Need Opinions, W/A or CC

[jayjysmth]

Alright guys, sold my boat and cant decide which way to go.
I mainly will be fishing offshore NC 30-50 miles.
I looked at the Sailfish 2660 sun at the raleigh boat show and it's a great looking boat, but I am wondering if I would be happier w/ a w/a or express style.
I have always owned cc's and havent fished on enough w/a's to know all of the downfalls.
I am looking for used in the 25-28 ft range to keep it trailerable.
What would you choose/chose and why. Lets hear from both cc and w/a guys.
Sorry for all the questions but all my boats in the past I bought quickly and didnt think through. This time I am actually doing alot of research and want to buy something I will be happy with for a few years at least.

[rich]

the sailfish 2660 is a nice looking boat. I have a buddy that runs one he says it rides good as well but I haven't ever been on it in any rough water. I have seen him running in some rough water and he looked like he was beating a lot worse than I was but I run a 28 Carolina Classic so it isn't a fair comparison. I do have to say I like having the added comfort of having a small cabin to put my stuff in as well as having all 4 sides around me enclosed if i want them. Center consoles are easier to get around if you have to get to the front of the boat in a hurry. I looked at a lot of boats when I was deciding on one last November and I always gravitated towards the express and walk around type boats. But that is all just personal preference. Also other than my classic I liked the hyrdra-sports but they were just a hair out of my price range.

[BACKLASH]

I have a 2007 Sailfish 2660 w/ twin 250 Yamaha 4 strokes and would be happy to anwser any questions that you have on this model.

[LuckyLady]

It's all how much you want to spend, usally more $$$ the better boat.

A couple years ago at the Miami show I got on all the name brand fishing boats that are somewhat in line. There was always something that I did like or disliked. One of the boat lines I got on there were little things that urked me, like the leaning post was mounted way too far away from the console. Even a 6'5 guy said it was not right and I am 5'4. On the same line smaller model the leaning post was to close and if I was a guy I would be scared! But the boat had the lines.

Some fish boxes are too small and storage was an issue.

There is so many things that are important, to me at least.

Here is my opinion on the Contenders.

I like both c/c and w/a

The rides are awesome for 1

When I go tit for tat with boats in comparing here is what I come up with the Contenders.

What are the most common things to go on a fairly new boat? Electrial systems.

Most boats mount their batteries, trim tab pumps, battery switches and much more in the bilge. With Contender everything is mounted in the console out of the salt water avoiding common electrical problems. A lot of boat manufacturers mount everything in the bilge with the salt water sloshing around.

I have seen so many boats with battery chargers and generators mounted in the bilge just a bad idea.

Re-sale value is very important to go along with it.

The center consoles you can have a nice enclousure made for the shitty days and still have all the room in the world fish around.

The walk around is nice just for the enclosed area, shower and head the cabins are normally on the smaller side. I have never slept in ours because fear of not being able to hear what is going on.

I hate triping over stuff or jamming my toes, thier boats everything is designed so that doesn't happen.

The boats are fishy they have the pretty lines, and have fishabilty too.

If it was up to me to buy one or the other I would go center console in a heart beat.

[hotrodmarlin]

I agree with Mary 100%.

[O-SEA-D]

Sailfish boat look nice, but are not built to last.

Contender boats are one of the best. They have IMO the best CC deck layout of any manufacturer on the market. They are a lighter boat, so the ride is not quite as good as a heavier boat. The resale on them is one of the best out there. You also can't change the floor plan or move things around when you order one like you can with some of the other manufacturers. They don't need to move stuff around or change things because their boats are going to sell either way. More storage then any other boat out there.


Hydra Sports makes a very nice CC also. The Vector series is a heavy duty boat. You won't get the fuel economy you will get out of a contender, but you will be dryer and you won't take as bad of a beating on a rough day. There is no CC boat on the market in the 26' range that will ride as good as a HS, again IMO. Huge fish boxes up front, Huge head.

Yellowfins are up there with Contender. They are fast, dry and are very solid boats. They cost a pretty penny, but they are worth it. You can custom order it to your specs as well. Like Contender they are one of the top SKA boats. NOt as much storage as Contender.

SeaVee is another great boat builder. They are similar to contenders in many ways. YOu can also customize them from the factory according to your specs. They are very expensive as well. Storage is like the contenders.

It all comes down to how much money you want to spend and what your going to be doing with the boat.

You can't go wrong with Contender, HS, Yellowfin, Everglades, Edgewater or SeaVee. However, if your going to be keeping the boat for a while and are going to be using it offshore I would recommend staying away from Sailfish.

[jboweriii]

i had pros and cons for both
pros for cabin
1.mine i can claim the interest on my taxes
2.comforts of cabin (over nighters can take showers and place to lay down)
3.bigger fish area in the back
4.more storage
5.dry ride (i have enclosure)
6.hard top gives more protection from sun
7.more comfortable seating for partying or whatever
8.i have A/C
con for cabin
1.rougher ride
2.to hard to fish from the front
hope these help
I plan on trading mine in next year on a Century 3200 OFFSHORE, i like it better than 330 grady white and fountain 33 sport...the biggest reason is it has A/C in the helm

[jayjysmth]

Do you find there is enough room to overnight in your 26?
I looked at a couple and it doesnt seem to be very comfortable.
I just dont want to buy a boat with a cabin thinking I will use it and it turn into a closet.
I know how easy the center consoles are fish etc but dont have that much experience on the w/a's.

[JB2C]

Tough choice Jay. I've had both. Have a CC right now, and have been very happy with it. 26' Edgewater. I think it comes down to whether your priority is on fishing or on combo of fish and comforts. I do miss the chance to overnight on the boat occasionally, and go below to freshen up when back at the dock. But I do like the open bow and being able to use the space forward for additional fishing and storage. I think I'd be happy with either style if it had the right layout for fishing and storage, and the right hull. I think if you've only owned CC's in the past, you should try the W/A or express just so you'll know in the future what your real preferences are. That said, it will be tough to leave the CC and go back. Maybe after I get a few more years on me and decide I need those creature comforts!

JB

[jayjysmth]

Yeah, I am 27 now so I dont need those creature comforts as bad as I will in 10 years.
But on the other hand, my girlfriend will fish with me so she might like to have some comforts.
Have any of you gone from a cc to a w/a and regretted it?