I know this is a side topic, but are you guys interested in discussing small boats? I realize real spearos don't use boats or scuba, but I would like to use one particularly as this is likely to be an excellent Summer and Fall for spearfishing due to the unusual warm water currents comming up the coast (this condition is called El Nino and tyically brings Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna within 50 miles of shore).
This is probably a regional discussion (the ideal boat for Sea of Cortez is not the same as that for diving the Pacific), so you may want to qualify your post with the area you are discussing. I'm interested in a boat to take to local Islands off the coast of Southern California and trailerable to Baja.
It seems to me, the ideal boat would have the following minimal requirements:
Personally, I'd really like to be able to store it in my garage to save storage fees. I'm not allowed to park it outside my garage due to homeowner's association rules. Although the larger boats have a smoother ride and can handle roughter conditions common on the Pacific Ocean.
Some brands I hear good things about are: Parker, Grady White, SkipJack, and Boston Whaler (although I've heard the flat-bottomed models have a very rough ride), Radon, and Donzi.
Some brands I hear many negative things about are: Bayliner (they fall apart after a few years).
Some brands I've heard little about are: Proline, Larson, Searay, Albemarle, Chaparral, Cabo, Rinker (although a friend took me out on his 25' Rinker and it was really nice).
And then there are inflatables and Panga-like skiffs...
Maybe we could come up with a list of recommended boats in each size/class for the freedive Web-site.
Ray Klefstad
From: N. B.
My input:
I own and dive out of a 17 whaler.
Disadvantages: no cabin, rough ride.
Advantages: simple layout, rugged, fits in a garage.
I had some guys down this weekend from northern California and we dove
the Coronados Saturday and Catalina Sunday. We dove like maniacs both
days, and 3 of the 4 crossings were a piece of cake. Yesterday afternoon we
got a wet ride home.
Points to consider: I've found garage storage to be vital. You don't want to
have to deal with boat storage yards when you're coming and going at
strange hours. Height is also an issue when putting a boat in your garage.
Also, keep an open mind with regard to freeboard. Extra freeboard makes
it difficult to climb into, and its only real advantage is that you get a drier
ride at speed.
I wouldn't get too wound up about brand names. I've been an avid boater all
my life, and while I admit to anti Bayliner snobbism (sp?), I think the
brand gets more bad press than it deserves. The problem is that they are
so inexpensive, that they are frequently an owner's first boat, and as such
they are bought by more inexperienced boaters who mistreat them. Plus,
there are more Bayliners in the water than any other boat of it's type. So
based on sheer numbers you are more likely to hear more horror stories
with Bayliners as the central figure.
Ultimately, I feel that if I were to sell my boat, I would get another Whaler
of the same size.
Power: 2-stroke, 90 Yamaha.
Capable of 35 knots. I rarely run over 22 knots (easier on the knees and
lengthens the life of the engine).
Now, Baja.... that's another kettle of fish. I've been toying with buying a
small aluminum of say 14 feet, with just enough outboard to plane with
three adults and their gear. I want to ba able to launch over a beach.
From: D. L.
Thank God for a real topic! As much as I try, I cannot settle on one
"perfect" boat, even for a narrowly-defined need. But it's fun just
thinking about it. I have a 17' Parker Center Console Skiff with a
115hp Yamaha engine. I couldn't be happier. It is a 1-2 person boat
for long-range fishing (I've recently been out 50 miles alone and
limited out on albacore and also got 2 25# yellowfin), a 1-4 person
boat for freediving trips to the islands (Coronados) or hopping kelp
paddies. I keep it in my driveway (you'll need about a 25' garage)
and have trailered it down to LA BAY. The Parker is a solid,
well-made boat with a good "workboat" reputation. Blue Porpoise
Marine first brought them in to San Diego as a lower-cost alternative
to their Grady Whites and Boston Whalers. They have since moved up in
prestige and price, but they still offer better value than either of
the other two, if you're not into Foo-Foo. Getting in and out of the
water is easy, the deck is flush stem to stern and the ride is dry.
The 115hp can get you up to about 40 mph and can help carry alot of
weight, however for the best fuel economy, a 90hp would do. I have 30
gallons under the deck and another 12 in the console. On my long
range outings, I'll take a number of the unbeatable 6-gallon plastic
cans from Walmart (makes mixing oil easy and filling the boat a
breeze). You can tell I'm sold on this rig for my needs. Friday, I
went out on another albacore expedition and when I hit about 35 miles
I saw a flare. The vessel was disabled, no power, no radio and one
seasick retired skipper wallowing around in sloppy seas. I helped him
out and he offered to trade his 1995 21' cuddycabin Seaswirl with me
straight across numerous times in gratitude for helping him. I
jokingly said that it wouldn't fit in my driveway. He said that he
would build me a carport. As nice a boat as that Seaswirl was (and
probably >2X the price of mine), I wouldn't trade. Now Parker makes a
21 footer...
From: F. P.
