Fishing boat

B

Bing

New Member
Hi everyone, I’d like to ask a question about fishing boats. I’m hoping to find a safe and capable vessel for crossing the Strait of Georgia, with a budget under $200,000 CAD. Given the budget, it will certainly be a used boat.


Right now, I’m considering three options: the Grady-White 232, Kingfisher Coastal Express 2825, and the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 855 Marlin.


I’d love to hear some feedback on these three boats—especially the 855 Marlin. It looks great on paper and seems to have everything I need, but I’ve come across scattered negative comments about it on some forums.


Has anyone here had experience driving or owning one? I’d really appreciate any firsthand insights.


Thanks in advance!
 
Welcome to SFBC!

That is a very healthy budget! What do you plan to do with the boat? IE: how many people aboard for fishing? Overnight or just a dayboat? Moorage or trailering?
 
Bing said:
Hi everyone, I’d like to ask a question about fishing boats. I’m hoping to find a safe and capable vessel for crossing the Strait of Georgia, with a budget under $200,000 CAD. Given the budget, it will certainly be a used boat.


Right now, I’m considering three options: the Grady-White 232, Kingfisher Coastal Express 2825, and the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 855 Marlin.


I’d love to hear some feedback on these three boats—especially the 855 Marlin. It looks great on paper and seems to have everything I need, but I’ve come across scattered negative comments about it on some forums.


Has anyone here had experience driving or owning one? I’d really appreciate any firsthand insights.


Thanks in advance!
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Get yourself a northwestern used( one built on Vancouver island)200k should be no problem,tank of a boat compared to kF
 
Pineapple Express said:
Welcome to SFBC!

That is a very healthy budget! What do you plan to do with the boat? IE: how many people aboard for fishing? Overnight or just a dayboat? Moorage or trailering?
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It’s mainly for day trips. I’d like a boat that can comfortably take 4 to 6 people fishing and has a private toilet.
 
Grady White 300 Marlin. Quality. Overnighter. Great in big water in the Strait. Good resale. $200K should get a repower 2005/2008 year probably. $160/180K will get you one with original motors. I’ve looked at a few in the US. Too small for me but still a decent size boat at around 10,000 lbs.
 
Of the three choices on your list Grady White would be my first choice, they have a good history and great resale value.
 
Bing said:
Hi everyone, I’d like to ask a question about fishing boats. I’m hoping to find a safe and capable vessel for crossing the Strait of Georgia, with a budget under $200,000 CAD. Given the budget, it will certainly be a used boat.


Right now, I’m considering three options: the Grady-White 232, Kingfisher Coastal Express 2825, and the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 855 Marlin.


I’d love to hear some feedback on these three boats—especially the 855 Marlin. It looks great on paper and seems to have everything I need, but I’ve come across scattered negative comments about it on some forums.


Has anyone here had experience driving or owning one? I’d really appreciate any firsthand insights.


Thanks in advance!
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Hello Bing! Welcome to SFBC. I currently own a 2014 MF855. I'm assuming what I have is the standard model? Not the Marlin anyway. I did look at the Marlins but found for my family, I didn't want to give up the extra cabin and kitchen space for cruising. I was coming from a much bigger, much cooler, much more expensive 30 Commander with a 12 foot beam, prior to owning this. That boat nickle and dimed me to death but it also spoiled me in every other way. I've had the boat for a year now and I can honestly say I'm quite pleased with it. There are a couple Facebook groups if you can stomach them. The brand is NC (New Concept) and I believe that happened in 2016. That's when the manufacturing was brought from Poland/France to somwhere in the US. That's when a lot of the leak issues you've heard about seem to have gotten worse. Some things like the sliding door need adjusting and repair of you take on big water, but for the most part it rides fantastic. I've since reworked my batteries completely and brought things to more of a Transport Canada Approved Spec. As mine was built in France. I reworked everything fishing related a can honestly say I've found it really enjoyable to fish (and productive!)
I prefer to fish with just two guys but we've had four or even five with 3 guys staying nice and toasty in the cabin. The side door allows the captain to sneak out and join the action. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one who's been bit by the fancy bug a little. Or to someone who's married to one 😉
 
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尼斯 232
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我很喜欢这艘船，但我的家人不太喜欢。他们更喜欢带驾驶室的船，因为即使在加拿大的夏天，水上还是会很冷。
 
Bing said:
我很喜欢这艘船，但我的家人不太喜欢。他们更喜欢带驾驶室的船，因为即使在加拿大的夏天，水上还是会很冷。
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Nice boat , but 50 hrs in 10 years ??190 k for a 10 year old boat, even in this condition I think is way OP,
 
855 has 9’9” beam, 232 9’3” and 2825 8’6. So most room overall is the 855 but lots of it outside the cabin.

