What is the Best Fishing/Lounging Boat?

[smacs2080]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this forum because I am having a really hard time finding the right boat for my husband and I. He has become quite the avid fisherman out in Boston Harbor and wants a fishing boat for him and his buddies. But at the same time, we want something that has good seating to cruise around and lounge when it's just us or few friends.

We are looking for an inboard boat in the 25 to 28 ft trailerable range, something we can sleep on. I find that most fishing boats don't offer seating in the back part where they fish. I want to find a boat that has bench seating in the fishing area that can fold back into the sides when the guys are out fishing.

Does such a boat exist? What would a good option be for us?

I appreciate any thoughts!!

Thanks,
Sue

 

[tynmissy]

Re: Best Fishing/Lounging Boat

Re: Best Fishing/Lounging Boat

i was just looking at the new larson walk-arounds for that exact reason. a great boat that i can fish with but still have a good time with the family on

ty

 

[mthieme]

Re: Best Fishing/Lounging Boat

Re: Best Fishing/Lounging Boat

My parents have a 26' Thompson hardtop. IT has a cuddy with a head. It was used for fishing before they came upon it. It only has two swivel chairs forward and a nice pad on the large engine housing. Mom found two larger sturdy foldable chairs that are very comfy. I didn't see any at iBoats to point you towards, but they shouldn't hard to find.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What is the Best Fishing/Lounging Boat?

Here is your fold down seat in the cockpit. You're hubby would be very happy as well

http://www.gradywhite.com/258/

 

[smacs2080]

Re: What is the Best Fishing/Lounging Boat?

Ah, but if we could find an inboard... I don't really know the difference other than the obvious, but my husband prefers them.

I appreciate these replies. I like reading and looking up what you are telling me!! Keep them coming!

Thanks again,
Sue

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What is the Best Fishing/Lounging Boat?

You do have a tough set of requirements. Perhaps a cutty that has little to no furniture in the stern would allow you to have furniture custom made that would meet your needs. An inboard (I/O) makes what you/he want even more complicated. The engine occupies a good chunk of real estate at the back of the boat which cuts into the "lounge area" and it would actually limit his fishing space as well. On a 28 footer with an I/O and a cuddy that's big enough to sleep in means there really isn't a lot of space that can be devoted to both lounging and fishing. As for power, twin outboards opens up the stern area of the boat and provides a great safety measure especially if you go offshore frequently. if one engine dies you can motor back on the other. With an I/O it's a matter of calling for a tow.

 

[KCook]

Re: What is the Best Fishing/Lounging Boat?

Like Grady-White, the smaller Albemarles make some provision for cockpit seating -

"http://www.albemarleboats.com/trailerable/index.html"

These are all upscale fishing boats, not cheap at all ....

Kelly

 

[dingbat]

Re: What is the Best Fishing/Lounging Boat?

A diesel inboard is certainly the absolute best fishing platform but most are pretty utilitarian.

Both Shamrock and Carolina Classic make inboards in the 25? class

http://www.carolinaclassicboats.com/models/model.cfm?modID=1
http://www.shamrockboats.com/content.php?p=models/260/260_mariner/overview.html

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What is the Best Fishing/Lounging Boat?

this grady has out of the way seating, twin outboards. http://www.gradywhite.com/290/ the problem is, it is not trailerable due to width.

finding a trailerable boat that size is going to be hard.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: What is the Best Fishing/Lounging Boat?

Do you have any single sisters!?
Just kidding I'm married, two heads are better than one I'm sure you and your hubby will find just the right boat. FWIW twin ouboards get my vote too.

 

[smacs2080]

Re: What is the Best Fishing/Lounging Boat?

Thank you everyone for your input!! I think you are right, what I am looking for in the size I am looking for, just doesn't quite exist. We either get a fishing boat or a cruiser. I am sure we will figure something out.

Thanks again for pointing out all these great boats! My husband will be excited!

Sue

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: What is the Best Fishing/Lounging Boat?

I don't think you'll find anything new in that size range with an inboard and the comforts you seek. Closest you'll get is an I/O. It's obvious that you are willing to sacrifice hard core fishing attributes for comfort, so with that said...

The Sea Ray Amberjack could be the perfect boat. It's 27 feet and trailerable. It's great compromise boat designed for fishing and comfort. They are still available new and they are not hard to find used.

This one looks nice: http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/boa/1043571785.html

If you want to go a little smaller, cheaper, and don't mind used, a Regal 2550 LSC with a fishing package is similar in function to the Amberjack. I have one. It has big side windows, a full width bench seat, and sun pad across the transom for comfort. The side windows, bench seat, and sun pad are all easily removed without tools, and are stored in the cuddy for fishing. It's not perfect, but it works. The fishing package includes a livewell, good sized fish box, tackle boxes, rod holders and a washdown system.

 

[mthieme]

Re: What is the Best Fishing/Lounging Boat?

The twin OB thing brought to mind Boston Whaler which might be a good compromise. Their larger boats have a very comfy modern cuddy with just the right deck arrangement for fishing and lounging.