If you're looking to buy a boat like the one you're describing, I can't
recommend enough commercial-style Radons, Wilson, and Anderson in 21- to
26-ft sizes. These boats are rugged, seaworthy (especially adapted to
SoCal sea conditions), and easy to maintain. They're designed by divers
for (commercial) divers.
I have a 21-ft Radon in California (co-owned with M. S.) and a
26-ft Wilson in the North Sea in Belgium. The 21-footer is an '87 Radon
with the thick hull and no fancy chromework (like the new ones which look
like Whalers). It cruises at 25 kts with a range of over 100 miles (with
a 118-gallon tank and a 260 Mercruiser; using 12.5 gallons per hour).
It's a lot of boat for the size with 2 bunks inside the cuddy cabin. I
went on many overnighters to Santa Barbara Isl, San Nicholas Isl, and
Santa Cruz Isl on that boat with no comfort problem (and I'm European!).
I bought the boat used from a commercial guy, and one thing I can say
about these guys, is that they always maintain their boats well, unlike
most recreational boat owners.
The Andersons (built in santa Barbara) are very similar work boats
(they're even a little nicer). I just saw an ad for a used 22-ft
Anderson at a commercial fishing store I go to in Ventura. Otherwise,
Anderson can build one according to your specs. The original Radon and
Wilson boatyards (also from Santa Barbara) are out of business. The new
Radons are build now off Morro Bay and are not as sturdy as the old ones
although I'd buy one any time over a Whaler, Mako, Bayliner, Bayrunner,
Cabo, etc. Their 18-footer is incredible and feels like a 25-footer.
Disclaimer: this is not an ad for those boats; I owned whalers and
sailboats before, but I'm very impressed with these California Sea urchin
Diver work boats and I think they're the best for what I'm doing:
spearfishing.
From: L. S.
Ray, I am still looking for the ideal dive boat. I
decided to start with a small boat first and only move up
to a 24 to 27 ft one if I feel the need.
Check out the Arima "Sea Ranger". It is 19ft and
you can get it with a hard top. Looks like a great dive
boat to me.
From: Sean
I saw your website talking about Radon boats and thought I would let
you know that new Radon's are built year round by Don Radon. You can
see their boats at http://radonboats.com
The Radon's that are/were built in Morrow Bay (shop moved) are built
by Harold Davis and are called Davis Boats. His boats are not built
near as tough as Radon boats built by Don. Commercial guys hate Davis
boats. My father has a Radon 24' that he fished in Morrow Bay for six
years. We are restoring his boat right now. If I was going to get a
tough ocean boat I would get a Radon, hands down. I have owned a 17'
Whaler and it was a great boat, but uncomfortable and wet.
From: Ray Klefstad
This is what I actually bought:
I got a 15' 3" Standard Boston Whaler, but it is converted
to a Montauk style with a Todd center console and two ice chest
seats - one behind the console (for storing fish) and one in
front (for storing dry gear - clothes, water, etc) with a 40 HP
Yahama two-cycle outboard. It will go about 30 MPH and it gets
about 5 MPG. I built a shelf across the stern so I could mount
two 6 gallon plastic tanks and the battery. This freed up lots
of deck space. It has a storage area in the bow that holds
the anchor with line and all weight belts.
I added a GPS, fish finder, compass, and two VHV radios (a fixed
mount and a hand-held). I joined Vessel Assist in case I ever
get stuck.
I have a Aros galvanized trailer and it just fits in my garage. The
trailer does have a long tongue, but it just barely fits. The boat has
a rail around the bow that is useful for attaching gear. You need to
strap everything down to keep the deck free and to prevent anything
from falling overboard.
I love this boat for freediving. It is a little small, but it works
great for one or two divers. I've had three divers on several times
and it is ok, but it gets a little crowded with all the gear. It is
very easy to launch, manuver, and anchor.
It is most comfortable for the driver because you can stand up
to let your legs absorb any shock from hitting waves. I got
two of the high-density foam cushions to stand on to help
absorb the shock when I'm standing.
I've taken
it up to 40 miles off-shore several times, but most trips are to
local islands like Catalina - about 25 miles off-shore or the Coronados
- about 19 miles off-shore. I've taken several trips to Bay of LA
and to San Quintin Baja.
It is easy to tow and I've taken it on four trips down to Baja Mexico
where it is easy to launch on their primitive ramps.
The 17' Whaler may be even nicer, but it wouldn't fit in my garage.
UPDATE:
I lost my 15' Whaler along with my pickup truck in the tragic head on
collision just south of Ensenada on a trip with Kitto.
I replaced my boat with a 17' Whaler Newport which is the same hull as
the Montauk. With a folding tongue, it does fit in my garage.
The ride is much smoother and dryer than with the 15 footer, which is nice
now that I'm getting more spoiled with time.
I replaced my truck with a restored 1972 3/4 ton Chevy with
400 cu in small block and 700R4 4 speed automatic tranny, but I haven't
driven to Baja since the accident.
To: Ray Klefstad
Subject: Re: Small boats for freediving
To: Freedivelist
Subject: Re: Small boats for freediving