Boating & Outdoor Photos - FINALLY SPLASHED Andros Tarpon 26, "La Ana Marina"

I made the 1065 mile journey in my truck with my son and my neighbor from Houston to Sarasota, home of Andros Boatworks. I left at 3:00 on Wednesday and arrived at 8:00 am on Friday. The boat still had some buttoning up to be done so Andy, the president of Andros, took us boat riding and sightseeing after touring the shop where all the work is done. From their glass shop where the glass is all hand laid, to the welding shop where everything is custom, to the upholstery shop; everything is very organized. I must say I was impressed at how many boats they have going at any given time. 2-32's, 2-26's and I lost count on the smaller boats.

We took his Andros 32 out which was most impressive...just an absolutely amazing machine. We hit some pretty good chop in the bay which the boat just laughed at. After heading back to the marina we toured and played around on a couple other boats which my son thought was amazing. We departed, grabbed a hotel some dinner and agreed we'd head back at 8:00 am the next morning. We arrived the next morning and they tested the motor, connected up the power poles and we headed for the water.

The boat jumps on plane like its being chased, its nimble, riding in the tower is about the most free feeling you could possibly imagine, the workmanship is top top notch. I don't know what else to say other than I am EXTREMELY HAPPY!!!!!

We left Sarasota with the boat at 3:00pm on Friday, drove straight through, stopping only for fuel and food and arrived in Houston at 8:00 am on Saturday. Grabbed the rest of the family and went down to the bay.

Enjoy the pictures!

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MORE PHOTOS

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You couldn't find any cleaner water to splash her in?!?!!?

That's like taking a girl to McDonalds on a first date!!!

Nice rig...

MORE...

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You couldn't find any cleaner water to splash her in?!?!!?

That's like taking a girl to McDonalds on a first date!!!

Nice rig...

That is the water of the Middle and upper Texas coast. Its a series of rivers with mud bottoms. Sorry to disappoint!

Very nice! Fit and finish appear to be exemplary. As compared with similar sized competitors, where do the Andros models fit, not only in price but in value?

Looked at some Pathfinder and Hewes boats and came away feeling that I don't have time to really fish one boat hard. Lol! For inland fishing as well as in/near shore, a 26' is a might long inshore and especially in Rivers/Tributaries. Lingering drought conditions across much of Georgia, Northern Florida, SW Alabama has water levels so low that mudboats and airboats will be the only things running and local knowledge is key to avoiding serious damage to your rig.

I see the Porta Bracket and see how you just lift the 250 'Rude right out of the water. Hmmmm....:thumbsup:

Very nice, Danny and the guys make a beautiful boat.

Very nice! Fit and finish appear to be exemplary. As compared with similar sized competitors, where do the Andros models fit, not only in price but in value?

Looked at some Pathfinder and Hewes boats and came away feeling that I don't have time to really fish one boat hard. Lol! For inland fishing as well as in/near shore, a 26' is a might long inshore and especially in Rivers/Tributaries. Lingering drought conditions across much of Georgia, Northern Florida, SW Alabama has water levels so low that mudboats and airboats will be the only things running and local knowledge is key to avoiding serious damage to your rig.

I see the Porta Bracket and see how you just lift the 250 'Rude right out of the water. Hmmmm....:thumbsup:

It is not a cheap boat by any stretch of the imagination but for a semi-custom boat in this class I feel the value is exceptional. Don't get me wrong, you could take the price right off the charts with option after option but at some point it gets ridiculous to have all those options.

This boat will run as skinny as any pathfinder for sure...but aint no air boat LOL! Our waters are very skinny...my slip usually has 2 feet or less in it.

That porta bracket acts like the motor isn't even there...no strain at all.

Beautiful boat and looks like top notch build.

I recognize that smiling boy right away, I bet he has had a field day trimming that engine up and down for you. Looks like you will have a great time with it, enjoy.

Just bustin balls!!!

I figured!!! But I must say since I just got back from running the boat in Sarasota...beautiful clean clear water was fresh on the brain!!!

Well Jay its more then I would have every imagined! BEAUTIFUL SIR! Nice choice of options and the tower is stunning! I especially like the piping on the Ttop, Sprayed matching under the ttop and the built in speaker boxes. There is no comparing to a boat that has that custom built look. Excellent Job Andros and Congratulations Jay! Next time im in Texas I may swing by lol

Great boats and yours looks like a beaut, too.

Just curious, though, why two power poles?

Very versatile looking boat. Congrats

Very nice...but you gave up your 26 SH for that ;? :nono: :Q

Fit and finish appear to be exemplary.
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Great boats and yours looks like a beaut, too.

Just curious, though, why two power poles?

Keeps the boat from spinning. Sometimes we fish the south shoreline in the bay and nose into the flat fishing off the bow with a south wind in your face. This would keep the boat from turning to face the north. At the beach, just back into the shore and put 'em both down...no anchors! Plus....it looks really cool;cool;

Very nice...but you gave up your 26 SH for that ;? :nono: :Q

Three kids ages 5 and under, just not finding the time to go offshore too much and the Sea Hunt was WAY too deep and big of a boat to use as a family runabout for the shallow waters we boat in. My slip on a low tide will have 18" of water in it and in the winter sometimes less. This boat drafts 10" and with the Porta-bracket up I can truly motor around in a foot of water

We looked at them and thought they were great. Just liked the YF more for the type of fishing we do. But I still have moments where I think the Andros would have been nice to have. Yours looks great.

Damn....................I want one!

I'd really like to know how it handles sloppy seas.

Keeps the boat from spinning. Sometimes we fish the south shoreline in the bay and nose into the flat fishing off the bow with a south wind in your face. This would keep the boat from turning to face the north. At the beach, just back into the shore and put 'em both down...no anchors! Plus....it looks really cool;cool;


Gotcha.

