Best all around cuddy cabin fishing/camping/family fun boat?

[sly_karma]

They're great for smaller boats because of the extra room they free up, but there's a crossover point in boat length where podded outboard setup ceases to make much sense. It varies according to specific hull design, but in general it's around 24-25 ft. It's the point where the hull is deep enough to allow an inboard engine to fit below deck, or for the engine cover to be a non issue for fishing. There are countless old threads on the outboard vs inboard debate, and the clear consensus over the years has been "it depends." As your boat gets larger, you need more power - lots more - and that power gets really expensive when it comes in outboard form. In the used boat market 24 ft and up, you'll find more choices with inboards. On the BC coast, podded setups are very desirable so they command a premium. You'll probably get more bang for the buck from an inboard setup. A pilothouse setup like a Trophy or Skagit will make a good double-threat fishing/cruising rig.

 

[barkerfam]

Another vote for a trophy. Had mine (model 2002) for 11 years now. Exceptional value. Stable boat, great price, great to fish from. Cuddy is tight with 1 adult and 2 kids but tolerable. Easy to tow as well. My $0.02.

 

[bigdogeh]

another vote for trophy. alot of value for the dollar. great fishing and family boat.

 

[bones]

Trophy cuddy 2302WA gets a vote here as well. I like mine, no real complaints.

 

[Sir Reel]

I really liked my 2004 Campion 602i. I had it for 11 years and it worked great for us. I fished Sooke, Bamfield, Gold River, and Nanaimo. Have been in some really ugly weather and never felt unsafe.
Was good for 2 guys overnighting in. Had a stand up bimini and side curtains for keeping out of the wind and rain and unlike Grady's, Trophy's and others you could sit 4 people out of the rain in a fairly large cockpit.
My cousin got a 682 a few years ago which is quite a bit bigger and very nice. You can find some older 672's for a decent price too.
This is back east but you get a lot of boat for the money.

http://www.discountrvmarine.com/used/01campionvolvo/01Campion672Volvo.htm

 

[TipUp]

We also fish out of a Malibu 185 that we recently podded with a Mercury Optimax 135. Handles rough water very well and has a fairly large cuddy. An all around great boat for fishing or cruising. I would suggest looking for an outboard model though if your more into fishing - the 4.3 liter inboards that usually come with these boats really cuts down on fishing room.

 

[ericl]

Down here where bayliners are made the have a poor reputation for quality.
Looks like as you have an "eye" for a good design as you rejected C-dory"

Late 70's - early 80's has the reputation for very solid F/G hulls. I currently have a 78 Chris Craft & all the windows still have no leaks. The stringers are all hollow F/G; no wood.
A heavy deep V gives the best ride (24 - 25 ft Sea Ray). Lighter shallow V is easier on fuel. I fished on an older 25 Grady with a very wide beam - nice boat.
Fly bridge is nice for seeing objects you rather not hit, plus it's a quiet location to drive from.

As for power, I'd rate inboard diesel, gas O/B & Gas inboard or gas I/O in that order. Running the boat at a good trolling speed will be an issue that needs resolution if the boat is a fast planing hull. Myself I purchase based on power first, boat make/model second. I had a 24' 1978 SeaRay, converted the gas I/O to OB.
Bertram's are great boats but the command a premium beyond Grady's. They were made on the east coast & rare around here.

 

[MadJigga]

I'm probably looking at a Osprey/Seasport/Skagit. Hopefully diesel inboard with a 15hp+ kicker.I have a dodge 5500 4x4 for my construction business, so tow vehicle isn't an issue. I'll be looking at Trophy's as well after all the positive feedback! I'm thinking 50-70k price range. I've seen all these boats used for around that. I have two young kids( 7 weeks and 2 1/2), me and the wife( I'm 6'4" 250 lbs, my wife is 5'11", not saying her weight but shes pretty trim 7 weeks after giving birth! And two dogs,1 60#er and a 125# Mastiff) I would be taking everyone on some of the extended weekends or camping trips! This is where the smaller cuddy on the Trophy/Grady/Campions may become an issue. I won't be looking to buy until late winter/maybe next spring as I'm still completing extensive renovations to my house this year(New kitchen and bath upstairs, new exterior with exterior insulation system including new doors and windows, complete basement renovation, new roof on the addition etc.) So I have a lot to pay for right now and not much time...just happy to get out fishing once or twice a month for a half day right now! And it will take 3-6 months to build up enough capital to buy the boat after renovations are complete. Good thing construction is booming in Victoria right now! And I have a solid crew! I really appreciate all the feedback, I use this site a lot!

 

[Rockfish]

As I have said before, love the Skagit Orcas, my fantasy purchase boat. They have such amazing sea handling abilities and will match or exceed the capabilities of significantly larger well designed boats. A few years back a women I know sold an Orca 24 after her husband passed on from cancer. It was in like new condition, outfitted with the highest quality (read expensive) gear and equipment and had just had a new high power quality marine diesel (great fuel economy and fast) and new leg with the duel inline props. installed and was on a like new quality trailer. I believe the boat and trailer sold for the give away price of around $75,000. You could have even bought the F350 4x4 with the electric controls for the trailer brakes at a bargain if you wanted it. The point being, that if you have the cash, great deals do come up once in a while. I hate to even think what that repowering cost them, only to end up selling the boat.

 

[kodyman]

Check out the Robalo 225. I purchased an 2008 and love it for fishing and cruising. The back seat folds out of the way to give lots of room to handle the fish. I have the hardtop with rocket launchers and radar. We are out on the west coast this week enjoying it with 6 of us. It's a great ride in the calm and rough water.

 

[profisher]

If you are looking for a Seasport keep and eye on the Island Marine Centre website as they usually have a selection of used ones in their inventory. In fact they have 3 listed a 24 ft and 2 - 22 ft from $32,000 to $68,000 US. The 24 is a 1993 with 413 hrs and is listed at $47,000 on consignment

 

[saanauk]

Another brand to look at is Olympic. The 24 and 26 ft Olympics are very nice and can be found with original brackets and outboards for a decent price.

 

[sly_karma]

^ Those are well made boats for Northwest conditions.