Cool Boats

[chris oak]

I'm going to make this a sticky, mainly because I cruise around the harbor on my lunch break sometimes and see some really cool boats. Feel free to add to this thread.

Of course I'm going to start out with my favorite boat Gigas. 16' Radoncraft Bahia, classic Radon lines and she has built in fish holds and storage, giant anchor locker, a hot water shower and a yamaha f90 4 stroke.

[chris oak]

I saw this one today, I'm not sure what kind of boat it is but it has a deep v bow almost like a maycraft with chines. Older 115 2 stroke and a really cool pilothouse. Note the back where the engine has the bracket, it almost looks like it was a bigger boat that was cut back. I believe this one is about 16' but that double axle tells me it's a pretty heavy boat and must have a lot of fiberglass in it.

[squidhunter]

gotta represent my dads boat

[squidhunter]

And gotta represent the boat that I grew up on at the islands. Think my first trip on "tin can" was when I was 6 or something. After some mods and a name change, "the shark" is still out their charging, gotta love it.

[chris oak]

I saw these at the launch ramp. I think the tinny is a pacific skiff, the one's I've seen are hardcore aluminum, very thick and also pretty expensive.

[Eric Bodj]

I think the blue boat is a skipjack 24 with a custom pilot house.

I'd love to put some glass on mine to get out of the wind and spray. I have a 1984 skipjack 20 open. I took her to SBI last year and plan on going to Clemente this year.

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[chris oak]

I hope you guys are reading up on Todds Skipjack Build Here:http://www.spearingforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=6227

Flat out amazing!

In the meantime, here's a sneak peak of my work boat. Unfortunately it will never have speargear on it, as it is strictly for collection at work. The funding was mainly private donation, it's a custom 26' Radon and will be powered by our yamaha single 300 which is on our 23' parker right now (it is overpowered on the parker and scary to run full throttle).

The build will have a giant in deck livewell with a oxygen line running to it for aeration, rear baittank (as a smaller livewell), extended open pilothouse, custom kelp paddy spotting leaning post on top, dive door cutout, custom fiberglass outboard bracket, hot water fresh water shower, high pressure washdown (we went with the largest pump we could get) and a ton of deck and storage space to lay out our collection gear. We have a team of 5 full time aquarists who have been thinking this through a long time and we expect the build to be finished before the end of the year, it will probably be the last boat we will have for our work for the next 50 plus years, it is damn near exactly what I would have built as my own spearing boat.

[dariian]

Just picked up this beauty last summer.

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[chris oak]

Yah that's erics boat, lots of good juju on that skiff. I love that pilothouse!

[chris oak]

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the new lifeguard boats. All aluminum munsons, they chose this type because they can draft in shallow water and basically the front drops down like the Higgins boats that stormed the beaches of normandy. That way they can quickly unload unconscious victims. The boats do not handle rough water and are designed for bays/lakes as you can imagine.

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A patrol boat from up north, RIB with twin yammies.

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This is a work in progress, it's my new work boat which we are having custom done by Don Radon. I'll post pix at the end of the year when it's done,
it will be fully outfitted for collecting the various specimens at work and has a dive door, in deck livewells etc.

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A really cool 15' radon

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pretty much a dreamboat of mine up at the Radon Yard.

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a giant rib that I spotted at the ramp, it's a whale research boat

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this is monterey bays custom whaler, it has the dive door cut out and an open deck to allow for collection equipment

[Mahtzo Lou]

I saw this one today, I'm not sure what kind of boat it is but it has a deep v bow almost like a maycraft with chines. Older 115 2 stroke and a really cool pilothouse. Note the back where the engine has the bracket, it almost looks like it was a bigger boat that was cut back. I believe this one is about 16' but that double axle tells me it's a pretty heavy boat and must have a lot of fiberglass in it.

That looks like a panga with the ass end chopped off.

