75' Seaswirl Trihull vs. 84' Phantom Trihull

[rbbrox]

I am trying to decide between these two hulls.

First the Seaswirl 1975
1. Made very well
2. ugly, not very attractive
3. Solid deck and side walls
4. Some bottom hull repair has been done.
5. Very basic no extras
6. Working lights,

Second, the Phantom 1984
1. Made not very well, thinner fiberglass on walls
2. Much better looking
3. Some bottom hull repair has been done
4. Many extras, compartments, bait tank, fish well, fish finder, fishing chairs
5. Electrical needs TLC, lights, fish finder, gas gauge, tilt gauge and bilge pump not working,
6. Deck has some soft spots

Thoughts please.
Thanks

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 75' Seaswirl Trihull vs. 84' Phantom Trihull

I assume neither hull has power? I can also assume they are both outboard? Do they have comparable max horsepower ratings? Do you already have a motor and are looking for a hull to match? Are both hulls the same size? Are both hulls comparable in price?

If it were me, based on the information you have given, I would go with the 84. The fact that you state the Seaswirl is ugly tells me appearance is very important. If you don't like how it looks, how solid it is doesn't matter when you hate the thing. You can make the newer boat more solid, but just remember, it has made it 22 years as is, so I am sure it is strong enough.

You stated it has some floor issues, which would mean most likely a floor and stringer job, so you would have the opportunity to make it as strong as you want. The downside is you would have to do work that you would not have to do on the Seaswirl (that you know of). I would rather do more work to improve a good looking boat that have an ugly boat.

It also sounds like the newer boat has things you are looking for, which is always a good thing.

Now, if you are not as concerned with the looks and just want a solid fishing hull, you can add the amenities you want to that Seaswirl for less money than the cost of a floor/stringer job on the Phantom.

In the end its all about emotion (looks), cost, amount of work, and end usability. You just have to decide if you have the time, money, and energy to do the more serious work that the newer hull will need.

This is assuming the older hull is actually solid. I have seen more than a few times a "solid" hull is not solid at all. You would have to make sure. Otherwise you end up doing a large amount of work on an ugly boat, and that isn't fun at all. Good luck...

 

[DJ]

Re: 75' Seaswirl Trihull vs. 84' Phantom Trihull

They say that beauty is only skin deep.

What's ugly about the Sea Swirl?

I disagree with Jason-somewhat. I like functional done right. That's why I own two Whalers.

I'd be concerned about cheaply built. If the amenities are cheap and broken the stuff you can't see probably is too.

It all depends on what you want to do. Jason has truly made a silk purse out of a sows ear with his "Shanky Beast" but I think he knew what he was getting into.

 

[rbbrox]

Re: 75' Seaswirl Trihull vs. 84' Phantom Trihull

Thanks alot guys, I think I will give the newer boat the TLC.

 

[DJ]

Re: 75' Seaswirl Trihull vs. 84' Phantom Trihull

Thanks alot guys, I think I will give the newer boat the TLC.

6. Deck has some soft spots

You're in for a TOTAL rebuild. That's OK, as long as you know.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 75' Seaswirl Trihull vs. 84' Phantom Trihull

"I disagree with Jason-somewhat. I like functional done right. That's why I own two Whalers."

Yeah, but it's hard to get much prettier than a Whaler. Whalers are the quintessential "Hard Core Boat". I would mortgage my soul for a Whaler. Also, the Pacific Northwest aluminum rigs like Hewscrafts and Duckworths are great looking boats-in a military/industrial way.

You can drink an ugly girl pretty, but you can't drink a fat girl thin...

 

[DJ]

Re: 75' Seaswirl Trihull vs. 84' Phantom Trihull

I would mortgage my soul for a Whaler.

Jason,

Don't do that. I worked up to them by buying/restoring and selling numerous boats before. Besides, both were used and were surprisingly affordable.