26' Walk Around

[Fish On]

Welcome all opinions. What's the best overall 26' walk around cuddy made since 2000? Rating based on value, overall quality, fishability and comfort (must consider the ladies). I'll mention mine last as I don't want to boias anyone's opinion.

Is there a 26' W/A that's designed to sleep 3 or 4?

Just dreamin while the snow falls on my little 22 footer.

[crash]

I'm a big fan of the steigercraft block island.....someday I'll have one.

[thefishingfreak]

that boat the moonies make? name escapes me?

[zacs]

i'm pretty sure the moonies used a center console built by themselves, but taken from the mastermarine 28 fter mold , designed by Henry Masters

[thefishingfreak]

yep thats the one. tajon fishes that older one all the time.
now it's inbord deisel sweet boats, there's a place up north in a warehouse/ barn tucked away someware got lots of them left.
hundred something built?

[Fish On]

Steigercraft, nice looking boat.

http://www.noreast.com/classifieds/viewad.cfm?a=225

[quick decision]

On a 26 walk it you are not going to sleep more than 2. Most have less than 9 feet of beam and the walk takes up two feet of that. Even if you found a aft cabin it will be suitable only for a child or small person. The 2000 models will be bigger than the later models because of the whlole loa crap that goes on. If you went to an older boat I know the 1990's wellcraft costal in the 27 sized had a couch that converts to a bed. Slept 3. The problem is a lot of the older boats have wood on them and that can be a problem. Wood in the transom, wood in the stringers ect. If you want to sleep 4 you need to go bigger and find a mid cabin model that has a seperate seat for the galley that converts to a bed. I am not sure if you find that in a walk. Or a 11 foot beam that has a big aft. Now you went from spending 25 to 45k for a 26, to 50k 100k. Big jump in price. I have 2000 proline that is 27 loa. You can sleep two. I have been looking for a boat that will do what you asked for three years and have not found it yet. I think you need to go up to the 28 to 30 foot range and find an older bertram or black finn. Some older tierra's are nice to. Good luck.

[Rip Runner]

The Moonies make the True World Marine. They are single diesel inboards and very economical. That's all I know about them.

[quick decision]

If your looking for a single disiel inboard how about a ShamrocK?

[fishsmith]

I love Privateers.


http://www.privateerboats.com/2600.htm

[zacs]

If I were you, i would bite the bullet and get a nice ocean master:

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...31&slim=quick&

j/k

Seriously though, how about a nice Abermarle like this:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...31&slim=quick&


THIS may be just what you re looking for, Edgewater 265 Express:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...22&slim=quick&

or a Blackwatch like this:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...52&slim=quick&



Not much beats the ride of a regulator:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...57&slim=quick&

just some ideas. lots of good builders out there.

[MoroneSaxatilis]

Originally Posted by zacs

If I were you, i would bite the bullet and get a nice ocean master

What if you don't have a bullet to bite?

[seabass]

Don't buy a Hydra-Sport 26 w/a they stopped making them for a reason, but the 25' vx might be the answer to your dreams..... I just love the way they pack the boat for fishing, no wasted space! A problem with a pro-line or seaswirl.

[taJon]

There are lots of mastermarines out there still. There is a guy on ebay who sells lots of them. They need power and TLC but its a solid boat.

I would go with one of the cats personally, I'm diggin the new 26 express from Twin Vee. Got my sea trial all set up already.

[gf2020]

What's the best overall 26' walk around cuddy made since 2000? Rating based on value, overall quality, fishability and comfort (must consider the ladies). I'll mention mine last as I don't want to boias anyone's opinion.

The World Cat 270HT would rate pretty high on my list.

[taJon]

gf2020 do fish the world cat now? Sorry to hijack the thread, but just wondering what type of performance it gets.

[Vectorfisher]

Man look at the price on a 26' Edgewater, they must be OUTTA their minds Who has that kind of expendable cash is what I would like to know, I have done pretty well for myself and made some saavy business decisions but I just don't see the attraction in spending 100K for a 26' boat.

[Fish On]

How is the CAT in heavy seas? I've never ridden one but I'd imagine that the centerline hits hard when there's nowhere for the water to go.

It looks awesome however. How long have they been out? Any history on longevity? seems kinda light for a boat that size. I'm wondering if the hull quality is there.

I'll look for one at my next boat show.

[gf2020]

Originally Posted by taJon

gf2020 do fish the world cat now? Sorry to hijack the thread, but just wondering what type of performance it gets.

I do not own a cat, I have a McKee Craft 196 center console. From everything I have read and heard World Cat makes a top notch product (with prices to match). Maybe if I won the lottery...

Cape Ann Marina in Gloucester is a dealer and I imagine they will have a few on display at the boat show in 2 weeks.

[taJon]

Actually, I have not heard the same about WC. They would be the last of the cats I would consider. I've read that they have had numerous defects causing hull integrety problems. They usually don't bring the bigger stuff to the shows, but they do have them in the yard.

Like I said before, I have a sea trial scheduled for the demo days

Can't wait.


Those McKee crafts are sweet. My friend has a 16 tender and I love it. use it all the time.

[Fish On]

So I was favoring the HydraSports 26. I have a 1995 22' and really feel like it is a quality boat. I realize that there have been changes, but I'd like to hear why they aren't making them anymore and why you don't like them.

Let's put some criteria on suggested 26' WA's:

1) must be trailerable
2) no gas in boards (diesel or outboards)
3) you have $65K total to spend (2 to 5 year old used preferred)

What's it gonna be?

[quick decision]

Go to yachtworld and look up shamrocks. They make a 27 disiel inboard that is in that range.

[Fish On]

http://yachtworld.com/core/listing/p...ockpit&photo=2

Not bad.

[quick decision]

I like them. Good luck with your search.

[taJon]

twin vee hawaiian. Tons of fishing room. 8.6 beam and little fuel burn.

[Bob Senior]

Glacier Bay 2670, 2680, 2685. 'Love 'em.

[Fish On]

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi..._id=60790&url=

Sweet! You own one? How is it?

[Fish On]

Lot's to look at starting next week. Not sure what day, but I'll definately be going. Not to buy.........just to lolok......

Should be fun!

http://www.naexpo.com/boatshow/boatlines.html

[Fish On]

After searching around and going to the boatshow the Hydra-Sports 2600 WA seems to be the top choice for me. Any comments on trailering this boat or a boat of similar size regularly?

Why do I like it?
I am familiar with Hydra-sports quality and respect it.
The vector hull provides a very nice ride.
Great fishing platform.
Ammenities are in tact, afterbirth included.
Fuel capacity adequate for the long haul (canyons????)

What comments do you have on this ride? I'm particularly interested in drawbacks or reasons you would stay away from it. Does anyone own a late model Hydra-Sports 2600 WA ?

Thanks!

[fishsmith]

Boat sound nice, first drawbacks I can think of is towing.
Whats the distance you'll pull it? ( trailer AAA via sea-tow might be a good idea)

Where do you plan to launch? (plymouth blows for launching on your own, but green harbor is great)