Boats with a flybridge?

B

bshillam

Member
Well, things are starting to heat up on the Willard. In this last week I have had three separate inquiries on the vessel. Of which I am sure all three are seriously considering. However, they have not yet resulted in an offer. I am confident by the sounds of the last two that I am close to what it will sell for.

So that got me thinking,

Sell the van, check
Buy a larger truck to tow a 25', check

So now I have the truck and I have decided to start looking at our next adventure. Thought I would pull from the wealth of knowledge on this forum. Here is my check list for the boat,

Sleeping for three, convertible settee is ok for third. (Our son)
Head/shower must
I'd like to have somewhat decent fuel economy but speed is more important, after all that's one of the driving factors of selling the Willard.
Little to no wood on the exterior
I'd also like to have a flybridge that would be a definite plus. There are so many days I'd rather be outside than in. Sea Sport has a 27' Navigator that has a flybridge. That caught my attention.
No bayliners, nothing against them they are great boats but I'd like something different.
Easy to maintain and access systems.
I usually do all my basic maintenance but will hire out jobs that require skilled knowledge.
Without the flybridge a CD-25 is perfect blend of economy and comfort. As well I like the lines of the Rosborough, however they are slim pickings here in the PNW.
Thoughts?
 
Aren't there a couple of pictures around of a CD where someone put a helm and a seat on the roof? With hydraulic steering and electronic engine controls it would be pretty easy to do. The roof is strong enough to support the weight. I have seen pictures of a TomCat that had a helm position on the roof as well (pretty clever folding one for trailering).
 
Clearwater or Ranger Tug, on the big end. Armstrong Cat or a lawn chair on top of a TomCat and a remote control :shock:

Fast with a fly bridge. Good luck.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
In the PNW, it's cool enough on the water to need partial or full canvas to make a flybridge useable. We had our Krogen 39 5 years and probably used the flybridge for cruising 4-5 times. If you enclose it in canvas, you're back inside!
 
When I had my 34 Tolly you would find me up there as long it was dry. Once when it was 20, just because it was dry. I love being there, put on Sunscreen and add a bimini your good. I might just forego the flybridge but wanted to explore all the options for sure.
 
That Sea Sport Navigator is fairly similar to our Bounty 257. Sea Sport 27's were solidly built, a bit on the heavy side. Either 454 gas, or Volvo diesels. Might be a good fit.

Our Bounty, a bit heavier, deeper-V, and a somewhat nicer interior, has a VP KAD44 diesel. She can cruise at 18 knots, and tops out at 25 heavily loaded. Also does well at 6 knots, when we're going for serenity and fuel economy. The 257 is pretty hard to find used - only 30-some were built before Bounty went out of business.

IMG_3829.jpg
 
The seasport 27 is a cool boat. We saw at least a half dozen of them with the fly bridge going in and out of fisherman bay last weekend. More than any other brand of boat. it appears they're well loved with the halibut fishermen.
 
Yeah I have given them consideration. They are on the list but I do like the Sea Sport look. A bit smaller of a package and slightly newer. Keep them coming! :thup
 
MikeR":1bcsaejm said:
Tolly made a trailerable 25' flybridge with the amenities on your list, but is harder to find than the wider and more abundant 26. Sounds like you're probably already aware of this model as a former Tolly owner...
http://www.tollycraft.net/carns.html
Click to expand...

+1 for the tolly, or even a uniflite of the right vintage. You would be hard pressed to find even commercial hulls built as well. Lots of commercial fishermen in my area still use old uniflite and tollycraft hulls for commercial fishing, and they are all going strong!

The downside is that they are fairly heavy, so you will $$$$ at the pump, unless you go displacement, or diesel.
 
starcrafttom":28n8f4ia said:
https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/boa/5035453994.html

I always though a carver santa cruz ( one of the only boats they built that were not ugly) would be a great small cruiser.
Click to expand...

We had a 28 Carver Mariner. The Mariner did not have the lower helm otherwise the boats were very similar. Twin 305s. It was the best use of space on a 28 I have ever seen. The settee worked great for our son. It was a double. Some times his buddy would come along and use the table, also a double. We had a double up front with our own sink. The head/shower was great. A decent galley though you lost some of that with the lower helm version. Not much cockpit space, rather CD sized but 4 could easily sit up top. The helm bench flicked back and there was a table between the seats. Ours was an 88. A bit long in the tooth now but I believe it is still going strong. The hull is virtually indestructible. I saw one for sale in Maple Bay on Vancouver Island recently. The broker told me it was in great condition. Asking about 25k but probably go for 20. At that price I was tempted. I could even repower and have change to upgrade all the systems that needed it.
 
starcrafttom":3t9tewp2 said:
https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/boa/5035453994.html

I always though a carver santa cruz ( one of the only boats they built that were not ugly) would be a great small cruiser.
Click to expand...

We had a 28 Carver Mariner. The Mariner did not have the lower helm, that was the Voyager, otherwise the boats were very similar. Twin 305s. It was the best use of space on a 28 I have ever seen. The settee worked great for our son. It was a double. Some times his buddy would come along and use the table, also a double. We had a double up front with our own sink. The head/shower was great. A decent galley though you lost some of that with the lower helm version. Not much cockpit space, rather CD sized but 4 could easily sit up top. The helm bench flicked back and there was a table between the seats. Ours was an 88. A bit long in the tooth now but I believe it is still going strong. The hull is virtually indestructible. I saw one for sale in Maple Bay on Vancouver Island recently. The broker told me it was in great condition. Asking about 25k but probably go for 20. At that price I was tempted. I could even repower and have change to upgrade all the systems that needed it.
 
chimoii said:

" I saw one for sale in Maple Bay on Vancouver Island recently."
Click to expand...

I saw that boat when I was up there a month ago. Had some age, but they are built like a brick. It would be the twin 305's that would scare me. I can just hear that fuel gauge dropping :lol:

Loved Maple Bay for a nice quiet marina.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Twin V8s would be to thirsty for me. Been there done that, have the T-Shirt. I'd have to saythe NNavigators with the single diesel might be a good compromise. The Tollys although great boats are getting a bit long in the tooth. I'm leaning towards scrubbing the fly and buying a 25 CD. The Rosbourgh might be a bit too heavy and slower. We are still looking at our options but a 25 CD might be a good marriage of most of our wants.
 
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