Boat Recommendations.

[minto]

Hi Chaps & Chapess's

1st post here, so please be gentle with me. LOL

I'm looking to replace my old, tired 30ft wooden boat with something a little smaller and faster.

I have been considering building one the following :- Aquafish 23, Duver 23, 24ft Wilson Flyer, Seamark 26.

Just wondered if anyone has any experiences (good or bad) of these babes, or any recomendations for similar boats of this size.

Thanks all

Mark :)

[Salar]

Firstly, welcome to the site! I went through a similar dilemma a couple of years ago then decided a) I couldn't afford any of them and b) I couldn't bear to part with my Trophy. I can't really comment on any of those except the Duver. It is a design that has been around for a long time in various guises, and much favoured by inshore professionals - I have seen them in use by the police, harbour authorities, as fishing boats and general workboats, so they must be strong and reliable. We have several in Langstone Harbour and look like they would be good strong boats. Not great to get on the foredeck though, as the only way round is on a narrow side deck. I'd also prefer a bit more freeboard in the ####### or a side rail fitted.
I hope you get more comments on the others - let us know what you decide, and post the photos in the gallery!

[wildercard]

minto,

Don't let Peter B hear you call a wooden boat old and tired, thats a boat with character :p

wildercard

[blueskip]

The Wilson Flyer 24ft gets my vote, & I reckon it will get quite a few more!
blueskip

[minto]

minto,

Don't let Peter B hear you call a wooden boat old and tired, thats a boat with character :p

wildercard


Lol. Thanks wildercard. I'm Sorry. Yes, she does have character, and I will be very sad when she goes, but she is over 50 years old now, and the b****y engine packed up yesterday, which was the final straw.

[minto]

The Wilson Flyer 24ft gets my vote, & I reckon it will get quite a few more!
blueskip

Thanks blueskip. The wilson flyer was originally my 1st choice, but reading all the comments on here about cathedral hulls kinda put me off them. I was favouring the aquafish, but have never seen a review of them.

[minto]

Firstly, welcome to the site! I went through a similar dilemma a couple of years ago then decided a) I couldn't afford any of them and b) I couldn't bear to part with my Trophy. !

Thanks Salar.

I fully understand your comments. I think we all have the same problem. a) can't afford a replacement, and b) don't want to part with the old girls.
It seems there is a gap between the much publisized & popular 16 - 18 ft boats, and the 30 ft + charter types. Those in between don't get much mention in the mags or on the internet.
We are all used to pouring money down the boating drain, which could be much better spent on women & booze, though( forgive me if I am wrong) I doubt there is a single person on here who would give up their boat. :ahhh:

[ChrisP]

Never owned any of them but heard good reports about them all from owners, Add the Colvic Seaworker to your list, tidy small boat, heavily built and will get you home, not quick though.

[minto]

minto,

Don't let Peter B hear you call a wooden boat old and tired, thats a boat with character :p

wildercard

Wildercard.

Are you from Whitby/Whitby area. Thats where our boat is. I'm stuffed at the moment, as the engine has packed up. You don't happen to know any mechanics around there do you.

Cheers

Mark

[wildercard]

Wildercard.

Are you from Whitby/Whitby area. Thats where our boat is. I'm stuffed at the moment, as the engine has packed up. You don't happen to know any mechanics around there do you.

Cheers

Mark

Mark,
Forgot to say hello and welcome.

Not far off, I launch from Teesport but fish the Whitby area. I would go for a drink in the Fleece where the charter boat pontoon is around 5 p.m. - a fair few of the skippers go in there after fishing - these are the lads in the know in Whitby. Coate's marine is another one which you will obviously know. Denny at Redcar is worth a shout. What sort of inboard are you running?

