Best all around cuddy cabin fishing/camping/family fun boat?
- Thread starter MadJigga
- Start date
wildthing
Well-Known Member
go a 1' more and look at the 26' Bertham it may have small inboards but hell of a lot of boat if you find the right one
to boot the 10' beam makes it a dream, galley, cuddy small flybridge a guy in our marina just picked one up out of the US
loads of room to fish out of and have 4 people on board with plenty of elbow room
and best bang for buck
a tidy one will run you less than 20K and there built like tanks
to boot the 10' beam makes it a dream, galley, cuddy small flybridge a guy in our marina just picked one up out of the US
loads of room to fish out of and have 4 people on board with plenty of elbow room
and best bang for buck
a tidy one will run you less than 20K and there built like tanks
MadJigga
Well-Known Member
I've looked at Bertrams, seems like a trip to the states would be in order as I haven't seen many available here
aheny
Well-Known Member
There's a great bertram 28 if you can afford 40k. 2 fresh engines.
Also, I'm not sure why this boat hasn't sold yet. If it's as advertised it's a great setup.
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/boa/5573658450.html
Also, I'm not sure why this boat hasn't sold yet. If it's as advertised it's a great setup.
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/boa/5573658450.html
Last edited:
c-dawg
Member
22' C-Dory Cruiser. Take a peek at www.c-brats.com and see the versatility of these economical boats.
MadJigga
Well-Known Member
My thoughts exactly after checking their website. narrow beam, not enough deadrise, shallow in the water. It's probably these features that make them economical to run. I have two young kids and want to weekend with them without getting pounded on in chop, or be tippy during fishing, my daughter doesn't like getting bounced around in the 17' DE we are riding now. I took her out today for her first day of fishing ever. It showed me the limitations of the current boat.
Thunder21
Well-Known Member
Well I would buy a 24 skagit orca or a sea sport 24 with outboards . If that's a bit too cramped you may want to take a look at a 30 ' Commander with diesels . I moved to Powell River last year and I swear there is 10 of them in the marina. They are economical to run for the size and have everything you need to fish and cruise for days. My new favorite boat I think.
MadJigga
Well-Known Member
Why outboards? These seam the best two options yet. But from what I can see, they mostly seam to be offered as inboards.
aheny
Well-Known Member
If you have mechanical or engineering experience you can save yourself tens of thousands of dollars with inboards.
Paying 6000 for a 250hp engine instead of 20k for starters, getting more hours out of it, then the easier repairs and the larger less heat sensitive layout.
If you're paying a mechanic to do everything, outboards have the advantage of popping on and off easily.
Paying 6000 for a 250hp engine instead of 20k for starters, getting more hours out of it, then the easier repairs and the larger less heat sensitive layout.
If you're paying a mechanic to do everything, outboards have the advantage of popping on and off easily.
Not sure of your budget, tow vehicle or needs, others have suggested lots of boat. Orcas, Sea Sports are awesome boats but need a mortgage to buy. Here's my idea. I have a 18.6 DE with 140 4 stroke outboard. Its the perfect boat for me, economical, easy to handle and totally safe for any waters I get into. Even on scary days, returning home across Johnston strait in 12 fters scary but not unsafe. I built a stand up HT with camper back, so 3 nights are great, have done 14 with my son for a very long trip. Still great but must arrange gas and organize well, and hope for no rain.
This idea is less money to start, maintain and still lets you fish whenever and as often as you want.
My 2c
HM
This idea is less money to start, maintain and still lets you fish whenever and as often as you want.
My 2c
HM
SpringFever2359
Well-Known Member
I owned a Campion 552(great boats) for 11yrs and went to a Trophy 2359(poor man's Orca lol) for the extra room,much larger cuddy,and plumbed in toilet.
Great layout with awesome visibility.
Inboard motor sits low in floor.
On calm days I like the "bump" for stepping on to when playing fish other wise it's a great place to put a food cooler on.
I can still pull the kids around on the tube up at the lake...might even be a good boat for wakeskating with its huge wake at lower speeds..lol
Be ready for difference in fuel use in any larger boats ..cdorys are built very light and are the exception in fuel consumption in larger boats.
Take your time and look at lots of designs..there is something out there with your name on it.
Great layout with awesome visibility.
Inboard motor sits low in floor.
