*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: Fishing is like sex....even when it's bad....it's good
Wellcraft...Dusky?? Ugly boats??? Thats how boats are supposed to look. Nice full transom, flared bow, lots of freeboard..What's not to like??
And the FAC model like mine you can actually walk around...comfortably and safetly. More importantly you can fish around. We fish six people without even blinking while drifting and getting to the bow to drop the anchor is not like walking a tightrope..I could run around the console in rough seas and not worry about falling out!!
Check out the pic of the boat and a full size Tahoe towing her. Thats almost a 27' 23 footer....Here are a few pics...
Scott I like the hull. It's the slab sided cuddy. It looks like a dog house with windows. Yes it's easy to build. But it has no asiatics. [not pleasing to the eye]
Scott D, are those pictures from Manahawkin, N.J. They look familiar. I spent all my summers as a kid in Beach Haven West. Great times. By the way, nice looking boat. I miss the Jersey shore.
OK I understand. The cuddy us boxy, but thats why its roomy inside. I was amazed at how much room there is. Sometimes I have 3 people sitting in there (with no one laying down) on the long ride in. Also, the boat is very easy to clean up. There are not a lot of spots where water can leak into the hull. Theres not a real complicated deck with lots of curves and crevices to try to scrub with a deck brush.
I think the basic deck is eaisier to layup with more consistently thick glass. Also eaisier to make sure the deck and hull bond together in all the right places.
Those fancy cuddies definately sacrafice space for looks. I'll take the high windshield and full transom as protection any day over the "euro design". I'm not out there to do a dog and pony show, I want to get the boat fishy and do it with a maximum level of comfort.
The "doghouse" is a great place for people to sit while drifting or sunning [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] and better yet I like it to lean against while fishing. Also not bad for hiding from a stiff NW wind on a cold November night.
Everyone who has fished with me has liked the layout.
I still like the look (but I'm biased) and I rarely can get away from a boat ramp without someone saying "nice boat".
The pics are in fact on a lagoon off of Barnegat Bay. I too love the Jersey shore, but I could do without the hour ride to the ocean with all the crazies out on the bay on weekends. All those boats sure do impress your non boating friends though.
There is nothing like coming out of the lagoon at first light to the wide open flat calm bay in a tee shirt (I miss the summer [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]), but the fishing is great now.... [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Scott,
I visited their website and have a few questions. Do they have a dealer network or do you buy factory direct? Is your boat 23 foot, what hp motor Ficht did you get, and how does it perform? What options did you get and why? If you have the transom seat could you post a picture?
Thanks
Bud,
NO dealers. They have been selling factory direct for over 30 years. This keeps the pricing very good. You have to believe in their reputation and be willing to do minor things yourself if you buy one and live outside Florida.
My thinking goes like this. If something minor breaks, I will fix it. I get parts at no cost for the first year. I would do this if the dealer was where I do my boating anyway. I don't want to waste the limited time I have to go fishing waiting for a dealer to fix something minor.
If something big goes wrong(like a structural issue) I would want the factory working on the boat, not the dealer. Dealers don't build boats so why trust them to fix something big. This should ALWAYS be done at the factory in my opinion.
My boat is called the 23 FAC. Its a 2002 with a 2001 225 HP Ficht. The centerline length is listed as 23'3" with an LOA of 25'11". The LOA is closer to 27' now that I have added the bow pulpit.
I got lots of options which I don't have time to get into now - I can let you know tonight. I don't have the transom seat - it gets in the way while fishing. I have plenty of seating and most people like to stand anyway.
Sorry I forgot about the performance question:
- 43 MPH WOT
- cruise at 4000 26 MPH 9.8 GPH
- cruise at 4300 31 MPH 10.5 GPH
I have Bennet tabs
The boats handles nicely. I have had her in seas to 5 feet.
I am very happy with the performance of the boat/motor combo.
The dusky has been on my short list for my next boat. The positives you mentioned are just those things that I value highly. Thanks for taking the time to post them. If you ever decide to sell let us know first.
I've been to the Dusky facility in Dania..very nice folks..walk in sit down and have them design, outfit and build your boat from the bottom up...the materials are all top notch and they seem to turn out a very solid product. I live in the Norteast and we don't see many Duskys up here...the ones I have seen are usually owned by commercial fisherman/charter guys...that should tell you something..not long ago I looked at a 1976 Dusky 21' and other than a few cosmetic scrapes and gelcoat dings you would never know the hull/boat was 26 years old!! They are reasonably priced. ...and <IMHO> deliver good value for the $$$..give them a call they will send you a current brochure of their boats.
