NEVER SAY NEVER

By Justin Paynter

(Originally published in the May 2025 issue of SKI-BOAT magazine)

WHEN one turns 40, it’s often a time to really start analysing one’s life. You generally realise that you aren’t getting any younger, your friends circle is getting smaller, you wake up with a few more aches and pains, and your body isn’t recovering as quickly as it used to.
Having recently reached that milestone myself, and having come to those realisations, I decided to sell my rubber duck. Yes, I know I said before that I would never do that, and it wasn’t an easy decision at all, but my mind was made up.
Well, I thought it was…
I rolled her out of the garage, gave her some TLC and advertised her on the web. Each time I had an enquiry my heart went into panic mode, but most of the guys enquiring wanted to strip parts off her. That most certainly wasn’t going to happen!
Then, early one Sunday morning, I got this message: “Justin, we want the duck. My brother will be there in the next day or two to pick it up.”
My heart sank. Everyone knows that when you own a boat it has huge sentimental value, so deciding to sell it is not a decision that is taken lightly. That evening, the deposit was paid and reality set in. I was about to let go of my baby. These were the last couple of days we would be together.
To cut a long story short, that Saturday, the duck took her last voyage out of my garage. We hooked her up to her new owner’s bakkie and I watched her drive off.
With a huge lump in my throat and some tears running down my face, I had a moment – and then decided it was time to move on. A breakup is never easy, but hopefully this newer, sexier model is what I have been looking for.
So, why did I need a change, and does the new boat live up to my expectations? Let’s see…
I wasn’t ready to take the leap and buy a big boat, but I have always said that there is a huge market for small boats, and that’s what I went for. A small boat is versatile and easy to tow, beach work is a lot easier, and you don’t need to rely on crew. All these factors must be taken into account when you’re deciding what boat to buy.
There are three small boats that I have spent time on that I would possibly consider when purchasing this type of vessel: the Tomcat 450, Cski 444 and the Skivee 500. These boats have been tried and tested along our coastlines for decades and have stood the test of time. I also think these smaller boats are extremely eye-catching. A lot of thought has gone into their design and they are built for purpose. Everything that is on these craft has a function.
Let’s take a detailed look at the advantages small boats have over rubber ducks…

CREW
You don’t need crew because on a small boat, you can fish comfortably on your own. The way a small boat is configured, the skipper stands in the centre at the console which allows for perfect balance of the vessel. On a rubber duck you need two people as you need somebody opposite the skipper to balance it out. Launching through the surf when you’re unbalanced can lead to disaster very quickly.
On a small ski-boat you can also mount a push plate to pole launch which makes life a lot easier. This means you don’t need to get your trailer wet while trying to launch, so your trailer will last longer.

CONSOLE
The improved functionality of having a stand-up console is a game changer.
1. You have a better view while launching. In the past, I would have sat on the pontoon while launching and my view was really restricted. Standing up with a better view means you are better able to judge the gap required to safely reach the backline.
2. Everything is at your fingertips. You’ll probably have a flush mounted GPS/fishfinder combo unit, the radio will be properly mounted, gauges will be positioned so you can easily see them, and you’ll also have a compass readily available.
3. The battery storage area and dry hatch always comes in handy, especially for long days on the water.
4. Extra stability. The console’s grab rail gives the crew a place to hold onto.
5. Extra rod holder. I have mounted a Scotty rod holder onto my new boat’s grab rail, so in essence it acts as a stand-up rod holder like you would find on a big boat. This is generally my favourite rod holder as I have so much success with it, no doubt because that bait swims very far out, so it looks very natural in the water.
6. The console also helps protect the skipper from the elements like bad weather or spray, but my new little boat is extremely dry.

COMFORT
These little boats have different configurations to suit the owner’s requirements, preferences and application. As you can see in the photos, these three boats all have seats for both the skipper and the crew. These seats also double as extra storage space.
My new boat’s front seat folds up and you can store three fuel tanks underneath it. Then there’s a storage hatch above deck to store tackle or safety equipment. The back seat also has storage space underneath it.
Of course there’s also more space on these vessels to move around, either to fight your fish or just stretch your legs. When your legs get tired, you then have the option to take a break on a well-padded seat. (Some may say this is vital, especially the way I drive.)

FISH HATCH
I love being able to load four to six bags of ice into the fish hatch to ensure my catch is well preserved after it’s landed.
In the past, I would have had to hold the fish over the side of the duck while I got the fish bag out the front of the duck, and then would have had to strap the bag onto the side of the vessel before placing my catch in the bag – all without popping a pontoon.

NIGHT RATED
Small boats like these have the ability to be night rated which is another great advantage. Of course in order to get this certification, your vessel would have to go through a COF (certificate of fitness) inspection, which means you will have to adhere to SAMSA’s regulations.
Once you have upgraded your safety equipment, placed lights on your boat and got the COF, you will be able to launch before the sun is up and fish into the evening.
Most clubs have their own regulations when it comes to this, but I do know that Durban Ski-Boat Club has allowed a vessel with one engine to get night rated. There are, however, time restrictions on when you can launch and have to be back on the beach.

ANCHOR HATCH
Having this extra hatch gives you the perfect space to store your anchor safely. I also like to keep my cleaning products in the front hatch.

LIVE WELL
Game changer! Now I can finally keep live bait alive all day.
In the past I have said that I will often just run with dead bait, and I still stick to this decision for the early morning bite. This is always important before all the boats move into an area and things get congested. However, by midmorning it is always nice to have the option of a live bait because it creates a lot more activity in the water when the bite slows down and the fish seem to be feeding deeper.
I am so impressed that I am even able fit my luna tubes from Teaser Tubes into the live well.

ROD HOLDERS
On a solid boat you have so many more options for rod positions than on a rubber duck, including on the roll bar where you can place three rod holders.
On my new boat I have five rocket launchers in the front to store rods, and removeable rod holders in the gunnels. These will normally be used while drifting. I am now able to take six to eight rods on the boat instead of four.
My rubber duck will always hold a special place in my heart, but as I enter this new era of boating fun, I think of Buzz Lightyear’s famous words: “To infinity and beyond!”
I look forward to documenting my adventures and sharing lessons learned with SKI-BOAT magazine readers.