[dam]

I saw this one today, I'm not sure what kind of boat it is but it has a deep v bow almost like a maycraft with chines. Older 115 2 stroke and a really cool pilothouse. Note the back where the engine has the bracket, it almost looks like it was a bigger boat that was cut back. I believe this one is about 16' but that double axle tells me it's a pretty heavy boat and must have a lot of fiberglass in it.

That looks like a panga with the ass end chopped off.

That little 15' radon is rad, too!

[Nate Baker]

These two are worth mention. Neither is unusual beyond the amount of thought and work that went into making them great for diving. Both Ron Mullins' boats. A 23 center-console Parker with a 250 Yamaha, and a 25 Parker with a 283 (I think) Mercruiser diesel. Both maintained impeccably. The 25 has a swim step roomy enough for Bill to land a jet on. See my avatar.

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[Nate Baker]

This is my all time favorite dive boat. Brian Webb's modified Bertram 20 X-Games. Bertram originally built them in the 60s. Enclosed foredeck, forward seating, a 150 hp. inline inboard. He reconfigured it as a center console and dropped a big Chevy V8 in it. It has insane deadrise for soft landings, which is good, because he goes everywhere at 30 knots.

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[chris oak]

I'm also a big fan of Brians boat, the lines are so clean, purposely built and you don't ever see 20' Bertrams anywhere. What kind of MPG does he get Nate?

[Nate Baker]

2.5

[squidhunter]

Gotta also represent the boat that pays my bills
26 anderson

And the boat that I landed my first sword on
28 seaway

[Behslayer]

I see a few like this. I guess that is an extended back Radon? Not sure, but they look like mean fishing machines.

[tbone1]

Dream boat has arrived. Davis Cortez 22

[Freeryde]

I’ve gotta post up a pic of my cat. It’s a Worldcat 266sc.
27’ x 8’6” beam
8500lbs
Twin Suzuki DF175’s
Top speed of 49mph and gets 2.2mpg at 28mph
Queen size memory foam bed in the cabin
Built in fishbox can fit a 200 lb tuna
40 gallon live well
Full size boarding ladder for diving
The main thing I love about this boat is the ride. It compresses air into the tunnel between the hulls that acts as a shock absorber. The boat never ever slaps like a mono hull. I can do 30mph in 4’ choppy seas and float right over it without any pounding.

[Bill McIntyre]

I haven't had a ride in Joe's boat, but I did crawl around in it right after he bought it and I can confirm that its very nice. That fishbox made me very jealous. I have fish boxes below the deck and they pump out through a macerator pump, but they don't quite empty and are a PIA to clean, so I use a fish bag instead. Joes box is up high in the stern and gravity drains into the motor well.

And the other thing that made me jealous was that he practically stole it.

[Highliner]

Some pics of the 28 Highliner Offshore Pro I'm building for myself. We'll see how long it stays mine, the previous 4 were bought straight out of the mold.

[Westbury]

Nice Sven!

[gringo sushi]

Some pics of the 28 Highliner Offshore Pro I'm building for myself. We'll see how long it stays mine, the previous 4 were bought straight out of the mold.

Wow, that is looking amazing!!! I hope you'll post an update when done

[Conner Rhoads]

lil cab i built on my whaler which already had a half cab, just spent some hours workin on her, ill post those soon of transom box and new gelcoat!

[Bill McIntyre]

Looks cozy. I wish I had been that talented when I had a Whaler in the late 1960s. Luckily I was in Texas and NC where the water was warmer.

[Conner Rhoads]

very cozy love not being wet by the time you get to the islands

[rhyne]

mmmmm... ok, ok... this one makes me weak in the knees

[Conner Rhoads]

Full facelift to my montauk 17' re glassed rails, decks, cabin. built a transom box to store batteries/fuel/accessories, added new non skid gelcoat and webbing on the inside, fresh coat of bottom paint, all new wiring and finally hydraulic steering yesss!!!