Alan AKA wildercard

[elbow]

Hi Minto

this is my first message as well - just joined

i have got back into fishing now i am too old for diving and got an orkney pilot house 20 in the summer. i am very pleased with it.

the inboard 120hp diesel is excellent and the cabin really big for the boat without using up the cockpit area. we can fish 4 off the boat but 2 is really nice.

i use the 5hp auxillary 4 stroke outboard (very quiet) for trolling and having some great fun.

i christened my new rod with a 9lb pollack last week!

i can thoroughly recommend the orkney. it can be trailered or moored.

best of luck

[BECKS]

HI MINTO, I"m in the same boat as you (no pun intended) Have you found someone making the Duver hulls? The Aquafish is top of my list at the moment having spoke to a commercial fisherman who rates them as good as as a HR 22 in a big sea. Also you can fit an outboard to the Aquafish. Everyone I know bemoans the yearly maintenace costs of outdrive legs ect. Opinions anticiapated Regards BECKS

[Peter B]

Thanks wildcard - you know me well.

Hi minto,

You do realise don't you that if you part with your beautiful, majestic, elderly stateswoman of a boat, which was hand built from The Living Wood, by dedicated craftsmen who breathed life into her with their own skilled hands through hours of toil with pine and oak using traditional tools now long forgotten to the detriment of us all .....THAT SHE WILL COME BACK AND HAUNT YOU when you're out there with your tupperware floozy.

You'll regret it, I promise you - remember the eternal truth that old age and experience will always be the better of youth and innovation - so stick with the Old Lady minto, she'll look after you and protect you and be your friend - you know I'm right.............

PB

[nacnud]

Hi Chaps & Chapess's

1st post here, so please be gentle with me. LOL

I'm looking to replace my old, tired 30ft wooden boat with something a little smaller and faster.

I have been considering building one the following :- Aquafish 23, Duver 23, 24ft Wilson Flyer, Seamark 26.

Just wondered if anyone has any experiences (good or bad) of these babes, or any recomendations for similar boats of this size.

Thanks all

Mark :) have a look at cheeta marine there 6.mtr cat. is tow able
i have a raider 18 but cheeta cat would my next boat. nacnud

[minto]

Mark,
Forgot to say hello and welcome.


Thanks Alan.

It's a Ford 4D, so still quite common. We've only been moored at Whitby for 5 months, so don't know all the locals yet. We were talking to a couple of the charter guys, and they had said there had been a few fuel problems recently, which I think is what we have. We do know a guy at Hartlepool, but don't want to drag him down to Whitby if it is a simple problem, so would prefer to see a local. I'll have to get the fuel system cleaned out, and if that doesn't work, I'll ask in Coates.

Cheers

Mark

[minto]

Hi Minto

i have got back into fishing now i am too old for diving and got an orkney pilot house 20 in the summer. i am very pleased with it.

best of luck

Thanks Elbow.

Lovely boat, but we usually fish 3 or 4, so wanted slightly bigger. Unfortunately, my Mrs won't allow me enough pocket money to get the 24ft Pilot House. :wah:

[ChrisP]

Put fresh filters in it, if you dont know how shout. If you have picked up dirty or wet fuel this is the first move.

[minto]

Thanks wildcard - you know me well.

Hi minto,

You do realise don't you that if you part with your beautiful, majestic, elderly stateswoman of a boat, which was hand built from The Living Wood, by dedicated craftsmen who breathed life into her with their own skilled hands through hours of toil with pine and oak using traditional tools now long forgotten to the detriment of us all .....THAT SHE WILL COME BACK AND HAUNT YOU when you're out there with your tupperware floozy.

You'll regret it, I promise you - remember the eternal truth that old age and experience will always be the better of youth and innovation - so stick with the Old Lady minto, she'll look after you and protect you and be your friend - you know I'm right.............

PB

Hi Peter B,

I know you are right. And what a fine job those dedicated craftsmen did. 50 years on, and the hull is still solid, nearly as good as the day she was built. Unfortunately, it's the rest of the boat that's going pear shaped.

We have therefore decided, that our beautiful, majestic, elderly stateswoman of a boat deserves better, and should have a new owner who has the time to lavish her with the care, attention and companionship an old lady needs. It will be a sad day when we part company.:wah:

So now it's back to drooling over pictures of those tupperware floozies.:)

[minto]

Put fresh filters in it, if you dont know how shout. If you have picked up dirty or wet fuel this is the first move.

