*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: Well Mr. Carpetbagger, we have something around here called a Missouri boat ride
Thinking of buying a new Sailfish 2660 CC I saw at the boat show. I don't trust any of the reviews I saw online. They all seem a bit to general & sugar coated. Does anyone have any experiences with this boat, (good or bad)?
This just might be the "best buy" under 30 ft out there for the fishing crowd... above avg fit and finish.. a bit heavy but a very proven hull design ... (old seacraft 25 var 22-24 degree step hull)
You can buy a better boat but not at that price !!! and you can pay a whole lot more for far less boat !!
The sailfish line is a heck of a nice boat for the money and many are the old proven Seacraft designs. For the money you'll have a tough time finding a better boat. Just make sure you go on the high end of the power spectrum offered as they are VERY heavy boats...which usually means a better ride in chop.
I'm also on the market for a 26 foot C.C. Someone on this site suggested I take a long hard look at the Sailfish...b/c he had just bought one. I've looked at their site and spoke to a dealer and really like what I've seen so far. I can't wait to see one of these boats in person.
What else have you looked at or thought about buying. Only new, or have you considered a low hour pre-owned?
I don't think I saw a better looking boat at the show. I was pretty disappointed with all the other boats in this price range like the Mako, Century, Angler, & the Wellcraft. The only other boat that was close to the Sailfish was the Sea Pro. If you see this boat in person I am sure you will flip.
The sailfish line is a heck of a nice boat for the money and many are the old proven Seacraft designs. For the money you'll have a tough time finding a better boat. Just make sure you go on the high end of the power spectrum offered as they are VERY heavy boats...which usually means a better ride in chop.
I like the 2660 as well, and see them rigged with twin F150s. If anyone has ridden on one with this power, please chime in. Is it enough? The ones with 225s or 250s just seem like overkill for me as I don't care about running over 30 knots in the kind of seas we are usually out in. We rarely see a day (out of Charleston, SC) that you can push it that fast without losing fillings or causing disk herniations.
We now have a Sea Pro that we really like, but I think I like the Sailfish 2660 better than the Sea Pro 27.
I take delivery of mine next week. I too have been looking for the last year and decided to go with a new 2660 over a used Hydra-Sport 26 Vector or Glacier Bay 26. I felt the price was about the same and don't have to be concerned with the problems a used boat entails. I took a hard look at Sea Pro and I got a better deal for the 2660 and liked the layout better. I also looked at Sea Chaser which was cheaper but I felt didn't have the quality and finish of the Sailfish. I'm not sure what the concern is with the weight. After comparing other boats, I feel the 2660 is right in the middle as far as weight goes. I purchased mine with the F150 four strokes which are admitedly a little under power but if you look at Yamaha's tech sheets, it has better economy than the 250s, will top out at 48 which is faster than I can go 90% of the time offshore, and is a hell of a lot cheaper. Good luck with your search and I hope you find what your looking for. I will be picking up my new boat on Monday and heading for the Keys for the rest of the week. I will post a thread in a couple of weeks with my first impressions.
Gene
I just put the first 100 hours on my new 266 Sailfish with twin 150 Yamaha Four Strokes.Top speed is around 46mph. It cruises at 35mph easily, giving a tiny bit more than 2 mpg. Frankly, I am wondering if the twin 225's might be more economical at the higher speeds the boat likes to run.It will get close to 3 mpg at 3,400rpm which is around 25mph. Too slow. This hull is very soft in the chop. I have blasted it out of the water at 40mph and it just enters so soft it is amazing. At speeds in the mid-20's the boat wants to porpoise and needs some tab.No problems of any kind so far. I fish it offshore real hard. It likes that. The 2660 is the same hull with a bit more storage places. I think it is real good quality for the money.
Since mine may have been one of the sugar coarted reviews you saw on line, maybe I shouldn't add my two cents worth here, but the Sailfish is the absolute best riding/handling vee bottomed boat I've ever had the pleasure of riding in. That's from a classic Sea Craft owner.
WJF, or anyone else close
I have a '03 238/266 and fish out of Holden Beach if you want to run out on a weekend and see how you like it, just let me know an maybe we can get together and give you a real trial.
