Wow, all this Sixteen Talk and I've been wasting my time watching Downton Abbey and wondering if Lady Edith will ever find love.
After reading the 15,000 words you guys offered on this thread, I'm impressed. You gentlemen know your stuff! My '89 16' Angler and I just topped 3,000 hours last summer, and I thought I knew a thing or two. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to keep an open mind. Man, there's a hell of a lot of very useful information offered here.
C-Pup, you're amazing out there at Catalina Island! You, too, See Saw. Mike R, your photos are inspiring, and they bring such wonderful memories of having done all those same things for 26 years. (Subtract 2014, when my 50 Honda was ripped off :evil
Harvey, I hope the 16' isn't a dying breed. That little critter is like Roberto Duran in his prime, tough as they come, and ready to serve up another knockout experience that we'll remember for decades. No blood, either. It's too safe and stable.
My preference is the Angler because of the kind of boating I do. I cruise alone or with just one other person, and I'm perfectly happy to run 10 hours and 108 miles from Friday Harbor, across the Strait, down to Blake Island. Or maybe follow Pat and Patti at 6 knots and listen to Nat King Cole for three hours. Point is, the Angler is better balanced for my application, and Da Boats as usual, was right again. (He was that smart kid in the front of the class. Remember him?) Anyway, his Sunday post is the absolute truth as I've learned after thousands of miles. And I recall a conversation with Mark at C-Dory in 1991 when the Cruiser was created. He felt that moving the helm back two feet would make the vessel a little stern heavy, but that the boat very likely would outsell the Angler because of the superior overnight accommodations. He was right. I've got a 200 pound motor, two 50 pound tanks, a battery and a cooler aft. I need more weight forward to deal with wind and wakes. It rides beautifully, bow down, and I can adjust the cooler as needed.
Marty outed me as the mole in the hole. It's true. I'm like a cartoon figure as I actually sleep in the cutty with my feet extended through the opening. I need cushions and pillows up there for structure, but it works pretty great. Still, for 17 years I used the cockpit for sleeping, and still might when with others. And fish? I think I've seen 'em, at Whole Foods. Those are the beautiful, slippery critters that never wriggle in, and if ever gutted aboard would prompt a Mr. Carson-like facial contortion.
Wood Zep, everyone here is well-informed and correct: You can't go wrong either way. But like Socrates, Know Thyself. Too, my boat's up in Mt. Vernon and I'd be happy to show it. I can't this Saturday but we can work out another day.
Brock
