The most legendary production boat hulls of all time

[Docked Wages]

Everyone's got an opinion. What do you believe are the best sportfishing boat hulls ever made for safety, speed and raising fish. From the 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's... does not matter.

I've heard the 50 and 54 bertrams are amazing hulls however I don't know that it would be my first pick due to lack of speed and excessive fuel burn numbers. Recalling the write up on the 48 viking Canyon Runner that was repowered a few years back, maybe the 48 viking hull?

What do you think?

[jawz12]

31 bertram - one of the most sought after boat,ever made - terrible,wet ride...

42 bertram - old school tank,great ride - kinda like watching a fat woman sprint...

[seapower]

For a mid twenty something I really do like the Keith Willis 25 Downeaster that is no longer made. It is without a doubt the biggest 25 I've ever seen. It's width makes it very, very stable for bottom fishing, or trolling in slop. The wide flare does a good job. It is wet as any c/c is gonna be, but with the addition of spray rail's I put on this winter, all I can say is "wow" what a difference. If run too hard in a short sea it will beat you, I've learned to slow down and drop the bow.
35 Bertram is one of the "biggest" little boats out there. With the cost of today's fuel and up keep, a good "sea worthy" mid-sized boat is the ticket for most. The boat has a very roomy cockpit for her size. Good fuel capacity is a plus. The hull, bullet proof.
I said in the beginning of my reply that it would sound "biased". But after making a living at sea and working on boat's for so long, those are the 2 that I own. There is no such thing as a "perfect" boat. It really boil's down to the "most" boat that you can afford. I will admit that I have little experience on the "high end" market other that working on them. I pretty much focused on what I could afford. Frank

[B.C.]

Jawz We have a 42 bert repowered a few years ago. The fat woman sprints at 27-28 cruise. I have heard the bertram 54 is one of the best head sea hulls ever made.

[Hatterized]

rode on both a 54 & 62 STRIKER.....fast & efficient for their day....aluminum hulled wide beamed battlewagons that could handle any sea.....when many boats were sitting @ the dock.....the Strikers were backing down in the bluewater.....ALL Strikers had the reputation as being fish magnets !!!

[jawz12]

Jawz We have a 42 bert repowered a few years ago. The fat woman sprints at 27-28 cruise. I have heard the bertram 54 is one of the best head sea hulls ever made.

nice cap !!!

[JPH]

Safety: Bertram 54 early hulls with 12-71s or 12-92s, maybe 1981-1988. Handling and ride are unmatched when running a dangerous inlet, they go exactly where you point them right now. 4 gallons per mile but those old engines had near instant throttle response as compared to these low emission diesels of today.

Speed: Today's C-32A powered cold molded 60-65 foot boats built in the Carolinas are 45 knot+ rides burning 3 gallons per mile on avearge at cruise RPMs. High tech, light weight construction under modern diesels...these are clearly the best of times if you seek speed.

Fish raising: Old--Whiticars and Merritts of the 1960s and 1970s. Modern--I really believe these modern, light weight, cold molded or plank hulls with straight I-6 diesel(s) can all be easily dialed-in to each boat's sweet spot to consistently raise fish day in and day out. These boats are also economical to run, a huge factor in a $4 per gallon fuel era

[Capt. Mark]

Obviously every hull has some comprimises .. 54 Bert is an awesome running hull but you need to tow a fuel barge around .. I recall doing a canyon trip in the early 90's where we burned 960 gallons of fuel ... @ $.79 per gallon its not bad, but a $4 per gallon a nightmare .. our 48 Viking is a great boat .. with over 30,000 hrs on her hull she is still going strong.. great beam sea and following sea boat , but tough in a head sea and wet. There is no perfect production boat ... if you want ride you sacrifice fuel economy and foward space .. if you want economy and space you sacrifice ride .. just the way it is ...

[skirt chaser]

the 46 ft whiticar HOBO owned by Capt Ray Parker . only two people have owned this boat Jim Whiticar & Capt Ray . I know hundreds of fish have come over her transom over the years . I have been lucky to have fished on her a couple of times .

[Tuna Meltdown]

23' SeaCraft.