Big Sleds

[bajakian]

I'm wondering if anybody on this forum has any input on some of the big center consoles. I'm talking 39 feet up. Venture 39, Sea Vee, Bahama 41, Yellowfin 42. I'm interested in information on ride, layout , quality of construction, cruising and top speeds, fuel burn, and suitability for a tower.

I'm also looking for some feedback about whether the choice is Mercury 300s or Yamaha 350 for the back.

Buehler? Anyone , anyone?

[Disco Lady]

COÑO!!!!!!!!!!Richard, I like that big yellowfin 42 that thing a BEAST! for sure. I also would go with yammys....they are the best engines out there.


Regards!

Luis,

[weekley rehab]

Richard, A good boat in your class size is a sea hunter, I have been on Billy Delphs his last two boat wee both sea hunters and what an awsome ride and excellent build, the Yellowfin is a great boat, but Rumors have the non insulated fish boxes and the step hull tends to search the boat just does not feel locked to water.
I have Yamaha 350 's on my boat flawless excellent power and very good fuel efficiancy . just my .o2

[bajakian]

Thanks for the heads up on the Sea Hunter. I have seen them before but havent thought of them lately. What kind of fuel efficiency are you getting with your Yami 350s on your 33 T?

[TTesterman]

the yamas are doing very well. that sea hunter looks great but is the beam big enough to handle the tower and weight while fishing the boat? some boats feel like your 'going over' so to speak when you add a tower because of how light they build them. and at 260 and 6'1" thats not a cool feeling! there were two boats in Bimini that cracked tanks and hulls this weekend crossing friday afternoon... glad my little out board powered Bertram 28 is built like a tank! PS: we ran home with the contenders and intrepids... at 32 knots and still loaded to the hilt with dive and fishing stuff... R. make sure whatever boat you get with a tower the factory knows that you plan on one because they may need to install pads or knee walls to the build. High seas towers in stuart area makes and designs out some great looking strong towers for smaller boats.

[WhItEoUt 23]

Originally Posted by bajakian

I'm wondering if anybody on this forum has any input on some of the big center consoles. I'm talking 39 feet up. Venture 39, Sea Vee, Bahama 41, Yellowfin 42. I'm interested in information on ride, layout , quality of construction, cruising and top speeds, fuel burn, and suitability for a tower.

I'm also looking for some feedback about whether the choice is Mercury 300s or Yamaha 350 for the back.

Buehler? Anyone , anyone?

Big SEE-VEE Doc all the way plenty of hatchs to put all your gear away so you never see it till you need it, flush walk around deck gaint live wells,that 39 see vee will eat any type of sea up.The thing with the yellowfin s is those high ass gunnels that sucks if your fighting a fish from the front of the boat and you cant see'em becuse your not 10 foot tall to see over the damn thing.I've rode on all the boats you mentioned and nothing beats sea-vee
Remember that the Yamaha 350 is the heaviest motor out there.Last year in the miami swordfish tourney we raced a boat like ours same boat 33t we had trip 250's and he had trip 350's and we smoked him needless to say he took them off and put 250's on 'em.GOOD LUCK ON WHAT EVER YOU CHOOSE DOC.

[DonK]

Hey Richard, welcome back! you definitely had to have caught some rough seas, but how about fish?



Is that why you are asking about a bigger boat?


Seriously, though, one of the SOB's has the
42' Yellowfin....sweet boat, and a sick ride...but it takes a pretty good sized crew to chamois it down after a day out!

He has it rigged with quad 300 Verados...

[PURPLE FEVER]

Originally Posted by DonK

Hey Richard, welcome back! you definitely had to have caught some rough seas, but how about fish?



Is that why you are asking about a bigger boat?


Seriously, though, one of the SOB's has the
42' Yellowfin....sweet boat, and a sick ride...but it takes a pretty good sized crew to chamois it down after a day out!

He has it rigged with quad 300 Verados...

not enough rodholders on that boat!

