Thinking of new boat want your input

5-Cents · 04-18-2003, 08:17 AM

Hey Salty Dogs!

I am thinking of giving up the aluminum sled and getting a glass boat. I really only fish the Columbia, Willamette, costal bays and I want to start fishing the ocean plus a glass boat would give me so many more family options. This being said I still want a boat that I can trailer easy as I like to explore new waters.

I am taking a serious look at Skagit Orca boats, particularly this 27'XLC model. I would opt for twin OB instead of the I/O.

I would appreciate any input that any of you have on this boat or maybe something else I should take a look at. I want to make sure I do things right this time.

Thanks

Dynamite · 04-18-2003, 08:47 AM

Have you looked at seswirl.They make a 26ft and a 29ft similar to what you are looking at. I just bought a 26 with the volvo ocean series. Email me if you want more details.

sturgn · 04-18-2003, 09:38 AM

oops

[ 04-18-2003, 10:40 AM: Message edited by: sturgn ]

sturgn · 04-18-2003, 09:40 AM

Hey 5-cents heres me 2 cents,
I have been researching alot lately and I have completely fallen in love with Power Catamarans for offshore use, as well as bays and the CR, from what I see you can get alot more stability, range and room for the money than most v hulls. Heres a link to one company but there are alot of boat manufacturers that are starting to make Cats. Other than stability the next important thing to me is Range and safety so my next offshore will be a deisel.
Good luck!

Kevlacat

fish assassin · 04-18-2003, 09:42 AM

If you do go with this boat, I'd suggest that you get the rear deck
steering/throttle controls option. It is a MAJOR pita to have to run
inside every time you want to change coarse a little bit (IMHO).

-assAssin-

EVERREADY · 04-18-2003, 09:42 AM

5-Cents
I really like the orca with outboards. With the inboard the engine takes too much space IMHO. The other boats I have been looking at are Osprey, Glacier Bay(cat), and Skipjack. I still about 5 years from a new boat though, so I haven't been looking very hard yet. I will need something I can fit the family into thats covered with a lot of deck space for diving from and be able to sleep at least 3.

tailchaser · 04-18-2003, 12:03 PM

A guy down the block from my parents house bought a new 26' Boulton with twin OB's and the boat is one of the sweetest offshore boats I've seen. Huge cabin area because the cab is pushed towards the front of the boat and that leaves about 12' of nothing but fishing room. Plus, it's aluminum and doesn't way what a glass would for trailering and I guess it rides very very nice out there. Something to look at. If I only had 49K to buy one I would in a heartbeat.

check it out:http://www.boultonpowerboats.com/newboats.htm

tc

[ 04-18-2003, 01:10 PM: Message edited by: tailchaser ]

Mello-Yello · 04-18-2003, 12:54 PM

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet that I surely notice having gotten rid of my glass boat. Cleaning! It seemed like I was always spending way too much time keeping my glass hull clean and shiny. A glass hull is supposed to look clean and shiny, and when it's dirty, it looks real bad. Aluminum on the other hand requires so much less attention, especially if you want it to look like you actually use it.

A nice shiny glass boat sure looks nice though...

PeterMac · 04-18-2003, 12:59 PM

Wanna get there fast? HF-boats in Bandon. Raydon hull and over 300hp. Top speeds around 50 kts in rough water. Under $50k. Built for tough fishing.

PeterMac

5-Cents · 04-18-2003, 01:14 PM

I hear what some of you are saying but the Orca Boats do have a lifetime hull warantee and the XLT only weighs 6000lbs so I dont think I would have any problem towing it. That was one of my main concerns thou. I just dont like the idea of alum. boats in salt water. I have heard too many bad stories. Set me straight if I am wrong.

5-Cents · 04-18-2003, 01:22 PM

Those Boulton Boats do look pretty darn nice. I filled out the info form. I saw some of them at the boat show I thought their prices were kind of steep. The ones at the show were $100K-$200K!

greenbuttskunk · 04-18-2003, 01:32 PM

I like the seaswirl striper. Nice design. Not sure about quality or performance. A walk around cutty would be handy for anchoring and such Better have some power to pull a glass boat over 24', like over the coast range, but I'm sure you know that.
Here's a link to the boat I like.
http://www.seaswirl.com/inside/boats/boat.cfm?boatID=7

PeterMac · 04-18-2003, 02:24 PM

Seasport is also a sweet boat.

WP · 04-18-2003, 02:33 PM

Aluminum is a controlable issue inthe salt. Mucvh harder if you are mooring it for some time. If you in and out (trailer launch and retrieve)there is little if any difference with aluminum over fiberglass. The weak point is the deterioration of the power source (OB or I/O) and that just means good amintenance and care. Fiberglass have strengths and weaknesses compared to Aluminum, it is always a compromise. Love my aluminum and loved my fiberglass when I had it.
WP

boater · 04-18-2003, 05:13 PM

these are nice boats, you should check them out. parker boats

Beer Waggin · 04-18-2003, 11:36 PM

I sold my sled about a year ago with the same thinking in mind and here's what I've come up with so far...
Glass boats come with 10 yr hull warranties, Alum boats have lifetime warranties.
Glass boats generally have more amenities, alum boats are built for fishing!
Glass boats are heavier making them harder to tow and tougher on fuel.
That�s not to say that there aren�t some sweet glass boats out there, but I think I�m partial to the alum boats.

I�ve priced the perfect trailerable boat for me.
23� NR Seahawk, with twin 115�s mounted on an offshore bracket and a 20 hp kicker. Fish box in the bow and another one in the floor. 90 gallon fuel tank, dual everything, suspension seats, enlarged bow scuppers, sleeper cushions and a porta-potti to make the tax man happy. Add electronics and all the other goodies and your looking at a hair over $50k.

I�ve also looked at and considered a few non-trailerable boats in the 35� plus range. If I bought something like this, it would be in Newport April through August and then in Portland for the rest of the year. There are bunch of extra costs with owning a big boat, moorage fees, bottom scrapping and paint, zincs every couple of months while it�s in the salt, etc. not to mention the two weekends a year spent running it in between P town and Newport. I�m not sure I want to deal with all of that, but I think I�d have to try it out for a couple of years before I decided if I liked it or not. Of course still having a smaller sled to fish the rivers makes a big boat much more appealing because it gives you options.

Pitch Pocket · 04-19-2003, 08:03 AM

If you want to see the SeaSport 24 up close, give me a call. I shopped them all, but chose the SeaSport.

Mr. Fisherman · 04-19-2003, 05:24 PM

Nickle, try a ride on my tub and see what you think.
Drop a dime and give me a call to set it up...

I love my C-Dory

All boats are compromises, make your list and edit it half a dozen times then go fish on the boats that make the short list.

From the description of the fishing you want to do I think the C-Dory is a contender.
I shopped for 5 years to find my boat and I love it.

By the way, the plug is on the inside

Easy to quickly put in without having to take the boat out