Center Console for NE Canyons- best speed/ride combo?

[dealmaker]

Looking at moving from a flybridge sportfish to fast Center Console suitable for fishing the northeast canyons. I've read lots of debates on here about the "best center console", but I am looking for opinions on the best combination of ride and speed in a 38+ model. I kind of like the cutty cabins on the CC's to have someplace to sleep on overnighters.

I don't need the fastest ride. Currently my flybridge sportfish burns about 40 GPH at a 22 knot cruise. I am looking to increase speed, range and efficiency and would like to preserve some comfort for the long trips.

Thanks.

[striper swiper]

The contender 36 fish around should be on your list along with the center cuddys
Venture 39 cuddy
Jupiter 38 cuddy
Yellowfin 42 or 34 cuddy This is a big 34
Fountain has a few different 38's that you could look at
Intrepid also has a bunch of different layouts as well

[Fortunate One]

In my humble opinion. There are plenty of mosquito fleet go fast rockets on the market that can get you here quickly, but fishing the northeastern canyons in one of those will limit you to carefully picking your days.

Before I'd make a move like that I'd seriously talk to some of the guys running them and then I set up a charter with someone like Terry Nugent "Rip Tide". You'll find him on the Northeast board. He runs a CC.

Most of the guys I know running these boats live in Grundens and all develop bad knees and bad backs.

Don't get me wrong, back in the day I ran a small CC on loooong day trips and on the occasional overnighter and at the ripe old age of being in my late forties, I've given that up as a young mans sport.

I'm a big believer in displacement for running to and staying overnight in the canyons.

[Fritz]

In my humble opinion. There are plenty of mosquito fleet go fast rockets on the market that can get you here quickly, but fishing the northeastern canyons in one of those will limit you to carefully picking your days.

Before I'd make a move like that I'd seriously talk to some of the guys running them and then I set up a charter with someone like Terry Nugent "Rip Tide". You'll find him on the Northeast board. He runs a CC.

Most of the guys I know running these boats live in Grundens and all develop bad knees and bad backs.

Don't get me wrong, back in the day I ran a small CC on loooong day trips and on the occasional overnighter and at the ripe old age of being in my late forties, I've given that up as a young mans sport.

I'm a big believer in displacement for running to and staying overnight in the canyons.

Can I have an Amen brother? AMEN!

[captdom]

Its sort of like the difference of running to the canyon in a 33 express or a 40 foot battlewagon, cant compare the two....You wanna run fast and far and safe, and you want to cut costs, I say amen to that. So maybe the grundens and potential body ailments later on isnt for everyone, but for me the only way to run I plan on beating my body to hell till it gives out anyway.

http://www.seahunterboats.com/40/tournament40.html

Check these boats out.

Made a run with Capt. Rob Delph of Miami when he trailered up a couple years ago out in the Dip in mid October. The ride out was FAC, made it to the Dip in 2 hours 11 minutes.

This boat was a fishing machine, and stable as hell. Rod holders every where, we fished five lines along the rail at the same depth during a crazy 14 fish blitz with no problem. Wind came on strong and blew stink, we were in some bumpy conditions all night, boat drifted well, very comfy entry on the beam, no slapping.

In the am, we chunked a bit more, then headed for the barn. Cruised back in at 38 knots, up on top of the 3-5's. I slept like a baby in my grundens PJ's in a bean bag facing aft behind the console, fully streched out, ear plugs firmly in place.

[dealmaker]

Thanks Captdom for the info on your experience on the Sea Hunter. That does really look like a nice option. I've never really looked at Sea Hunter, but I'll definately add that one to the list to consider.

How dry or wet was it relative to other similar class CC's?

What is FAC?

Thanks

[Questsportfishing]

you have a sportfish? what does it drink? Motors??? some of the repowers are great if you go cummins... 2 year warrantee new out boards 5 year warrantee.. how much $ ya got?? so many questions.. the new 2008 diesels are great fuel efficeint etc but at a cost plus inner coolers at what hr??? find a boat you want and can afford to run

[dealmaker]

I have a 1990 38 Viking that we really like a lot. It is in beautiful shape, has Detroit 6-71 TI's 450 HP with about 900 hours that run flawlessly. Burns 40 GPM at 22 knots. Approx .9MPG.

Currently use the boat as a weekend shore house as well as using it for fishing and cruising. With housing being a buyers market, we are looking at getting a shore house and we will no longer need a boat we can live on. The idea is to get a boat that we can put behind the shore house on a lagoon that is more efficient, fast and hopefully does not ruin my back, knees, teeth, etc.

Big, fast center console that is more efficient, lower cost to run, is what I am interested in. I have friends with sportfish battlewagons that I can fish with for offshore if necessary. I would use the CC for sharking, reef fishing, stripers, inshore tuna and offshore overnighter when a nice high pressure system is over our area. I really want the extra range too.

[Fortunate One]

If it were me I'd drop the CC and focus on something with a cudy cabin. You're going to want a place to store all of your suff including safety gear, fishing rods and such.

Plus the cuddy will give your family a place to get out of the sun.

I really perfer inboard diesels because they put the CG lower in the boat, which I believe it to be the best place to have them. But if you are considering outbords then I'd go with one pair of large twin 4 strokes. Tripples probably won't do you any good since going real fast isn't a concern. They will just drink more fuel and cost more to maintain.

Just like shore houses, I'll be willing to bet if you shop carefully, you'll find a sweet deal where someone is in over ther heads and in need of getting out. Not a bad time to be shoping for either.

I'll be curious to see how you make out.

As far as specific models I can't provide any help in that area.

Your best bet is to find em and ride em.

[freemanboatworks]

Might be worth it to look at a custom cat.

Our 33' with twin Zuke 300's cruises at 40mph burning 30gph fully loaded in 3-5's with 7 men onboard. Slow her down to 30mph and burn 17gph. No pounding like the monohulls, just a smooth dry ride. I am sure a few will respond that all cats drive weird, but they have never ridden on a Freeman 33.





www.freemanboatworks.com