2825 and 855 are going to give you a full locking cabin, so a much different experience in the winter and cold days.

The 232 likely has the best hull for crossing the straight. Nice for summer days to have the drop curtain rolled up and full access to the cockpit.

I’d personally go get this 232 surveyed. 100k in savings with new power. I bet it will be the most comfortable crossing the straight, best for fishing out of and gives you plenty of money for BOAT bringing out another thousand for upgrades, maintenance and 2footitus https://www.facebook.com/share/1CUCBiFgQs/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I don’t know if you prefer a stand up head but I do. This king fisher has one https://www.facebook.com/share/1AphPhfTfi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Things to consider, where are you keeping it? Single engines without a bow thruster are a little trickier to dock, but once you learn are fine.
 
kaelc said:
855 has 9’9” beam, 232 9’3” and 2825 8’6. So most room overall is the 855 but lots of it outside the cabin.

2825 and 855 are going to give you a full locking cabin, so a much different experience in the winter and cold days.

The 232 likely has the best hull for crossing the straight. Nice for summer days to have the drop curtain rolled up and full access to the cockpit.

I’d personally go get this 232 surveyed. 100k in savings with new power. I bet it will be the most comfortable crossing the straight, best for fishing out of and gives you plenty of money for BOAT bringing out another thousand for upgrades, maintenance and 2footitus https://www.facebook.com/share/1CUCBiFgQs/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I don’t know if you prefer a stand up head but I do. This king fisher has one https://www.facebook.com/share/1AphPhfTfi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Things to consider, where are you keeping it? Single engines without a bow thruster are a little trickier to dock, but once you learn are fine.
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I would say that anyone looking for that guide experience in terms of deck space, might be disappointed with the MF855. But I personally easily make due (some might say, I thrive 😉😁)
 
Rain City said:
I would say that anyone looking for that guide experience in terms of deck space, might be disappointed with the MF855. But I personally easily make due (some might say, I thrive 😉😁)
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Yeah, I’ve been spoiled fishing on a 282 GW and Boston Whaler Conquest 285. It’s all how you use the space and order the deckhands around? Soft coolers and using the hard top, are key to keeping a spacious dance floor.
 
Bing said:
Yes, my friend used to have an Axopar 37. But for me, it’s too big and too expensive in every aspect.
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A 28' boat might be a little daunting for a first timer.
Not saying it can't be done, you might be a little more comfortable starting smaller and working up 😉
 
scott craven said:
A 28' boat might be a little daunting for a first timer.
Not saying it can't be done, you might be a little more comfortable starting smaller and working up 😉
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I would agree that a 28’er would be a liability for a first time boat owner, even with moderate experience. I have been on the water and boating most of my life, when I go from my 24’ Pursuit to my family’s 28’ Marlin it feels like I’m trying to manoeuvre the BC Ferries, any bit of wind in tight quarters is a real pucker factor.
 
scott craven said:
A 28' boat might be a little daunting for a first timer.
Not saying it can't be done, you might be a little more comfortable starting smaller and working up 😉
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Two footitus is too expensive! I think that people either can get the feel for a boat or big truck or they can't. Time really helps, so having a buddy to help is important, but I figure if you have trouble backing up a trailer, stick to small boats.
 
kaelc said:
Two footitus is too expensive! I think that people either can get the feel for a boat or big truck or they can't. Time really helps, so having a buddy to help is important, but I figure if you have trouble backing up a trailer, stick to small boats.
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I don't know about that - I grew up around big vehicles, and you work up to them (ideally with someone more experienced watching over your shoulder).

Thing go wrong fast, and without a bit of experience you have the wrong instinctive reactions:

How many youtube videos are there of a motorcycle out of control with the guy hanging on for dear life with the throttle pinned fully open. Who among us hasn't nudged the throttle on their boat without checking to make sure the engine was pointed straight ahead? Its what happens in the 0.5seconds after you make the first mistake that counts.

All those docking fail videos are basically this - the person has the wrong reaction and tries to fix it with more power (or the opposite reaction with more power), instantly making things worse. You need to train the lizard brain to have the right reaction - ideally in a low consequence environment.

Big boats, big mistakes, big consequences. Work up to it.
 
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