Need Your Thoughts...Perfect Pocket Downeast

SoBoSlow

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Greetings, just thought I would bring a beach debate about the "perfect" boat to this forum.

What is the "right" boat for a Canyon addicted junkie who, for a number of reasons, does not want any more boat than he needs and probably only has the time/budget/friends/flexibility to make the 3-4 best weather windows each year? Any weather window can collapse on you but, there are 3 or 4 a year that are stable enough to run a smaller seaworthy boat.

My current answer: Recently, I decided all I really need is a Cape Cod/Albin 26' (you seen the one with a small doghouse on it?) or General Marine 26'. I am torn about the trade off of trailerability (to be able to hit CCB as well as East) and cruise speed (for coastal fishing) for a more substantial boat for comfort on long runs. The CC 26' would be LONG day trips but more trips playing on the shelf water and the GM 26' with an @18knot cruise requires 36 hour trips. (my actual use would be 20% family trips/20% 6-hour Race to Monomoy Rips/20% 6-12 hour Bluefin/20% 6-hour offseason groundfish/20% 36-hour canyon-shelf water).

The beach debate started with a buddy and I agreeing that with the right window these boats are reasonable. Then, when my buddy started thinking about actually doing it, he decided the CC 26 is a REALLY LONG DAY in an open boat and the GM 26' is a small boat for 3-4 dudes for 36+ hours. I cannot say I disagree...what do you say is the right answer?

28' - BHM/Seaworthy?
30' - South Shore?
31' - West Bay?
32' - Mitchell Cove, Holland?

Does it just take 2 boats...a dedicated offshore boat and a coastal/inshore fishing boat?...the "good" news is with another 2 years of daycare payments neither of us needs to resolve this immediately.

****Clarification...for now this is only a hypothetical debate. My buddy has another year of daycare to pay for and I have 2 more years. However, we both know where that budgeted amount goes once the town is picking up the tab for school****
 
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F/V First Team

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mc 32 from that list, but you'll still be contending with an engine box. I'd opt for a northern bay 36 or an oem 42 personally. 42 has a lot more space obviously but for family trips and the like you wont be tripping over each other and if someone wants to use the head they wont have to disturb anyone else.
hard to trailer these without some kind of dedicated rig, but they build trailers everyday
 

tunaorlater

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40' Northern bay
Travis, what kind of performance numbers do you get out of a 42 finished off tuna boat?
 

FVSD

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AJ or Alan Johnson 28' is one of the only 28' without an engine box....probably can throw in 260-300hp and make it work. My favorite is the old RP 31'....big boat and no engine box with a 370hp yanmar or probably other flat diesel...I think the molds were lost in a fire.
 

BillD

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mc 32 from that list, but you'll still be contending with an engine box. I'd opt for a northern bay 36 or an oem 42 personally. 42 has a lot more space obviously but for family trips and the like you wont be tripping over each other and if someone wants to use the head they wont have to disturb anyone else.
hard to trailer these without some kind of dedicated rig, but they build trailers everyday

Nothing wrong with contending with an engine box. The higher the better. Gotta get @ engine components for maintenance/repair and daily "due diligence" checking all out.
Add a v-drive and the engine sits nice and high !!!!!:D

Also, the original poster's list limits the length to 32 feet.
 

tunaorlater

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40' Northern bay
D-13 Volvo. Loaded to the balls with comforts and fishing crap. Private boat so very heavy in junk.
 

F/V First Team

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if you wanted to feed it probably 30 mph cruise topping out in mid to high 30s

25 mph criuse would probably be in the power curves sweet spot with that particular engine. couple it to a ZF to take advantage of the trolling valve, run the gen set off the main engine, saves weight and space for more comforts
bunks for 4 forward, encloses head with separate shower a.d either a closed off stateroom/cabin/library/galley or additional bunks. keeps the main salon open for pedistal mount chairs, settee, table, etc etc.
 

tunaorlater

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40' Northern bay
What are we waiting for!;). Sounds like a nice ride, someday.
 

Raider Ronnie

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33 Flowers.
Go with a 28 Seaworthy (BHM)
Big enough to go offshore & still small enough that you can run alone inshore.
I've got one ill sell you thats rigged to the hill for fishing and more electronics than most boats on the water.
 

Blitzen

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Flowers Boat Works 46 hull #1, Flowers Boat Works 36 hull #1, Wayne Beal 28 Hull #1, Repco 30 1968,
30 ft South Shore, AJ 28 on my short list.

My buddy has a AJ 28 set up with a 300 Yanmar here in Wickford, RI he might be interested in selling. It is very clean and set up for both family and fishing.
 

BillD

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I was asked a question about my downeast boat and gave an honest answer..
Maybe you would rather this.
What the hell is a guy with a Blackfin doing on a downeast boat forum and has more post than most anyone here ?
:rolleyes:

Ronnie,

Why don't you read my avatar tee shirt ! :D It's kinda small print so here's what it says.

" One million people attended Obama's inauguration
Only 14 missed work for the day"

As far as me having a twin screw non-keel Blackfin and being a contributor on this DE forum, you are correct.

I really don't belong here.

See you over @ noreast!

Regards to ALL,

Bill D
 

SoBoSlow

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Just wanted to clarify so people do not think I am blowing off their offers (Ronnie your boat looks great and an AJ 28 certainly fits the bill well as well).

For now, this is a hypothetical debate...my buddy has another year of daycare to pay for and I have 2 more. But, when that budgeted expense is freed up, and the town starts picking up the tab for school, I know where it is going.

So, Ronnie...take your time selling that boat.
 


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