Thanks ChrisP.

That's our next move. Unfortunately, it was getting dark when we finally got back onto the mooring, so didn't have time to start investigating. It'll be a week before we can get over there again.

There was some fuel getting through, as it would almost start on full throttle (3 cylinders firing??), and a couple of times did start up, but it then died after a few seconds. :wah:

[wildercard]

Peter B
Hi minto,

You do realise don't you that if you part with your beautiful, majestic, elderly stateswoman of a boat, which was hand built from The Living Wood, by dedicated craftsmen who breathed life into her with their own skilled hands through hours of toil with pine and oak using traditional tools now long forgotten to the detriment of us all .....THAT SHE WILL COME BACK AND HAUNT YOU when you're out there with your tupperware floozy.

You'll regret it, I promise you - remember the eternal truth that old age and experience will always be the better of youth and innovation - so stick with the Old Lady minto, she'll look after you and protect you and be your friend - you know I'm right.............

PB

Minto

How could you even think of selling this majestic lady after the compliment above ?

wildercard

[ChrisP]

From what you have said my guess would be you have picked up dirty fuel, your filters should have stopped it getting to the injectors. Hope you don't have to drain the tank :banghead:

[Peter B]

minto wrote


I know you are right. And what a fine job those dedicated craftsmen did. 50 years on, and the hull is still solid, nearly as good as the day she was built. Unfortunately, it's the rest of the boat that's going pear shaped

OK minto, I said it all toungue in cheek, of course and I do know what you mean about wooden boats.

My 22 footer is a mere 35 years old and she's coming out of the water next week for her winter TLC. This year I have to take her down to the bare wood and do some recaulking. I've got two cracked ribs to fix, the drain through holes in the sawn frames are blocked up, the engine's got to come out for me to get at a bit of rot in one of the engine support beams, the capping plank needs reapir at one point, the mizzen sheet needs changing so the mizzen's got to come off etc, etc, etc.........It's going to be a busy winter!!

So I completely understand why you're changing to one of THOSE boats.

Cheers
PB

PS: Still wouldn't part with her though........!!!

[minto]

Minto

How could you even think of selling this majestic lady after the compliment above ?

wildercard

The Tears are rolling. LOL

She is our first. What more could anybody have asked for!!. An older, experienced majestic lady to teach us the ropes. Now the time has come for her to share her knowledge and experience, and bring great joy to a new owner, while we look for younger, faster, firmer.

Is it a boat owners mid life crises ???. Some guys swap their wife for a younger model. Others change the car to something sportier. What do boat owners do ????

[minto]

minto wrote



OK minto, I said it all toungue in cheek, of course and I do know what you mean about wooden boats.

My 22 footer is a mere 35 years old and she's coming out of the water next week for her winter TLC.

.It's going to be a busy winter!!

So I completely understand why you're changing to one of THOSE boats.

Cheers
PB

PS: Still wouldn't part with her though........!!!

Hi Peter B,

Unfortunately, wooden boats are very high maintenance. We live in Leeds. One of the worst places in the country for a sea boat owner. Its a 1.5hr trip just to get to the boat. If we lived local, and could pop down to the boat whenever there was a spare hour or two, then it would be a differant matter. We therefore need something smaller, that can be put on a trailer and brought back for a couple of weeks when work needs to be done.

I don't really want to sell out to the tupperware floozies. mmmm I wonder if the Mrs wants to move house. :uhoh:

Good luck with the work on your boat. It is very satisfying to do it all yourself.

