smokedvw
Active Member
Hi,
So I have dabbled in trying to figure out which boat to get next. Mainly on facebook posts here and there but I figured this is probably the best place to come to discuss it.
My current boat is a 1970's 15' Hurston Glasscraft that I rebuilt in 2016 with a 2010 Mercury 4 stroke 50hp. I have done all maintenance and work on the boat and motor (along with some assistance when needed by a marine mechanic friend when I hit an issue).
The boat is moored in Canoe Cove (Sidney BC in from April to October) and I usually use the boat to go crabbing, prawning but mainly it is used to just go out and cruise and enjoy the sun, sidney spit (sandy beach) or portland island for lunch/dinner or the kids to play in the beach and water. We just had a second child and as it is the boat works but is for sure tight if we want to invite a family member or friend (though in covid this isnt really happening). I find that for our immediate family we can get away with what we have now on nice days and those are currently the only days we go out.
When the weather is nice we like to make some food at home, go to the boat and rip over to either location to enjoy the sun and eat on the beach. Both can be reached in under 15 minutes at 30 kph which is cruising speed in that boat. (~3800-4000 RPM's).
What I am trying to figure out is if I need to move up to a 17' or 18.5 with a cuddy. For this season I think we will be fine in our current boat but I would like to try to figure out what I want to look around for over winter or if a deal comes up (very unlikely in this overpriced market currently).
When it comes down to it I am leaning more towards a fiberglass boat though I do find it frustrating to see the side of my current boat at the back being totally wacked up and scratched by people pulling up traps and smacking them against the side of the boat and making scratches all over me included. That lead me to think of possibly going to a aluminum welded boat (silver streak, hewes etc, they seem to be found for around $30k for a 15 year old one, which funny enough is less than they were new 15 years ago but seems all the boats I will list are more then they probably were new or close to it with covid pricing).
After a lot of thinking about fiberglass vs aluminum it seems like most people seem to say they prefer fiberglass for the ride and impact on waves etc. in the 17-18 foot range unless you go up past 21' in an aluminum. At the same time I have heard the DE and older boats have issues with the hulls getting water etc and then getting heavier, needing to be redone etc. IF they are sitting moored 24/7. I think this goes away on the newer hulls of fiberglass and kevlar.
I also beach my boat always when dropping off the kids/friends etc then setup my anchor just off shore so I can pull it back to get on. I dont see how this can really cause that much harm to fiberglass, when people are getting concerned about beaching their boats are they talking when they leave for a hike in high tide to come back to find their boat hung up on rocks or something? I cant see what putting your boat into some sand beach or somewhat seashell/pebble type rocks would really do to the hull? Hasnt done anything to my 1970's boat but then again I hear they make them like sherman tanks back then.
I do not fish much but I do see this as something I will do more as my sons gets older (1 currently 3 and the other is a new born). What I am unsure about is if anyone will really use the cuddy in the 185/campion to actually nap etc or play in if we are out fishing or if its a waste of time and money. Those boats are considerably heavier than say a 18' or 17' older DE without the cuddy which will translate to more money on gas etc.
Pro's about my current boat
- super cheap to run is probably #1 reason I use it all the time. We are honestly out 3 times a week when its nice out. I can run this boat 3 times a week from April to September and spend $400 for the summer.
- runs well in decent weather (we have taken it to Salt Spring) but really its not fun in anything over maybe a 1.5'-2' wave. It has been out in bigger but just not ideal. I always check the weather before we go to determine wind direction then chose a spot based on that or not go out at all.
- I rebuilt it with bayliner seats and built it to fit a 6'2 person where I can fully chill back and extend my legs without hitting the wall between the storage area (not sure whats it called) but before I did this being that cramped would drive me crazy being tall.
- I have replaced the majority of things on the boat so I know it inside and out
Con's
- going prawning you can only have 2 people on the boat
- going fishing feels like 2 people is about maximum as well
- dont want to be caught in 3'+ waves
17' DE/Hurston/KC
- all these boats seem to be about the same though the DE does seem to have a higher gunnel at the back of the boat
Pro's
- could possibly take 6 people (depending on configuration)
- minimum size to prawn/fish with room
- less gas required running a 90hp or 115hp compared to a 185 DE
Con's
- more gas than my current boat but thats about it
185 DE / 542 Explorer
Pro's
- cuddy though I have no idea how often the kids will use it, it can also double as storage etc
- would allow me to go fishing in further areas, though in reality my fishing skills need to get way better to even bother going out to more remote spots and I do feel like I can just tag along with others possibly to learn how to fish there before I need a boat to go there but it would future proof that need
- I fell like I could setup a BBQ on the back to be out and eat on the boat but honestly 185 doesnt feel like its big enough to really go out and put down the anchor somewhere and make a BBQ and chill? Maybe I need to go in one again to get that feeling. My 21' Malibu seems like a relaxing paradise compared to the ocean style boats im describing here.
