looking at boats

[bitesomthing]

been looking to buy new boat and want something i can run in local lakes and something i could run to catalina in. Been looking at the tracker multi species boats either 17.5' or 19'wt and i am kinda interested in them.
I was wondering if anyone out there has run one to catalina or out in
the coastal water during kinda bumpy waters. Never owned a aluminum boat and wanted some opinions on how they handle and are they a wet riding boat.( i know all boats are wet in certain weather conditions.)
or if you have other opinions, please voice them....

Thanks
CHris

 

[buellwinkle]

Re: looking at boats

I've run to Catalina in boats as small as a 32' sportfisher with a flying bridge, but it can get scary. You can go out on sunny day and in the afternoon, some wind waves can build up to the point the splash over the flying bridge. Friend of mine tried it in a 30' Searay, OMG, nearly killed, boat was recovered and insurance company repaired it but it scared him so much he's lost his taste for boats. Watch the Perfect Storm, that will prepare you for Catalina. It can be perfect and people have done it in small boats, but it can turn without notice. And before you think I'm just a rookie, I've sailed from NYC to Canada when I was 12. I purposely go out in storms in sailboats with a life line and hoist sails, not sure I would do it in a small motor boat, at least the sailboats I took out where self righting althought never came close to testing that.

But a boat with beam of 17-19' should be fine. That's about the size of the Dana Point to Catalina shuttle.

The L.A. boat show is coming up soon, I think about February 8th, but google it to make sure. There you can check out various boats at the convention center.

 

[bitesomthing]

Re: looking at boats

I've run to Catalina in boats as small as a 32' sportfisher with a flying bridge, but it can get scary. You can go out on sunny day and in the afternoon, some wind waves can build up to the point the splash over the flying bridge. Friend of mine tried it in a 30' Searay, OMG, nearly killed, boat was recovered and insurance company repaired it but it scared him so much he's lost his taste for boats. Watch the Perfect Storm, that will prepare you for Catalina. It can be perfect and people have done it in small boats, but it can turn without notice. And before you think I'm just a rookie, I've sailed from NYC to Canada when I was 12. I purposely go out in storms in sailboats with a life line and hoist sails, not sure I would do it in a small motor boat, at least the sailboats I took out where self righting althought never came close to testing that.

But a boat with beam of 17-19' should be fine. That's about the size of the Dana Point to Catalina shuttle.

The L.A. boat show is coming up soon, I think about February 8th, but google it to make sure. There you can check out various boats at the convention center.

I have made the trip many times in boats as small as 17', but i do not know the characteristics of a aluminum boat such as the Tracker deep v, while in sloppy conditions.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: looking at boats

Think submarine.

once or twice a year someone posts about wanting to take an inadequate boat to Catalina. Just because a couple of people have gone over Niagra Falls in a barrel, and lived, doesn't make it a good idea.

 

[bobdec]

Re: looking at boats

OP is talking length, bitesomthing is talking beam. To clarify are we discussing Catalina Island, CA. 30 miles off shore in a 17-19 footer ?? I don't see a 19 listed on the Tracker web site ? TRACKER Boats : 2012 Multi-Species Deep V Boats

 

[buellwinkle]

Re: looking at boats

Think submarine.

once or twice a year someone posts about wanting to take an inadequate boat to Catalina. Just because a couple of people have gone over Niagra Falls in a barrel, and lived, doesn't make it a good idea.

Exactly!

Seriously, a row boat with a motor which is what a 17' Tracker is will make it to Catalina fine, as long as it's safely secured on a larger cargo vessel.

 

[bitesomthing]

Re: looking at boats

OP is talking length, bitesomthing is talking beam. To clarify are we discussing Catalina Island, CA. 30 miles off shore in a 17-19 footer ?? I don't see a 19 listed on the Tracker web site ? TRACKER Boats : 2012 Multi-Species Deep V Boats

Yes Catalina Island off the CA coast, and i'm talking length
The wt is walk thru. I have boated the Catalina channel for 20 years, in my own boats ranging from 17 ft cc hydra sport,to my 25 ft Parker. Yes that channel can get very nasty in afternoons. I guess i should have stated the Tracker Deep v Targa 18 walk thru is the boat i was mainly questioning
Thanks for Your input.
Chris