fishability of the yachtfish models?

[nor'easter]

While i am selling my 39, I have been looking up at vintage 52-60 C Hatts. I was browsing through the brochures archive, and really like the lines of the 58 and even the 53 YF. I like the ability to steer from the pilothouse, without losing the exterior livability. Speed not an issue for me. I/we cruise and fish and want more interior space, but want to maintain the cockpit for fishing/swimming, and hopefully diving again.
It is hard to get a handle on the fishability of the YF boats for me. I have never been aboard one, and can't seem to find cockpit dimensions for reference. I love huge cockpits, but don't really need a monster as I am not interested in tournament type fishing and fish recreationally. I think the trade off in cockpit size for that great aft deck space would be nice too!
Any thoughts or experience about fishing these boats? Also any major gains or sacrifices to having the mechanical space split up? Again, this is for a future endeavor when my 39 sells.
Thanks in advance.
Paul

 

[REBrueckner]

The motor yachts (including yacht fish) are totally different styles than the convertibles. You'll have to go aboard and compare for yourself. Your comment suggests you realize the huge differences in power and fuel consumption. In my opinion, MY or YF are better suited for general cruising, the convertibles designed to more closely support big game sport fishing. Because C are generally lower, rolling in seas will be less apparent when underway.

In general, the MY and YF will have a lot more interior room than convertibles because they are two story affairs. You'll also sit higher on a MY or YF bridgedeck than a convertible salon or cockpit so the view is more expansive. But you may like being closer to the water. A cockpit takes up the space of an interior stateroom, so you'll have to decide what your priority is. And fishing from a convertible puts you on the same level as the salon/lower helm; a YF puts you down from that "bridgedeck/lower helm" position. Also note the ladder access to the flybridge level...some are inside, some outside..
A 58 YF galley does not permit communication with salon guests since they are on different levels; convenienmt eating on a YF requires eating at the dining nook below. My 48 YF galley is just down a few steps from the saloon; Interior space between the 48 and 58 YF models is dramatic.


"..It is hard to get a handle on the fishability of the YF boats for me..."

It's essential to go aboard and see for yourself. Make a list of pros and cons from your wishes/needs. A C model provides more convenient cockpit access for frequent fishing than YF which is down three steps.

".. I love huge cockpits, but don't really need a monster as I am not interested in tournament type fishing and fish recreationally..."

The 1970's series 48 ft YF have plenty of fish room; the 1980's model 48 YF have much shorter, and I think higher, cockpits. Am unsure how the 58 ft YF cockpits varied over the years. The 1970's models have plenty of cockpit room for fishing.

"..Also any major gains or sacrifices to having the mechanical space split up?

When underway, one engine per engine room is quieter when you are checking things out. An engine room fire (heaven forbid!! ) which is extinguished would likely stop or incapacitate only one engine, not both. And the genny forward would also safe from fire in either engine room.

I haven't tried David Pascoe on this subject, but you may get some insights from his reviews of any Hatt models. Also check beam width on any models you are considering.

 

[Boss Lady]

I have 1973 48 YF. I really like the layout and you can fit a small fighting chair. We do all our fishing on standup gear so the smaller cockpit compared to a Convertible is not an issue. We fish for large tuna, but I would not recommend it for Marlin fishing. There is no bait station or freezers. I find it adequate for the fishing I do, mostly Kings, Dolphin, Wahoo, and Tuna. I use the flexible insulated fish bags since there are no fish lockers. I have out riggers so we can put out a good spread. I am adding rocket launchers above the window in the cockpit. You have a perfect view of the cockpit from the flybridge and can still see what is going on from the lower helm too. My pilot house and fly bridge are located further aft than most of the other YF or CMY models. You need to step aboard and see for yourself. Figure out where you would put gear and bait and see if it would be adequate.

 

[nor'easter]

Thanks for the insight. I love to fish, but in reality it is not the primary way we use the boat. We are out with friends, maybe on the hook for a while or cruising. Some long weekends aboard, and with friends is TIGHT in my 39SX. I am sure that a C would suit us well, and do everything we asked. I would want one with a lower helm for cooler/wetter days in the winter here, or for the long nighttime runs offshore for the fishing trips with the buddies. The fishing we do is not for billfish, but may be only occasionaly in the future. It is for tuna, dorado, and yellowtail mainly and all with stand up gear.
I read through a bunch of old posts on the 60C and "enclosed vs open bridge" type stuff, and it made me think a bit about a YF. I love the 60C. It is a big boat with all of the interior room we would need and is a sharp looker with a great ER. Given that I would use it at least as much for cruising, and probably more, I thought YF might be something to consider. I am not put off by the galley down, as it appears to be a large enough space to not feel cramped and cave like. The aft deck looks like a great space to spend time and entertain. And there is still the benefit of the FB and open air for nice days (most here in San Diego).
Just curious to know how people have fished theie YF, and if there is ample space to do so.
No such thing as perfect for eveyone. Just want to be close for me.

