Discussion Board
Help me decide on a new boat
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 07/25/2004 06:50 AM
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REEDOG
Joined: 04/08/2007
Posts: 107
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Help me decide on a new boat
Been looking at buying another boat for a few months now. We're ready to buy something soon. I've narrowed the field to a few manufacturers but still having trouble making a final decision. My wife needs something comfortable for weekend trips to the islands. A comfortable ride and lots of amenities are important to her. I need a serious fishing boat. Let me know what you think.
Here's our criteria:
23-28 feet
trailerable
comfortable pilothouse or cabin
galley
berth
stand-up head?
large cockpit
diesel
smooth ride!!!!
safe
300-400 mile range
new or used depending on the condition
Been looking at:
ACB
Davis
Farallon
Osprey
Skagit Orca
Skipjack
Parker
Sea Sport
Radon
Have I missed anything?
Thanks, Jason
Jason
ACB 26 Expedition w/Volvo D6-310
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07/25/2004 07:22 AM
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Farallon 25
Joined: 03/15/2007
Posts: 1520
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RE: Help me decide on a new boat
Being an ex Farallon owner I can't say enough about the older boats. They have a great ride and handle the rough seas excellent. I have heard that the newer boats (since Kurt took over ownership) are not as good. I sold it though because it was not a comfortable weekend boat for the wife.
The Rock Harbor (Davis) has more cabin room than the Farallon but it loses the cockpit space because of this. They are nice riding boats and do well in a good chop. Skipjacks are nice boats and are comfortable at the same time. They do not handle the chop as well as the other two but are a better bet for what you are looking for.
Are you looking for a new or used boat?
Robert
Phoenix 29
"Double Limits"
Reliable Fishing Products
Robert
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07/25/2004 09:04 AM
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REEDOG
Joined: 04/08/2007
Posts: 107
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RE: Help me decide on a new boat
Thanks Robert. I'll go new or used, but I don't want something with an old IDI diesel or a boat needing lots of work. I'll likely own this boat for many years, so I'd like to get something with newer technology. Although hull designs from these builders probably havn't changed since the beginning so an older hull with new engine(s)would probably work. If I can find a used boat with low hours that meets all my criteria, I'll buy it. I really like the ACBs but I'll never find a used one.
Jason
ACB 26 Expedition w/Volvo D6-310
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07/25/2004 10:12 AM
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ALAKAZAM
Joined: 05/16/2002
Posts: 281
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RE: Help me decide on a new boat
I assume you want a trailer boat?
Skipjack 28
Gradywhite 27 Sailfish
Sportcraft 272
Albemarle 26
Blackman 26
Shamrock 26 Express
Skipjack 26 FB
Carolina Classic 25
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07/25/2004 01:11 PM
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reddog
Joined: 12/31/1999
Posts: 3678
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RE: Help me decide on a new boat
NO budget?? The Davis boats are pretty nice as Robert says. They have made a pretty comfortable interior setup - maybe your wife will not mind the price tag if she is comfortable enough - JK! A nice diesel Davis will set you back a a little and require a good tow vehicle as any boat that size on a trailer but fits your requirements nicely.
Engineer second class Seacock reporting for duty!
Kerry
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07/25/2004 01:53 PM
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REEDOG
Joined: 04/08/2007
Posts: 107
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RE: Help me decide on a new boat
Thanks for the input everyone.
Kerry, I guess my budget is $60-$80,000. Depends on who you ask, me or my wife. I'd go $100,000 max. She's not crazy about the price tag on some of these boats but like you said, if I can make it appeal to her she might let me go big. Unfortunately we have to agree on something.
The Rock Harbor is very nice, I'm guessing around $140,000 with a diesel? I don't want to spend that much. A used one would be great though.
Keep the replies coming. I'm interested in hearing about your experience with these boat brands.
Jason
ACB 26 Expedition w/Volvo D6-310
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07/25/2004 02:28 PM
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FarmerD
Joined: 09/07/2002
Posts: 761
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RE: Help me decide on a new boat
Drive up to Paso Robles ...and take a walk through with Harrold. Or just go on his website for now and ask his customers what they think. I think you will find that customer service from this guy is above and beyond. I am not yet a Davis owner, but will be in time. There are also some used boats posted on his board ..... I believe a rockharbor for sale on his used board for 89k.
Dustin
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07/26/2004 02:50 AM
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Ztunamann
Joined: 12/31/1999
Posts: 358
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RE: Help me decide on a new boat
If I'm buyin that size, it is either a...
Skipjack 26 or 28
or
Blackman 26.
You just can not beat a flybridge IMO.
Zimm
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07/26/2004 06:19 AM
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monster1
Joined: 03/13/2007
Posts: 841
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RE: Help me decide on a new boat
hey bro, why are you selling your boat? do you just want a larger boat or have you had problems with your 21' striper?
thanks,
monty
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07/26/2004 07:10 AM
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BigBill
Joined: 03/02/2007
Posts: 182
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RE: Help me decide on a new boat
Personally, I like Glacier Bay catamarans for many reasons including your prefences:
YES 23-28 feet
YES trailerable
YES comfortable pilothouse or cabin
YES berth (Huge Queen Size)
YES stand-up head? (REAL ONE)
YES large cockpit
diesel - can be ordered but just fine with outboards and many people complaining about smell of diesel fuel and exaust
YES smooth ride!!!! SURER SMOOTH
YES safe
YES 300-400 mile range EVEN MORE up to 1328 miles
Please stop and calm down - think again, and think twice. You won't have any luxury to reconsider after only 4 short weeks. Here is my point. I have a cruiser, which was intended for family vacations, but used mostly as a fishing boat, so, frankly, I don't need aft cabin, full galley, DVD+TV, freezer, microwave etc. And family goes out with me only once in a while because of weather, wind and waves. Even though my boat almoust brand new I'm looking for another very well built, very seaworthy and fishable boat with extended range and good fuel economy. And choice is ... Glacier Bay Catamarans - check them out at www.GlacierBayCats.com. Pricewise they are the same for 26 footer with pilothouse and dual outboards, but built quality is the best i've seen so far and ride is absolutely incomparable in high seas - you'll be able to comfortably cruise around even at very windy and rough conditions (check out World Records Page on the site), and because this is a displacement boat (making max 40 knots and 32 cruising) fuel economy is exellent. I saw them available at Santa Barbara and Alameda, but those cats are still very rare in California.
In fact, this is the ONLY boat:
1. Choosen by U.S. Navy as Escort Boat.
[link:www.glacierbaycats.com/PDFs/Proves%20fall%2001.pdf|Click here to view publication in PDF format]
2. Capable of running unassisted for 1328 miles in seas as high as 10' and winds up to 30 mph. This is a [link:www.glacierbaycats.com/midway.htm|CURRENT WORLD RECORD].
Imagine the boat which can run unassisted from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, 728 miles across the Atlantic to Bermuda on a 26 footer! This is a FORMER WORLD RECORD.
[link:www.allcoastsportfishing.com/cgi-bin/dc/f/index.cgi?az=read_count&om=17796&forum=private|You may also check this thread]
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07/26/2004 09:04 AM
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tj
Joined: 02/20/2007
Posts: 3489
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RE: Help me decide on a new boat
Davis or Albin. Just got back from Bellingham Washington where my dad bought a 28' Albin with a 330hp Cummins. Very nice set up. Your wife and you would be happy. I like the Davis short cabin Rock Harbor. More cockpit than the Rockharbor and still has the nice cabin area. Either of these are great choices imo.
Tim"TailChaser"25' Davis SC Rock HarborVolvo D4-260 Diesel
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