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Random Quote: Dignity's got nuthin' ta do with it. You're hangin' out with us now! Syd the sloth (Iceage)
So this is from just basic design knowledge as well as what I have heard about the two, so take with a grain of salt.
I believe the Osmond Beal boats are more traditional Downeast boats, with a slimmer length/beam ratio, and a lower sheerline. Due to this, they should be more efficient and comfortable, and will probably ride out nasty seas a little better as well. Many prefer the traditional styling.
Conversely, the Willis Beal boats are more the modern Downeast boats - high sided and broad beamed (relatively speaking). They will have greater form stability, more space for the same length, anyway, and greater carrying capacity for hauling traps or dragging nets - this is your capacity boat.
To me, the Osmond Beals would be better for a pleasure boat, and the Willis Beals better for a commercial fishing boat.
__________________ 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.... ;-)
A couple of other things I can add is that the Willis Beals seem to have straighter sides when you look down on the boat from the top (ie, the Osmond Beals taper more towards the stern). And I will take a guess that the Willis Beal boats also have flatter buttocks lines aft than the Osmond Beal boats - that would go along with everything else in terms of the designer's intentions.
Those things are in line with the other observations about traditional versus modern Downeaster - they have been slowly transitioning from full displacement to low speed semidisplacement to high speed semidisplacement and even some planing designs. The modern hull will have more lift at the stern, and so can carry heavier weight there, and will make a better boat at higher speeds due to better planing performance. But, the traditional hull will be more efficient and better mannered at lower speeds, and it won't drag so much water with it.
__________________ 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.... ;-)
I own a 36 Osmond Beal and am very happy with the boat and the overall decision to have H&H build it. This was my first season with the boat and I ran it down from Millbridge,ME to New London,CT on 6/22,6/23. I run charters out of New London inshore and offshore. Have run the boat in fairly rough seas and am very pleased with the way she handles. Raises fish well trolling offshore also. Take a look at my website for pictures of boat. Need any more info let me know. Bob. www.righthookfishing.com
They are both fine and fine-looking boats IMO (Osmond/Willis Beal)... I found this older Osmond Beal on yachtworld - it's wooden and was built by Mr. Beal (unlike the H&H's, which have been tooled from his old wooden hulls used as male plugs to develop the molds). You can see the buttocks lines rising aft - it's not as extreme as on a displacement boat (like a sailboat), but it heads up there alright. I can look at these boats all day - they are classy and classic.
__________________ 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.... ;-)
Pretty much the same. The mate told me he quit counting at 60. Mostly small fish with a just over keeper now and then.
Were you trolling or jigging? We were jigging diamonds and bucktails all day, even though we had eels onboard. Must have went through about a dozen of each because of all the bluefish.
I was trolling wire with parachutes and after both rods became tight I had a man casting swimming plugs and he would hook up quite often. Hauled the boat this week. Start deer hunting tomorrow. Bob
Osmond Beal (H&H) vs. Willis Beal (RP) 
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