Hourston 16 vs 17 footers? Do they both exist?

[savaryislander]

Hi,

I am in the market for a used Hourston and see both 16 and 17 footers listed. Sometimes the 17 footers are actually 16-feet-something. Is there also a 17 foot model or are they also 16-feet-something?

Thanks

 

[Saxe Point]

Hi,

I am in the market for a used Hourston and see both 16 and 17 footers listed. Sometimes the 17 footers are actually 16-feet-something. Is there also a 17 foot model or are they also 16-feet-something?

Thanks

I don’t think many of them are nice round numbers. I know from the now defunct Hourston website that my 18 hardtop (and all 18 footers) measure 18’2”. I suspect the others are like that too.

 

[adrian1991]

There is a 17 foot model and a 17'2 model being a wider beam hourston never made a 17.5 foot boat like every one posts because they can't seem to be able to properly use a measuring tape great boats and hard to find nice ones

 

[Fishin]

They do indeed make them, I believe the 16’ is actually 15’6 then the 17’er followed by the 17’2 (wider like mentioned above) wicked boats in my opinion the best boats in that size next to the double eagles on the west coast super smooth ride, sturdy boats.just in the process of redoing the interior, Have considered selling it but not until I find a 20-23’hourston. Here’s my 89 (17’er)

 

[Doubleheader]

15’6”, 17’, 17’2” sportsman

 

[Eden Island]

The "16" is much less boat -- its sound for what it is, but if you want to fish outside waters, the 17's are more capable and have capacity for more people on board. More freeboard I think.

 

[Doubleheader]

The "16" is much less boat -- its sound for what it is, but if you want to fish outside waters, the 17's are more capable and have capacity for more people on board. More freeboard I think.

Yes the 15’6” is small, really only a two person rig. But with a 70 4 stroke it is a very capable rig in the right hands. I remember being the last boat offshore some days. You couldn’t really kick it out of gear those days to land fish but always got us home safely. I always had an extra tiller handle to steer the main from the stern to keep a stern-ish sea with main in gear, super handy solo. The 17’2” sportsman is more comfortable but still really only a 2 person rig, and needs a 115hp imo. I wouldn’t consider it much more seaworthy than a 15’6”. Never spent much time in the 17” but I watch one cut the afternoon chop in the Tahsis inlet fairly well, with a 90 4 stroke trimmed down.