Minto

[minto]

HI MINTO, I"m in the same boat as you (no pun intended) Have you found someone making the Duver hulls? The Aquafish is top of my list at the moment having spoke to a commercial fisherman who rates them as good as as a HR 22 in a big sea. Also you can fit an outboard to the Aquafish. Everyone I know bemoans the yearly maintenace costs of outdrive legs ect. Opinions anticiapated Regards BECKS

Hi BECKS,

The Aquafish is currently top of my list too. I wonder if they'd give us discount for 2:D
There are ad's in the back of some of the fishing mags for the Duver, but they only give a phone number, so haven't contacted them yet.

I'd just like to hear an owners views, as obviously the company will always tell us that they are great boats, and a short sea trial won't show all potential probs.

Come on Guys. Somebody must own an Aquafish !!!!!.

[BECKS]

Hi MINTO,
Shame you are so far away or you could try out my mates in Ramsgate. The only thing he dislikes about the Aqua is the way she rolls on the drift in a sea. All deep v"s suffer this as far as i know. There is a part built one for sale on boats&outboards which looks good value IF the deck has been fitted properly,also fuel tank Must have baffles fitted. I am not ready to buy myself untill May\ June 06 or i would certainly check this one out.Regards BECKS

[Audrey S]

Hi Chaps & Chapess's

1st post here, so please be gentle with me. LOL

I'm looking to replace my old, tired 30ft wooden boat with something a little smaller and faster.

I have been considering building one the following :- Aquafish 23, Duver 23, 24ft Wilson Flyer, Seamark 26.

Just wondered if anyone has any experiences (good or bad) of these babes, or any recomendations for similar boats of this size.

Thanks all

Mark :)

Hiya Minto

What are you doing with the old girl, when you decide on a replacement ?

Regards

Ubd

[Dave.S]

Hi Minto

One of our club members is about to sell his Duver 23 as he has bought a new bigger boat.

He has had it from new and fitted it out himself. It is not new but very well looked after and is fitted with a shaft drive and not a leg, therefore is not very quick, about 9 kts I think.

There is no trailer but he will sell it with all the electronics if wanted.
Down side is that he is in Poole, Dorset. If interested I will send you his e-mail address.

Good luck in your quest

Dave

[minto]

Hiya Minto

What are you doing with the old girl, when you decide on a replacement ?

Regards

Ubd

Hi Ubd,

Hopefully selling her. There is plenty of life left in her yet, but she needs somebody who can spare a little more time to care for her.
Want to make us an offer ????

Note to Peter B. There was a 100 year old wooden Flamborough Cobble next to us last year. Had a few planks replaced, but was in great shape. How many tupperware's do you think will see in their centenary ????

Minto

[minto]

Hi Minto

One of our club members is about to sell his Duver 23 as he has bought a new bigger boat.

He has had it from new and fitted it out himself. It is not new but very well looked after and is fitted with a shaft drive and not a leg, therefore is not very quick, about 9 kts I think.

There is no trailer but he will sell it with all the electronics if wanted.
Down side is that he is in Poole, Dorset. If interested I will send you his e-mail address.

Good luck in your quest

Dave

Thanks Dave.

Please do P.M his email address, though I am prefering a boat with a couple of outboards (Is this a bad decision guys ???) If we loose the red diesel, then it isn't going to cost that much more to run petrol engines on a boat used only once a fortnight. Plus it is much easier to service and change an outboard if its kaputt.

I'm still favouring an Aquafish. ANYBODY got any experiance of these ????.

Thanks

Minto

[Salar]

Thanks Dave.

Please do P.M his email address, though I am prefering a boat with a couple of outboards (Is this a bad decision guys ???)
Minto

Noooooo, go for a diesel even if red diesel goes. Much more reliable and economical than petrol, safer, adds more value to the boat, won't get nicked, and you can work on them on the water. nIve had single outboards, twin outboatrds, petrol inboard and diesel inboard and I know what I'd go for every time, and not just for the fuel cost. FWIW....;)

[minto]

Noooooo, go for a diesel even if red diesel goes. Much more reliable and economical than petrol, safer, adds more value to the boat, won't get nicked, and you can work on them on the water. nIve had single outboards, twin outboatrds, petrol inboard and diesel inboard and I know what I'd go for every time, and not just for the fuel cost. FWIW....;)

Hi Salar,

I have to agree with you, especially if it was for a boat used everyday, you can't beat a diesel. However, for a boat used at best every fortnight, then the fuel savings aren't as important. Yes, there is the higher reliability, though hopefully twin O.B's will always mean one engine available. The initial install is also considerably harder for an amateur , compared to bolting the O.Bs on the transom. (OK steering, fuel etc still has to be connected.
Its a shame diesel outboards aren't more common. I would definately prefer diesel.:ahhh:

Do you guys with outboards have a lot of problems with reliability ?????.