I can't knock the Sailfish - owners seem to like them a lot. If you are looking for a comparison, check out the Bluewater 2350. Yes, I know it's listed as 23'5", but that does not include the bracket. It's LOA and useable interior space is very comperable. The boat does great with twin F150's. It's a little lighter and faster than the Sailfish, with a slightly deeper v, slightly better fit and finish and very well built. www.bluewaterboats.com This is my second Bluewater (the first was a 2150), and I love it. We took it to the Bahamas a few weeks ago and it was fantastic. Top speed with the crows nest, radar, riggers, fule, fresh water etc. is about 48 - 49. At a 38 mph cruise, we get about 2.1mpg. At 30, 2.6.
just got an 05 sailfish 218 wa ------with f150 ------does close to 40 and does not seem at all underpowered---very soft ride in a chop ---the only thing is you must get used to how sensitive this boat is to any trim tab adjustments while underway -----if you over adjust at all the boat will lean hard to one side or the other until you get it right --------other than that it is the best walk around out there for the money --i'll take it over the same size grady white --hands down
Since mine may have been one of the sugar coarted reviews you saw on line, maybe I shouldn't add my two cents worth here, but the Sailfish is the absolute best riding/handling vee bottomed boat I've ever had the pleasure of riding in. That's from a classic Sea Craft owner.
Yea one of those old wood ones... This guy is old !!!
i owned a 26 sailfish in 2002 ( brand new) with twin225 yamaha four strokes. First iI noted that in walking from one side to the other it was very tipsy. Second, it had leaks at the stern where the deck met the hull. Third, the twin engines were too heavy for the boat and made the stern sit way too low. Fourth, one of the engines was overecharging and yamaha had no idea how to correct the problem until about 9 months later. Fifth, it was light compared to other quality boats like regulators.
After 6 weeks of complaining to the dealer, he was nice enough, as a friend, to take it back.
I bought a second hand regulator and have been happy since...a REAL BIG difference.
You get what you pay for.....sailfish is at the mid to lower end of the quality chart in my opinion.
i owned a 26 sailfish in 2002 ( brand new) with twin225 yamaha four strokes. First iI noted that in walking from one side to the other it was very tipsy. Second, it had leaks at the stern where the deck met the hull. Third, the twin engines were too heavy for the boat and made the stern sit way too low. Fourth, one of the engines was overecharging and yamaha had no idea how to correct the problem until about 9 months later. Fifth, it was light compared to other quality boats like regulators.
After 6 weeks of complaining to the dealer, he was nice enough, as a friend, to take it back.
I bought a second hand regulator and have been happy since...a REAL BIG difference.
You get what you pay for.....sailfish is at the mid to lower end of the quality chart in my opinion.
Where do you put a new Sailfish when compared to Pro-Line, Angler, Mako, Wellcraft? Is it a better bet money-wise to go the new boat, new engine route...or go the 4-5 year old Regulator / Contender route with 300+ hours on the engines? That's the range I'm in. I also have seen a few 2001 Whaler 26 Outrages and GW Chase 263 in my range. I'd appreciate any insight I can get on any or all of the makes mentioned in this post. Despite the last post I still like the Sailfish and will be visiting the dealer soon. I'm hungry for feedback so please don't hesitate.
Wow, thats the first negative review I have read of the Sailfish. I wonder if you got a lemon, or if there is some sugar coating going on. Was 2002 the first year for this run of boats?
There have been several negative reports that seemed to eminate from the 2002 year models and prior particularly with respect to wiring issues. I believe in 2003 they changed to a harness that was shrunk and sealed in a appropriate marine fashion and this has been solved.I have looked at the Sailfishes very hard and have been to the factory. Good outfit. I believe that they continue to strive to improve their products every year. I would consider them solid mid tier to upper mid tier quality. The biggest thing that separates the Sailfish line from some of the rest is the 22-24deg bottom. If it had an 18 deg bottom it would be about the same as getting a Sea Pro, Key West or Sea Hunt (albeit the Sailfish has somewhat better hardware).Specifically to answer Angler 48. I think I would buy a Sailfish before any of the boat lines you mentioned except maybe Wellcraft.
Sailfish 2660 CC 