[chris oak]

Wow connor, I saw that pix show up on IG, that came out fantastic. I envy your dry ride! I'm hoping to do something like that in a few years on my boat.

With everything moved closer to the bow, does it cut down on the pounding in short period swell? Did you use foam or marine ply?

[Behslayer]

Wow nice Remodel on that Montauk. I grew up on one of those. Around here on Big Island, I see a lot of these FORCE boats. at first they didn't catch my eye, but the more I've seen them the more I like them. No Nonsense fishing machines. I've seen the 18, 21, and 25 up close.

https://www.forcemarineinc.com/force-18

The other boats which keep catching my eye are those smaller Livingstons.

[Conner Rhoads]

thanks chris, totally worth having the cab, so warm!! if you ever need any help or advice on what you might want to do im always happy to help in any way. whalers pound reguardless but i do have to say the weight in the front smooths out the ride a little bit... and on the way home it surfs amazing

[chris oak]

Man if I had extra dough I'd be all over this one just to run coastal trips. Looks like a grenough hull. I'd ditch that seat and put in a small leaning post and thumb my nose at everyone as I paraded my seabass around you at full speed

[chris oak]

badass 17' skiff with a full pilothouse and 90 yamaha four stroke. The hull looks like a greenough design but I'm not sure of the make.

[Donzi Paul]

That skiff is cute..chicks will want give it a hug.

Cheers, Don

[va12]

An imported panga. 22', 90hp.

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[Behslayer]

Those Pangas are nice. My buddy has an Eduardono and loves it.

Over here, a friend recently got one of these 18' Terncats. I was impressed with how this boat handles. His has twin 50's and runs in chop at 30mph. Doesn't use much fuel. We've been out on some rough days and I like how the boat doesn't Slam and Smash. Nice ride for an 18' boat. http://www.ternboats.com/tern18.html

[va12]

That is very cool. I'd never seen the Tern brand. I think a cat might be in my future for offshore use.

[NaClAddict]

Pilot house skiff looks kinda like a c-dory.

[NaClAddict]

If anyone is looking for a skiff, check this out. The crystaliner hulls are legendary. I have a friend with a 28’ sport fisher and it’s one of the smoothest rides around. This 20 is the same hull, it’s also used on lifeguard, harbor patrol, and lots of Cabo charters. No affiliation to the seller. Definitely one tough skiff. Looks like seller just dropped the price and is willing to play ball.

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/boa ... 24059.html

[Behslayer]

Things about to get more interesting. My dive partner bought this Panga and is fixing it up. Cool boat with a Story..

This 26' Panga Hull was found floating upside down off of Big Island by some fishermen. It was Loaded with Big Mahi and Wahoo. They took about 50 Mahi and 20 Wahoo off the Floater before tying it off and righting it and towing back to the Harbor. The captain did some research based on the hull numbers and contacted the owner. The boat was swept out to sea in the Tsunami which hit Japan. The owner gave up the right to Salvage and gifted the Hull to the Fishing captain. He fixed it up a bit and added the Forward Spray cabin and Fish Box. 26' with 90HP goes 30mph and doesn't take much fuel. Nice Long Open space for Diving and Fishing. Really looking forward to putting some good times in on this craft.

[dctrjayyy]

does it glow in the dark?

[Behslayer]

No, but dang that would be sweet if we had used Glow in the Dark Paint on the Inside.

See a lot of boat like this in this part of Hawaii, although this is a particularly nice looking example. Smaller Hull like a 14' or 16', Whaler or Livingston or similar Hull, then the owner will do some work and add a big Fishbone and a Spray Cap. Small Twin Engines or a small new single. Easy to trailer. Pick your days and you don't need to go too far to get into the Yellowfin, Mahi, or Wahoo, sips fuel.. Not Soooooo great for diving as it's really a 1-2 person boat.

[chris oak]

Those Pangas are nice. My buddy has an Eduardono and loves it.

