Economical, easy to tow and fun to drive, these boats are ideal options for budget-conscious buyers.
Quick overview
- Choose your material: Options in the under-$50k sector are mostly alloy, but you can also get plastic, fibreglass and inflatables.
- Easy ownership: An advantage of being small is less fuel usage, less maintenance and less cleaning.
- Resale value: Well-known brands like Quintrex are highly prized on the second-hand market.
Small boats enable low-fuss and low-cost boating experiences and open up access to secluded spots that bigger boats can’t reach. They’re more affordable, are easy to manoeuvre, a breeze to launch and retrieve, and can be towed by smaller vehicles.
For this article, I’ve put together some favourite packages under $50K. If that’s still too steep, consider the second-hand market where you can find great deals from around $5K.
I’ve focused on side- or centre-console boats and tiller-steer packages as in my opinion, they offer better weight distribution for their size. Side consoles work well on boats of 4.5m and above, while tiller steer or centre consoles suit boats of up to 4.3m.
Whether aluminium, plastic, timber, inflatable or fibreglass, small boats are ideal for coastal and freshwater adventures and are an attractive option if fuel and funds are tight.
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Image: Bluefin 450 Scoundrel SC.
Bluefin 450 Scoundrel SC
Built on the NSW Central Coast, the 450 Scoundrel SC is a versatile aluminium boat that’s great for fishing, family outings and social water sports. It features a pressed aluminium hull with 3mm bottom and side plates and fuel-resistant underfloor flotation.
The side-console configuration is space saving and comfortable, and folding sports seats and transom steps make boarding easy. It comes with a fully plumbed livebait tank, storage hatches, and welded side decks with rodholders and navigation lights.
The Scoundrel’s reverse-chine ‘Eziride’ hull provides a smooth ride and at 4.8m (15.7ft), there’s ample space for passengers and gear. The package is available with an eye-catching colour scheme and decals, and features an electric motor bracket, console grab rail, and a small windscreen.
Bluefin’s Melbourne dealer, Regal Marine, is offering a winter (2026) package for $31,550 that includes a 60hp Mercury outboard and Precision single-axle braked trailer.
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Image: Polycraft 480 Brumby.
Polycraft 480 Brumby
The Polycraft 480 Brumby is a rugged and versatile boat that’s often overlooked, but deserves our attention. At 4.8m (15.7ft) with a 2.15m beam and 90hp rating, it’s a true all-rounder.
Polycraft’s roto-moulded polyethylene construction makes it incredibly tough, while the hull shape provides a soft and quiet ride and the high freeboard and spray chine option help keep the deck dry. Weight is around 540kg.
Brumby models are available in various layouts, including centre- and side-console configurations and a Frontrunner model with dual consoles. Standard equipment includes a fold-out lounge, bow rails, rodholders and a 70lt underfloor fuel tank.
Aussie Boat Sales in Victoria has a centre-console package starting at $38,500 with a 90hp Honda outboard and a trailer.
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Image: Quintrex 420 Busta.
Quintrex 420 Busta
The country’s biggest name in alloy boats is Quintrex. Its 420 Busta comes with a 40hp Yamaha outboard with electric start, EFI and power trim and tilt. The hull measures 13.8ft in the old scale (4.21m) and has a 2.09m beam and a 50hp rating.
At that size, the Busta opens up new realms in your boating capability, handling four passengers and being quite stable for a V-bottom tinnie. It will also slice through slop far easier and more safely than in flat-bottomed or V-nose punts.
The standard Busta package comes complete with a fully carpeted floor and casting platform, rear thwart seat, anchor well, short side and bow rails, side pockets, transducer bracket, and a handy transom step and rail – all on the renowned Quintrex Blade hull for terrific handling.
Victoria’s Streaker Marine, Bayswater, offers a Busta 420 package complete with an aluminium unbraked trailer, a fully rigged Yamaha F40LA, battery and battery box, registered boat and trailer (Victoria) and an inshore safety kit, for a pleasing $26,199.
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Image: Highfield Sport 360.
Highfield Sport 360
RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) are hugely popular for many great reasons and used for a plethora of applications. For purely recreational use, they provide a high degree of fun combined with fast planing hulls and excellent riding characteristics.
Highfield Boats is well known worldwide for its range of RIBs from 3 to 9.12m (9.8 to 30ft) that combine comfortable, high-end features with terrific on-water performance.
Northside Marine Brisbane offers a little centre-console Highfield Sport 360 for a drive-away package price of $41,639, complete with a Yamaha F40LA with electric start and power tilt and trim, a Redco Sportsman trailer, a depth sounder and safety equipment.
The Sport 360’s 20-degree deadrise hull with welded lift strakes rides confidently to smoothly tackle the roughest conditions, and adds flexibility as it’s tough enough to be grounded on rocky beaches.
The 3.62m (11.9ft) Highfield Sport 360 has a 1.84m beam, can carry up to six people, is rated to 40hp, and includes a built-in 30lt fuel tank. It’s a little boat, but with very big capacity and credentials.
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Image: Quintrex 460 Renegade SC.
Quintrex 460 Renegade SC
If you’re looking for a fully fitted, easily trailered aluminium boat package with a Yamaha F70LB four-stroke outboard and an aluminium braked trailer with nothing more to pay, then here’s a deal for you – and it’s still under $50K.
The 460 Renegade is great for touring boaters, keen anglers and families, also doing a terrific job a little coastal boat. Recently, I was amazed that three teenagers battled a massive 241.8kg blue marlin that they caught in a smaller 420 Renegade.
The 4.88m (16ft) 460 Renegade has a 2.22m beam, is rated to 75hp, is constructed from 3mm pressed alloy and weighs 444kg dry. Standard features include a 77lt underfloor fuel tank, fully carpeted flooring, a forward casting platform, and a side-console helm.
Streaker Marine is offering a Quintrex 460 Renegade SC (side console) with a Yamaha F70LB EFI four-stroke outboard package with Quintrex aluminium trailer and more for $47,450 (normally $49,131).
If you ever wish to update, trade or sell your boat, keep in mind that Quintrex boats have a premium reputation in Australian boating and generally have a terrific resale value.
Pricing correct as of June 2026
The full version of this article ran in the June-July (Volume 41.3) issue of Club Marine Magazine. Find out how you can subscribe to Australia’s leading marine lifestyle magazine here.
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