Need a fish raiser that can rack up time at sea on the cheap - help with 2' itis

[VieEnRose]

Bit of a mid life crisis going on realizing that my Dad was winning the Bertram Hatteras Shootout at my age 35 years ago on a 65' Hatt and best I can do is some inshore fish off my Whaler. I'd like to start thinking of my next boat, which will be a forever family boat for extensive Bahamas cruising to continue the legacy my Dad left behind.

I love the lines of the original 41 and since I live on the W coast of Florida the shallow deadrise/smaller and more nimble boat is appealing for me for long runs offshore/to the E coast/Dry tortugas. Then I get thinking about the deep keel 46 and how that would be a better offshore boat and then the next thing I know I am looking at the 52 for a little extra place for the family.

Helping my Dad back when he was captaining these 85'+ customs I always thought about how much work those boats were and how the smaller 37-46 Rybovich Tenders were so much fun and easier to clean. I'd like to recreate that but skip most of the varnish and termite/rot issues. That's why I think the 41 with a B or C series repower could be a good fit. Would I regret not going bigger with not that much additional maintenance? Or would the close to 1 mpg at cruise from the smaller boat really let me rack up some hours and memories with the family. If you had a sub $150k budget to get started, what size would you get?

 

[jap201]

I think you're on the right track. We've been going thru the same exercise, but I'm a more advanced in years. Just me and the missus, so just the 2 of us handling it is key. I'd love a 50, 52 or 53. But I've come to conclusion that something between 41 and 45/46 would be much easier and more fun for my wife and I to run. the problem we've run into is that there isn't much between 43 and 46s that either doesn't need a ton of money, or is asking insane $$$'s. there seems to be plenty of nice 41's, but they're the newer series, not the he older 41's.

good luck in your search. the hunt is part of the fun

 

[JuiceClark]

With this 52C I've grown to love already, I can't think of anything which makes it harder or more complicated than smaller boats I've owned. My wife and girls aren't allowed to move while I'm coming up to the dock. I handle everything and there's been no problem at all. It's such a solid beast, she really doesn't blow around as much at the dock....which is my most annoying moment if blowing away from the dock.

The 52 has been SO much easier to work on. There's space everywhere. I put in a new trim pump and did some work under the cockpit last week and could only think that space would be a stateroom on most boats.

Anyway, it's just been a joy to handle and to work on. The only bummer is the 5' draft when a winter front brings an extreme low tide in my canal. Seems to be an 18 knot boat though. A little faster might be preferred if you're often running way out.

 

[rsmith]

Series one 46 is your best option. 71 series are near bulletproof and they’re reasonably priced. I ran charters with several 46’s back in the late 70’s and 80’s we’d run 70-100 mi offshore to the NE canyons fish all day and run 4 hours home in almost all kinds of weather.

 

[rsmith]

Re: Need a fish raiser that can rack up time at sea on the cheap - help with 2' itig

My favorite boat is the 52c but the 92 series engines are wet liner engines that do not just need to be overhauled on hours run but time and age since overhaul. Rubber doesn’t last foreverand especially in the environment the liner seals see. 71’s don’t have these problems. Don’t get me wrong the 92 is a good engine nebula if to have 15-20 year old seals your flirting with disaster.

 

[cenger]

I moved up from a 41' Viking with 6-71's to a 55C. While I do like the 55C and all the room it has, the cost curve for fuel, maintenance, and storage has gone up exponentially versus the 41. I think a 46 would have been a nice inbetween in hindsight.

 

[rsmith]

I was looking back in my old logs for a day canyon trip the 46 average was 385 gallons where as the same trip with my 50 was about 500 the extra fuel is significant.

 

[Eddieclemons]

For starters, I can't imagine not having Cockpit engine room access.

 

[rsmith]

For starters, I can't imagine not having Cockpit engine room access.

The only downside is it takes up cockpit space. If you fish seriously you need cockpit controls bait freezer and tackle storage. I look at some of these boats with mezzanines and you have to get down on your knees to get anything out. I’ve fished on some multi million dollar Sportfish where there were lure bags and tackle boxes all over the salon and cockpit. I’m more the guy with the giant Snap On tool box with everything laid out in drawers. That’s the way my tackle center I’d laid out.

 

[rsmith]

For the OP Eddie has the best 52 setup repowered with 3406 cats. Cricket on here has a 50 with the same engines.

 

[Eddieclemons]

For the OP Eddie has the best 52 setup repowered with 3406 cats. Cricket on here has a 50 with the same engines.

Thanks, she is coming along. Not that she was that shabby when I took over her ownership.

 

[Eddieclemons]

Port to Stb; Livewell/Trash Can, Engine room access , Tackle Center/Great cruiser storage, Outside Side sink and storage above, Bait Freezer/Drinks Cooler set at 35 degrees. Life is good.