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Thinking about the next upgrade and am mulling over these two. Yam spec show 2.7 mpg with each of them at over 30mph with twin f150's.
Now I am a little familar with both brands as I own a Sea Hunt 220 and have run and maintained a 266 Sailfish. I recognize that given equal lenths the Sailfish would be the better ride as the hull has more deadrise and weight.. I also believe my SH deflect spray better and is "drier" that the SF. Neither of them have fishboxes worth a hoot and the SF may be slightly better constructed(one of the first things I did to my SH was remove all the screws and put 5200 on them and put bolts on the rodholders) but I am not worried about the SH hull as the difference is probably minimal.
But the two are not equal length, similar weight and fuel economy but not length. SO the question is does the SH's longer length overcome the SF hull design?? The SF really is a nice performing hull, I watched the spray angle yesterday am while zipping along at 39knts the 46nm to the gtown hole, it throws out but not down like the contenders, but the ride is very good and it is stable also. Now my SH impresses me for its size but it does land kinda hard in a headsea, simple lack of deadrise amidships compared to the SF.
The Sea Hunt 26 has 21 degree deadrise at the transom vs 18 degree of the smaller Sea Hunts which is still less deadrise than the 22/24 of the Sailfish hull, however the Sea Hunt 26 has a sharper entry than the Sailfish hulls. Use the tabs to keep the bow down to cut the chop and the Sea Hunt 26 should have a pretty good ride. There are just a few things I would change with the Sea Hunt 26: add fishboxes in the aft deck, modify the seat in front of the console so it has a cooler underneath (rather than additional storage inside the console), make the 'deluxe' leaning post standard.
The Sea Hunt 26 has 21 degree deadrise at the transom vs 18 degree of the smaller Sea Hunts which is still less deadrise than the 22/24 of the Sailfish hull, however the Sea Hunt 26 has a sharper entry than the Sailfish hulls. Use the tabs to keep the bow down to cut the chop and the Sea Hunt 26 should have a pretty good ride. There are just a few things I would change with the Sea Hunt 26: add fishboxes in the aft deck, modify the seat in front of the console so it has a cooler underneath (rather than additional storage inside the console), make the 'deluxe' leaning post standard.
I had a 22 SeaHunt bay boat in 05, traded up to my sailfish I have now, that difference is night and day.....but if youre getting into twins, i think the SeaHunt would be my choice.....that extra 3 feet would be pretty noticable IMO, I really like my boat....it serves my fishing style (inshore....but big water, Lower Ches Bay) very well. But somethings I dont like about my sailfish compared to my SH (granted im comparing a Deep V cc to a bay boat) but I dont like the high bow ride.....the sea hunt never had that problem....the trim tabs on it made the boat ride Better, where as the sailfish trim tabs HAVE to be used to make the boat ride good at all.
Trust me even that 24degrees can land hard.....just last night i had my boat pound the hardest it EVER has in a 3' chop.......and Ive had it out on several 6' days....so I find it hard to beleive that 2 or 3 degrees extra is gonna make that much difference.
I would look at the weight differences too....... I remember talking with the folks at SeaHunt when I started looking to go bigger, and ( I was comparing the 232 vs 240) and they said those two hulls were completely different, the 240 & 260 hulls were designed to be "offshore" boats. So comparing the 2360 vs 260 say something as far as ride quality.....maybe??!!
Ive also seen where SeaHunt has pretty much stepped up to the same equipment as far as drains, fittings etc as sailfish is using, so really in "fit and finish" i dont think theres alot of difference. I have also seen how both boats are built as far as thier stringers and hull lay ups etc.....I think the Sailfish structural design and lay up is alittle ahead of the SeaHunt, but not by much. There are minor differences that my "untrained" eye noticed, so it may not even be an issue, im talking about how they lay in thier stringers, mold in thier transoms and stuff like that. I was alittle more impressed with Sailfish's techniques.......but to combat that....i liked the way seahunt has backing plates (1/4" aluminum plates) glassed into to all of thier stress/hinge points, every hinge, every cleat, leaning post etc....has plates actually glassed into the liner, and then also thru bolted with washers.....where as I didnt see that on the sailfish, i just saw thru bolted with washers (not to say thier NOT there....i just didnt notice it, and i was looking for that)
All told, I think theyre both good boats.....but if I had to chose between the two, for offshore, and having twins....Id probably go Sea Hunt.
__________________
2004 Silverado 2500HD
2001 Grady White 265 Express
__________________ Sailfish Kid
United States Naval Service,
"Surface Warrior"
Chief Petty Officer, Retired
Boatless
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important tha his own personal safetly, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of BETTER men than himself"
John Stewart Mill
forget both and get a Jones Brothers 23 and be happy.... just an honest opinion
Great advice mjmpirate! Is there any other valuable input you might have?
__________________ Sailfish Kid
United States Naval Service,
"Surface Warrior"
Chief Petty Officer, Retired
Boatless
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important tha his own personal safetly, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of BETTER men than himself"
John Stewart Mill
Let my bias chime in. We have the 260 SH and love it! Found it to be the most bang for the buck. Very dry ride with the bow flare. Everyone is very impressed! Go out all the time 60 miles offshore troll all day and burn 90-105 gallons. Wish it had an aft fish box. Just bought a large fish bag. We looked at the 23 SF when we were shopping. Many times we look at each other and say "glad we bought the 26". Added the outriggers, easy to install with the factory cutouts in the t-top.
