Alaska Bulkheads-Who Offers as Option?

Two Fister · 01-16-2006, 04:45 PM

Hey Dogs,
I'm starting the search for a boat that's a bit more salty than my Duckworth. I've been looking a several different 22'-24' walkarounds (Grady, Mako, Pursuit) and I've started to notice that they don't really offer much protection from the weather unless you are sitting in two pedestal chairs or in the V-berth. Since I'm not really looking for a place to spend the night, the V-bearth seems like a lot of storage (read wasted) space. The Alaska Bulkheads on the Trophy and Stripper lines seem to make a better use of space for the way that I'd use the boat, but they still chew up a lot of space. I need the protection of a windshield boat for trips with the whole family.

The best layout that I've seen to date is the Sea Sport XL (24' version of the Fisherman), but I don't have an extra $100K lying around at this particular moment in time. I'd love to find an older 22' Olympic Sounder, but they are just hard to come by lately. I missed a real beauty about a year ago and I'm still kicking myself!

My question for you is who makes boats with an Alaska Bulkhead or a seaworthy windshield boat that doesn't have a larger V-berth taking up half of the boats usable space?

Thanks!
TF

Zodiac-Fisherman · 01-16-2006, 04:57 PM

Check out Davis Boats, you can probably find one used between 50-75k.

tomictime · 01-16-2006, 04:58 PM

Most of the Alu pilot house guys offer the AK bulhead delete as an option. Diesel 26' Sounder without Bulkhead actually had a bit of trouble selling for $60K two years ago next to me ???? I think that sale would go diff today given current alu builders backlogs - that's a diff thread tho.

In Glass, some of the hard-top bayliners came w decent layouts without AK bulkheads - I am not sure what years - but they are out there. You will have to go w I/O with those. 21'-22' sounds right - mostly w V-6 or 305 class I/O.

You might also look for 22-23' Aquasports in mid 90's vintage, they had some hardtops that are nice w/o ak bulkheads and side glass as I recall.

I think Campion out of Canada did same.

Good luck

Jim

backlash442 · 01-16-2006, 05:06 PM

Davis only makes two boats with the back door/bulkhead. Both are the 25' Rockharbor long and short cabin. The rest are open. Doubtful you'd find one of these for less than 85k too. New they are going for about 125k or so.

Seahawk O/S has a AK bulkhead. So do Arima's. I like the Osprey line. Probably a more comfortable ride than a Davis too. Check out Parker.

Zodiac-Fisherman · 01-16-2006, 05:12 PM

Parkers are nice, My uncle swung a 25ft Pilothouse with a 250 Yami, brand new, no trailor.. under 40k, But this was back in 99 when the company was just starting up.

pijon · 01-16-2006, 06:10 PM

Arima has an optional Alaska bulkhead on the 22 sea legend hardtop. The small cabin has a porta potty and is just big enough for two short people to fit lying down. Also some storage under the seats. I just ordered the open top 22 with canvas as the hardtop won't fit my garage.

flapbreaker · 01-16-2006, 08:51 PM

C-dory

Onokai · 01-16-2006, 11:27 PM

Parkers and Davis both excellent choices -how about whalers either center console -you say that cabin is a waste or the walkarounds of times gone by. . Try a search on yatchworld for whaler walkaround. Mark

Fish Mode · 01-17-2006, 12:36 AM

Quote:

C-dory

C-Dory, if speed is not an issue...

Good Luck

D

elron · 01-17-2006, 01:33 AM

I saw a nice thunderjet 24 I think at the seattle boat show with an alaska bulkhead, outboard boat. Its not trade in time yet but it sure was nice

Mr. Fisherman · 01-17-2006, 02:11 AM

C-Dory. And my boat is no slouch.

backlash442 · 01-17-2006, 06:58 AM

Reread your post. How many people would be going out each trip? If more than 3 it probably will be difficult to find a cuddy style boat what will keep everybody out of the weather. Like you said the pedestal seats don't work since that only gives you two seats. You don't want to be sitting in a V-berth while running especially when it's rough. Most cuddy style boats will indeed eat up a lot of space too.

Do you want to stick to used? I saw the 24' Osprey at the boat show. It looks like the cabin could sit 4 w/out going into the V-berth. What you need is a dinette that will have seating for more than 2. Not sure how common that is to be honest.

Good luck.

Nalu · 01-17-2006, 08:17 AM

TF- There is a reaonably inexpensive option for walk arounds. Add a short, 3 foot or so, soft top that extends from the hard top and add drop panels to it. If done right, the drop panels will work on either the hard top portion, or the extended portion. This allows 4 people to be out of the weather.

Not saying it is perfect, just an option.

