26' Walk Around - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Fish On · 01-31-2006, 09:01 PM

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 · 01-31-2006, 10:05 PM

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

thefishingfreak · 01-31-2006, 10:36 PM

that boat the moonies make? name escapes me?

zacs · 01-31-2006, 11:31 PM

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 · 02-01-2006, 12:08 AM

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 · 02-01-2006, 12:14 AM

Steigercraft, nice looking boat.

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

fishsmith · 02-01-2006, 11:17 AM

I love Privateers.

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

taJon · 02-02-2006, 09:10 AM

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 · 02-02-2006, 03:27 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-02-2006, 03:41 PM

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

Vectorfisher · 02-02-2006, 09:07 PM

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 · 02-03-2006, 12:17 AM

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 · 02-03-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-03-2006, 03:34 PM

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 · 02-04-2006, 10:10 PM

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 · 02-05-2006, 12:05 AM

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

Bob Senior · 02-08-2006, 04:33 PM

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

Fish On · 02-09-2006, 11:29 PM

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

Sweet! You own one? How is it?

Fish On · 02-11-2006, 03:34 PM

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 · 03-09-2006, 10:26 AM

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 · 03-09-2006, 11:31 AM

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)

Fish On · 03-09-2006, 12:20 PM

My typical tow is about 30 miles to my primary ramp which is Cashman's in Newburyport. The long haul for me is typically Falmouth where I launch in the child's river, but I don't think I'd be using that ramp with this rig. Also go to Point Judith occasionally which I would think would be an ok ramp.

I do Green Harbor a few times each year and like that ramp quite a bit.

The good thing is that I have a brand new avalanche to do the towing with. It should be able to handle the 26' WA.

fishsmith · 03-09-2006, 02:08 PM

the headway speed ride forever to Edwards, I know that well. good luck.

Mr. Sandman · 03-28-2006, 08:16 AM

Keith, when I saw this boat I thought of you! Now here is a boat Keith would really enjoy.

Titainum hull, Fast!! plenty of power, lots of rod holders, enough radios to talk to mars...I expect to see you trolling the hooter this fall in this...take a look

gf2020 · 03-09-2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish On

After searching around and going to the boatshow the Hydra-Sports 2600 WA seems to be the top choice for me.

Do you mean the new 2500VX express model or the 2001-2004 model years 2600 WA?

I have read reports on the Web that the earlier 2600 does not ride well, but I suppose that could just be sour grapes.

I think the new 2500VX express looks great but I would be skeptical of performance with the single 250 engine they were displaying at the show.

P.S. A 1/2 ton Avalanche will not tow the 2600 WA, you're talking almost 11,000 pounds with twin engines, fuel and the trailer.

http://www.hydrasports.com/Images/CS...2600_WA_02.pdf

Little Round · 03-09-2006, 10:54 PM

Calyber from NC. They sure look nice.
The 27 is really everything you would look for in a boat.
Plus its got a carolina flare

http://calyberboatworks.com/
Not quite sure what they go for though, but at least it is good to dream.

Fish On · 03-10-2006, 02:16 AM

gf2020,

Thanks for the info. I was referring to the 2600 WA of a few years ago. I was seeing displacement of 6625, http://yachtworld.com/core/listing/p...53&slim=quick&

That is a bit heavier than I thought but I think I can still pull it. I typically tow with as little gas as possible and keep as much equip in the truck as possible. I towed my 2150 WA with a blazer for 4 years with no problems at all.

I think the weight is a good indicator of quality. I also like the afterberth which I don't think the 25 has. Can the 25 take twin outboards? I won't buy a single engine boat again. Not that I had issues, but I don't want to get stranded off shore.

I'd be interested to hear more about the poor ride. Could it be associated with a particular setup/engines? What else have you heard? I heard the 28WA was very difficult to work on in back...very cramped, so hoping the 26 is setup a bit different. Why did they kill this boat? seems like many manuf went to 25 and 29 foot models this year. Saw that a lot at the show.

I like the looks of the calyber, but I don't know much about them.

Slipknot · 03-10-2006, 07:32 AM

Fish On , displacement is one thing, overall weight that you will be trailering is another completely.

My Silverado wouldn't even be able to tow that boat and it's a real truck.

26' walkaround is a heavy boat, consider a slip perhaps.

gf2020 · 03-10-2006, 08:32 AM

I don't know where that 6625 pound weight came from. Check out the pdf that I linked to. H-S lists a weight of 7990 dry with twin engines. Add 1500 pounds for a triple axle, aluminum trailer, 1300 pounds for 200 gallons of gas and you're at 11,000 pounds pretty quick.

No offense, but the Avalanche - or any 1/2 ton truck - is not going to handle that. Besides, with a 9'7" beam that would not be too much fun to trailer even with a 1 ton diesel truck.

Do a search over at www.thehulltruth.com on the 2600. I seem to recall there were 1 or more owners from CT who reported the poor ride. It's definitely a nice looking boat, however, and the H-S quality is good.

Fish On · 03-10-2006, 11:57 AM

Why is it reality always gets in the way of my dreams?

Guess I'll take a closer look at the new 25 footer.