Stabicraft 1850

[James Brant]

wondering if anyone in here owns one of these very unique boats. i've only seen one in the wild, and it was an older version. i see they are now made in Washington at PA and have a couple of dealers in BC, one in the interior (which seems very odd to me) and none on the Island. maybe they are just too radical for our coast? other than the looks, they have huge appeal in terms of deck space and features. if the quality and welding is there, this would be an incredible fishing boat.

 

[Alex_c]

Super popular in Australia, and recently started being sold here.

I personally don’t see the appeal, but some people really seem to like them.

 

[CIVANO]

Westside marine in Port Townsend Wa has them rigged in their lot inventory if you want to see one

 

[Alex_c]

Galleon Marine in Richmond has a bunch too I think

 

[Pineapple Express]

The member @Flounder_pounder on here has one. Maybe 20-21 ft.

 

[James Brant]

they look good, if very different, in normal colours (mostly unpainted, maybe white or blue top) but they look utterly ridiculous with some of the goofy paint schemes they come in. check this out. i can't even.... https://gibbonsmotortoys.com/marine/Stabicraft/adid/35236588/2025-Stabicraft-1850-Fisher-Offshore/

why they have a dealer in the interior i'm not sure. big with trout fishermen i guess. i reckon they are more of a sea boat. designed by New Zealanders for their very rough conditions.

 

[naturallybc]

Not sure where you are located but we are moored in Port Moody if you are ever in the area to take a look at our 1850. Just bought this year from Gibbons based on wanting to stick with Mercury motors vs Yamis from Galleon. Ordered completely custom in November as we wanted the bare aluminum hull finish and alu flooring and to spend our money on other upgrades. We previously had an arima 16' and the difference is unreal with only an extra 2.5'. Everything you hear is true. PM if you need any info.

 

[James Brant]

wow, that's the look right there. normal!! looks great. maybe i should take a trip over to the mainland...

 

[Max123]

Galleon has had a few at the Boat Show for the past few years. If you want to see one in the wild and are in Vancouver I believe there is a blue one sitting right along the Seawall at the Coal Harbour Marina (next to where they have all the Axopars). Or, just go to Galleon and walk the lot.

 

[TMan]

Or head out to Sandheads. Couple floating around out there. I like them. Interesting boat. Nice red one in Haida Gwaii too.

 

[kaelc]

One of the gulf islands Facebook group guys has a smaller one as a tender and loves it. I spent a lot of time with stabi down at the boat show in Seattle. They have more deck space than most 18 aluminums as they have to jump seats instead of benches. So seating for 4 smaller people under the hard top. I kept thinking “these boats are not designed for big American boys”

 

[sly_karma]

Super popular in Australia, and recently started being sold here.

I personally don’t see the appeal, but some people really seem to like them.

A common challenge for Aus and NZ boaters is crossing a prominent bar to get out to open ocean. They don't have sheltered fjords and a barrier of islands for protection from the Pacific, so marinas and boat launches are tucked into estuaries and salt lagoons. These almost universally have a sand bar where ocean wave action causes river sediments to stack up. Shallow water exposed to open water wind and swell is bad enough, plus add variable currents from tide and stream outflow.

The result is that many saltwater boaters there have to contend with conditions as extreme or more extreme than what you see in all those Haulover Inlet videos. Smaller boats, less dredging and no breakwaters in many places. "Crossing the bar" often involves a short period of waves so steep that boats becone airborne. It just has to be endured.

These cab-forward hulls with disporoportionately large bow works have evolved to become part of the solution. Catamaran configurations are popular, the air between the twin hulls is compressed as the boat smacks down onto the water surface and provides some shock absorption. Welded aluminum has become the preferred material, despite adding to the already rough ride caused by the helm being well forward of midships. There's actually popular boat brand called Bar Crusher.

So there's good reason for this type of design. But is it needed in BC salt waters? We fish a system of flooded river valleys with mostly quick dropoffs to deep waters and few river bar situations that have to be crossed for everyday boating. Transit to open ocean out on the west coast proper is mostly through one of the five big inlets, which all have deep wide entrances. Big tides and narrow channels is more of a challenge for us.

 

[Flounder_pounder]

wondering if anyone in here owns one of these very unique boats. i've only seen one in the wild, and it was an older version. i see they are now made in Washington at PA and have a couple of dealers in BC, one in the interior (which seems very odd to me) and none on the Island. maybe they are just too radical for our coast? other than the looks, they have huge appeal in terms of deck space and features. if the quality and welding is there, this would be an incredible fishing boat.

I own a 2013 2050 super cab c/w 150honda. I purchased in 2023... have since put 400 hours on it. We spend most of our time southern gulf islands… cross the straight often. I’ve got a young family (kids 7-10), and it’s very much a big “little” boat. Earlier this year was out with a buddy on the straight, going into a high teens- 20kt wind, (first and likely last time, usually 14-15kt cutoff….) couple waves up & over the cab. Design keeps things dead dry, and it rides high due to excess buoyancy, so never feels unsafe. High transom, and pods/pontoons keep it dry (and stable) in a bad following or side sea as well. It does still pound in the chop compared to similar sized fibreglass. Seems to “slice” better than similar size local aluminum, but still hurts the back if you’re not careful. Newer models have sharper deadrise I think. Pontoons do cut into beam width, so its (internal) beam is narrower then similar sized local aluminum manufacturers (hewes, kingfisher…) cuts into fishing real-estate. Deep gunnels though for tackle. Last time I checked galleon has a few in stock to check out. Feel free to ask any other particular questions.