BigWaterBigFish · 01-17-2006, 09:49 AM

here's your boat ... 26' Striper, W/A with bulkhead ...
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/p...arinesales&

Herring Problem · 01-17-2006, 09:51 AM

You might look at the 2359 Trophy Pilot House. Room for several riders out off the elements with good fishing room.

Two Fister · 01-17-2006, 10:48 AM

You Dogs are awesome! So much information to digest!

I will typically have 4 people on board, 2 of whom are little guys. I'm going to end up using the boat for a wide range of uses (bays, CR, Tofino, offshore and even larger lakes in Central Oregon) so it'll need to be trailerable and loadable by one person. I know that's going to limit some of my choices, but it definitely takes one person to wrangle our little guys. They really like to "help" their old man and that usually means a 3 and 5 year old getting into harms way.

This is why I kick myself over that Olympic. It was setup perfectly; seating for 4 plus a small cuddy for little guys to nap in, outside controls, a yami HPDI and T8 on an offshore bracket, scotty elec downriggers, newer galv trailer, etc. for less than $14K. Go figure it sold in a day. I like the low roof profile of their Sounder as it doesn't act like a windsock all day long. It's a bit low when inside, but I typically don't spend too much time inside unless I'm sitting down driving. I think the Sea Sports remind me of them and that's why I like their lines so much. The rep at the boat show (turns out he was the owners son) didn't appreciate it too much when I asked him if Sea Sport had bought Olympics molds when they went bankrupt. Whoops! I guess it was the C-Dory group that bought them.

I like the idea of an extension off of a walkaround for bad weather and additional covered seating. That'd work nicely during the summer as well a shade canopy.

Thanks again for all of the advice!
TF

diamond back · 01-17-2006, 11:19 AM

Seaswirl Stripers have a great Alaska package 2301, 2601. Check those out and the price is about right.

blubeast · 01-18-2006, 06:39 AM

Another option to consider, while not a full bulkhead, but has the protected cockpit you were seeking except for back which has drop curtains if necessary.. would be an older Seaswirl hardtop cudy.

I have a 21' 1990 hardtop... cockpit is very protected. It's called a Sable - pre-Striper. Not alot of these hardtops around, but mine works great and can be had for a reasonable price. Just a suggestion.

Mr. Fisherman · 01-18-2006, 07:11 AM

Quote:

...mine works great and can be had for a reasonable price. Just a suggestion.

Don't do it Dale :blush: Keep your boat,

the pile wouldn't be the same without you

blubeast · 01-18-2006, 10:49 AM

no Mr. F... NOT selling mine... worded that poorly :blush:... was trying to say for that vintage boat... IF you can find a Sable HT... should not be too many boat bucks.

Bait O' Eggs · 01-18-2006, 11:27 AM

I have fished from Dory's, T tops, rag tops, open boats etc... and I have to say my Edwing w/ Alaskan Bulkhead makes for a nice ride to and from the killing fields.

I kinda like going in the cabin, closing the door, maybe cracking the window

turning on the stereo and staying nice and dry and warm on the trip out. No wind burn, sun burn or gallons of water on myself to deal with.

When I get there, I relieve myself at the back corner of the boat

I put on my rainpants and I feel like I just got to the dock, rather than half worn out from the elements on the trip.

I must be getting old

Two Fister · 01-18-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

I must be getting old

Where's the big sigh graemlin? You and me both BOE. I used to work on the water every day in Anacortes from a 19' panga clone. Raingear and I was good to go. Hated riding in our crew boat that was a 24' hard top Glassply. Wind and rain in my face. Arrgh!

Now I find myself spending way, way, way too much time looking at boat websites wondering if I can get a heater, AC/DC fridge, and hot water as an option. I'm using my kids/wife comfort as an excuse but it's really just for me.

Hello, my name is Two Fister and I have a problem with boat shopping...

tomictime · 01-18-2006, 09:54 PM

..maybe for the run in and out..but the reality of FISHING..real fishing is out on the aft deck using the aft station in the elements...truth be told..I am old..had a snot-nosed whaler for a looooong time and sneered at wussies in boats with windscreens bigger than a menu..

truth be told, I do hide behind the house during squalls..unless the bite is ON...

Jim

isldrms · 01-19-2006, 03:43 AM

My 22 Arima Sea Legend with the Alaska Bulkhead is wonderful. Nice and cozy on those ugly days.

Two Fister · 01-19-2006, 09:10 PM

Anybody have any experience with C-Hawk boats out of North Carolina? I saw a 25' Pilothouse that looks like exactly what I'm after. Sort of a fiberglass Ed Wing. Is that blasphemous?