Peachey Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Hi all - just joined and looking for a bit of advice. Posted this same question on another forum and had 2 very helpful replies but this site looks a lot more active and up to date. Looking for a new boat with certain requirements which make current boat redundant. Needs to fish 3 people reasonably comfortably but with maximum length of 19ft - 20 at a stretch. Smaller the better but as I say, 3 blokes fishing for maybe 4/5 hours in winter and 2 fishing all day in summer. be fairly stable - decent beam and freeboard - fishing off of back of the IOW. will be fishing all year round so handle a choppy sea if get caught out. needs to be as light as possible as launching from a beach slipway which it will be permanently moored on. Will use a capstan winch. because of tides/slipway, draft as shallow as possible (but not to point of making unsafe etc etc) speed - anything over 16 knots doesnt have to have a cabin as more concerned with deckspace. But some kind of shelter be good if pushed forward to keep deckspace. Been looking at many different boats and always liked look of elite, predator, warrior (175 export?) etc etc over the years BUT they do not seem large enough on deckspace for 3 large blokes to fish (correct me if im wrong as never actually been out on one). Thought some of you may have a suggestion about something I have missed.Thats a lot of wishes I know - just thought some of you would have some ideas/experience. Cheers Andy135 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Hello Peachey, and welcome to Offshore Outlaws! I have a Predator 165 and I'm inclined to agree with you - it can fish two brilliantly, but three would be a squeeze. As for the rest of your requirements - you'll likely need to make some compromises/trade offs. For example, a boat that can fish 3 in comfort will be larger, therefore heavier, therefore less suitable for trailing and slower, unless you go for a bigger engine, which means more initial outlay, bigger fuel bills etc etc. How often would all three of you be fishing? If it's only occasionally, you might find a 165-style boat would fit the bill more often than not. Give us an idea of frequency and estimated budget and we can better advise. Off the top of my head I'd say a Raider would suit you, but these are heavier to move around on a trailer. One of the guys at my boat club recently sold his Raider as it was too heavy for him to manoeuvre single-handedly when getting it to the slipway from his yard space. Whereabouts are you launching from? I'm at ECA in Langstone Harbour and can give you some pointers on beach launching if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Fish Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Hi Peachey welcome to the outlaws. You’ve come to the right place for sure. A couple of question, as Andy said, what is your budget, do you require any shelter, and how often do you fish 3 blokes? If you have a boat already then I’m guessing your aware of pit falls and what to look for when buying? If not, there is a boat buying article in the articles section that may give you some useful pointers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzook12 Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Hi Peachey If you can find one, an Alaska 600 may fit the bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peachey Posted November 27, 2020 Author Share Posted November 27, 2020 Thanks all for replies. Never heard of an alaska 600 - will look em up. Andy135 Many thanks. We launch off a steep concrete slipway off of a small beach/cove. Its a great place for fishing back of the wight but at low water - there isnt much.... There are three of us sharing a 16ft open boat (ideal for 2 in summer and will launch all states of tide) and a 24ft cat - which needs a bit of water to launch. Launching the cat is no problem in summer as long days - but in winter with shorter days, we often miss the neap tides that have low water midday. So, the boat we need wouldnt have to be real comfy for three - as only fishing for a few hours on neap tides during winter with three people (when wind not blowing) and all tides rest of year with 2 people. Other winter times the cat will get out. Hope that makes some kind of sense and thanks for suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Hi Peachy, welcome aboard. Geoff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 @Peachey, that's a tall order. Only thing I can think of would be an inflatable that could be carried out at lows to find enough water to launch from. If it's only for a few hours at a time then although it would be a squeeze for three I'm guessing you all could put up with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyswamp Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Give headlight a shout, he'll swap you his raider for your 24ft cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 One other suggestion for you. 17ft Wilson Flyer. Minimal cuddy/cabin space so should fish 3 ok, it has a dory hull and shallow draft and therefore can get in and out in shallower water than a V hull. Could even go for the bigger versions if space was a must. They did a 24ft version from memory and may have done a 21ft version too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzook12 Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 Dunno if this particular one is still for sale, but you get the idea.... https://boats-from.co.uk/shetland/shetland-alaska-600-fishing-family-boat-no-reserve-bargain-136390 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peachey Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share Posted December 1, 2020 OK - cheers all. Think Im down to either a 20ft Wilson flyer or a new 17ft Seahog Commodore - I am being told that the seahog commodore is real good for deckspace for a 17ft boat. With it being light too - may be ideal for what I am looking for. