Recommend fishing/small cruiser boat

[tmh]

I have a buddy looking to buy a 26-29' cruiser that is well-designed for fishing. He's maybe more on the fishing side than family cruising, but needs the flexability. He'd like room to sleep 2-4. Budget is around $15K so looking 1985-1990 likely. He doesn''t need to go fast so engine options are pretty wide open. He wants an I/O but maybe could be talked into outboard. I sort of know this end, so more interested in the boat. Fresh water lakes (Erie).

I looked online at some Sea Ray Amberjacks from those years that look like nice fishing boats with a cruiser type ability. Some have fold-away bench seat which seems to fit the bill.

Any other boats like that which have more of a fishing edge to them, but not inconvenient for family cruising?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Recommend fishing/small cruiser boat

walk around cuddy cabins. there are a lot of them. Trophy, is one.

http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=walk+around+cuddy+cabins

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Recommend fishing/small cruiser boat

I agree with TD.
W/A Cuddy gives you the protection and convience of going below AND the ability to get up to the bow and follow your fish...

Nothing worse than gettig hooked up and your fish make a run to the bow with no way of getting up there..

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Recommend fishing/small cruiser boat

x3 on the Walk Arounds. I spent some time on a Renken 2688 walk around and can say they would fit the bill perfect. They are designed to fish, but have the ability to sleep as well. Get an OB model and you have that much more cockpit room. As far as what brands to look for, I find doing a search on yachtworld.com for prices, size and style works the best for narrowing down the boats to then look at more in depth.

 

[tmh]

Re: Recommend fishing/small cruiser boat

thanks, I looked at some walk-arounds online, definate possibilities, but I think we're looking for a bit more "cruiserish" boat, geared for fishing. I spoke wih the guy I'm helping and he wants more hang-out space for family, etc. Fishing is usually him and one one or two guests, but often takes kids/grandkids out cruising or light fishing.

He also wants to be able to troll at approx. 2 mph - can that be done with main engine (one of twins maybe) or does that require a sperate trolling moter?

I saw a GREAT looking 28' Sea Ray Sundancer that the current owner had retrofitted for fishing. GREAT job, looks like new, right price. however, it has merc. 470 170hp engines which i have read here are problematic. ANy opinions on this? i may post a specific question in the engine form on this.

Any other type boat ideas? Keep 'em coming.

 

[alumi numb]

Re: Recommend fishing/small cruiser boat

look in ebay motors, go to boats then type in starcraft.
there are 2 islanders there right now.
the islander is extensively used for fishing and a pretty good cabin for a cuddy.

 

[tmh]

Re: Recommend fishing/small cruiser boat

OK, still looking for some other ideas. We've narrowed down the wants/needs a bit. Looking for a cruiser 27-29', twin engines, late 80'-early 90's. Sleeps 4 at least for real, so cuddy won't do the trick.

A couple look good - Sea Ray Sundancer - has fold-away rear seats so decent fishing cockpit area. Formula PC27 - just a sweet boat, maybe not enough fishing room, but great cruising layout. Also has fold-away aft bench. Could be hard to find in price range.

Any others like those?

 

[smclear]

Re: Recommend fishing/small cruiser boat

IMO 27'-29' is very small for sleeping 4 people. It would be fine for an overnight or possibly a weekend. But for anything longer, you'll find it's not the best. Have you looked at Pursuit. They are rock solid, extremely high quality and tailored to the fisherman. The one drawback is they're kind of expensive. You get what you pay for though.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Recommend fishing/small cruiser boat

I have sorta been your route. I had a small cuddy that I used to raise my kids for weekend fun and fishing with my buds.

I found the problem with cuddies is that in the mornings, you wake up and find everything wet with the morning dew that is outside the small cabin.

Now our kids are grown with many grandkids. The boat in my avatar is what we have now. It once was in very need of serious repair and the price I offered for it was a deal for me. The cabin is 8' X 12', full galley, full head, can sleep up to 6 (sleeps four comfortably), dual helm, and a flying bridge. This boat was a lake Erie boat. The only problem that makes me very leary is how top heavy she is with only an 8' beam. The inland lakes is a great place for its use and that is what we mainly use it for. The only drawback is the amount of freespace on the rear deck. It is only 6' X 8'. Room enough for 2 busy anglers or 1 adult and 2 small kids.

If you plan to keep it in lake Erie, I suggest going with something with at least a 10' beam. However keep in mind that a boat with a wide beam needs to be handled differently than a legal towable sized boat. Also with a 10' beam will give you more deck room for fishing and a nice comfy cabin.

Good Luck on your hunting endeavors of finding your perfect boat ................SS