Future Boat-Opinons?

SaltCrazy · 03-29-2007, 08:50 AM

I'm trying to figure out what I want to replace my current boat with. Keep in mind I won't be buying for a couple of years. Here is what I have in mind.

24' Seasort Explorer w with a 250-300hp 4 four stroke.

I'm really looking for a boat that will fish hardcore as well as accomadate some other boating activites. I know the XL has a bigger deck but I like the standup head for long trips in B.C. I really like the idea of having a heated cabin and not having to deal with canvas.

What kind of range should I expect with a 120 gallon fuel capacity?

Would this make a suitable tuna rig?

Thanks for the input,

SecondSeason · 03-29-2007, 02:09 PM

i have enjoyed mine so far. twin 60 gallons can reach quite a ways depending on sea shape.

have made a number of trips out for tuna 42-47 miles round trip with trolling and had to put in around 50 gallons. i have a 5.7 gfi with vpenta duoprops. the outboard version caught my eye but the price of out-boards these days is very high. I might think of twin outboards if i were you.

food for thought

Hanapa'a Time · 03-29-2007, 02:14 PM

Contact El Shaddai(James) here on the board, or maybe Booja1(Les) can chime in.

He has an XL w/ twin 150 Yami's, sweet set-up

KillerBeee · 03-29-2007, 02:24 PM

If you have outboard power you always have the option of additional above deck auxillary fuel storage. You should have plenty of deck space for a spare tank or 2. Sounds like a sweet ride.....
Beeeeeee

SaltCrazy · 03-29-2007, 04:04 PM

Thanks guys for the input. I looked at the XL at the Seattle boat show.

If you go with an outboard you get all of the room where the inboard was for an optional huge fish/storage box. You could get lots of fish in that.

How is the space on the dash for electronics? It did seem kinda cramped. I know someone with an explorer diesel. He is supposed to take me out soon. I just want to be able to make the 50-60 mile runs (if needed) and have plenty of additional range.

Good News Tuna · 03-29-2007, 05:07 PM

Have you looked at the 2601/2901 Striper?

SaltCrazy · 03-29-2007, 05:30 PM

I really want a fully enclosed pilothouse and at least 22 degrees deadrise at the transom. I'd consider something else if it stacks up to the Seasport.

SecondSeason · 03-29-2007, 05:39 PM

plenty of room in the dash if you mount the gps just above the wheel. if you want to see the inside up close shoot me a pm.

treb

Reelentless · 03-29-2007, 06:51 PM

I had an Explorer for several years. Sold it for something bigger. It had the 5.7 liter Duoprop and got about 2mpg on average. Outboard(s) may do better?

Great boats. Real tender with the narrow beam and deep v hull.

I had a chartplotter, fish finder, and radar all mounted on the dash. Lots of room up there.

Mark Mc · 03-29-2007, 07:21 PM

This is on James' 24 Seasport (outboards). 47 tuna completely below decks. The boxes are rectangular, and flat on the bottom; perhaps because there is some insulation. The forward box is about the same surface area as the two in Marty's below. The aft box is where the engine box on an I/O would go.

Here is Marty's boat, same model but with the I/O, so while there is not as much surface area of fish boxes, his use the shape of the hull; i.e. they go way down with the 'vee' and out to the sides. So in this shot we have 42 tuna that fit completely (with ice / slush) into the 2 boxes:

tomictime · 03-29-2007, 07:33 PM

if you want glass, also consider Farallon, Davis (radon), Palmer, Parker, Osprey, there are afew other Pilot Houses w AK bulkhead, one layout I like is the Albin.
In alu you also have a bunch of choices.
Markmc, nice photos.

))

Good News Tuna · 03-29-2007, 07:56 PM

Photochopped...

Mark Mc · 03-29-2007, 08:44 PM

Hardwood, what are you saying? "photochopped"?

Chromaflage · 03-29-2007, 08:50 PM

OK, now I have fish box envy.

Something Good · 03-29-2007, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chromaflage

OK, now I have fish box envy.

Seasports sure seem like good boats built with the fisherman in mind.

Good News Tuna · 03-29-2007, 10:20 PM

I Kid, I Kid. Just jealous.

Paddler · 03-29-2007, 11:24 PM

Farallon 28 Whaleback w/ diesel power:

Or, maybe the 32 w/ outboards:

SaltCrazy · 03-30-2007, 06:42 AM

Wow, great info. I know they are going to be a bit "tender" due to the deadrise. Although I do fish in Puget Sound quite a bit I do prefer offshore. I want to be able to move in rough water. Thanks for the photos also.
I have looked at the other boats mentioned and I'm still set on the Seasport. The layout and the fact they are built like tanks settles it for me. I'd go used if I could find what I want but it looks like it might have to be used.
Mark, you mentioned outboards? With twins is there room for a kicker? Do you need a kicker?
Again thanks for all the help. When I do get it I'll drag it down to Oregon and run out ya.

Nordic Sun · 03-30-2007, 07:27 AM

I suggest you follow the lead of "Corrirod and Skein".....buy a horse, they are cheaper. With the increase in the price of gas you may be able to ride them to the store to buy fish. And if the economy really gets bad....well.....let me say use salt and pepper.......lots of pepper.

Bob

backlash442 · 03-30-2007, 07:57 AM

Saltcrazy, you've looked at all those boats on the web or actual hands on? Can't judge a boat by it's looks.

