Big USA Centre Consoles anyone got one if so whats the verdict

[Snapperscott]

hi all,

I've read 1,000's of reviews on contender, hyrdasport, sailfish, angler etc etc. But what i really want to know is honest views from guys who have them in australia.

There is a 2660 sailfish (orange) in Cairns that I see getting around which looks nice.

So anyone with a similar boat around 26ft please share your views. PM is fine if you don't want to provide a bad report.


Scott.

[Back In Black]

Scott,
Got a 28 ft Sailfish. Love it to pieces, as its the perfect fishing platform.

Friday though, short sharp chop & a terrible run 80km out. Came home with a NE up our bum, & she would dip down into the trough, bang at the bottom, slow down & away we would go again. Saying that, it was just one of those days.

Starting to see what the FNQ guys go on about, saying cats are no good in their short chop.

After Friday, tempted to jump on a big plate mono & see how it handled the same conditions.

Tony

[docaster]

Scott,
Got a 28 ft Sailfish. Love it to pieces, as its the perfect fishing platform.

Friday though, short sharp chop & a terrible run 80km out. Came home with a NE up our bum, & she would dip down into the trough, bang at the bottom, slow down & away we would go again. Saying that, it was just one of those days.

Starting to see what the FNQ guys go on about, saying cats are no good in their short chop.

After Friday, tempted to jump on a big plate mono & see how it handled the same conditions.

Tony

Tony, i don't think he is talking about cats.

Scott, I don't have one but certainly would love one. Filled with goodies.
Can't go wrong.
Cheers
John

[FisHard]

You can take my advice with a grain of salt, but having just sold a 21' Seafarer centre console, I wouldn't have another big open boat. If you are doing big miles offshore, the lack of real protection gets old real quick. Even with spray dodgers and Tee tops, it's hard to get everyone out of the elements.
Also, storage is the key. The yank boats in that size are very good, but you can beat a cabin to shove all your gear in!
The 360 deg fishing advantage is good if your into gt popping and other casting activities, but some of these boats are actually awkward to fish forward anyway. The contender is an obvious exception. Most centre consoles have a u shaped seating arrangements in the bow, that are impractical for serious work.
Imo, the rear cockpit of most centre consoles is considerably smaller than equivalent cabin or walk around boats. In my experience of having the centre console, you still spend most of your time in the cockpit, and it's a downside to have it relatively cramped.
The final negative is resale. I practically gave my boat away after having it for sale over an extended period. Australian buyers just don't have the thirst for these boats like the yanks do. Ask any marine sales or broker guy about this.
Get a good walkaround!

[bannana]

I fished out of a contender owned buy the Nomad boys and i can't recommend them any higher. It's the best ride i've had in an offshore rig of it size. The day i spent in the boat was 25 knots and although we were spending most of our time fishing for Gt's against the reef edges we were also doing some decent runs from reef to reef in serious slop and it was an eye opener to say the least.

I was only looking at a couple yesterday down at East Coast marina while they were up on a hard stand and i commented to soul fish that its the best ride i've had in a boat....sensational and probably my next rig if i downgrade in size.

As Fishard says though you better be prepared to get exposed to the elements. Centre console are definitely day boats thats for sure and probably the only thing that puts me in two minds.

good luck with the hunt.

[Back In Black]

Scott,
Got a 28 ft Sailfish. Love it to pieces, as its the perfect fishing platform.

Friday though, short sharp chop & a terrible run 80km out. Came home with a NE up our bum, & she would dip down into the trough, bang at the bottom, slow down & away we would go again. Saying that, it was just one of those days.

Starting to see what the FNQ guys go on about, saying cats are no good in their short chop.

After Friday, tempted to jump on a big plate mono & see how it handled the same conditions.

Tony

Doh!! Should have read the title.

[DAVE_S]

I got a mate that has a 2600 angler , he is out of town for the next week send fishbone a pm and he will give you the imfo your after. Fishhard pretty must summed up my opinion as i have done a few trips off 1770 in it , as they say horses for courses .

[bobbyb]

im sure the yank boats are good , just most of them are to wide for our roads so permits are required for towing and set times. if towing that is. pain in the bum.

[Camhawk88]

I havent been in a Contender but I have an 8m stepped hull which is probably comparable and the ride is second to none. If you do go the US mono hull option I would focus on the Contenders.

[Luke G]

I've spent abit of time in a 25 contender, I also own the smaller size sailfish in wa layout (2380wac). I loved the contender for its speed and agility. It rides real good! With twin 200's it cruises at 40knots! To me though its a small 25, theres not much room behind the helm. The sides are also realy low, which can be a pain if your fighting a fish when its rough. The one I have been on has 7000 hours on the hull of hard work (charter boat) and it is built like a tank! Im not sure how he hasn't broken it! Its still an open boat though and you will get wet. Side curtins make a big difference! The sailfish is also real good, it will have more room then the contender being an almost 27ft boat and 9 ft wide. The sailfish will be slightly wetter then the contender, It will be heaps slower but i recon the ride would be just as good. Keep in mind that the sailfish 2660 with twins full of fuel will be well over the magic 3.5t mark, the contender will be under! If you can tow one the 27 / 28 contender would be a hard boat to beat!


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[Noelm]

Centre consoles are a funny thing, they have a lot more room than a "normal" runabout style, BUT... the room is spread out all around the boat, they do not have a big fishing area at the back (where all your fishing is done) the console, and the seat behind it consume a heap of space, sure there is room around the front, but it is hardly used, I have a centre console now and the same boat I had before in standard runabout configuration, was/is a much better fishing boat for space.

[Snapperscott]

I've spent abit of time in a 25 contender, I also own the smaller size sailfish in wa layout (2380wac). I loved the contender for its speed and agility. It rides real good! With twin 200's it cruises at 40knots! To me though its a small 25, theres not much room behind the helm. The sides are also realy low, which can be a pain if your fighting a fish when its rough. The one I have been on has 7000 hours on the hull of hard work (charter boat) and it is built like a tank! Im not sure how he hasn't broken it! Its still an open boat though and you will get wet. Side curtins make a big difference! The sailfish is also real good, it will have more room then the contender being an almost 27ft boat and 9 ft wide. The sailfish will be slightly wetter then the contender, It will be heaps slower but i recon the ride would be just as good. Keep in mind that the sailfish 2660 with twins full of fuel will be well over the magic 3.5t mark, the contender will be under! If you can tow one the 27 / 28 contender would be a hard boat to beat!


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I noticed this one has been for sale a while

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...5%204294889484

Wonder what this would be like?

[Noelm]

Its been for sale for a long time because of the price, and I suspect it will be for sale for a lot longer unless the price is dropped to what its worth.

[myusernam]

i have had a goodwin or ub22 style longboat for many years. I do often wish I had a cabin boat. I mainly spearfish so its great for getting in and out of and for what I do. If I was buying yank I would go for a cabin. One thing I dont like about cabin boats however is the travelling position is well forward, right up in the spine compression zone. . also the big square shouldered yank boats dont ride as good as everyone thinks from what I can gather, so being well up the front might suck a bit. I agree with the long miles offshore, getting wet bit of centre consoles though. even in the tropics it can be chilly. as for angling around cabins and stuff - not that hard

[Snapperscott]

Thanks I'll send fish one a pm