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I'm looking for some feedback on the best 40'-50' sportfisherman out there? Not really looking for opinions on newer boats, but more on the older 43 Bertrams, 47 Davis( I read the post about the guy's boss wanting a 47 davis, good advice there), saw a 48'(I believe ) garlington on yachtworld as well. Also if anybody can suggest any other boats like the aforementioned that would be worth looking at or considering then I'm all ears. I appreciate any and all advice and opinions. Thanks!
Try a 42Bertram or the 46Bertram. If you really want the Battlewagon get a 54Bertram. The 54 hull is just unbeatable. I looked at several "Davis" boats. Seems like several Davis brothers built boats. Each one is of different quality; with some of not to great a quality! Make sure you know what you are getting.
If you are looking for a sportFISH boat...look at CABO...expensive but meticulous in their construction...excellent resale value..great seakeeping abilities...I thought Hat, Bert and Vike were nice until I got on a CABO....
I'd be careful about the Cabo. Haven't heard of too many positive reports from people who actually own them.. Fit and finish is awesome but I have heard that they are not the best riding boats.
Cabo has the best riding hull!* Feels like a boat 10 feet longer.* They are wet but what good riding boats aren't?
Regarding older boats, try any of the 45-50' Hatteras's or the Bertrams as mentioned.* Also, the 47 Davis like you said is a winner.* Have you bought the Powerboat Guide yet?* Try that book, it will be VERY helpful.* Buy it at Amazon.com
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I have made several trips to the deep on Cabo's. Not impressed at all. Wet boats and the "fit and finish" isn't as great as advertised. Viking or custom carolina is the way to go.
Marlin- you said best and i'm assuming $$$$ is no object so.....check out paul spencer and american custom yachts.......ohhhhh son......rig the spencer with 2000 poneys and hang the sign....i cant drive.... 55.
rode on a few of the alternatives and heres' my two cents:
Cabo 47: great in theory, good costruction but it is wet, not particualarly fast and is squirly down sea.
viking48: Fast, excellent dockside maner (beautiful interior, great engine room for size) pretty good downsea, but heading into anything over 4' it will beat you up and you better have your rain coat on..
47 davis: super upsea, good speed, clasic/custom look and its well built but fine forward entry makes the boat tender in following seas. good fishing boat though.
46 hatteras: useless with the 8v92s' (fall on its sides at higher speeds) and it rolls alot with a side sea. down sea, hold on.
betram 46: good seaboat, resonable speed with 8v92's confortable and a good value depending on condition. tends to be a little thirsty on the lower end of the speed range because it pushes water until it get on plane
Fished a lot on 43 - 60 foot Carolina boats and they are very impressive. Remember the Buddy Davis boats came from the ideas of these NC fisherman/boatbuiders. Also if your not looking to chunk overnight the Blackfin/Bertrams are a nice ride. Henriques 44 is sweet also.
__________________ Grady White Marlin SOLD
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jpr has a pretty good "readers' digest" version. There are a lot of options in this size range - are you thinking older with lower entry fee, or new and can pay the freight? What is the budget for this ? You could easily spend over a million on a boat this size, or you could go very used for 1/4 that.....
Fished a lot on 43 - 60 foot Carolina boats and they are very impressive. Remember the Buddy Davis boats came from the ideas of these NC fisherman/boatbuiders. Also if your not looking to chunk overnight the Blackfin/Bertrams are a nice ride. Henriques 44 is sweet also.
The Henriques is a tank. SJ charter cap's love em.
I think a lot of this depends on what your needs are for this boat. I often think the same thing, which older relatively affordable 40-50' boat would be best. Best being combination of speed, efficiency, comfort, and resale. Given fishability and layout, etc is a given. I don't know about you but I'll be coming up from a 31 Bertram that weighs in at about 15K fully loaded. Personally, I think if you got me on any 40+ boat that weighs more than 2x that my boat I would more than likely get off the boat thinking the ride is great.
When you look at the factory boats like Bertram they have lots of aft deadrise and usually outweigh the custom NC boats by a lot. Does that mean they are better boats? I dunno....I do know when I walk the docks on the big tournaments there are a lot of carolina boats. There must be something to the almost flat transom and knife sharp front entry. The NC boats are lighter and faster...but do they compromise ride?
I keep looking at the 40' Express Ocean Yacht, about a 2000-2002. Resale must be bad if I am looking at that large and new of a boat. My friends always joke don't get an Ocean because they are junk, ride like crap, cheap, etc. All the usual slams against the Oceans. My comeback is if we are going from a 31 foot 15K pound boat to a 40' 30K pound boat will we ever know it rides like crap??
One day I hope to be able to answer these questions with personal experience. But for now blindfold me, take me for a ride on 10 different 45' boats and I doubt I would be able to tell the difference.
These threads are always interesting. I think it is most important to consider how a boat in this size class (given the very big bucks involved) will respond over time to the enormous stresses placed on it by the environment--sun, salt, and tons of water slamming against the hull in a variety of conditions. The more demanding the owner/operator, these factors become more intense and take their toll more rapidly. It's not just the hull, but how the various systems are installed, secured, and the quality of the hardware used. There's a lot to be gained by looking at old boats to guage how well they were built and engineered. Performance encompasses quality of construction and intelligent design as well as seakeeping. Putting all of that in one package is always going to end up at the high end of the price ladder, which is why a used, well maintained, high quality boat is often the best value.
Yacht Jim I am surprised at you. Cabo has made such crappy riding boats they have changed the hulls more than once. As a result the 35 cabo is still a crappy ride. Cabo has great advertising and it seems you have fallen hook, line and sinker. A buddy has a 2000 redesigned hull and I have an old 35 Bertram. I have 300 HP Cats and he has 435HP Cats. Anything over two feet headsea I can leave him in the wake. Wake up and stop reading the ads. You have embarrassed yourself.
I've owned a Bertram 35 with twin 3208 Cats for 12 years. Between the boat and the engines I never thought any boat could be so reliable. I've been on 42 a 43 ,46 and a 50 Bertram and thought they were all great. The one problem with these larger boats is the larger engines. I have 100 ton masters license and although I'm not for hire , I have several friends that captain these larger Sportfishers (all Brands) and some of the Engine failures and costs involved in fixing them are crazy. Be sure your ready for that. I don't have any problems like the big boys do and If I did I couldn't and wouldn't want to afford it.
I agree with some of the other replies on the Carbo's though , wet , wet , wet and there's plenty for resale so be sure to take a nice long ride in one of those and make you own decision. NIce boats to look at though.
Best 40'-50' Sportfisherman 