On calm days I like the "bump" for stepping on to when playing fish other wise it's a great place to put a food cooler on.
I can still pull the kids around on the tube up at the lake...might even be a good boat for wakeskating with its huge wake at lower speeds..lol
Be ready for difference in fuel use in any larger boats ..cdorys are built very light and are the exception in fuel consumption in larger boats.
Take your time and look at lots of designs..there is something out there with your name on it.
Last edited:
leftcoast
Well-Known Member
The commanders are awesome I have been lucky enough to do some multi day trips on a 30 wow what a treat. Powell River loves Commander they are every where.
RogersonCrusoe
Well-Known Member
I fish regularily out of a 23' Maxum 2300SC. It's a great boat with sleeping arrangements for 4. There is lots of gunwale with to mount downriggers and a great swim deck for a cooler. I'm familiar with the V6 (225hp) version which is quite decent on fuel, but a little weak when there are more than 4 adults on.
Full cabin with stove, a double berth and a v-birth. Enclosed head with room to close the door and sit!
On the Fishing / Cruising slider, I would put it more on the cruising side.
https://cdn.moreboats.com/boats/31352.55e1bae5de71e11e085efc66.xl.jpg - for example.
Full cabin with stove, a double berth and a v-birth. Enclosed head with room to close the door and sit!
On the Fishing / Cruising slider, I would put it more on the cruising side.
https://cdn.moreboats.com/boats/31352.55e1bae5de71e11e085efc66.xl.jpg - for example.
advTHXance
Well-Known Member
Depends whether you want a fishing boat that you can take the family camping with, or a family boat that you can fish with. Skagit Orca, Seasport Sportman, Osprey Pilothouse, Hourston Sedan, etc are all nice boats... but theyre not cheap either! Arima, Bayliner, DoubleEagle and Campion all make nice fishing boats w/cuddy at a better price if thats a concern. Personally Im not a fan of the grady/trophy/explorer style walkaround because it makes the wheelhouse pretty cramped.
My dream boat is a something like a 24' (or 23') Hourston/Osprey/Seasport/Skagit/Arima with Alaskan bulkhead pilothouse, podded, with all the bells and whistles. Something small enough to trailer but big enough to spend a week on exploring!
My dream boat is a something like a 24' (or 23') Hourston/Osprey/Seasport/Skagit/Arima with Alaskan bulkhead pilothouse, podded, with all the bells and whistles. Something small enough to trailer but big enough to spend a week on exploring!
Last edited:
fishbadger
Active Member
I like walkarounds myself. The pilothouse is not for me, I like being outside. Loving my Grady 232 Gulfstream. I know you don't want a new one, but maybe find a used gem. I downsized from a Whaler Conquest 305 and I'm never looking back. Beamy big dancefloor, handles big water beautifully, trailers pretty well. Keep in mind this advice may be worth what you paid for it!
fb
fb
dmurph
Well-Known Member
I would look at the trophy 2359. I own one and really like it. I fish a good 2 or 3 days a week overnighting most trips. Works great for myself, wife and 4 year old boy. Been bringing the boy on board since he was 3 months old. Boat is easy to handle and see out of. It is stable and can take big water. I put a big costco cooler on the swimgrid and a smaller one on the dog house. The cuddy is quite large and that's what I really like. The toilet is a pain to use as its under the bed in the cuddy. We just use a bucket. I would love an outboard on it but not an option. 30 commander is my dream boat but 4 to 5 times more expensive than mine
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
I know the feeling. Just choose wisely. I was going to get a larger boat over 20 I had a double eagle as well. With too small kids I found I had to be realistic. I chose a Malibu 185. The reason being is it from its size one of the more larger cuddies. The gunnels are big and I have taken it out some rough stuff and it's like a pillow. If I went up in size I probably would only want it for the added kitchen etc. Otherwise it's perfect for two small kids and I can trailer and move around anywhere. Only limitation is offshore but I have friends with larger boats can go with. With small kids it's nice to have huge boat but it's also a lot of extra cost especially when family is young.
The other one I would recommend if you go s little larger is a campion victoria. They are 21 feet but easy to launch on your own. It's built solid has a hardtop with door. Huge cuddy and table fridge etc. My buddy has one and the kids love it.
Last edited:
Similar threads
