Cruising boat remorse

[Grady 265]

I thought we were ready for a cruising boat, but, we are not. We need something just as big, but faster and trailerable. The Endurance is for sale in the classified section. I have done a ton of work on her this year, and put 200 hrs on her since May. She is turn key and ready to fish or cruise.
We are looking for a Kingfisher 3325, Ocean Roamer or similar with the forward cabin and head. Wife doesn’t want the head in the main upper cabin area. Not too many of that style around.
-Eric

 

[ShiverMeTimbersPNW]

The head requirement is limiting, but Hewescraft 290 Adventure has a head down below and is trailerable with an oversize permit and big enough truck.

 

[Grady 265]

Thanks, I've looked at those online and are the style we like and they look sharp, but I've been told to avoid Hewescraft. Not sure why..
I've got enough truck. I would like to go bigger and wider than the 290 if possible, 10.5' or 11' beam would be preferred.

 

[KimH]

I researched this one before I went with the Farallon. Called them et cetera. It actually looks like a better deal than mine or has more included options but I couldn't figure how to make a middle of the deck bait tank work which I wanted. I wanted diesel but an outboard version could get you into a good bait tank mount. Head/shower is down below. Operating area is exposed which I think you can curtain off or I've seen pictures of these boats curtained. They're listed as 9' 3" beam. MIght not be as big as you want or a style that you'd be interested in but I think a decent boat.

Master_Marine_HOME

 

[Captain Decent]

I researched this one before I went with the Farallon. Called them et cetera. It actually looks like a better deal than mine or has more included options but I couldn't figure how to make a middle of the deck bait tank work which I wanted. I wanted diesel but an outboard version could get you into a good bait tank mount. Head/shower is down below. Operating area is exposed which I think you can curtain off or I've seen pictures of these boats curtained. They're listed as 9' 3" beam. MIght not be as big as you want or a style that you'd be interested in but I think a decent boat.

Master_Marine_HOME

I really like these. This was the other boat I wanted besides the Bertram at the time but finding them with outboards is difficult. Most have an IO.

 

[Tomictime]

life and priorities change. Good on ya in your search and sale. I think any number of quality aluminum builders would work to get you where you want to be. Best to you !!! jim

 

[The Peddler]

I do really like that Albin, but I want to remain trailerable for now as well... I like being able to take the boat to the Columbia, Westport, Neah, Sequim, San Juan's, Gulf Island, Desolation, Vancouver Island, Lake Chelan, getting there within a day.

Good luck with sale!

 

[NWfishaman]

Not sure of your budget, but I think a 30' Seasport checks a lot of boxes?

Hewescraft ain't bad, but I think there are more quality options out there.

 

[jasper hickman]

@Grady 265 , the osprey 30 has the walk in head lower cabin

 

[FVSerenity]

Saw that boat on FB, I feel your pain, it looks like a beautiful cruiser, but that fuel capacity-mpg-range and speed just don’t play for my offshore needs as I spend most time running for tuna. It is beautiful though and the price seems great.

 

[Captain Decent]

As nice as those boats are I don’t understand why they don’t rig at least some with twins. I’m no speed demon but if I can’t do at least low 20s cruise I might as well just end it now.

 

[Grady 265]

As nice as those boats are I don’t understand why they don’t rig at least some with twins. I’m no speed demon but if I can’t do at least low 20s cruise I might as well just end it now.

Some were rigged with twin peninsular diesels and could get up to 28 knots WOT. But twice the maintenance.

 

[Chtucker]

Some were rigged with twin peninsular diesels and could get up to 28 knots WOT. But twice the maintenance.

And two crappy diesels aftermarket converted to marine diesels at that!

 

[Captain Decent]

Some were rigged with twin peninsular diesels and could get up to 28 knots WOT. But twice the maintenance.

last thing I need is two peninsular diesels ha!

but that’s interesting as I have never seen that. Must be pretty rare although cool when running.

 

[Wild Bill]

Thanks, I've looked at those online and are the style we like and they look sharp, but I've been told to avoid Hewescraft. Not sure why..
I've got enough truck. I would like to go bigger and wider than the 290 if possible, 10.5' or 11' beam would be preferred.

