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Random Quote: You can twist perception but reality won't budge.
I've never spent time at sea on them, but have chatted with people at the dock. They're said to handle seas very well, if slowly; I believe they have soft chines and a generally round hull shape, and I've heard that they tend to roll, esp. on station or when drifting. Seem to be well-built; there's still a fair nunber of them around despite having been out of production for some time.
Most of the SISU 26s are inboard powered, with a full keel - I'd guess the outboard one has a shorter keel that is cutaway ahead of the motor. They are a soft chine boat, pretty beamy, and not really made for speed. The inboard/keeled models have a great reputation for comfort and seaworthiness in heavy weather. The outboards are bound to be weaker at that, though (personally, I'd prefer the inboard/keel for that reason). They are available with bass, lobster or cruiser style cabins. The Lowell Brothers recently started to make the SISU 26 again up at Even Keel Marine (their dad designed it). I believe the base price for new ones is around $130k. http://boats.lowellbrothers.com/
Another boat you may like to look at is the Fortier 26. That's even beamier, and with a hard chine and a skeg keel. It's built more for speed. The cabin bulkhead is further forward than your typical SISU/Lowell cabin, so it has less of an inside and more of an outside. The Fortier is a fully cored boat (Core-Cell), while the SISU has a solid glass hull. The Fortier base price is if I recall about $110k. http://www.fortierboats.com/
Both boats have an excellent reputation. If you need speed, you want the Fortier. If you need heavy weather performance and comfort, you want the Lowell/SISU.
__________________ When blithe to argument I come, Though armed with facts and merry; May Providence protect me from, The Fool as adversary. Whose mind to him a kingdom is, Where reason lacks dominion; Who calls conviction prejudice, and prejudice opinion.... ;-)
PF-88: Yes, I have more than a rational interest in these boats *lol*. I love their tradition, character, and design philosophy. I also love their enduring looks - these things are not gimmicky, they look like a boat, not like something dreamed up by the marketing guys.
For now, I am still holding onto my wallet, and my sense - since I don't need one for anything but pleasure, but sooner or later, I am bound to get one.
__________________ When blithe to argument I come, Though armed with facts and merry; May Providence protect me from, The Fool as adversary. Whose mind to him a kingdom is, Where reason lacks dominion; Who calls conviction prejudice, and prejudice opinion.... ;-)
Location: Boat,Town Cove, Cape Cod. Live south of Boston.
Posts: 815
Re: sisu downeast boats-26 ft. outboard powered
Y.B., we have the same intrests, went out on thee charter boat Triton which is a Holland. Spent more time poking around the insides and hanging over the side watching the bow wave than fishing, lol. If you get a chance take a look at the Blue Fin 27' Islander, you'll find it's hull lines a very interesting.
PF-88 - 9/23/2006 10:55 PM
If you get a chance take a look at the Blue Fin 27' Islander, you'll find it's hull lines a very interesting.
I took a look - very sharp looking offshore CC - they didn't skimp on the bow flare , and I like the convex top to the transom - lends a little style too... they even have an inboard diesel/v-drive option -> very nice boat...
Go-fast offshore CCs are nice, but my current dream boat is one of these though:
It's a Duffy 26 - I can look at that thing all day ;-) Here's the same boat, in workclothes, rigged as a tugboat in your area...
__________________ When blithe to argument I come, Though armed with facts and merry; May Providence protect me from, The Fool as adversary. Whose mind to him a kingdom is, Where reason lacks dominion; Who calls conviction prejudice, and prejudice opinion.... ;-)
love that little duffy. man, that thing is sweet. a good friend of mine had the smaller sisu (23? 25?) anyhow , had a small deisel, top end was like 11-12 kts. but he was out fishing when I was home watching the weather.
The Sisu 26 is another fully functional Royal Lowell design. Many were built with 240 hp range diesel giving 22 cruise and 26 top numbers. Know of a Chrysler 360ci, 300 hp (gas) that has a top of 35.
These are fabled heavy sea boats in either direction. Having a keel helps with roll adrift/acnhor but being a round chine design still has some motion.
sisu downeast boats-26 ft. outboard powered 
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, and I like the convex top to the transom - lends a little style too... they even have an inboard diesel/v-drive option -> very nice boat...