[NightCrawler]

Originally Posted by WhItEoUt 23

Big SEE-VEE Doc all the way plenty of hatchs to put all your gear away so you never see it till you need it, flush walk around deck gaint live wells,that 39 see vee will eat any type of sea up.The thing with the yellowfin s is those high ass gunnels that sucks if your fighting a fish from the front of the boat and you cant see'em becuse your not 10 foot tall to see over the damn thing.I've rode on all the boats you mentioned and nothing beats sea-vee

Dave gave the best advice here. The 39 is a absolute beast and so true about the yellowfin.

[Disco Lady]

Originally Posted by DonK

Hey Richard, welcome back! you definitely had to have caught some rough seas, but how about fish?



Is that why you are asking about a bigger boat?


Seriously, though, one of the SOB's has the
42' Yellowfin....sweet boat, and a sick ride...but it takes a pretty good sized crew to chamois it down after a day out!

He has it rigged with quad 300 Verados...

COÑO!!!!!!!!!!b uy a 37 Merritt Richard.

[bajakian]

I know a good one thats for sale, but too much wood Luis. And I dont want to take a beating. Besides its nice to run the banks at 40 mph

[Disco Lady]

Originally Posted by bajakian

I know a good one thats for sale, but too much wood Luis. And I dont want to take a beating. Besides its nice to run the banks at 40 mph

I was just kidding.... Richard, buy what ever makes you happy brotha.... can't think of a better boat, for you right now. But that Sea Hunter should be a good ride.. buddy.

Best of Luck!

Luis,

P.S I love my wood Merritts.

[WhItEoUt 23]

YOUR THE MAN WHEN ARE WE GOING FISH'IN CAPT.LUIS.

Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!

Dave

[WhItEoUt 23]

Originally Posted by bajakian

I know a good one thats for sale, but too much wood Luis. And I dont want to take a beating. Besides its nice to run the banks at 40 mph

You get that see-vee and your gonna be cruising at 60+the boat is INSANE Doc.

[TTesterman]

but have you ever checked out the new freeman cat boats with the twin 35o yamas ??? they are some very nice wide beam rigs that have some awesome range and ride...

[Captain Juan]

These big boats are beasts for sure especially when gas creeps back up to over $4. (God forbid)

Kidding aside, that stern shot of the Yellowfin looks exactly like an April Fool's joke Sport Fishing ran in the late 90s....a huge open fish with quads and about 70 rod holders. It aint no joke anymore.

My thing is that I believe you hit a point of "diminishing returns" once you get an open fisherman over 36'. Do any of these boats listed fish and run "significantly" better than a 36' Contender or 34' SeaVee?

I will move up to a center console in the 30 to 36' range in the next couple years, hopefully. However, if I wanted anything bigger than that, I'd obviously be doing pretty well financially and would keep the 34' open fisherman and get an express or covertible.

Just my .02.

Juani

[weekley rehab]

Originally Posted by bajakian

I'm wondering if anybody on this forum has any input on some of the big center consoles. I'm talking 39 feet up. Venture 39, Sea Vee, Bahama 41, Yellowfin 42. I'm interested in information on ride, layout , quality of construction, cruising and top speeds, fuel burn, and suitability for a tower.

I'm also looking for some feedback about whether the choice is Mercury 300s or Yamaha 350 for the back.

Buehler? Anyone , anyone?

We burned 230 gallons running over to west end, 160 mile round trip plus trolling for 6 hours. 35 mph burns 28 gph

[triplethreat1]

i see conch is making a 44 flybridge now, i really wanna see how that thing does as the 27 and 33 is such a nice riding boat

[Disco Lady]

Originally Posted by WhItEoUt 23

YOUR THE MAN WHEN ARE WE GOING FISH'IN CAPT.LUIS.

Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!

Dave

As soon as you invite me COÑO!!!!!!!!! I ain't got no boat brotha...


DL,

[RiskTaker]

Originally Posted by TTesterman

but have you ever checked out the new freeman cat boats with the twin 35o yamas ??? they are some very nice wide beam rigs that have some awesome range and ride...

Somehow a Diesel powered Catamaran comes to mind on this forum thread, yet it is not in the main agenda.

