Aluminum Chambered Boats test ride

apparentgenius · 12-14-2003, 12:08 AM

In my search for a better (than my sled) boat for salmon,halibut,tuna fishing, I made the trek to Bellingham to check out ACB boats. The boat we tested was a 26' with twin 200hp evinrudes. The water conditions in the sound was about a 3' chop, no swell. The boat is built tough with 10 airtight chambers made of 3/16 stock. I believe the bottom is 1/4.
Overall, I would say the performance was amazing. I was doing about 40mph and the ride was amazingly smooth. My buddy was leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets. We did several 180 deg. turns at 50mph with a radius of about on and a half boat lengths...WOW!!and the boat stayed pretty flat thru the turn.
They don't give these away though. The boat I am interested in is a 23' with a 225 outboard and ezloader trailer plus a few options runs about $62k.
My biggest concern would be resale, since they are a pretty small player in the sport boat market. THey make quite a few boats for the military.
The other boat I tested was a 26' Seaswirl. Completely different boat, a little cheaper lots more curb appeal but less performance.

marv · 12-14-2003, 10:07 AM

If you are on the market for a new boat take a look at H&F boats out of Bandon Oregon. A great boat that will out perform and be much safer than any production boat on the market. Also they have a great resale value.
Take a look at their website web page web page

marv · 12-14-2003, 01:04 PM

Check out the website and read some of the stories.

http:\\www.hf-boats.com

salmurai · 12-14-2003, 06:19 PM

Have you checked out the USIA website? A boat like Captain Kujo's would be wild!

Water Ready · 12-14-2003, 06:55 PM

Might also want to take a look at Boulton. Great builder and really understands building good hulls for most. Speed is only a function, that gets most into problems. Unless your fishing Marlin or trying to outrun a storm, WHY speed? :whazzup:

apparentgenius · 12-14-2003, 08:02 PM

I did check out Kujo's website. Very impressive boats, but I'm looking for a little more creature comforts, plus they are a little out of my budget.

As for why speed, cruising across the top of the chop at 20 to 40 knots equals less bone jarring time and more fishing time. 20 minute rides to the rockpile instead of 90 minute ones sounds about right to me. But it's not about speed, it's about safety too. You can rip the bottom off these boats and they still float.

Stabiman · 12-14-2003, 08:46 PM

If you are looking for that style of boat, look no further than the top of the page...Stabi-Craft!! They are the originator of this design and have been building aluminum 'positive buoyancy boats' for over 15 years.

We'll be at the Portland show with 3-4 models and we'll have 6 models at the Seattle show. As for build and delivery schedule... if you order a boat today it can be delivered in about 16 weeks. As we get into our Spring boat buying season... that will shorten to about 10 weeks.

Pricing... very competitive despite shipping all the way from New Zealand. Drop me an e-mail with your specs and options...I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Why settle for an imitator when you can own the originator? Our NW dealers are in Tualatin, OR and Bellingham, WA.

Cheers

backlash442 · 12-14-2003, 11:18 PM

If you buy a H&F you better be willing to wait. I read on a message board down here (poster canceled his order due to the wait) it was over a year wait. A friend of mine has a friend who owns one. Loves it. Boat is basically a variation of the Radon hull. Great hull for going downhill. It will pound the snot out of you going uphill. I know I used to have a Davis. Same type hull. The boat handles great but you'll never go 50mph in one. They are not built for speed. Handle extremely well though.
As for the AC boat a guy down here just took delivery of one. He said he was out in 6' plus swells with the wind blowing over 20knts. Said it was a fantastic ride. I'd have to see it to believe it though. Can't imagine not pounding when you fly off one swell and drop into the trough at 40+mph.

backlash442 · 12-15-2003, 06:25 AM

Stabiman, how has the appreciation on the NZ$ affected you pricing?

tailchaser · 12-15-2003, 07:39 AM

I was fortunate enough to ride on the stabicraft here in Coos Bay, when they came down for a fishing show we put on locally. There were 7-8 of us total in the boat and crossed the jetty with a heavy outgoing ebb and some pretty good chop. We were averaging 40 mph, and not a single kink in my back. Everyone on board was very very impressed with the handling and ride of it. There were 4 coast guard guys on board and the only thing they had to say was "we have to get one asap." I would definitely take a good look.

tc

hookumhi · 12-15-2003, 08:50 AM

before you buy check Boulton , I absolutely love mine

CAPT KUJO · 12-15-2003, 04:34 PM

You're welcome to Test ride drive the BLACK ROCKET or 24' BLACK TORNADO. They all might be Alum chambered boats. But you get what you pay for. THE ROCKET series are HAND CRAFTED in OREGON!

CAPT KUJO

apparentgenius · 12-15-2003, 06:59 PM

THanks Capt Kujo can you send me some details for specs and pricing on the 24' boat. I've seen the black rocket, it's a great boat but I'm not sure I'm ready for that one yet!

Thanks.

glen

Stabiman · 12-15-2003, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Stabiman, how has the appreciation on the NZ$ affected your pricing?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">So far we have not had to alter our pricing... however, Stabi-Craft is really starting to get squeezed by our falling US dollar. Current prices will be honored thru the PDX and SEA Boat Shows... but beyond that will really depend on what happens with the USD.

Cheers

Birdnest · 12-16-2003, 09:30 AM

Stabiman,

Are the ACB's and the Stabi's exactly alike in construction?

Joe

CAPT KUJO · 12-16-2003, 07:11 PM

Forward me your address and I will send a video, as well as specs and pricing. Also a 24 footer will be on display at GI JOES, delta park this Saturday Noon-till 2PM you can demo ride it at the 42nd Street Boat ramp after the Cold Water Survival seminar

Thank you

CAPT KUJO

Chaps · 12-16-2003, 07:28 PM

Hey Capt Kujo . . . I think I spotted a new model of yours . . . keeping this under wraps for a special client?

CAPT KUJO · 12-16-2003, 07:37 PM

Hey dude! That was a SECRET project. Front on the boat is specially made to chill TUNA for those LONG DAYS!

CAPT KUJO

Stabiman · 12-20-2003, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Stabiman,
Are the ACB's and the Stabi's exactly alike in construction?
Joe

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">They were about 5-6 years ago when Stabi-Craft laid the foundation for what eventually became ACB.

However, Stabi-Craft has continued to tweak and inprove their design and in 1999 introduced a new shape to the pontoon... what we call the Generation ll hull.

The Gen ll pontoon x-section is narrower and deeper than previous configurations. This provides more internal beam, more freeboard, and a drier ride. The pontoons are now formed from extruded sections instead of pressed and folded sheet material.

The new precision-formed sections allow a step to be introduced into the hull's chines which improves spray deflection, gives more lift as the hull goes through the transition zone from displacement speeds to planing, and provides more responsive cornering.

Also, because they are formed in a slimmer cross section, the new extruded pontoon sections significantly increase interior space, which translates into more storage room and most importantly... more fishing room!!

I invite you to take a Stabi-Craft for a test drive... that's really the only way to experience the difference.