real problem was that the trailer was underdone for that sized boat and it cracked more than the hull. Got the hull cracks fixed but the trailer cracks were a different story.

Mate sold it mainly because it was too big for him to handle alone at ramp.

Good roomy boat but heavy so have a good look at the trailer that it comes with it.

Iv had a 6.2m Tomahaulk for 3 years & its been awesome - Not a single issue.
There’s always going to be haters with anything but unless they provide a true comparison its all just hearsay.

Lets face it, Its a small aluminium boat for NT rivers & around the harbour therefore its about splitting hairs in terms of comparrisons.
Go for a ride on one & see for yourself.

I have 580 tomahawk with 175hp for 3-4 years and I think it's awesome out in the blue and flying down the big rivers. Ride is fantastic and stable at rest. Big beamy heavy plate boat which is perfect for the territory.

Been In some bad condition but my back and teeth are fine.... (for now)

Mine is a 550 classic, I happily overnight in it on a reef 45nm offshore. Never had an issue. Can be bumpy on 15knt breeze but thats life in a tinny. I have a 150hp suzi, I wouldn't go less than that because they're so beamy, lots of water to push. 3 guys can fish off the gunwales because it's so stable. I opted not to go for the heavier tomahawk and am happy with that decision, although i would prefer sealed decks.
I'm sure you'll find good/bad comments about every boat, but as an allrounder it's a good choice. You could get something like a bar crusher that would be smoother in the chop, but it's gonna be cr.p in the creeks and on the flats. My formosa ticks most of the boxes for me for a creek/offshore/family boat, couldn't be happier.

Thanks for the responses all. Appreciate you sharing your knowledge!
Cheers

Hurry up and get somthing ted so when I come back up we can go and thin the trickies out they would be rampant at my old haunts.

i upgraded from a 4.1 tinny so when i sat in the 5.2 i thought it was MASSIVE. after having it now for over 5 years i wish i had of got the 550 or prob the 580.
anyway, they are a big boat and very well built boat and are wet at times. i've done over 9000km in it and have been to some pretty wild places in it too and never felt concerned.

for what they are the really good value for money mate. good luck.