I have a friend with a Davis 25' Short Cabin Rock Harbor (actually I have a few friends with different Davis Boats). The Short Cabin is a great boat and he runs it with a Volvo D4. Amazing performance. Expensive but what boat isn't these days? Only problem logistically not very convienent to test ride and buy one for you. Don't think you'll go wrong with a Seasport though.

Mark Mc · 03-30-2007, 09:07 AM

Well on James' boat, with twin 4 stroke 150 Yami's, not sure why a person would want to cram a kicker in there. New 4 strokes are so reliable, the odds are pretty slim that both are going to conk out. And trolling (for salmon) on one will crawl pretty slow.

Hardwood..... "I Kid, I Kid".....like Triumph the insult dog right

??

If I ever photoshop something, it will be blatantly obvious....

SaltCrazy · 03-30-2007, 09:49 AM

The rig is going to be expensive as it is without twin 4 strokes. I do like the idea of being able to come back on one if the other is down. How slow can you troll with a big 4 stroke?
I havn't put my hands on all of those boats. I am familiar with the Farallon boats as well as the Radon's. I havn't seen a Davis in person yet. Although they look awsome it doesn't look like they have as much cabin room. The wife made it clear she will support the purchase as long as it has a stand-up head and is heated. I'm looking at trailering up to Port Hardy and running out into Blackfish sound. I'd like to be able to sleep aboard on those typres of trips and not be miserable.
If the wife is misrable it's all over.

Tagster · 03-30-2007, 11:16 AM

Why does your wife need a stand up head?

Good luck with the purchase. I was down to Seasport XL with twins and a NR Seahawk with twins. Ultimately, I followed my wallet.

I wish now that I had thought about it a little more.

Tag

backlash442 · 03-30-2007, 01:55 PM

The Long Cabin version has plenty of room and you can put a head in there. Know some one who owns one of those too. Can also put a lot of fish in the holds.

The Radon is pretty different than the Davis. Don Radon had to redesign the hull when he got back in the business after selling Davis the molds back in the early 90's. Also the 25' Davis is his own hull design. Very efficient hull. D4 pushing 10k lbs. will get 3 mpg doing 26 knots.

tomictime · 03-30-2007, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Mc

Well on James' boat, with twin 4 stroke 150 Yami's, not sure why a person would want to cram a kicker in there. New 4 strokes are so reliable, the odds are pretty slim that both are going to conk out. And trolling (for salmon) on one will crawl pretty slow.

Hardwood..... "I Kid, I Kid".....like Triumph the insult dog right

??

If I ever photoshop something, it will be blatantly obvious....

Can you make the Halibut BIGGER ??????

5 Salt · 03-31-2007, 08:11 AM

Seasport is a fine boat - deisel inboard would be my pick if I were in the market for that style of boat. Osprey, Parker, and Grady would also be on my short list. Osprey and Parker as they similar in style, and Grady for quality and it being one of the finest outboard boats built should settle on outboard power.

Deisel for fuel burn efficiency reasons. Outboard or inboard, Seasport is fine boat.

El Shaddai · 04-02-2007, 11:42 AM

In a couple of years I will sell you mine...the 35 Cabo Express seems to be stuck on my mind a lot lately...

You can get custom fuel tanks up to 160 gallons...cheap upgrade...I like the twin 4 strokes...no need for a kicker to troll salmon...no cabin heat available with outboards...you will need an inboard for that...inboards do not come with a flush deck however....

Farallon makes a great boat...almost bought one...Parker's are not in the same class but are nice boats...Grady's are very, very nice...problem is no pilothouse...

Plenty of room for electronics...use a swing arm mount and blind spots on the dash...I have a radar, 2 gps, sounder/ff, cb and 2 vhf's...and great visibility...just takes a little planning...

Marty and I will have our boats moored in DB all summer if you want to come and take a look...

Paddler · 04-02-2007, 01:36 PM

I talked to Farallon the other day. They had two boats at the Fred Hall show. One was a 26 Whaleback w/ a D4 at ~$122K, the other a 28 Whaleback w/ a D6 at ~$167K, both with lots of options, cabin heat, bait tanks, etc. Sound like real fishing machines suitable for the Northwest. They claimed a 600 mile range on the 28 footer on a 200 gallon tank.

Seems to me the real difference between boats for tuna is those that can comfortably go overnight vs those that are uncomfortable. My next boat will be pretty comfortable overnight offshore.

joepajamas · 04-02-2007, 07:05 PM

If you guys are gonna tuna fish, maybe bring one of these boats up from the Gulf. They seem like they would chase tuna very nicely, and they all have nice diesels.

(contact removed)

pijon · 04-02-2007, 07:13 PM

My 22 arima is quite a bit less weight than a seasport. I troll for coho with the 200hp honda. At idle it is just a tad fast for chinook. I would think with the heavier seasport that would be just about right. I have a kicker but seldom use it for trolling.

backlash442 · 04-03-2007, 06:14 AM

Friend has a Topaz. Nice boat but bring a fuel dock with you. Fuel burn rate is horrendous. About 1 mpg at 8 knots. Maybe .5mpg at 13 knots and that's opening it up. Consequently it takes forever to get anywhere. Plus they aren't trailerable.

SaltCrazy · 04-04-2007, 05:51 AM

Thanks guys for the info. At this point I'm set for the Explorer. Trailerable, pilothouse,seaworthy, solid, heat, stand up head w/shower. That's really what I'm looking for.
As for cabin heat I'm planning on steping up and having a heater installed when it's being built. I'm seriously considering the twin 4 stroke option but I'm still not sure.