New boat

Bluefinn · 01-09-2004, 07:44 PM

I hope you guy's and gal's don't get tired of these boating questions.But what a great resource for information this network is.Ok here is my question Iam looking at buying a larger boat. I have it narrowed it down to two.A 26'Bluewater with twin 200 hp outboards large fish storage and 175 gal fuel tanks.And a 26'Marlin with a 350 chev. and Volvo duo prop with similar fish and fuel storage.Any info on hull preference or construction etc.The Marlin belongs to a friend of mine from Brookings who has fished it for tuna for the last ten years.He loves the boat but is getting a little older and wants the comfort of his new 26'Osprey.Thanks RR

Mark Mc · 01-10-2004, 09:56 AM

Rick, is the Marlin hand-laid glass? I'm pretty sure the Blue Water is chopped glass, so if the Marlin is hand laid, that makes it preferable just in terms of strength & longevity. I can't speak to the hull design / ride characteristics of either. Got any close-up pictures?

corrirod · 01-10-2004, 10:56 AM

I'd say the Marlin based on issues I've seen in the Bluewater line. Not sure if the issues were consolidated to the smaller 22 footers or if it's the whole line.

Reel Creel would be able to speak more intelligently on the Bluewaters so hopefully he'll chime in.

Day Late · 01-10-2004, 02:43 PM

I have a Marlin 17' open bow, walk through windshield with the 3.0 Ltr Chev and Cobra outdrive. Bought it new in 1986 and it still looks good and runs like a champ! Let us know what you decide. :smile:

Day Late

Bluefinn · 01-10-2004, 04:04 PM

marc mac yes the hull is hand laid one of the last one made in WhiteCity.

backlash442 · 01-10-2004, 04:41 PM

What does the Marlin weigh? A 350 for a 26' boat seems under powered imo.

cdj356 · 01-10-2004, 07:08 PM

I think a marlin is an early Bounty. I own a 24 foot Bounty and thay are well built.

Salmonator · 01-10-2004, 11:19 PM

I'm guessing that 350 with duo prop will probably use half the gas or less than the twin outboards will. Ryanboat, another ifisher who seems to just be lurking lately has a similar setup and I believe he is only using 4gal/hr at cruise.

Bluefinn · 01-11-2004, 08:53 PM

Iam not sure of the boat weight.I have fished on this boat and it handles very well in rough water it has a top speed of about 35 knots.Iam leaning towards the marlin I just like the thought of an extra motor.

backlash442 · 01-11-2004, 11:56 PM

35 knots for a 26' boat with a 350 seems pretty fast to me. My 22' could barely do that if that and I really don't think so. What out drive and is it duo prop and SS? Is the engine carburated? Of course weight would have a huge factor. Guess you can always put a kicker on.

Salmonator · 01-12-2004, 08:42 AM

Hull design has much to do with the over/under power thing. If it has a semi-displacement hull then it should be plenty of power.

Threemuch · 01-12-2004, 08:53 AM

No question for me, I would go with the marlin. Twin 200s is a ton of fuel and a bunch of maintenance. Need a powerhead, Figure 3K at least, PER MOTOR. Figure 2K for lower units. I would do the I/O. Cost of ownership will be about half.

2600 Striper with a 280hp 5.7 Gi DP-S (350) will do around 45mph, so if the motor is milder than that config, or the boat heavier, 35 kts sounds about right.

Popeye · 01-12-2004, 09:05 AM

I have a 2651 w/350 balanced 4 bolt main...It does 48 mph :shocked:

Miss B Haven · 01-12-2004, 10:15 AM

My 24 bayliner "classic"(the big white pig) did about 35mph when it was new with a 220 hp 5.7 (2 barrel). Boat weighed about 6500 lbs after I got all my "stuff" on it (book dry weight was 4500). 24 mph top end after that and it wouldn't plane below about 18 mph. Almost a deep vee (20 degree at the transom) and too much weight for the hp. Wasn't a duoprop either- that would have helped the planing speed some.

If the Bluewater is fully outfitted with gear and still does 35 you should be fine for top end.
But....The low end planing speed is actually much more important for use offshore than the top end. If you can't plane at 12 or 15 knots then I'd look elswhere. Too many days out there when it's too rough to run at speed but you don't want to go displacement speed (proly 'bout 7 knots in that boat).

Good luck- wish I was buying a new one, only thing that's more fun than fishing offshore!

Bluefinn · 01-12-2004, 07:34 PM

Thanks for all the info you guys it sure helps make a choice I think the out drive is a volvo 290