Seajay,
Just wondering who else your looking at and which model Dusky? I did lots of looking before I bought and I couldn't find any quality builders close to their prices, but they did raise prices for this year.
Scott,
Just a couple more questions. Will Dusky sell just the boat so one could choose the power? How are the seating arrangements and does the optional transom seat fold down? Will they deliver the boat and if so what brand trailers do they supply? Also, I noticed you have a bunk trailer so does a roller trailer have any effect on the warranty? What brand electronics do they install or can the buyer choose the manufacturer? I was seriously considering the Key West 2300 but after seeing one in person, there is not a lot of room in the cockpit, especially with the leaning post/bait station seating arrangement, and less room in the cabin. To me, the Dusky looks like a lot more boat for a 23 footer and would probably be cheaper. Do you have any more pictures of your boat you could post or email me?
Thanks
Bud,
I tried emailing you earlier today and I got a failure notice. Email me at landsdusky@earthlink.net
I have heard about Dusky selling just hulls, but I was strictly told no when I asked the question. I was curious what the price would be???? If they did, boy would they be cheap. If the 23CC is 30K and you take out the motor and rigging, your around 15K...They won't sell it to you. Maybe if they were slower, but they basically build all the boats they can in the room they have.
Theres always a few guys who rant and rave they want yammies and you can't get them as far as I know. People badmouth the Bomb product, but the V6's have been really good, solid performers. I did a lot of research before I bought mine and I heard lots of positive feedback with hardly any negative. The bad rap has to do with 150's and 175's from 98/99.
Now you can also get Suzuki (2 stroke or twin 140's 4 stroke)or Merc EFI or Opti.
I would assume the transom seat folds down. I didn't ask. The boat has 2 above deck boxes in the corners at the stern which can be used for seating. If I bring a large cooler, I like to put it between the boxes. If I bring the 72 Qt small cooler it goes on the platform and is totally out of the way. I got the leaning post with built in tackle storage. They usually put a livewell in it, but I rarely use live bait as it is hard to come by in NJ, so I went with the tackle storage instead. The back of the leaning post offers seating for 2. Two can stand or sit at the leaning post while driving. I love this setup. The leaning post gets you high enough so you can sit an still see to drive (and it has a backrest) or you can stand (which I prefer) and its also very comfortable. Email me about more on the layout...
Dusky supplies either Performance or Continental trailers as far as I know. Both are very good and looked nice. I went with a Loadmaster from Tampa, FL. I am totally happy with my choice. I called Loadmaster direct, ordered the trailer(7K capacity) and they delivered it to Dusky. It was cheaper than what Dusky, Performance or Continental (direct or thru Dusky) offered and had lots more of the options I wanted. They told me bunks only to keep the warranty and Dusky supplied Loadmaster with the dimensions to set up the trailer so the bunks sit where the flat chines are and align with the stringers in the hull. I would never go back to a roller trailer. The boat spends way too much time on the trailer and it weighs a LOT and now I never worry if its properly supported.
Its very easy to get on and off as long as the ramp has enough water. It MUST float off or its staying on the trailer.
I'm pretty sure they will install any electronics - email me..
My neighbor owns a Key West Dealer. He asked me if my boat was 30'. I see lots of different Key West boats at his dock as he gets 2 new ones every year. I like the boats and they were on my list to look at.. They were 5-10K more with less options and I think they are a lot less boat for the $$$$.
I read the posts on the F/S website and I'm not sure what ugliness people are referring to????
One guy said Dusky needs to get a "real" windshield. The windshield is probably 18" tall and does a great job of protecting the operator. A rounded lower windshield may look sleek, but one day you will take blue water in the face [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] and be wishing for that extra height...
My .02 on the looks....I like them because they work!
Sorry for the long post - I tried to keep it short, really. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]
Damn Scott, I dig your boat. She is just great. The 203FAC is on our short-list for a next-boat (the 233 is just a little too big for us).
Like many others, the only "ding" against them is no choice of Yamaha power. I'm not getting into a Yamaha vs. the rest thing here -- it just happens to be my 1st choice in power, and yet is not available on the Dusky (BTW, they have not, and do not, sell without power, as of now).
Of course Scout still tops my list, but Dusky and Cape Horn (if we decide to go "basic" [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] ) are always on that list. Now that Cape Horn can be bought with Yamaha power, they have the edge over Dusky (for me, anyway).
But, damn. Your rig is just a GREAT design. Good luck with her!
dusky 