 

[Boss Lady]

I really like the total layout of my 48 YF, you have walk around decks, and the lower helm is nice when the weather gets crappy. I am making a new curtain system to enclose the back section of the lower helm for inclement weather use. The deck behind the bridge chairs is big enough for a table and chairs. The salon is large and two heads means no waiting. The galley is small but adequate. There is so much usable space that no one gets crowded. Everyone has great visibility including the salon. It even has a tuna door and a swim platform. The fly bridge is as high as most tuna towers and the visibility is outstanding, there is enough room up top for 5-6 adults. The radar arch is 23 feet above the waterline. If there were 3 more feet of cockpit so you could have tackle and bait prep, it would be perfect. I may do that another year. Mine had worn out 8v71N 330 HP and was slow, I wanted a 25 kt cruise so II put in 8v92 TA 735 HP so it is slow no more.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Compared to what I am used to, a 60C has so much room it feels like you could do Shakespeare in the salon, plus you get that big aft deck and the bridge view of it.

You might look at the photos someplace on here that show what Slane's shop did with an older 53. Lots of room and very contemporary look as well. Not fast, but at least as quick as a YF.

 

[luckydave215]

We're sure happy with our 60c.
I have two kids, age 18 and 15, boy and girl, and having three staterooms, and especially three heads, is a huge bonus. My daughter can bring one of her friends along for the weekend, and they can have their own room/head/stereo/TV/climate controls undisturbed, and since they take the forward stateroom, we can't hear them or their music either.
I can't understate the importance of that for keeping teenage girls happy.
We use the boat more for cruising than fishing when the whole family is aboard (the Admiral isn't interested in fishing) and I think that for the money, close to $700k with the improvements I've made (mechanical/electronic things I replaced with new) we couldn't have chosen better, and the boat is in tip top shape.

 

[Boss Lady]

Very true there good Doctor! You also get a much bigger fuel burn on the 53. If I was going bigger than 50, I would make the jump to a 65 Hat. Unfortuneantly the 54 Bertram becomes very attractive when we are talking 50 to 60 foot serious fishing machines. I almost bought a 54 a few months ago. The 52 and 53 Hatts don't come close, neither does the 55. This is not blasphemy, just that Bertram did a better job in this size class. So I have to keep searching for a 65 so I can buy another Hatteras. I do like to flirt with the 54 Bert though. Do you think Boss Lady would get jealous? LOL

 

[REBrueckner]

BossLady had a good insight when he mentioned his flybridge and lower sterring station being further aft (on his 48 YF)...giving cockpit visibility.

The newer 1980's 48 YF which I previously commented about, have an arguably nicer interior layout and overall height is reduced by moving the flyrbidge forward and lower. The result is awful visibility aft (for either stern in docking or cocpit visibility) and together with very short cockpits, make me conclude they'd be pretty poor fishing platforms, ok for diving, dinghy access,etc.

 

[Boss Lady]

You are correct. The first generation YF were designed to actually fish them and came with outriggers too. The later ones were more MY that YF.

 

[nor'easter]

The YF models I am curious about are the series 1 53, and the 58. Visibility of the cockpit might be an issue in both, but it looks like some were equipped with clutch and throttles in the cockpit, or had them added later.
I really love the 60C, and Dave was kind enough to open his up to my wife and I to take a peak at. There are so many +s for the 60 as Dave pointed out, but my favorite is the ER. The pictures don't even give proper credit to it's size and accessibility.
Thanks all for the input. It looks like I need to go and visit with a YF and see what they are like firsthand. If I stick with a C as i first planned, I will be looking for a 53 or 60......hopefully not too far in the future.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

I think the '78 tp '86 60' convertable is a great compromise. I am casually looking for a nice one for my doctor nephew. I love the 6'4" engine room headroom. Of course I would, I am a mechanic. The boat is awesome also. OK it isn't fast. If you are in a big hurry, take an airplane.

 

[tomrealest]

I have a 58 1978 Yachtfish. I have done very little fishing on my boat but have fished a lot on other boats in the Chesapeake Bay & the Atlantic down to Florida.
My thoughts are there would be too many compromises for game fish. For stripers, tuna, dolphin, etc it would be fine but you've got an awful lot of boat for that kinda fishing. Of course, all the wives could go and be partying while the guys fish. I could comfortably do a lot more fishing than I do on mine but we mostly use it for cruising. PS. I love the boat.