Both are descent rigs. I dont know a lot about Sea Hunt but their rep is pretty good about the same as Sailfish. This is close to an apples and oranges comparision. The 2360 is more of a 24 footer and will not compare to a 26 footer IMHO. Most of my life my motto has been bigger is better, in boats this usually holds true. Depending on $$ and ur tow vehicle. Good Luck I think either will serve you well. As stated above the 2.7 mpg will be lower with any load..
__________________ "I'm suing the THT and the guy that made it."
the sea-hunt does not have a sharper entry....the sail has a 60 degree entry. I wont begin to compare so i dont piss anyone off. but I would recomend the sailfish bias or not. good luck
I had a 22 SeaHunt bay boat in 05, traded up to my sailfish I have now, that difference is night and day.....but if youre getting into twins, i think the SeaHunt would be my choice.....that extra 3 feet would be pretty noticable IMO, I really like my boat....it serves my fishing style (inshore....but big water, Lower Ches Bay) very well. But somethings I dont like about my sailfish compared to my SH (granted im comparing a Deep V cc to a bay boat) but I dont like the high bow ride.....the sea hunt never had that problem....the trim tabs on it made the boat ride Better, where as the sailfish trim tabs HAVE to be used to make the boat ride good at all.
Trust me even that 24degrees can land hard.....just last night i had my boat pound the hardest it EVER has in a 3' chop.......and Ive had it out on several 6' days....so I find it hard to beleive that 2 or 3 degrees extra is gonna make that much difference.
I would look at the weight differences too....... I remember talking with the folks at SeaHunt when I started looking to go bigger, and ( I was comparing the 232 vs 240) and they said those two hulls were completely different, the 240 & 260 hulls were designed to be "offshore" boats. So comparing the 2360 vs 260 say something as far as ride quality.....maybe??!!
Ive also seen where SeaHunt has pretty much stepped up to the same equipment as far as drains, fittings etc as sailfish is using, so really in "fit and finish" i dont think theres alot of difference. I have also seen how both boats are built as far as thier stringers and hull lay ups etc.....I think the Sailfish structural design and lay up is alittle ahead of the SeaHunt, but not by much. There are minor differences that my "untrained" eye noticed, so it may not even be an issue, im talking about how they lay in thier stringers, mold in thier transoms and stuff like that. I was alittle more impressed with Sailfish's techniques.......but to combat that....i liked the way seahunt has backing plates (1/4" aluminum plates) glassed into to all of thier stress/hinge points, every hinge, every cleat, leaning post etc....has plates actually glassed into the liner, and then also thru bolted with washers.....where as I didnt see that on the sailfish, i just saw thru bolted with washers (not to say thier NOT there....i just didnt notice it, and i was looking for that)
All told, I think theyre both good boats.....but if I had to chose between the two, for offshore, and having twins....Id probably go Sea Hunt.
I have to use a lot of tab when I run the SF 266, I was hoping they had corrected that in the 2360, 2660 models, I guess not. I considered putting some weight in the anchor locker to help out.
Regarding fuel economy, I knew the 2.7 was a stretch but figured the real numbers would fall in the 2.5 range with moderate load.
We used 103 gallons thur in the 266SF twin 225 optis, 165 miles running and 10hours trolling at 6knts. It clips right at 2mpg at cruise so I figured one of these boats would burn around 80gals for a similar trip.
two considerations for the sailfish-
1- look at the bottom, read up on it. It has varible deadrise that runs fore and aft. This provides a very nice ride and is imho the biggest selling point of the boat (i have a 2660wa).
2- the sail has a fiberglass grid in the hull. What makes this notable is that it is glassed in while the hull is still wet and in the mold. This makes it part of the hull and not easily seperated.
As far as the mileage, that 2.7 is likely to never be seen after your sea trial. My 2660wa produced 2.5 at the seatrial. However, once I topped off the tank, added gear, canvas, bottom paint and electronics it runs between 2.1 and 1.9.
I also have a 2360 CC and I dont use alot of tab, unlike Walden. The SF does ride bow high a little and I have found rides its best that way. The boat riding at a slight bow high angle helps cut down on any possible spray issues. If its rough I put the bow down and deal with a little spray since rough water usually comes with wind spray.
__________________ "I'm suing the THT and the guy that made it."
We have a new 26 SH at my marina and looked at it yesterday. I love the looks of the boat I will say that! I did notice it felt like it had a much lighter grade of glass used when I climed on board. The layout was nice. I cant say for the ride but I can say I run the hell out of my 2360 with twin's and can hang with the 26 SH that I have run through our nasty inlets with. I would feel sure the SH is a drier boat but as far as ride quality the 2360 hangs up there with any in its given size range and out performs many bigger boats. It is a toss up as I like Cracker think bigger is better. I would have to run them both but can tell you the 2360 rides like a dam dream (a wet one mind you!). As far as bow entry the SH does not hae a sharper entry as Sailcrazy added. 2360 is 60 deg up front which when you are in sloppy chop gives you one hell of a ride with tabs down. Take them both out on the same nasty day and let us know what you find. If you truly want to compare the SH26 to a Sailfish do it to the 2660 with same set up. There will be a very easy decision I can assure you!
2360 Sailfish or 260 Sea Hunt???? 
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