Need help deciding on a canyon capable boat.

[waynesworld]

I am looking to move up to a N.E. canyon capable boat that has a cabin and is under 100k.

my short list is as follows:

28 Albemarle, slow with 170 Yanmars 20 kt cruise but sips fuel, cockpit is on the small side.


29 Blackfin, seem to use a lot of fuel for thier size and cockpit is also on the small side.

29 Topaz, heard motors were difficult to work on and were commonly underpowered.

30 Black Watch, cored hull has me concerned but light weight adds to performance and economy.also heard that they were difficult to service motors.

31 Rampage, also a cored hull, would probably be better for drift fishing because it has less deadrise.many came with 200 h.p. motors that were said to be underpowered.

31 Shamrock Grand Slam, I have heard they were built well but don't know much else about them.

31 Bertram, great layout but hard to find a nice one reasonably priced that is in good condition.

lastly what are your opinions on Volvo motors as I have heard mixed reviews?

sorry for the long post but any help in trying to decide would be greatly appreciated. Wayne...

[jawz12]

the volvo motors are pretty good power-i repowered my old 31 bertram with the 43 series-real good on fuel and reliable as hell....
there's a 36' hatteras for sale...it was a charter boat for a season or 2...the boat is not beat or in terrible shape-it's well equipped and clean....i believe it's in your price range....the 36' hatts have a great hull and hold their value well....

[waynesworld]

Thanks for the info, a 36 is too big of a jump in size for now though...

[Deep C]

Get an albie... End of that discussion. Now move on people nothing left to see here!
Seriously I charter and it took ten years of shopping to finally settle. I own one and run another... They are sweet. Easy to own... You can go to the 240 yannies and she'll cook without burning too much. Even the volvo series will rock. There was a sweetie at canyon club I almost bought...

[MakoMike]

I have a Blackwatch 30 powered by twin 250HP Cummins. Any good sureveyor should be able to detect water intrusion into the core. Beware, some of the very early boats were cored with airex foam. Those boats need to be lifted and blocked with care. Working on the engines is no probelm at all, the engine boxes lift right off for maximum accessability. Any other questions feel free to ask.

BTW- I also used to fish a lot on a 29 blackfin with the same engines as mine (250 Cummins) good boat, although the cockpit is a little smaller than the Blackwatch. The Rampage has a rep as a slammer, due to the shallower V.

[29topaz]

I have a 29 Topaz with twin 200hp Volvos. Engine access is no problem easy to work on. Not a speed demon, cruise at 23-24 kts but extremely fuel efficient. Happy to answer any specifics or questions, I know alot about these boats, did much looking and research before buying. Very capable offshore boat. Not sure where you are located but if interested you can take a look at mine to help in the decesion making process.

[74Formula233]

The Rampage has a rep as a slammer, due to the shallower V.

You mean Slampage?

[MakoMike]

I was trying not to type that!

Seriously, if you want to stop by and see my boat, just give me shout. Or better yet charter me for a day, and get the grand tour!

[Carson Mac]

Don't forget to look at a Prokat. I run a 26fter and we have gone through some shit going to and from the canyon, 69 miles. Two 150 hp 4stroke yammies sip gas and have been relatively problem free, 30 kt cruise. You can get this boat in your price range brand new with electronics.

Cmac

[anthony]

Most of these are pretty good boats, all have pros and cons. Personally, the only one I wouldn't recommend is the Rampage. A couple of other hulls you may want to add to your list would be the 31' Blackfin Express and the 31' Northcoast Express. The Northcoast is basically the same boat as the Blackfin as Blackfin bought the hull after Northcoast went out of business. Little better fit and finish on the 'fin but you would save big $ by buying the Northcoast...a lot of boat for the money as it has a 12' beam so very roomy cockpit for a 31' boat. Just finish it off with some 330 Cummins and you've got a 28knot cruise pocket rocket.