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 1 minute ago, Peachey said: OK - cheers all. Think Im down to either a 20ft Wilson flyer or a new 17ft Seahog Commodore - I am being told that the seahog commodore is real good for deckspace for a 17ft boat. With it being light too - may be ideal for what I am looking for. Thanks again Keep us posted with the search and purchase, and don't forget to post up some photos of whichever boat you go for 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 There was a good looking 24’ Wilson on Fb, I’ll try to find it and post it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 Scrap that it’s too expensive and has a leg. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPSguru Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 42 minutes ago, Peachey said: OK - cheers all. Think Im down to either a 20ft Wilson flyer or a new 17ft Seahog Commodore - I am being told that the seahog commodore is real good for deckspace for a 17ft boat. With it being light too - may be ideal for what I am looking for. Thanks again Be aware that both will tend to 'slam' even in the most moderate of swells ................. but generally pretty safe boats ............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 This is a different one looks interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyswamp Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 6 hours ago, JonC said: There was a good looking 24’ Wilson on Fb, I’ll try to find it and post it up. Can you post it up jon, may be my mates old one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 8 minutes ago, jonnyswamp said: Can you post it up jon, may be my mates old one I’ll have a look, it was another 23 with a bmw petrol. That would worry me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyswamp Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 2 minutes ago, JonC said: I’ll have a look, it was another 23 with a bmw petrol. That would worry me Ah right, won't be my mates old one I doubt His had a straight 6 Mercruiser diesel (180hp IIRC) and the guy who bought it was going to drop a bigger lump in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, jonnyswamp said: Ah right, won't be my mates old one I doubt His had a straight 6 Mercruiser diesel (180hp IIRC) and the guy who bought it was going to drop a bigger lump in it That’s already big for a 23’ . All these homemade boats with legs are a bit worrying for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headlight Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 On 12/1/2020 at 1:57 PM, Peachey said: OK - cheers all. Think Im down to either a 20ft Wilson flyer or a new 17ft Seahog Commodore - I am being told that the seahog commodore is real good for deckspace for a 17ft boat. With it being light too - may be ideal for what I am looking for. Thanks again Raider 18 cuddy has the biggest deck space of any 18 footer at 54 square feet. Weight wise they are 630-700kgs depending on which model (Wheelhouse, Fisherman or Cuddy) so not very heavy. The cuddy will fish 4, the Wheelhouse/Fisherman 3. More space than a 17ft Seahog Commodore and a much better sea boat. Just be aware that Flyers have very low gunnels and are pretty slammy, although I personally quite like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzook12 Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 28 minutes ago, headlight said: Raider 18 cuddy has the biggest deck space of any 18 footer at 54 square feet. Weight wise they are 630-700kgs depending on which model (Wheelhouse, Fisherman or Cuddy) so not very heavy. The cuddy will fish 4, the Wheelhouse/Fisherman 3. More space than a 17ft Seahog Commodore and a much better sea boat. Just be aware that Flyers have very low gunnels and are pretty slammy, although I personally quite like them. Apart from the newer ones built by Garry Bull. Likewise the alaska 600 has a very large deck space and weighs in at around 900kg Lots of options, all comes down to personal preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headlight Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 He only built a couple and doesn"t build them anymore as he sold the moulds some time ago. Geoff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDP Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 6 hours ago, suzook12 said: Apart from the newer ones built by Garry Bull. Likewise the alaska 600 has a very large deck space and weighs in at around 900kg Lots of options, all comes down to personal preference. Just tried to find some info on these (in fact several UK boats). It seems very hard to find useful details on most boats, searches seem to keep heading to sites like this where people are chatting about boats. I was wanting to see what weight the 600 Alaska would be loaded on the trailer with engine and fuel etc, this is vital to anyone wanting to know their legal towing limits with the vehicle they own. I assume the 900kg is a bare dry hull new ? this could quite easily approach 2 tons or more when loaded. Also manufacturers over there who do post some info, don't seem to bother stating the degree of V in the hull. This is incredibley useful info for understanding how a boat will handle in chop and also helpful for estimating hp and prop size etc. Is there somewhere where this info can be found easily to make things easier for buyers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDP Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 7 hours ago, headlight said: Raider 18 cuddy has the biggest deck space of any 18 footer at 54 square feet. Weight wise they are 630-700kgs depending on which model (Wheelhouse, Fisherman or Cuddy) so not very heavy. The cuddy will fish 4, the Wheelhouse/Fisherman 3. More space than a 17ft Seahog Commodore and a much better sea boat. Just be aware that Flyers have very low gunnels and are pretty slammy, although I personally quite like them. Apologies, did mean to do a multiple quote but stuffed it up!!! As above in terms of boat information, those 17-18ft boats could easily top the scales at 2 tons when loaded ready to launch. An overall weight is far more useful than a bare new hull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.