Con's
- Close to most expensive option ($25k - 35k)
- Most expensive to operate
180 Hewes Sea Runner
Pro's
- less maintenance (possibly, sounds like you just need to make sure to put the bottom zincs, and check the special coating each season)
- less weight than the 185 DE so you can run a 115 and be less on gas
- seem to have a nice setups for fishing room wise and side ways seats
Con's
- not as good in the ocean waves as the 185 DE, would it be about the same as the 17's? My neighbor at the dock said he loves his 180 hewes over his old 176 DE but said they ride about the same. I think the less maintenance is the big factor there keeping it in the water all the time.
- most expensive option it seems ($30k - 40k for a used 2005-2010)
Questions I have
1) Anyone really know what the difference in gas costs would really be between the 15' w 50hp, 17 w 90hp, 185 with 125-150 hp (though I see 115's I dont know if that is enough to really run those boats?) Is it close to 1.5-2x in the 17' and 3x in the 185?
2) Do kids really use the cuddy? I can only see us using the cuddy when we are out fishing and they want a break otherwise we would be at the beach. I have had kids fall asleep in the 15' on the way home and we just put them on the floor with pillows/blankets, or on your lap. Seems like it would be nice to put them up there but it would also have to be a pretty calm day I assume if you were moving.
3) Is the bigger boat really only needed for fishing and going more offshore locations? If I plan to just stay in the protected waters around the gulf islands do I need to go larger? I think what is missing for me right now is the ability to take friends and their kids out BUT that is like 5-10% of its use max. Right now I can get by with a single friend and their son and mine but if you want to take out another couple I feel like you need 6 seats. My current boat has no stamped regulation but we have had 6 people in it and it has a hard time to plane.
4) If I go 542 is the 2005 a lot better than pervious hull designs?
5) In the 17's is the KC and Hurston the same hull and DE is different or are they all about the same but the DE has the high gunnel/rear of the boat?
I had thought of a lowes/lund ski and fish style aluminum too since it has ample seating but I heard the ride even in the 18' was not very good in the chop so I threw that out before. I know you can get almost new ones (2-3 years old) for about $25k which seems like a good deal (at least last year not sure on prices this year). Just putting this back in the mix in case people have tried these and have anything to compare above.
Thank guys!
So I have dabbled in trying to figure out which boat to get next. Mainly on facebook posts here and there but I figured this is probably the best place to come to discuss it.
My current boat is a 1970's 15' Hurston Glasscraft that I rebuilt in 2016 with a 2010 Mercury 4 stroke 50hp. I have done all maintenance and work on the boat and motor (along with some assistance when needed by a marine mechanic friend when I hit an issue).
The boat is moored in Canoe Cove (Sidney BC in from April to October) and I usually use the boat to go crabbing, prawning but mainly it is used to just go out and cruise and enjoy the sun, sidney spit (sandy beach) or portland island for lunch/dinner or the kids to play in the beach and water. We just had a second child and as it is the boat works but is for sure tight if we want to invite a family member or friend (though in covid this isnt really happening). I find that for our immediate family we can get away with what we have now on nice days and those are currently the only days we go out.
When the weather is nice we like to make some food at home, go to the boat and rip over to either location to enjoy the sun and eat on the beach. Both can be reached in under 15 minutes at 30 kph which is cruising speed in that boat. (~3800-4000 RPM's).
What I am trying to figure out is if I need to move up to a 17' or 18.5 with a cuddy. For this season I think we will be fine in our current boat but I would like to try to figure out what I want to look around for over winter or if a deal comes up (very unlikely in this overpriced market currently).
When it comes down to it I am leaning more towards a fiberglass boat though I do find it frustrating to see the side of my current boat at the back being totally wacked up and scratched by people pulling up traps and smacking them against the side of the boat and making scratches all over me included. That lead me to think of possibly going to a aluminum welded boat (silver streak, hewes etc, they seem to be found for around $30k for a 15 year old one, which funny enough is less than they were new 15 years ago but seems all the boats I will list are more then they probably were new or close to it with covid pricing).
After a lot of thinking about fiberglass vs aluminum it seems like most people seem to say they prefer fiberglass for the ride and impact on waves etc. in the 17-18 foot range unless you go up past 21' in an aluminum. At the same time I have heard the DE and older boats have issues with the hulls getting water etc and then getting heavier, needing to be redone etc. IF they are sitting moored 24/7. I think this goes away on the newer hulls of fiberglass and kevlar.
