In Search of a New Ocean Boat

[patrickL]

My wife and I sold our Hewescraft 26ft Pacific Cruiser a couple months ago and are planning on spending the winter looking for a new boat. We're looking for something that will fit our family better. We have to small boys so having a place to put them down to sleep is important as we typically do multi-day trips. I don't want to pay the premium for a new boat so we're looking used. Ideally we're looking for another welded aluminum boat with twin outboards but I've also looked at Sea Sports and a few other fiberglass rigs. If anyone is selling something you think might work or know of something for sale or coming up for sale please let us know.

We also have talked to the owner of this boat and are considering hauling it back but it's a major effort (http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...tion-LX-638014). Opinions and thoughts on a new rig are more than welcome.

[Big Jim]

Sounds like you had the boat you described except for going bigger?
Those acb's are solid boats but they sure didn't spend a dime in the aesthetics dept
Low hrs, good trailer and the seller is able to arrange shipping to the west coast, shouldn't be difficult to tow it north or have it trucked.
That boat if it was up here would probably be priced around 125k.
If you get serious enough about it have a marine mechanic (not necessarily a Honda dealer) check the crankshaft end play clearance/tolerance against factory specs.

[patrickL]

Sounds like you had the boat you described except for going bigger?
Those acb's are solid boats but they sure didn't spend a dime in the aesthetics dept
Low hrs, good trailer and the seller is able to arrange shipping to the west coast, shouldn't be difficult to tow it north or have it trucked.
That boat if it was up here would probably be priced around 125k.
If you get serious enough about it have a marine mechanic (not necessarily a Honda dealer) check the crankshaft end play clearance/tolerance against factory specs.

You pretty much nailed it. We could only sleep 3 comfortably and 4 if we really crammed in. With a 2 and 4 year old it was a bit much. There were some things I didn't like about the Hewes but we could have made it work if it had more room to sleep.

Yeah those ACBs are a unique look. I kinda like them but like the look of a Bayweld type better. You had much experience with the Honda's?

[smtdvm]

Wow. Looks like a nice rigged out ACB. Can't imagine seeing one at that price in Alaska. To boot, the trailer appears to be well maintained. Aesthetics are nice but the most beautiful things for up here are safety, longevity, reliability and function when you need it. seller says he can ship anywhere in the 48 and once in Sea, you have a bunch of different options; from dragging it up the road, cruising it up and shipping trailer, barge, ferry etc. It might be worth the hassle in the end. Sounds like you have plenty of time to look around.

[Big Jim]

Yeah I'm partial to Baywelds after working on em and having BW do a small project for me. Of course I've got a champagne taste on a beer budget so my Hewes will continue to work perfectly for me and how I use it.
I kinda disagree with having plenty of time to look around if you want something by spring. Just finding an aluminum boat fitting the size & budget (not to mention the other stuff you want and/or modifying it) can be a challenge and aluminum boats are a hot commodity in ak.
Yeah had a major issue with Honda 150's that turned into a royal pita. There's a lot more to that story so ask if you want more info on that (the problem is not exclusive to the 150's but starts from there on up in hp). But like I said earlier, end crank play tolerance is the first step in detecting a problem so check that before diving too far into that boat. One out of 3 Honda dealers I talked to during that fiasco was honest about the issue and didn't try to whitewash or play ignorant. That was enough to turn me away permanently.

[titobandito]

bow rails

I like the ACB non-sinkable rough sea handling aspects.
Don't like the tiny bow access (through the hatch from then the bed area) and dinky little off set bow rails that allow your foot to slip off the deck

I prefer their other models with the walkarounds that don't drain into the rear deack and with high side and bow rails.
the cabins are of course a lot skinnier ...........

I would replace the bow rails with full height personnel rails that are not offset so your foot is less likely to slip through

Just a consideration, your Hewes has a relatively usable bow.
If you never use it then it may not matter to you.

Always thought the ideal design would be a walkaround on one side only to allow a wider cabin,
and have the overall design to still have centerline balance.

[excav8tr]

Saw a new glacier craft on Craigslist last week. Not sure what your budget is though. Lots of stuff out there...

[patrickL]

I like the ACB non-sinkable rough sea handling aspects.
Don't like the tiny bow access (through the hatch from then the bed area) and dinky little off set bow rails that allow your foot to slip off the deck

I prefer their other models with the walkarounds that don't drain into the rear deack and with high side and bow rails.
the cabins are of course a lot skinnier ...........

I would replace the bow rails with full height personnel rails that are not offset so your foot is less likely to slip through

Just a consideration, your Hewes has a relatively usable bow.
If you never use it then it may not matter to you.

Always thought the ideal design would be a walkaround on one side only to allow a wider cabin,
and have the overall design to still have centerline balance.

All good points and thanks for bringing them up. I like your idea of having a walk around on one side but not the other to utilize the space inside.

Gracias!

[patrickL]

Saw a new glacier craft on Craigslist last week. Not sure what your budget is though. Lots of stuff out there...

Saw that as well. He wants $250K. Way to much for my blood, particularly for a 27 footer.

[patrickL]

Yeah I'm partial to Baywelds after working on em and having BW do a small project for me. Of course I've got a champagne taste on a beer budget so my Hewes will continue to work perfectly for me and how I use it.
I kinda disagree with having plenty of time to look around if you want something by spring. Just finding an aluminum boat fitting the size & budget (not to mention the other stuff you want and/or modifying it) can be a challenge and aluminum boats are a hot commodity in ak.
Yeah had a major issue with Honda 150's that turned into a royal pita. There's a lot more to that story so ask if you want more info on that (the problem is not exclusive to the 150's but starts from there on up in hp). But like I said earlier, end crank play tolerance is the first step in detecting a problem so check that before diving too far into that boat. One out of 3 Honda dealers I talked to during that fiasco was honest about the issue and didn't try to whitewash or play ignorant. That was enough to turn me away permanently.

Big Jim, I was trying to PM you about your experience but your PMs are full. I'm interested in what you experienced and your thoughts. Also, what dealer did you find was best? In Anchorage, Alaska Most Disappointing is the Honda dealer and I'm not going there except for parts.

[excav8tr]

how about that 32 fibercraft on ak boat brokers...unless your stuck on a trailerable boat 100k & lots of room

[Big Jim]

Patrick, I'll clean up the box and get back to ya.
That fiber craft is kinda cool but I think he wants another welded aluminum boat and easily tralierable.
Not a bad idea of an offset cabin, could easily mount batts and other heavy stuff to offset the cabin weight to one side or the other.
If you're getting into a larger (28-32) boat I've seen various Baywelds configured with creative berths (under deck for example; complete with plenty of light & ventilation) which still allows for a walkthru door to the bow and maybe could even have a v berth.

[sweepint]

Patrick
Have you looked at the Duckworth I walked around one of those a couple years ago and sure liked it.

[MGH55]

2006 30-ft Bayweld Walk-Around Sportfish $140000 (Homer, AK) boats - by owner

[hoose35]

2006 30-ft Bayweld Walk-Around Sportfish $140000 (Homer, AK) boats - by owner

Not much for sleeping quarters on that boat