Chieftain vs Islander vs...

[Cloudrnnr]

So, with the acquisition of another piece of tin (a 1999 Polar Kraft Bass America), I have my small water fishing needs taken care of. After a bit of time in less than perfect weather, I'm looking for a bit bigger hull than my 18' Holiday. From other posts, I think I know that the primary difference between the early Islanders and Chieftains was the gunwale and cabin layout. Did this change much in the later designs? I'm also considering a Sea Nymph 220GLS and a Crestliner Sabre, but both have the same issue I have with the Islander/Chieftain: very limited bow access unless you are a 4'11" contortionist. For those of you that own these two models, how do you deal with the limited access?

 

[laurentide]

I fish my 18' Chief solo all the time. I just have a 25' line that I leave tied to a bow cleat, and run it back into the cockpit. When I get back to the dock/ramp it's right there. I also have a self-deploying ipilot that takes care of my anchoring needs, but that was a big investment. Before I had that it was a sometimes harrowing climb along the gunwale to get to the bow... That hatch is almost useless. I know that user rheagler put a windlass on his bow for anchoring.

 

[Watermann]

All I use the cuddy cabin for in my 18 Chief is storage, cooler and head. Wasn't interested in using it as a camper so I don't have cushions up there.

Not sure what you're looking for but I don't know of any cuddys on the market that will give you room to do jumping jacks inside. :lol:

 

[Cloudrnnr]

Not really looking for more room in the cabin--I'm looking for a hull that can handle CDA or Pend Oreille in breezy weather and pull downriggers and planer boards. I just want to be sure I can handle launch and recovery by myself--and that usually means at least a little better bow access, although I know there are ways around it.

 

[laurentide]

Not really looking for more room in the cabin--I'm looking for a hull that can handle CDA or Pend Oreille in breezy weather and pull downriggers and planer boards. I just want to be sure I can handle launch and recovery by myself--and that usually means at least a little better bow access, although I know there are ways around it.

Launch and recovery is no problem by yourself. You get a system down.

Launching, one long line to bow cleat. Slide the boat off the trailer and have that line in your hand. Tie the line to a couple of dock cleats and then to your stern cleat. Park the truck.

Recovery: have that line still attached to the bow cleat, and the other end in the cockpit (tied off if you're worried about it getting loose and into a prop). Pull up to the dock broadside, grab that line, jump off the boat and tie up. Get the tow vehicle/trailer and back in shallower than if you're launching. Pull the boat up to the bunk/rollers by hand with the line, then tie that off so the boat won't blow away from the trailer. Hook up your winch strap and load the trailer.

^^that's a bunch of words for a pretty simple procedure. The only problem I ever had was trying to retrieve the boat when it was blowing 25+ perpendicular to the dock, but I still got it on.

Don't let solo launching/retrieving deter you from this style of boat if it's what you want. I love having the cuddy on mine, even though it's just dry storage. It offers great weather protection with some canvas.

Every boat design is a compromise of some sort. The most popular trolling boats here on Champlain are dual console open bow boats with full drop down canvas. They're great because they offer multi-species fishing ability and have big open cockpits. On my Chieftain the cabin takes up half the boat and limits the number of people who can fish from it (two is max). But it has a cabin so you can carry all your gear and tools etc. in a dry space (plus it was $250 when I found it...that was a huge factor in my purchase decision ). If I could somehow buy a brand new cold water fishing boat, it would likely be something like a 22' superfisherman with a canvas enclosure. Just for the fishing space I'd gain.

Sorry for rambling there :lol:. Good luck!

 

[Cloudrnnr]

Chem, thanks for the input. I think I'm still a possible on the Islanders in the 21-22 ft range, but the Chieftain takes up a little too much fishing space for the cabin. After looking at one, i went back and stood in my Holiday and just couldn't justify the expense and loss of deck space just to have a bit deeper hull. I'm with you on the SFM. I like the 20-21ft Holidays, just wish the hull was a bit deeper (and wider!)

 

[Watermann]

Closed bow cuddys with hatches do present a challenge for bow access although I don't access the bow when launching or retrieving. I drop my fenders off the side I'm going to dock on and pull up nice n slow. Hop out on the dock and tie off on the cleats. I don't solo launch or retrieve so I never have to worry about bow lining my boats in or out. I power unload and load too. There's no way I could get up and out of that front hatch on my Chief and the Islander's have the same hatch because that's whats on mine from Jas' bowlander.

If the water gets rough a closed bow Islander or Chief is the best bet for a safe dry ride. All of the open bow boats I've been in take water over the bow when it gets bad out there. The other issue is wind drift with the higher profile but I've not noticed it being all that bad.