Damn....................I want one!

I'd really like to know how it handles sloppy seas.

As soon as I make it out to the Gulf I will let you know. The cut is only about 6 miles from my house so I am hoping to at least take it out there for a quick run this weekend.

Congratulations. She is a beauty and I bet she will take you out to the rigs just fine. Not to mention Bird Island!

Good luck with the new boat! Looks great. What prop are you :)running on the ETEC? Viper,Rebel?

Great setup especially for where we live la/tx. enjoy with the family

DAMN THAT IS SWEEEET:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::th umbsup:

Very nice ride :thumbsup:

Tell me about that Rude. Sometime in the future I'll be looking at putting a 250 possibly just like that on my boat. One of the many things I wonder about the etecs is how loud they are....especially when running. Is it possible to have a conversation while cruising?

congrats, enjoy it, it's perfect for what you'll be using it for. i've run mine across 14" flats on a plane and thats with a full tower.

Very nice ride :thumbsup:

Tell me about that Rude. Sometime in the future I'll be looking at putting a 250 possibly just like that on my boat. One of the many things I wonder about the etecs is how loud they are....especially when running. Is it possible to have a conversation while cruising?

Its very quiet except at just above idle...its throaty sounding, almost like its got a hot cam in it. At idle or at speed its very quiet. The low end torque blows my four strokes out of the water.

congrats, enjoy it, it's perfect for what you'll be using it for. i've run mine across 14" flats on a plane and thats with a full tower.

Thanks!

wow

Thats a beautiful thing...
Congratulations!

Really sweet ride. Congrats on your new purchase. Would you mind posting another pic or two of the power pole mounts? I haven't seen them mounted to the swim platforms before. Has the platform been beefed up for the mounts? That looks to be the perfect set up for my existing configuration. Thanks in advance..

Really sweet ride. Congrats on your new purchase. Would you mind posting another pic or two of the power pole mounts? I haven't seen them mounted to the swim platforms before. Has the platform been beefed up for the mounts? That looks to be the perfect set up for my existing configuration. Thanks in advance..

I'll be glad to. The swim platforms they build in house are really beefy. I'm almost 200 lbs and with me on it and the power poles in the anchored position, NOTHING budges or flexes at all. They added some extra bracing that I will photograph for you. I will be down this weekend to take them for you.

Can always tell a company that cares about its work and this is a perfect example.

That is one heck of a pretty boat. If she rides even half as good as she looks, you're going to be a happy man. Congrats!

Good luck with the new boat! Looks great. What prop are you :)running on the ETEC? Viper,Rebel?

Thunderbolt, 15.5 x 17p I may play with it a little but its running great now.

Really sweet ride. Congrats on your new purchase. Would you mind posting another pic or two of the power pole mounts? I haven't seen them mounted to the swim platforms before. Has the platform been beefed up for the mounts? That looks to be the perfect set up for my existing configuration. Thanks in advance..

The swim platform is a solid piece of glass with pretty heavy aluminum plate on both sides sandwiching the platform, through bolted and then ribbed from the underside and welded directly to the framing of the platform. I am 200 lbs and my son about 60 and we have both stood on the platform with the poles up and down and cant feel any flex whatsoever...NONE. I was skeptical at first since they have never done this at Andros but damn its solid as a rock!!!! The transom is rated for twins and more power than I have on it so I'm just like another motor hangin off the back :grin: I got stamina, just not quite the horsepower!

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Thanks for posting the extra pictures. I am going to have some plates welded u and try it with a wang anchor first. Then upgrade to the power pole pending the results. Thanks again for posting.

That is pretty!

3 thumbs up! That bute is stacked!
That is pure motivation.!Enjoy her!

You have a great boat package and it's a great fit for your waters. The boat has beautiful lines, nice color, well equipped and I really like the sun dodger on the bow. Looks to be a great mix of fishing and family boating, enjoy her often. Can I say GREAT again!!!

freedbaby,
Any performance numbers or rough water reports yet? Gorgeous boat!

I am getting a consistent 2.8-3MPG at cruise in the inland waters but am embarrassed to say I haven't had it in open water yet.

Thanks for all the kind words fellas.

My family loves the boat but the one statement my wife keeps making is "I dont know what we paid for that bow dodger but its worth the entire cost of the boat!"

Coming back from longer family outings, we put the bow dodger up and the kids go to sleep! Only down side is that I am not very tall so I prefer to run it with dodger up from the tower because I cant see too well over it from the lower station.

Awesome boat!

Thanks a ton...we are really enjoying it. Can't go anywhere without someone wanting to start a conversation about her. Long as I ain't outta beer...I'm happy to talk!!!:grin:

Nice boat. Whats the fuel efficiency like with the 250?

I am getting a bit over 3 MPG depending on load.

Excellent ride you have there. I launch at Sargent all the time ! We ran up the ICC and had lunch at River Bend (http://www.modernmako.com/images/River-Bend.jpg) just the other day !

Keep the nice pictures coming.

Excellent ride you have there. I launch at Sargent all the time ! We ran up the ICC and had lunch at River Bend (http://www.modernmako.com/images/River-Bend.jpg) just the other day !

Keep the nice pictures coming.

good to know...tell me what boat you are in and I'll flag ya down next time I see you!

good to know...tell me what boat you are in and I'll flag ya down next time I see you!
When I put in at the public ramp on the island, Im usually in my little 18' footer (http://www.modernmako.com/images/Mako-1801.jpg). When we take my best friends 22B (http://www.modernmako.com/images/Mako-22B.jpg) out we launch at the Harbor.