I've had an 18ft. harbercraft for 9 years now. Once I fixed the ride with trim tabs I'm pretty happy with it. My next boat, however, will have no less than 3/16 sides and a VERY good rub rail. Anything less and they bruise easily. I would have a removable fish box so I can carry the fish off the boat without transfering them.
What do you like about current aluminum boats out there and what do you not like?
- Thread starter FishBC.org
- Start date
FishBC.org
Active Member
Papacorn I have a removable fish box.. Sounds handy, and it is but only for washing. Full of fish, it's a tank. Far easier to transfer fish on board into bags and off the boat that way. 3/16 is absolutely what one wants. anything thinner is asking for dents and the same with the rub rail I agree. JAC suspension seats all the way. 100% the way to go, as at least the pilot / co pilot get comfort and save their back. Holmes dream it, draw it, come up with the dough and it can be made to happen. That's what's nice about Alum, and a blue printing table. Certain things cannot be avoided like angles degrees and so on, but style wise almost anything can be done within reason.
Also some builders bend compression bends into their hulls EG Eaglecraft, so they can go thinner.. Works good within reason. Means less bracing required and less weight, but at the same time I like the idea of a bit thicker, no compression bends, and more bracing. Either way is a good method but to me personally the less bends the sexier it looks.
Also some builders bend compression bends into their hulls EG Eaglecraft, so they can go thinner.. Works good within reason. Means less bracing required and less weight, but at the same time I like the idea of a bit thicker, no compression bends, and more bracing. Either way is a good method but to me personally the less bends the sexier it looks.
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Sculpin
Well-Known Member
I like the lines of this Cope design. Interesting use of an extra seam in the side plate to give the bow more flare.
This Conrad design is pretty sweet as well and would serve as a nice base hull for some different full cabin arrangments.
http://www.conradyachts.com/6_tuna27CC_OS.html
This Conrad design is pretty sweet as well and would serve as a nice base hull for some different full cabin arrangments.
http://www.conradyachts.com/6_tuna27CC_OS.html
Sculpin
Well-Known Member
The Aussie's like to make multiple cuts in the side plate near the bow to flare the bow somewhat. You can see it here on a cool Chris Tucker design. I really like this design but would want it about 3 feet longer.
http://www.ctmd.com.au/mono/85extr.pdf
Here is a shot of a Marine Kits Australia model showing how you can get the bow flared by slicing the side plates to fit the framework.
http://www.ctmd.com.au/mono/85extr.pdf
Here is a shot of a Marine Kits Australia model showing how you can get the bow flared by slicing the side plates to fit the framework.
Halilogger
Active Member
I'm on my 2nd aluminum boat,and I love it, all though it is hard to beat the ride of a big deep V glass boat.
I can run my 26' Kingfisher on average for about $60 an hour, I trailer and launch
by my self at least 50 times a year, most of the time at the end of a trip I just rinse it off and flush the motors.( 20min)
That Duckworth looked nice, but I'd still take my Kingfisher and I would have to call Bull$#!t on that claim
that the boat would still do 26mph on 1 motor, ....maybe if there was almost no fuel, 1 person no gear and on the inside in flat water.
IMHO
I can run my 26' Kingfisher on average for about $60 an hour, I trailer and launch
by my self at least 50 times a year, most of the time at the end of a trip I just rinse it off and flush the motors.( 20min)
That Duckworth looked nice, but I'd still take my Kingfisher and I would have to call Bull$#!t on that claim
that the boat would still do 26mph on 1 motor, ....maybe if there was almost no fuel, 1 person no gear and on the inside in flat water.
IMHO
trophywife
Crew Member
halilogger,, is yours a 2525 and what is the beam and what power do you run? saw yer boat before but dint see the power??
TenMile
Well-Known Member
Here is Toyota's introduction to the aluminum fishing/cruising fleet.
http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/11/09/0906.html
http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/11/09/0906.html
firelight
Active Member
I guess I could get excited about a bout 2 feet bigger or shinier or some cover but this one has served me well for 7 years now. It is about 30 years old and still going strong. It can do 33 knots at wot on a flat day with the 90hp yam on it. It costs 65 a day to fish swiftsure, again on a nice day, I need to watch the weather. It spends 90% of it's life on the trailer nice and safe. And I can easily pull it with my 6 cyl Toyota.
One thing I'd like to do that I can't with this boat is to go for tuna, so far I will still need to hitch a ride for that.
FishBC.org
Active Member
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Sculpin
Well-Known Member
I am really starting to like the looks of this Specmar design.
http://www.specmar.com/adobe/1638views.pdf
I didn't like it at first but then I came across this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGLwjJ6HLpA
Interesting hull design. Fairly sharp entry, nice chine flats, moderate deadrise with a planing pad. Looks like you could handle some rough stuff at the right speed and have some interesting fuel economy numbers. I think in todays world folks are looking for that kind of combination. (The pdf I posted above is the same boat but different hull configuration as the one in the video).
Cheers,
Sculpin
http://www.specmar.com/adobe/1638views.pdf
I didn't like it at first but then I came across this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGLwjJ6HLpA
Interesting hull design. Fairly sharp entry, nice chine flats, moderate deadrise with a planing pad. Looks like you could handle some rough stuff at the right speed and have some interesting fuel economy numbers. I think in todays world folks are looking for that kind of combination. (The pdf I posted above is the same boat but different hull configuration as the one in the video).
Cheers,
Sculpin
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Fish Assassin
Crew Member
I know what I like.....Mine as it catches 
Sculpin
Well-Known Member
Here is a link to the cheapest cutting files and plans I have found on the net for a really nice 21 foot center console.
http://www.metalboatkits.com/walkaround20/walkaround20.htm
I even ordered the study pack years ago. Never built one yet. I thought it would make a nice boat for the East side of the Island to keep there for the summer when my other boat was on the West side fish slaying.
Cool boat. Cheap price.
Here is a vid of it with a console way to far back. Built in Russia I believe. Maybe too much Vodka?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiZIuHdjGjc&feature=related
Nice hull design for sure.
http://www.metalboatkits.com/walkaround20/walkaround20.htm
I even ordered the study pack years ago. Never built one yet. I thought it would make a nice boat for the East side of the Island to keep there for the summer when my other boat was on the West side fish slaying.
Cool boat. Cheap price.
Here is a vid of it with a console way to far back. Built in Russia I believe. Maybe too much Vodka?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiZIuHdjGjc&feature=related
Nice hull design for sure.
