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Random Quote: Neccessity is the Mother of invention. Hunger is the Father.
Anyone seen the Southport 28TE? Looks to be a beautiful rig from the website. Also read in the Fisherman Southport offering a 28 express later next year on the same platform as the 28 TE.
Jim, the southport 28 is a very nice boat. One thing to take into consideration is the lack of room in the front of the boat. This killed it for me. We do a lot of fishing in the front and also use the space for gear, bean bags, etc. The coffin type box in the front of the console on the 28 Southport basically takes up all the front deck space. I did not even consider this boat after I saw the layout...but some may not need the room so it is all personal preferance. I personally like having every inch of the inside of a boat being useable fishing space.
Jim, I have the standard Southport 28, which I purchased prior to the release of the new TE. I have to admit, when I was researching the purchase of a new CC the Southport lost points to Regulator for lack of tackle storage. I think Southport heard that type of input from most people, and developed the TE as a result. Funny thing though, if I had the chance to order a new one, I'm not sure I would go for the TE. After a full season, I have found the rear facing seats to be a big plus, as my crew loves them for watching baits while trolling. It can be a long day standing or sitting on the gunnel if you troll for six hours. And I have overcome the lack of tackle drawers by buying a couple tackle bags, one for offshore and one for inshore fishing to compliment the tackle drawers I do have on the standard leaning post. I understand where Bigtuna is coming from, as there are people that need to have the large foredeck of a Contender or Regulator classic edition. But for my needs, the coffin box up front has been great. For offshore fishing, I can have two ride comfortably up front in seas up to 4 feet, (try doing that with those useless bow seats on a Southport 26 or Regulator FS). The seat also comes in handy for the family when cruising, or as storage for day trips. Or even better, you can actually sit and face the fishing rod while drift fishing in the bay or at an offshore reef. Again, you can't do that comfortably with the bow seats. And of course the coffin box handles just about any size tuna I have caught so far. I have had no problem fighting several large shark or even the Blue Marlin we battled this past season from up front when needed. To each his own, but for my needs the standard Southport 28 fit the bill
__________________
LISA MARIE
28 SOUTHPORT W/TWIN F250 YAMAHAS
LIL' LISA MARIE
17 FT WHALER W/90HP F90 YAMAHA
I have a friend with the Southport and really think it is a terrific boat..... IF you are willing to compromise the fishability layout to accomdate the extra seating in the bow. I also believe that the bow gunnel of the boat, goes very deep into the fishing area to accomodate the windless and anchor locker.... more lost fishing space and I am sure a PIA to fish a hot tuna around with a short standup stick...
Manuvers great, handles big water great, nice design, perfect deadrise... just falls into that catagory of great fishing boat that tries to be a little too much of a great family boat... sometime, it costs you in fishability... It's like a FS Reg (I am a complete Classic liner groupie).... do you really need the step up and the seats?
__________________ Stay Tuna-ed!
Capt. Ed
- - - - - - -
On The Water Magazine Columnist
Tackle Direct Pro Staff
I fished on a std 28 this past summer and wrote the following report. The current owner went from an Intrepid 26 to a Contender 27 and now this hands down this is a superior ride in many different ways. As for lack of room in the bow I guess it depends on use, for the fishing we did and the nap I took on the ride out it was a bonus.
I was on the TE a month ago and it too is very nice.
I've ridden in Reel Obsession's 28, that is one sweet, very fishable ride. It handles some monster chop, and is solid as a rock. PM Reel Obsession, he can get you a demo ride. Very nice boat, wish I had the coin for it.
I looked at the wide gunwales in the bow area and to my eye they are there because of the huge Carolina Flare the boat has. With that much turn to the hull sides, you could not stand any closer to the rub rail. Another comment about the tackle storage vs tournament edition: I am a diver and wanted a simple leaning post. Southport offered to put a plug in the mold and deliver it with a flat floor, including 2 aluminum plates in the floor to match my seat mounting pattern. I was (and still am) impressed with that kind of customer service.
I have owned my 28cc for about a year now and I would agree that there were some tackle storage issues in the beginning. I have since overcome those issues with tackle bags...as for the aft facing seats they are a joy when trolling or in rough seas and need to tie some rigs. You may want to check with the southport guys about the coffin box. They may be able to remove it all together and put some storage in it's place. It never hurts to ask and from what I have learned they are some of the best people to work with....Just ask Kerno. I use the boat exclusively for fishing. I do not do any cruising or bbqing..nothing like that. I must say that for me the boat has most of the things that I need while fishing both inshore and off. I really feel that the beam makes up for any lost fishing space in the bow of the boat. I use that large platform on the bow for flyfishing and throwing castnets for live bait. I never liked the step on the regulators...talk about taking a fall while fighting a fish..flat platform on the southport. Lastly you cannot get a better running surface on the market right now...hands down. As for the express I should be getting some pictures soon and will post when I get them. I know that the southport guys have put alot of time and effort into the new express...it should be a something!!!!
I have the 28TE. I have not found the coffin box in the way of fishing at all. The wider beam makes for more fishing room along the gunnels. As for aft facing seats while fishing, I had Southport build my tackle station with only 2 center rod holders behind the seat. This left 2 spaces large enough for 2 large guys to sit on top of the tackle station to watch baits. If you have any questions PM me.
quiz
Good idea Quiz....is it comfortable to be sitting up there? i have thought about retro-fitting my 28 with the TE tackle station. I have gotten used to my aft facing seats though. I have been trying to come up with a way to fit more tackle on my current 28. We will see what happens this winter...
... try doing that with those useless bow seats on a Southport 26
Oi! Those bow seats on the SP26 are the Ants Pants! Who wants to snooze *next* to some guy who has had fish blood and guts all over him for 6 hours in the summer sun ...
On the 28 isn't there a coffin box on the bow, not the seating like Red shows above on the 26. I would think the coffin box would be great for bow fishing. You can move around the gunnels and sit on the box when not holding the rod. Or is it just too tight?
__________________ '96 Sea Ray Laguna 24' CC
Twin 175 Optimax's
The coffin box/360 degrees of fishing space was one of the main reasons I purchased my 28cc. A ton of storage and nothing to step around, up, or down while fighting a fish. Plus when the bite is slow the coffin box makes a great place to catch a few ZZZZZ. I have had 8 people on the boat will little problem......
The only negative that I could see with the coffin box is that the scenery that always flocks to the bow of the boat would not be very visible to the operator of the vessel which when I think about that it might really be safer that way.
From what I hear about the way the SP rides you would not get much jiggling anyway. I have been known to head dead on into a sea to see how much they move.
Love the coffin box! Have had people sleep on it while the troll was slow pickings. Use the coffin box for tons of gear storage. Remeber your talking a 10'6" beam here so ther is plenty of fishability up front on the 28. Great boat, Great company! Happy New year to All!!!!
__________________ Bob
2006 28' Southport w Twin F250s "Pescatore"
Southport 28 
photob
ucket.com 