Over here, a friend recently got one of these 18' Terncats. I was impressed with how this boat handles. His has twin 50's and runs in chop at 30mph. Doesn't use much fuel. We've been out on some rough days and I like how the boat doesn't Slam and Smash. Nice ride for an 18' boat. http://www.ternboats.com/tern18.html

Jon how does that terncat handle downswell? I saw one of those in hawaii and the 18 is pretty sick and would make a great local boat. My buddy has a 26' glacier bay and it's great uphill but has the scariest following swell ride I've ever been on, it pitches like a mofo and feels like it's going to pearl all the time.

[chris oak]

A couple of cool skiffs I saw on my last bike ride

[Bamz]

Chris that "Down East/lobster" style skiff I think belongs to our own Capt. Ron. He was running it at the Bluewater meet a few weeks ago. Maybe he'll chime in.

[Behslayer]

Hi Chris, I don't think I've been on that Terncat in downscale conditions, but Cat's can catch an edge and you need to learn how to drive them specifically.. But, that Terncat is the best riding 18' boat I been in on the trips I been on. I don't recall exactly a Downswell run. I'll ask my buddy. He's in Maui and runs that thing Hard. They get a LOT of strong winds there and Swells so when he goes over to Lanai, or Molokai, or around to the East coast, he's always getting an asskicking one way or another. We were cruising next to a Force Boat the other day which is a Very Well Made Hawaiian Mono hull and I was thinking man that Force is riding nice. We were getting bounced around a bit, but still running at over 20mph and keeping right along though a fairly miserable chopped up sea. When we finally made it to the harbor we pulled in with that Force and then I realized that it was a 28'. If you really want a good opinion on that Terncat 18 ask Ben Lyons at freedivehi.com

That cool looking Panga my friend got. I do recall a Downswell run on that from a few days ago. Lovely Hawaiian conditions. Long Period 6' SW Swell, 2' of West Wind Chop, Short Period 6-8' Northwest Windswell, all of which were smashing against the Slab Coast and refracting with a nice 3Knot South Current Running and stacking everything moving against it.. So we had a complicated Following sea and learned quickly that we needed more weight in the back.. Once we did that and ran at a little bit of an angle we didn't nearly flip over again, but it was still not encouraging and we will avoid that Rip in the future.

[Behslayer]

If you are on Facebook and you love boats.. "Like" Yachtworld and an ad will show up in your feed overtime you refresh with a different group of 4-5 boats. Depending on which boats you review, it will adjust your next group to be more similar. We can all dream.. https://www.facebook.com/YachtWorld/

[castronova]

Well hell, my boat is cool too!

It's amazing how different the boats are on the other coast and elsewhere. Nothing comes even close to resemble what we use or see as a common boat.

My boat used to be THE tournament fishing boat in the mid 90's to early 2000's. Now it's a freaking tender. Anyhow, 2001 Contender 28' still rolling.

The Bar Stroll. The day I read this thread I went to the reef around 4pm. It was a pretty light chop but ran 37 mph getting 2.3 mpg for the 6 miles from the channel to the outside edge. She holds 185 gallons of fuel and 1010 quarts of insulated fish box in deck. The forward box is 460 quarts. You could fit 8 Dam's in there. Fully loaded to the Tortugas we will spear for 3 days, stay on the island 2 nights, take a gas grill, steaks, coffee, sleeping bags, etc. and 600#'s of ice usually going around 200 miles burning 130 gallons with motors running all of each day. With 400#'s of fish we'll cruise home at 38-40 mph drinking beer.





This is the most typical type boat in Key West. Of course there are a lot of bigger models but most guys I know, and guides, have 28 - 32 Contenders, 28 Whitewaters, Conch 27's, Yellowfins from 29 - 36', and Seavees from 26 - 34'. There is one new Freeman and another person I know has one on order. You see cat's here and there but 1 in 25 compared to V hulls.

[Bill McIntyre]

You could fit 8 Dam's in there.

Now there's an idea!