What boat ?

[A fluff chucker]

I'm looking to buy, this winter, a small boat for fishing in the estuary and inshore south wales. I believe it's best to have something with 40/60 outboard as main motor. Can only fish +-3 hrs HW due to automatic lock gates. I don't want to spend more than £5,000 .

Suggestions of good safe boat makes/models would be welcome plus those to steer clear of. Similarly any make of outboard to keep clear of?

Cheers - a fluff chucker.

[Old Smoothound]

Hi Fluffchucker.

I know people who have different boats... main names that keep popping up:

Orkney strikeliner
Shetland
Sea Hog
Sea Trooper

My boat partner has a Sea Hog 16.5 feet and we launch in the Bristol Channel he uses 50 mercury and it goes like the bats out of hell.

Look on Boatsandoutboards they have a good selection to look at.

Hope this helps.

Fluffchucker.... fellow fly fisherman then?

[A fluff chucker]

Hi Old Smoothound,

Thanks for your interesting response re Seahog.

I believe they are dory style boats and I wasn't sure how such a hull config copes with the Bristol Channel chop? It sounds as if it scims the tops with a 50 hp!

On the Shetlands it seems there's 535, Sheltie & Suntrips that may be suitable for fishing. Any info and suggestions re differences and best for fishing. We live 5 mls from new Marina they are installing so never any need to sleep on board. Currently up to 6M pontoon berth £540 p.a.- if anybody wants info I'll pass it on.

Somebody said keep away from anything with a Force outboard as they were 80's engines with 50's technology and thirsty - do you know if it's true.

Been fluff chucking today - just 1 very small brownie - even tried boobies. Perhaps you'll have to show myself and Doreen how to do the job properly - she's only just started and possibly needs casting lessons. She's a fantastic largemouth bass catcher though - better than me - ugh.

Cheers. A fluff chucker

[sanctuary]

Fluff I have had several fishing boats I now have a seahog hunter and am well pleased with it and for the money you want to spend you should be able to pick up a good one second hand. If I could afford it I would change it for a Warrior 165 as it copes a bit better with rough seas and has much more fishing deck, but you will be paying twice as much as you wish to spend for a good one, avoid the 150 version they dont handle as well as the 165.
In our fishing club 40% own warriors 165 some used to have 150 but have now replaced them with the 165, 40% have sea hogs the rest is a mixture.
If your looking at the seahogs go for the ones with shorter cabins giving you more useful fishing deck.

[A fluff chucker]

Hi sanctuary,

Thanks for lots of useful info. Sounds like the Seahog Hunter is the way to go.

Any comments on good outboards or those to steer clear of?

Seen the Warrior 165 looks great but too much money for me. Wonder if I can find rich relations - Xmas coming.

Cheers. Afluff chucker (off fluff chucking again today lets see if any trout commit suicide today)

[Old Smoothound]

Originally Posted by A fluff chucker

Hi Old Smoothound,

Thanks for your interesting response re Seahog.

I believe they are dory style boats and I wasn't sure how such a hull config copes with the Bristol Channel chop? It sounds as if it scims the tops with a 50 hp!

On the Shetlands it seems there's 535, Sheltie & Suntrips that may be suitable for fishing. Any info and suggestions re differences and best for fishing. We live 5 mls from new Marina they are installing so never any need to sleep on board. Currently up to 6M pontoon berth £540 p.a.- if anybody wants info I'll pass it on.

Somebody said keep away from anything with a Force outboard as they were 80's engines with 50's technology and thirsty - do you know if it's true.

Been fluff chucking today - just 1 very small brownie - even tried boobies. Perhaps you'll have to show myself and Doreen how to do the job properly - she's only just started and possibly needs casting lessons. She's a fantastic largemouth bass catcher though - better than me - ugh.

Cheers. A fluff chucker

I don't know about the Force Engines but my pals Mercury 50 does the job well and the Sea Hog is a good fishing platform, but as with all semi cathedrals you do get some "slap" at anchor in a bit of a chop... but have to say can't fault it, plus good value for money.


Re fluff chucking, glad to here you are still getting out.... I shall be off grayling fishing in the next couple of months.

BOOBIES!!! Good fly I only use them in small sizes "International rules" as i find trout hit them harder and more often.... favourite colours.... has to be Coral!

When you want some lessons for Doreen, or advice on fly fishing in general, give me a call.

[kiwimarty]

Wellyfish and I have been on the lookout for a boat for quite some time. What we have found is that so many boats advertised as “fishing boats” are totally inadequate to our needs!

Those needs as far as we are concerned, are deck space and plenty of it, and stability. This is hard as us fisherman also require the need to have plenty of holes to stash gear into. We have found it difficult to find a vessel with a good balance of these requirements.

[tommy a]

Chaps,

We used to have both an Orkney fastliner and a Shetland 535 - both excellent boats but nothing compared to a Warrior 165.

Check out Warrior on Boatsandoutboards.co.uk.

They usually have a couple of secondhand ones - they are incredibly stable, fast - we have a 60 bigfoot on ours - reliable and superb for fishing upto a swell of about 6feet. I was recommended one by a chap in Tenby who used to own an Orkney.

his advice was this is half the price and easily as good, comes on a great trailor and has plenty of extras available.

We got ours and simply cannot recommend it enough - Warrior 165 - they also have two other sizes. Check them out before you committ anywhere else.

[sanctuary]

Fluff they no longer make the Hunter and the only grip I have with mine is the size of the cabin as it takes up to much deck space and the head room is small the seajeep solves this problem look here http://www.seahog.co.uk/Seajeep.htm
Engine is a 40hp evinrude I can get 25mph with all the gear and 3 passengers on a calm sea any thing over a force 3 and your looking at a rough slow ride.

[A fluff chucker]

Hi Sanctuary,

Thanks for tip re " head height" - could be important - our joints don't seem to bend like they used to!

Cheers a fluff chucker