I'm looking at the 24'ft Sea Sport and the 24' ft Skagit Orca. Any info would be great .(pros vs cons) thanks

Depends on what you are using the boats for. Both are pretty expensive boats and only have 8'6'' beams which on the water is a drawback, but for trailering is nice. I own a fiberglass and an aluminum boat and maintenance on the aluminum is much easier.

If you are looking for a combo family/fishing boat both are good choices. Sea Sport builds a quality product and has more options in terms of toys installed on boat.

One downfall of the Orca is they were only around for a few years before they went under. Maybe pick one up rather cheap because of that.

If you are looking for a fishing only boat, I would recomend going aluminum. They are lighter so you can build a bigger boat and get away with less horsepower. There are many custom boat builders in this area who can fully customize your boat. Coldwater, Munson, Sea Wolf, Pacific Skiff just to name a few.

I'm familiar with and like both boats....if I had to pick I'd go with the Sea Sport cause their business is more stable so you'll be able to get parts/service if you need it. Another idea is a 26 Seaswirl Striper hardtop instead.... Its still an awesome boat for a lot less money. My salmon fishing buddy bought a new one with 350 duoprop after a ride back from Swiftsure in my 21 Walkaround striper in nasty weather convinced him they were a big step up from his Bayliner. Stripers are great fishing boats especially for the money.

A-Man,

No recommendation (I'd be happy with either), but I can offer an observation:
Boy, there are a lot of Sea Sports parked around the San Juans.
I only noticed because my wife keeps bringing them to my attention.

i looked at both these boats at the boat show and I would buy the 24ft orca with extended cab and a out board. this set up is alot cheaped then the sea sport. Its amazing how little things about boats bug you. the sea sport 24 has a engine cover that is just high enought to trip over all the time but not high enough to set on. the orca inboard engine cover was high enough to seat on and padded just for that purpose. the ocra out board weighs alot less and has that room free plus a nice swim step. the orca is built by the guys that are building the c-dory , which comes in a 25ft model that I wolud like. they have a boat owners group called c-brats that has a lot of info. some of these people are motoring their way to alaska in the 22 foot model and one takes his 19t c-dory. just food for thought.

A-Man
I have a friend that has a 22 ft. Sea sport and loves it and so do I. I will own one in 4 years, have to pay off the the powerstroke first. He runs his out tuna fishing all the time without any problems providing bar conditions. This boat is the best ruff water boat I have rode in so far. The one thing I do not like about the Sea Sport is that the fuel tank runs from side to side right infront of the engine compartment. The tank on his has no baffles so as you use gas it is harder to keep boat trimed out. That gas sloshing around will keep the boat rocking form side to side. Dont know if they have did anything with this but I will have that problem fixed when I buy mine.
I am sending you his email address so you can talk to him he is out of town this weekend but said he would answer any QA you have.

Kingfisherman

P.S. He has had it for 8 years and well over 3500+ hrs. and never been to the shop I would say thats what your paying for

I would at least investigate an aluminum boat.

As has already been posted there are a lot of advantages. One of the biggest (IMHO) is the ease that modifications and additions can be facilitated.

However, there seems to be an idiological diff. between skippers of a 26' aluminum and a 26' seasport.

You don,t see as many 26' aluminum boats moored in Roche Harbor .

herm

FYI - Skagit Orcas are being built by C-Dory. Both are nice boats, but I would go with the Orca setup with an outboard.....all that open cockpit space without the hump. Second choice would be the SeaSport.

A-MAN I am a Seasport owner a 24xl I love it .I have been out to 72 square and out of Ilwaco
for tuna.I have been over all of the bars in Wa. If I had to do it over again I would get a Navigater with a stand up head and get the 350 vortec.If you have any questions fire away!!