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Ok i currently own a 32 fountain and do enjoy very much. It has great electronics 72mi radar and all, Nice teaser reels,outriggers, 350gal fuel cappacity and a vacuflush toilet for when I have the wife and kids in the river. I Fish out of St augustine fl and can get to the ledge in an hr and 20min. My problem is I dont know if I want to keep it or get a sportfisherman. Im really torn and dont know if what I have is better because of the upkeep and mobility. What do you guy think
I have been in your boat for a while. Love my Whaler, love my Honda, cabin is small but it works. Looking at the next jump being a SF, just not sure if I want to have to vaccuum a cabin and go 10 knots slower..
Pos/Negs
Positives:
Bigger
Staterooms
Dual Diesel Power
Generator
Improved Driving visibility, bridge to spread out in
Bigger Transom to put on name (ha!)
Heavier, more seaworthy
More Storage, tackle storage
Hot showers
Negatives
Price/Maintenance costs
Slipped always
Slower
less MPG
I notice that all my friends that step up from where you and I are at, usually use their bigger boat alot less than I use mine- when the bigger boat means more versatility. Just don't want to step up to find the sting keeps it at the dock more..
Basically the positives outweigh the negatives, it is just about justifying cost.
I never have done an overnight trip. Never had to, I leave at 5 am at the stream befor 7am and usually catch a boat load by 3 or 4 and head on in for a tasty dinner
The only drawback is expense. If money is no problem, go for it.
The transom on a SF is so much better for fishing than an outboard. You do not have to give up much speed. You can put big engines in the SF and go faster more comfortably than you can in the CC. You can go faster in the CC on a calm day - I am talking about an average day..
A boat should do what YOU want it to... if you don't overnight, and don't need the creature comforts the CC would be my choice.
Anything more than day trips are far more hospitable in a SF, whether it be an express or convertible. Trust me, the boys are happy about having an air conditioned cabin (with DirecTV) when it's 60 miles to the dock and it's 93 degrees in the FL sun...
Ditto for overnight trips, it's like a condo in the middle of the Gulf. But trust me- it's a LOT more boat- and systems- to deal with. If you only day-trip, it's a lot of extra work and expense that you might regret.
If you are really serious about buying a sportfisher, I would recommend getting a smaller diesel walkaround or express in the 30-35' range. It can be handled by one person and will be a dream to fish. As the others have said though, you will lose speed and mpg, but sometimes the creature comforts are worth it!
Disagree with some of the comments about "no overnights - no need" for a sportfisherman.
I currently own a CC and have owned a sportfisherman. Yes, the CC is cheaper, faster and less overall work and upkeep but there is absolutely no substitute for a sportfisherman.
The SF rides better, is head and shoulders more comfortable over a long day, is a better fisherman and yes, you do have the benefits of the cabin.
It comes down to these questions:
#1. Can you afford the upkeep, additional fuel, additional insurance, additional cost?
#2. Can you take going slower, even if it is more comfortable?
If money is not the issue, get the SF. You will love it.
There is a lot to clean on a sportfisher for one day of fishing. Kinda like taking an RV for a few hours of hiking.
I love sportfishers, but until my area can go a few years in a row without every marina around me being destroyed. My boats will be on trailers. Just one more thing to think about if you live where hurricanes hit.
I also disagree on the no overnight no need. With the cabin and flybridge, you can take more people with you for the day. People that may like to ride along but dont care a whole lot about the fishing part. When not fishing, a sf will be much better for entertaining. People (clients) not in the know are always more impressed on even a 35' sf than they are on a 35' center console; even though, at that size, the center consoles are almost always just as or more impressive.
Upkeep for a sf in a slip vs a center console on a trailer will be shocking if not encountered before. Bottom paint haul outs, divers for bottom scraping and zincs, air conditioner strainers and pumps, more cleanings and harder waxings, and of course slip and insurance prices. More systems for maintenence and upkeep.
Diesel inboard vs gas outboards are more expensive also. The amount of oil needed for oil changes because of extra capacity of mains plus having generator, rudder and shaft packings requiring random upkeep, the price of diesel plus the usual less fuel economy, and the amount of racor fuel filters changed throughout the year decause of contanminated diesel.
Still, Id rather be on a sf anyday! So much more comfortable throughout every aspect of the day, easier to run multiple lines with larger outriggers and a clear transom, twin inboard manuverability will outdo any outboard boat, safety of getting home in a squall (weight is your friend in the ocean), and can pack so many more people (women) on the boat for a day at the island with the cabin and real head.
A dock mate has a 34' Fountain and a 45' Viking Express. He likes them both and they get used almost the same amount, but when he has guests fishing with him, the ocean is iffy, or the temps are hot or cold the Viking gets the nod. We're trying to sell our Luhrs for a low 40' sf even though we know the costs.
No way would I choose to go slower for a little bit of more creature comforts on very few days a year, when conditions are nasty SFs also suffer and do not enjoy much the day out so they seldom go out when is nasty. I assume you are talking about a relatively small SF comparable to your cc in size, once used to the speed of your Fountain you may not be able to accept the noise, fumes and hassle of a SF everyday for a very few advantages on avery few days a year unless off course you are talking about a top of the line 60 footer ........ keep the fountain would be my advise or get a bigger CC if you desire to have a bigger boat good luck
Have you considered sleeping out on the boat with your family?
I had a Southport 26CC which I loved but wife complained she was a boat widow. Put on 200 engine hours per year and boating was a source of marital tension.
I upgraded to a Southport 28EX with 3 berths (kids are young and share a berth). Have put on 220 engine hours per year but over 1000 boat hours. The kids absolutely love going out and sleeping on board. I take them fishing, crabbing and even just running on the beach is a hoot. I never appreciated how many beautiful spots I was driving past at speed to get outside to fish.
Recently I have got into the pattern of getting a day's leave pass to fish with the guys, get back around 4:00pm to meet the wife and kids at the dock. Throw out the guys and charge back out to sea and anchor up and throw in the crabpots in time for a beer on the foredeck at dusk. BBQ dinner and a dance on the back deck. Take the kids out at dawn to check the pots followed by coffee and BBQ breakfast. Back to port after lunch, clean up and come home.
Happy wife = Happy life.
__________________
2009 Southport 28 Express.
Moreton Bay, Australia.
i fish solo alot and i couldnt do that with a SF....maybe an express with outboards would be your middle ground for the family, and is something you could handle solo. I dont know how old you are or if you fish with a tight group of guys, but if you are older, your body might want a slower, easier-on-your-back SF or express. If u dont want to lose your group of guys, then consider what their input is also.
I think if you can't afford someone to clean that entire thing inside and out after every trip plus $1,000 a foot for yearly maintenance, then it's not for you.
Sportfisherman or CC
