Hewescraft Searunner

[foxer]

Looking at the 18ft Searunner w/ the smaller bench seats/115 Yamaha. We would be fishing/cruising 2 people and a dog. Now, I know what everybody says about "2 footitis" but this is more in my $$ range. How are these boats as far as stability? They seem to have a really deep v and I was wondering about the side to side thing? Any info thoughts appreciated

[WaterDog]

It may be a little "tippy" but on the up side it will ride better. Not sure how wide the botton is but a 6 foot + bottom width will help. You could also get away with a 90hp (prop) with no problem. An 18'er I had with a 90hp would do mid 40's and hual 4 people and gear easily.

20'er with the 115hp would be pretty sweet tho'. Something to think about. :wink:

[iwanttofish]

I just bought my sea runner it is a 1996 19' with 115 merc on the back and I handles great with 3 or 4 people in it I have only had it for about two months. I am going to be going out on friday if you wanted a quick ride I am taking my son and maybe a friend of his out sturgon fishing.

Mike

[garyk]

Foxer, I've had the 179 Searunner since 1999. Every design is a compromise. Ours is great on the Columbia River wind chop. Or going outside of Tillamook Bay.

The compromise is that the boat is very sensitive to side-to-side weight shift; especially with some of my larger fishing friends. Not that it's going to tip, it's a very safe design, just that when running I have to conciously balance the weight, and have people, coolers, etc, moved around.

The worst aspect of the deep-V Searunner, is that same rockiness can make tracking while slow trolling a real pain. And a person on the tiller in the rear corner unbalances the boat, making it easier for the wind to catch the high sides and move the boat around.

My solution has been a TR1 autopilot. Now everyone sits forward in their regular places and the boat tracks nicely - even better if there's like 100# of dog in the bow to push the nose down a bit more.

[fish_on]

Do all the deeper v boats have this same problem? Does the NR sea hawk do this? I would assume it would since it is a deep v boat.

[Sturgeon Ryan]

I bought an 03 18ft searunner in june of 03 .I love it .The 18 is wider than the 179 and dosen't tip bad at all.It handels the lower columbia great I can run 30-35 in 2-3ft wind chop and not get beat bad at all. I'v taken it out side the columbia when I should have stayed inside and it handeled great never taken one over the bow,yet.I got the 115 honda it tops out at 45 with me and the wife and gets on step very quick.I've been pulling the kids on tubes and kneeboards all last summer with power to spare.My only complaints are with the extra weight of the 115 honda the bow tends to wander when trolling,and not enough room in the rear when crab pots are on board.The 20's are great but the 18 is a realy great boat.I'd buy it agin love it.

[threexkc]

I just purchased an 18ft Hewes Searunner set up like your looking at. I've had it out only once for a couple hours on North Fork resevoir last sunday. It was cold and windy , but the Hewes handled beautifully. Its got the 115 Yamaha, It seemed very well balanced and had lots of snort! PM me if you have questions..

[hot wire]

I have to agree with those who have already posted. I love my 18 Sportsman. BUT, I'm not so sure that going too far off the coast is such a great idea. The Sportsman is rather flat on the bottom compared to the Searunner style. Good luck.

Visit the site below....we are all Hewescraft Owners! :wave:
Tom

[No Wishin Just Fishin]

Ihave had a 160 a 179 and now a 200. The 200 tracks better without a TR-1 than the 179 hands down. Also the beam is almost 2 feet wider giving a more stable ride. Mine will be for sale soon as I am going with the 26 foot hard top with twin 175s and a 15 troller. Might as well be comfortable :smile:

[foxer]

Thanks for all of the info..the 04/05 18 Searunners all have 6 ft bottoms. I hesitate to move up to a 20 ft because the jump in $$ from a 115hp 4s to the next step is quite a bit of change..Anyone think the 115 would be good enough on a 20ft? I would like to have a top end of 40 or so.

[HawgJaw]

Foxer, I have had a 20' searunner w/ a 115 for over 3 years. I feel that the 115 is plenty of motor for this boat. I can get to about 35 MPH with a moderate load. I've had this boat out in the ocean 50+ times and it handles great. I upgraded from a 18' and it is well worth the extra $. I been out 40+ miles and have never felt that I needed anything bigger (except the time we brought home two 80 pound hali's. BTW, those don't fit in a 150 qt cooler). Happy shopping. Let us know what you decide. Kasey

[No Wishin Just Fishin]

Friend has a 200 with yamaha 115 and mine has 90 Honda both do 35 with 4 people