I also beach my boat always when dropping off the kids/friends etc then setup my anchor just off shore so I can pull it back to get on. I dont see how this can really cause that much harm to fiberglass, when people are getting concerned about beaching their boats are they talking when they leave for a hike in high tide to come back to find their boat hung up on rocks or something? I cant see what putting your boat into some sand beach or somewhat seashell/pebble type rocks would really do to the hull? Hasnt done anything to my 1970's boat but then again I hear they make them like sherman tanks back then.
I do not fish much but I do see this as something I will do more as my sons gets older (1 currently 3 and the other is a new born). What I am unsure about is if anyone will really use the cuddy in the 185/campion to actually nap etc or play in if we are out fishing or if its a waste of time and money. Those boats are considerably heavier than say a 18' or 17' older DE without the cuddy which will translate to more money on gas etc.
Pro's about my current boat
- super cheap to run is probably #1 reason I use it all the time. We are honestly out 3 times a week when its nice out. I can run this boat 3 times a week from April to September and spend $400 for the summer.
- runs well in decent weather (we have taken it to Salt Spring) but really its not fun in anything over maybe a 1.5'-2' wave. It has been out in bigger but just not ideal. I always check the weather before we go to determine wind direction then chose a spot based on that or not go out at all.
- I rebuilt it with bayliner seats and built it to fit a 6'2 person where I can fully chill back and extend my legs without hitting the wall between the storage area (not sure whats it called) but before I did this being that cramped would drive me crazy being tall.
- I have replaced the majority of things on the boat so I know it inside and out
Con's
- going prawning you can only have 2 people on the boat
- going fishing feels like 2 people is about maximum as well
- dont want to be caught in 3'+ waves
17' DE/Hurston/KC
- all these boats seem to be about the same though the DE does seem to have a higher gunnel at the back of the boat
Pro's
- could possibly take 6 people (depending on configuration)
- minimum size to prawn/fish with room
- less gas required running a 90hp or 115hp compared to a 185 DE
Con's
- more gas than my current boat but thats about it
185 DE / 542 Explorer
Pro's
- cuddy though I have no idea how often the kids will use it, it can also double as storage etc
- would allow me to go fishing in further areas, though in reality my fishing skills need to get way better to even bother going out to more remote spots and I do feel like I can just tag along with others possibly to learn how to fish there before I need a boat to go there but it would future proof that need
- I fell like I could setup a BBQ on the back to be out and eat on the boat but honestly 185 doesnt feel like its big enough to really go out and put down the anchor somewhere and make a BBQ and chill? Maybe I need to go in one again to get that feeling. My 21' Malibu seems like a relaxing paradise compared to the ocean style boats im describing here.
Con's
- Close to most expensive option ($25k - 35k)
- Most expensive to operate
180 Hewes Sea Runner
Pro's
- less maintenance (possibly, sounds like you just need to make sure to put the bottom zincs, and check the special coating each season)
- less weight than the 185 DE so you can run a 115 and be less on gas
- seem to have a nice setups for fishing room wise and side ways seats
Con's
- not as good in the ocean waves as the 185 DE, would it be about the same as the 17's? My neighbor at the dock said he loves his 180 hewes over his old 176 DE but said they ride about the same. I think the less maintenance is the big factor there keeping it in the water all the time.
- most expensive option it seems ($30k - 40k for a used 2005-2010)
Questions I have
1) Anyone really know what the difference in gas costs would really be between the 15' w 50hp, 17 w 90hp, 185 with 125-150 hp (though I see 115's I dont know if that is enough to really run those boats?) Is it close to 1.5-2x in the 17' and 3x in the 185?
2) Do kids really use the cuddy? I can only see us using the cuddy when we are out fishing and they want a break otherwise we would be at the beach. I have had kids fall asleep in the 15' on the way home and we just put them on the floor with pillows/blankets, or on your lap. Seems like it would be nice to put them up there but it would also have to be a pretty calm day I assume if you were moving.
3) Is the bigger boat really only needed for fishing and going more offshore locations? If I plan to just stay in the protected waters around the gulf islands do I need to go larger? I think what is missing for me right now is the ability to take friends and their kids out BUT that is like 5-10% of its use max. Right now I can get by with a single friend and their son and mine but if you want to take out another couple I feel like you need 6 seats. My current boat has no stamped regulation but we have had 6 people in it and it has a hard time to plane.
4) If I go 542 is the 2005 a lot better than pervious hull designs?
5) In the 17's is the KC and Hurston the same hull and DE is different or are they all about the same but the DE has the high gunnel/rear of the boat?
I had thought of a lowes/lund ski and fish style aluminum too since it has ample seating but I heard the ride even in the 18' was not very good in the chop so I threw that out before. I know you can get almost new ones (2-3 years old) for about $25k which seems like a good deal (at least last year not sure on prices this year). Just putting this back in the mix in case people have tried these and have anything to compare above.
Thank guys!