Minto

[Dave.S]

Hi Minto

You have an e-mail :)

My outboard, Mariner 60hp 4 stroke has only a 120 odd hrs on it but as it is an EFI model (electronic fuel injection) there is not a lot you can do without the electronics to plug in unlike a carb model.

Mines been fine but I do flush it out each trip and have it profesionaly serviced and tuned.

So far no problems :uhoh:

Dave

[minto]

Hiya Minto

What are you doing with the old girl, when you decide on a replacement ?

Regards

Ubd

Please slap my wrists if I shouldn't have posted this here, but check out http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/30ft-FISHING-BOAT_W0QQitemZ4605623032QQcategoryZ1296QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

A bargain to be had for someone.

Minto

[glasgowdan]

6 knots minto... wow!

Get to the fishing ground and then go right back home again heh!

[Norrie]

I've now marked it as worth watching......looks like a good wee boat.......will wait with baited breath...any idea of the reserve.....???? Serious BTW....!!! :) I have a mate in Fife looking for exactly that type of boat ......

[Peter B]

I'm tempted to fall back on the old addage that if something looks too good to be true it usually is, but on the face of it this seems to be an excellent buy.

Heck, the gear alone listed there is probably a Grand's worth. If I was in the area I'd be going for it notwithstanding a good look at the woodwork, especially the state of the oak frame. On a boat that age I'd want to know how many ribs are cracked/doubled up/need replacing and if there are sawn frames, which there should be on a boat that size, what their condition is.

Cheers
PB

[minto]

I'm tempted to fall back on the old addage that if something looks too good to be true it usually is, but on the face of it this seems to be an excellent buy.

Heck, the gear alone listed there is probably a Grand's worth. If I was in the area I'd be going for it notwithstanding a good look at the woodwork, especially the state of the oak frame. On a boat that age I'd want to know how many ribs are cracked/doubled up/need replacing and if there are sawn frames, which there should be on a boat that size, what their condition is.

Cheers
PB

Hi Peter,

I don't know of any cracked ribs or ribs needing replacing. All the ones I've seen are solid, though obviously we can't see everyone of them.

It is a reluctant sale, we are very happy with her, but as I said previously, we just haven't got the time to keep her maintained.

Anybody interested is more than welcome to view her.

Minto

[minto]

6 knots minto... wow!

Get to the fishing ground and then go right back home again heh!


Ha Ha.

Surely I don't have to remind you of the Hare & the Tortoise. LOL

Sounds about right though. When we reach the fishing grounds, its either time to go back, or else the fish have all gone to bed.:wah:

Minto.

[glasgowdan]

sorry mate I didnt mean to slag your boat, was having a wee smile about it thats all. Our fastliner isnt much better I dont think, I reckon about 12-14knots max.

Good luck

D

[minto]

sorry mate I didnt mean to slag your boat, was having a wee smile about it thats all. Our fastliner isnt much better I dont think, I reckon about 12-14knots max.

Good luck

D

No worries. We joke about exactly the same thing.

Minto

[Peter B]

Hi Minto,

I'm being a bit slow today - I didn't realise it was your boat !!! I can tell you that if that boat were down here there would be a lot of interest in her. I mentioned the sawn frames because sometimes you find the deck boards have been cut right up tight to them and if this is the case they can get a bit soft there where they touch the deck boards and gather water. If the deck boards are cut well away from the sawn frames, and the ribs too for that matter so that water runs straight into the bilge, then all should be well in that area.

