Thanks to everyone on the forum!!

Jeff and Julie

Since November 2004, we have been reading this site and preparing to upgrade our 18’ runabout. The knowledgeable postings/people on this site have been instrumental in helping us decide what we really want/need in a boat. Whenever we have a question, this site is the first place (and usually the only) that we come for information. You all are so welcoming and helpful that we have never felt hesitant to ask for help when we don’t understand something.
Even though we did not end up purchasing a C-Dory, it was all of the information here that really helped us in our final decision. Thank you to everyone for being such a great group of people! We hope to be able to drop in on at least one gathering this year to be able to put faces with names and thank everyone in person. We will still “lurk” on the C-Brats to follow how everyone is doing and continue gathering information that will make our boating experiences more enjoyable and safe.

Jeff and Julie

P.S. After we get downriggers installed, we would love to take someone out for a day of fishing as long as they wouldn’t mind being a teacher as well!!

oldgrowth · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:06 pm Post subject:

Just curious, what boat did you get?

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:15 pm Post subject:

We went with an aluminum pilot house called a Kingfisher. "Fishin is the Mission" with Jeff and I wanted a little bit of comfort. This boat seems to be a great happy medium for both of us.

Julie

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 2:04 pm Post subject:

is this it?

Nice looking boat. They've got a 28 too, this is a 26.

charlie

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 2:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks Charlie and yes, that is it. In fact, it is blue! We went with the 25' since we still want to be able to trailer it without too much trouble.

Julie

416rigby · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:42 pm Post subject:

Congrats on your new boat as well. Very Happy

Enjoy!

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 6:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks Rick! I was wondering what your feelings are about leaving Alaska?

Julie

SeaSpray · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:33 pm Post subject:

Jeff and Julie,

The Kingfisher is a nice boat. I bought a CD-22 and on the way home from our first cruise our good friends stop and bought a Kingfisher 26. We have boated together many times. We use our boats mainly for cruising. I really envy the room on the 26 Kingfisher but at 9.5ft wide I get wide-eyed when following our friends on the freeway and they have to go between a truck and another vehicle. The 25 is a good choice.

Have you experience the weird hyper-drive sound as you get up on plane? These boats have a channel strake on each side of the bottom that is open on both ends. When getting on plane the water must get sucked out of these channels and creates an interesting noise we call the 'hyper-drive' kicking in.

In my album there are a few pics of both my CD-22 and our friends Kingfisher.

Have fun with the boat,
Steve

tpbrady · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:50 pm Post subject:

We run a couple of the 28's in charter in the Cook Inlet. The first one (Hull #1) had the loud hyperdrive noise because Jetcraft did not continuously weld the strakes to the hull. This was later fixed by continuous welding and closing off the ends.

You might want to get it fixed since the loud noise probably indicates the water is starting to wear away on the hull. The result could be pitting like you see on props where turbulence is formed when the prop starts minor cavitatation at certain rpms.

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:10 am Post subject:

Steve and Tom,

Thanks for the info. We have not heard this noise so maybe it was something they later changed in the hull design? We are picking up our boat in a couple of weeks and will do a complete run through of everything then.

Jeff and Julie

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:24 am Post subject:

Sorry Tom, I see that you stated in your post that this was changed in later boats. Hopefully we won't have that issue.

Thanks again!!

starcrafttom · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 1:18 pm Post subject:

jeff and julie. hi i really like your boat . In fact we test drove one while narrowing down our choices. really great boat with lots of room to fish. yes I wouold like to ride in your boat and teach you what little I know about downrigger fishing. Its enough to get you going in the right direction. If you are fishing the south sound and want a day of lessons from a real pro then look up a guy called Mr downrigger. He has a web site where he makes and sells lures. He was guiding but the lure gig has him really busy. he gave a class at your PSA chapter on black mouth that was just great. I have been to lots of classes before and hes was the best and had the most new knowleage. Stuff I had not heard before. you maybe able to talk him into guiding you in your boat. Also try joining your area PSA chapter. Both I and Sark belong to the sno-king chapter in edmonds and I learn alot about spots and techniques just by hanging out talking to everyone.

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 3:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks Tom! We will check out that Mr. Downrigger site. We would love to have you out to fish with us. We will let you know after we get a downrigger installed. Until then, I guess we will just mooch or jig.
We have been toying with the idea of joining PSA. We will have to check the website for the next meeting here in the south end.

Jeff and Julie

gljjr · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 12:18 pm Post subject:

As Tom stated, if you can get John on your boat he will definitely give you a lot of good information. I've sat through 3 of his seminars and they are top notch!

That Kingfisher is a wonderful boat. You will really enjoy it! If I were able to buy new I would have seriously thought about it myself.

Downrigger fishing is not rocket science. But if you have never done it I would highly suggest getting someone familiar with the gear to go out with you. It will help the learning curve imensly! Before I bought my riggers I took a Charter up at Campbell River and the guy had electric scotties on his boat. I never looked back! Smile

If you have any open seats give a shout here and I'm sure they will get filled quickly Smile

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 1:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks Gary! I am looking around for that Mr. Downrigger site but haven't found it yet. I will keep looking!
Jeff was going to go to the Salmon University seminar to learn about downriggers but had to cancel after we realized that our son's birthday is on that weekend! Very Happy

Our primary fishing buddy has since moved away (Florida, what were they thinking?!) so we will be in search of people to go out with!

Julie