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#232130 - 02/10/04 01:18 PM Re: Water skiing/fishing boat?
Mike C Offline


Registered: 04/05/01
Posts: 1373
Loc: Redmond
18 foot Seaswirl Cuddy here. 120 HP, great saltwater troller, does good sking with four people on board. That compromise stuff is hard (which is why I have three boats rolleyes )
_________________________
Mike, Editor
www.washingtonlakes.com "Featuring readers lake and saltwater reports."

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#232131 - 02/10/04 02:17 PM Re: Water skiing/fishing boat?
tdickenson Offline
Juvenile at Sea

Registered: 01/20/03
Posts: 189
Loc: Seattle, WA
I've got a 19' Seaswirl Striper (open bow, walkthrough) that I love for combo fishing and family recreation in the Sound (it has a removeable ski tow bar). It's got a 150 hp outboard. The striper is the fiberglass lined model which not only is easy to clean out but adds a little stiffness and strength to the hull.

Unfortunately, I hesitate taking it out on the ocean because I feel the open bow makes you a little more vulnerable to take on water. Plus mine's an older model with only about a 35 gallon gas tank.

Still, I'm recommending it as a combo boat. I've got removeable downriggers so it's clean in the back. And Seaswirl gives you solid construction and the usually more expensive fiberglass interior at a moderate price.

Good luck with your search and decision.

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#232132 - 02/11/04 11:49 PM Re: Water skiing/fishing boat?
FishPirate Offline
Juvenile at Sea

Registered: 12/01/00
Posts: 120
Loc: Arlington, Wa
Thanks for the great advice! You folks are full of great information.

What I would really like is a used boat with a fairly new motor. 4 stroke or possibly one of the newer 2 strokes would be preferred. Fuel consumption is always an issue.

I haven't checked out Bluewater's yet. Thanks for the tip.

What do you think about the open bow for saltwater fishing? The "bigwater" fishing I will be doing will be within 15 miles from the coast, or in the Strait. Anytime I go out to La Push I am on the cautious side already.

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#232133 - 02/12/04 01:41 AM Re: Water skiing/fishing boat?
Finegrain Offline
Returning Adult

Registered: 06/05/00
Posts: 478
Loc: Woodinville, WA, USA
Walkaround or center console is more convenient for fishing and anchoring than open bow ski-boat style, IMO. Full cuddy (like mine beathead ) is the worst.

As to safety in big water, it depends on the crew as much as the boat. If you are very alert and willing to pull up all the gear and run for safe waters BEFORE things get ugly, you would probably be OK in a rowboat (on a calm day). Conversely, if you ignore warning signs, like a splash of water coming over the transom every few waves or your buddies are getting thrown off their feet now and then, you might have a tragic outcome in a purpose-built ocean boat.

Also consider how long the run back to safe waters will be. 15 miles can be a LONG way to go if you are quartering heavy seas and having trouble staying on plane. You might also feel extra-stressed if one or more on the boat are trying hard not to puke, and begging you to get back in more quickly (DAMHIKT). That extra 5 kts might put you into a dangerous condition.
_________________________
Regards.

Finegrain
Woodinville

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#232134 - 02/14/04 01:55 AM Re: Water skiing/fishing boat?
jam session Offline
Returning Adult

Registered: 01/08/02
Posts: 261
Loc: Lake Goodwin
FP...open bow question really depends on the style of boat you're talking about. Many hardcore center console saltwater boats have an open bow, however if you're talking runabout or ski style boat with seats up there and a low bow, don't even think about La Push or Neah Bay. In Puget Sound you're probably ok in the summer when the weather is good. My compromise boat (see previous post) seats 6 in the cockpit and you can walk up to the bow (seats one at rest) to anchor, dock or fish. For what you want to do I think a walk around cutty is the way to go....but then that's my boat....been to Neah Bay in 10ft swells with 5 ft white caps and still wake board at Lake Goodwin. Keep asking questions and look at a lot of boats.

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#232135 - 02/14/04 12:59 PM Re: Water skiing/fishing boat?
Kyle_A Offline
Spawner

Registered: 12/03/00
Posts: 657
I went through this a couple years ago as well. I ended up not buying. What I did decide was the 17' Bayliner (I know...Bayliner!) Trophy Dual Console was the closest thing to the perfect fish (more fish than ski) ski boat. It is a deep hulled open bow family boat with a nice deep draft. They quit making it in 2001 or 2002, but I was able to find a couple still new on boat trader. Below is the URL to one.
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/9/6/64300696.htm

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#232136 - 02/14/04 03:04 PM Re: Water skiing/fishing boat?
New guy Offline
Parr

Registered: 12/08/03
Posts: 42
I have a 1977 Starcraft (18.5ft) with a 115 HP outboard and cupped racing prop. It weighs 1200 pounds with engine. It has arguably the best ski wake out there due to its low weight and also works well (within reason) off the coast. Mostly, this is because it is HIGHLY bouyant( an advantage lost with most glass boats as they are heavier) and has high sides. I also reinforced the subfloor structure. My father has a 20ft North River Sea Hawk with a 200HP Yamaha outboard(4 stroke) and cupped prop. When properly trimmed out, the wake is almost as small as the Starcrafts. Both boats have incredible hole shot. I would blow some foam into the North River though if I were taking it out in the really nasty stuff. We both think that for an all around boat the Starcraft (or something along those lines, i.e. Crestliner) will be hard to beat. The closed,semiclosed bow has some advantages if you plan to push the limits. Hope this helps.

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