Have you put her up on http://www.findafishingboat.co.uk ? Great place to buy and sell boats like yours - put a nought on the end of your current eBay price and you'd be about right I should think.

Good luck ..........

Peter

[sandhopper]

Just wondering what the outcome was with the pros and cons. I am too interested in the aqua fish 23 or the seamark 26 as self builds. the aqau fish would probably be the faster option but also the most expensive. The seamark being a displacement hull would be slower but more seaworthy!

Going to look at the seamark hull tomorrow.

anythoughts??

[minto]

Just wondering what the outcome was with the pros and cons. I am too interested in the aqua fish 23 or the seamark 26 as self builds. the aqau fish would probably be the faster option but also the most expensive. The seamark being a displacement hull would be slower but more seaworthy!

Going to look at the seamark hull tomorrow.

anythoughts??

Hi Sandhopper,

Well, I have to confess. I haven't gone for any of those at the moment. I still prefer the aquafish, and hope to build one oneday, but owing to work comitments, have bought a small (23ft) Sunseeker offshore cruiser for now, as I haven't the time to do a complete new build.
I have to admit, that this babe does have curtains (argghh. Zero street cred) and other features not expected on a fishing boat, but as she is trailerable, and with :- overnight accomadition for upto four peeps, a fridge to keep the beers cool, and a TV to watch the match, is ideal for those of us who live many miles from the coast.
Our new babe is capable of 40 knots (so now we will get to the fishing grounds before the fish have gone to bed. LOL) which is a vast improvement over the 6 knots we have been used to. I can't wait to finish refurbing her ready for an expected launch in May.

I'd like to thank all of you who have replied, and all who looked at our previous boat, which was sold to a lovely couple in Essex. (and I especailly appologise to Peter.b for selling out to the tupperware floozies. We'd love to keep a wooden boat, but it wasn't suitable for us)

Tight lines.

Minto:)

[solent fisher]

Hi Chaps & Chapess's

1st post here, so please be gentle with me. LOL

I'm looking to replace my old, tired 30ft wooden boat with something a little smaller and faster.

I have been considering building one the following :- Aquafish 23, Duver 23, 24ft Wilson Flyer, Seamark 26.

Just wondered if anyone has any experiences (good or bad) of these babes, or any recomendations for similar boats of this size.

Thanks all

Mark :)


I've spent some time researching this market and my money would go on an Osprey 24 Fisherman or an Offshore Pro-Charter 25ft.

[sandhopper]

Would really like to have an offshore 25 but on my budget it just wouldnt happen. The Aqua fish 23 would probably be out my budget as i would like a quick build and be out by the end of the summer. The engine and leg would be expensive as imagine you would need say 200hp to achieve the high speeds.

Went to seamarks yard to view a 26ft very solid looking boat with plenty of deck space. Very helpful bulilder and local to. Might just have to make do with the slow and steady chug out to the fishing grounds.

[minto]

Just wondering what the outcome was with the pros and cons. I am too interested in the aqua fish 23 or the seamark 26 as self builds. the aqau fish would probably be the faster option but also the most expensive. The seamark being a displacement hull would be slower but more seaworthy!

Going to look at the seamark hull tomorrow.

anythoughts??



Sorry to drag up this old thread.

After 18 months of being stuck with an engineless Turkey and getting in no fishing, I have now sold the thing, and last week ordered an Aquafish 23 ( I think its with the extended wheelhouse. It has an opening sunroof !!!)

Anybody who is interested in an Aquafish 23, give me a shout, and I'll let you know how we get on.

Tight Lines

Minto :)

[magicdog]

Sorry to drag up this old thread.



No need to apologise...good luck with the project :)

[toerag]

I think the aquafish is a good choice - they're certainly becoming very popular. Chap over here used one for commercial rod&line/longlining/diving for a couple of years quite succesfully. They seem to be a step up from the MI21 I have, and in a similar ballpark to the Hellraiser.