You know, I have a special attraction to Cats, the multi-hull rendition: but those may only be compatible for special interests. Indeed, they are great vessels, yet they have a list of limitations, from the (a)typical mono-hull observer), yet they provide space for things, in a very desirable way and stability in a floatsy sea. (SAVE horrific :that's when a sea anchor and a Bridle rigged line must be deployed. Otherwise you may say: turned turtle.) I think they may also be a cost adder from the vessel price, compared to the contending mono-hull variety. Hence, they get overlooked, for various reasons, over and again.

(P.S. I have been paying attention to the Freeman Cats: they are mostly wood frame construction. I would suggest carbon fiber encapsulated frame members, with inert frame media as the substitute for a wooden frame, joists and elements: that is when the Freeman_xx will SING. Agift.)

But for fuel efficiency, modest speed in rough conditions, and depending on hull design, a cat will slice across flat seas at a good clip. (But anything over 50 MPH, requires things to be held in place, mono y multi.

Another vessel that calls my attention is the Smith boat: maybe not from the layout; however, the tunnel drive turbo diesel solution seems like it could meld into a seriously, quasi-efficient fishing machine, with some advantages.

Just ideas to scatter on the table.

So far, I like Venture for the Layout, (plus the other solid compliments, minus the deck latches.)
SeaVee seems solid, but where do you store stuff?

(I think we are talking open fisherman stuff here: not the fine woody Merritt stuff that is in a different genre altogether.)

SeaVee makes the 39 pod drive, with diesels even, but I have not fished to have an opinion.

Man, if you could take everything you like and resolve the objections: that would be one optimal fishing machine. Needless to say, I would like to go fishing: with a good crew, no matter what!

[WhItEoUt 23]

[QUOTE=Captain Juan;115553]

My thing is that I believe you hit a point of "diminishing returns" once you get an open fisherman over 36'. Do any of these boats listed fish and run "significantly" better than a 36' Contender or 34' SeaVee?



You would be surprised Capt.Juan.

[TTesterman]

you should see pics of her or go get the one that will be at the boat show ahead of time. we seen the new sea vee down at cat this weekend too.... nice boat! here are a cpl pics of what you need... it would be the same as your need for air if you put one foot on the the deck... you can even crawl in a box if your girl gets mad for spending the money...

[Shockwave]

Who are you kidding Richard the Fish Magnet will live forever!!!!!!

[bajakian]

Originally Posted by TTesterman

you should see pics of her or go get the one that will be at the boat show ahead of time. we seen the new sea vee down at cat this weekend too.... nice boat! here are a cpl pics of what you need... it would be the same as your need for air if you put one foot on the the deck... you can even crawl in a box if your girl gets mad for spending the money...

checked out their website and they dont even show it as available yet

[bajakian]

Originally Posted by Shockwave

Who are you kidding Richard the Fish Magnet will live forever!!!!!!

true-the only question is will it live in my backyard or someone else's???

[NightCrawler]

Close your eyes and imagine you behind the wheel of a 39 SV and the entire
dolphin cheerleaders with room to spare...Ha!!!! Ok wake up richard

[WhItEoUt 23]

Originally Posted by NightCrawler

Close your eyes and imagine you behind the wheel of a 39 SV and the entire
dolphin cheerleaders with room to spare...Ha!!!! Ok wake up richard

And me in the front pushing the LP button

[Cutler]

i love yellowfins...one of the sickest boats no doubt. but the 42 is too high in the bow area in my opinion. the SV in really nice and that Bahama 41 is a bad ass boat.

[bajakian]

what about Seahunter? They make a 40. Anybody know anything about them?

[swordstalker]

Like Cutler, I'm biased and love my Yellowfin and would have a 42 now if it fit on my lift. In defense of the bow flare on the 42, and assuming you are looking for a bigger sled for a drier and more comfortable ride in rougher seas - that's exactly what it's there for and does it's job like no other. The other alternative boat type in that size range is an express or small sporty. Bow height and fishability up front would not be part of the conversation - you fight fish from the cockpit on those type of boats. Do the same on the 42, plus get there faster.