If you have been told to avoid hewes you really should avoid kingfisher.

 

[Grady 265]

If you have been told to avoid hewes you really should avoid kingfisher.

From experience, or heresay?

I’ve heard of paint issues, and some people don’t like how their smaller boats are built, but the Kingfisher 3325 is a different beast. At least from what I’ve seen.

 

[punted coho]

From experience, or heresay?

I’ve heard of paint issues, and some people don’t like how their smaller boats are built, but the Kingfisher 3325 is a different beast. At least from what I’ve seen.

If pvc tubes full of concrete rattling around in the hull for ballast, hulls splitting in half and pilot houses almost falling off are deal breakers for you. Then you might not want a kingfisher.

 

[ShiverMeTimbersPNW]

I think Hewescraft gets a bum rap. They're not bad boats, they're just not as refined as other market offerings. They're also cheaper. You can get a new 290 Adventure for around $40-50k less than a comparable Duckworth. They spray foam in all their boats, which can be problematic, but you also won't sink, so there's that.

All this is moot because the OP wants something wider.

 

[punted coho]

If you do a search on here on kingfisher there are some horror stories and some dude that created a website dedicated to how bad his sucked. That was the one with concrete ballast tubes. I don’t know where to find it now but I think on BD somewhere is where I saw the link to it.

 

[Tish]

If you do a search on here on kingfisher there are some horror stories and some dude that created a website dedicated to how bad his sucked. That was the one with concrete ballast tubes. I don’t know where to find it now but I think on BD somewhere is where I saw the link to it.

Anyone got a Kingfisher May be interested in this...

http://kingfisherboats-defects.godaddysites.com/

www.bdoutdoors.com

FYI the site that the guy put up with all of the pics etc has been taken down

 

[Captain Decent]

Kingfisher is looked at with suspicion in part due to their use of significantly thinner hull material which their marketing division is quick to put a positive spin on as being advertised as “stressed skin”. I would call it “cut costs” or “cheaped out” but that’s why I don’t work in marketing.

second, I believe they were formerly known as harbercraft which was garbage.

3rd, this is one of the brands that likes to slam a big offshore pilot house on a mild inshore hull and call it an offshore pro or some stupid name like that.

 

[Wild Bill]

From experience, or heresay?

I’ve heard of paint issues, and some people don’t like how their smaller boats are built, but the Kingfisher 3325 is a different beast. At least from what I’ve seen.

I have not owned one but I have seen what they look like after several years of saltwater use. They use stainless railing through bolted with ss fasteners as well as other ss hardware that should be welded aluminum. They grind welds and fare in with bondo in prep for copious amounts of that pretty paint. End result is bubbling paint within a few years. Ever wonder why Brett Rossen’s guide boat is completely rhino lined inside and out? I have also seen some hull cracking issues. Maybe these issues are addressed with the larger boats but I would find out. I would also spend a lot of time sea trialing that hull with outboards as it is a Ocean sport copy and OS boats really benefits from weight down low in the hull the diesels provide. I have been fairly impressed with hewes newer offerings, they have definitely stepped up their game.

 

[stangclassic66]

2019 Buffalo Boats Walkaround Sport Saltwater Fishing for sale - YachtWorld

View full details & pictures of a Buffalo Boats Walkaround Sport located in ANACORTES, Washington with pictures & full details of this Saltwater Fishing built in 2019 and available for sale.

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[gabe0308]

2019 Buffalo Boats Walkaround Sport Saltwater Fishing for sale - YachtWorld

View full details & pictures of a Buffalo Boats Walkaround Sport located in ANACORTES, Washington with pictures & full details of this Saltwater Fishing built in 2019 and available for sale.

www.yachtworld.com

Think for $200k you would get some windshield wipers...

 

[Captain Decent]

2019 Buffalo Boats Walkaround Sport Saltwater Fishing for sale - YachtWorld

View full details & pictures of a Buffalo Boats Walkaround Sport located in ANACORTES, Washington with pictures & full details of this Saltwater Fishing built in 2019 and available for sale.

www.yachtworld.com

approx 0 deg deadrise.