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Random Quote: Before I speak, I have something important to say
First I want to state the fact over again that I like sailfish boats and I think in the last couple years they have really come along way. Secondly I want to say that the ride was really good especially for a boat in this price range. However, like all boats there were a couple things I didn't like and on the boating forum, I said what I didn't like and of course some people got upset. So here are the pictures to back up what I was saying
Pic1 shows the raw water and freshwater pump on the floor of the bilge where they will surely not last long.
Pic two shows a mess of wires in the bilge
Pic three shows four tackle boxes full of water and condensation even though this boat has never been in the water.
Again I like the boat and think for the money its a good buy, but just like my boat there were couple other things I didn't like
Not that I don't think all boats have some issues. I have one with my sailfish that I think is a cheap part that I plan to replace and solve myself. But on to the topic above. Actually the pumps and wiring shown are mounted on a board about 2 foot above the bottom of the bilge almost level with the boat deck. Where else should water pumps be mounted. Not sure why they wouldn't hold up in a bilge when they are made to pump water. Not sure I like all the wiring they put in the bilge area myself but I have kept mine sprayed with CorrisionX and havent had any issues in 4 years. I do like that I can open the doors to that area and let it dry out and keep it sprayed where as ALL areas on a boat stay wet if only by condensation and many you cant easily dry out. I do think they could take the boats to another level with nicer wiring and have told them so. But fancy wiring runs, placement and labels takes alot more time and money to add to the cost of the boat. I plan to do some wiring cleanup on mine myself later. I don't have one of those glove box tackle trys on my 23. Doesn't look like a type of tray that would be waterproof. I would recommend replacing the trays with the watertight kind.
Edit. Guess I should say what I don't like. The little plastic battery switches. Don't know what they are thinking with those things. Plan to replace mine which is easily done. For the money I think they are a good buy as well and most of the issues I have had are easily modifed to the way I like them myself.
Not crazy about the fuel filters location (where you are sure to spill a bit of gasoline when you change them) over all the wiring and directly over the water pumps. I doubt they spark but changing a filter out on the water would have me more than a bit nervous... I just don't like filters in a confined space like that. Maybe no other option. Every boat out there seems to have a few issues but fortunately it's just details and most are pretty easy to fix...
My pumps are mounted almost level with the deck, as fairgame stated, mine is an 05. The only complaint I have after my 1st season is that the bolts that hold the hardware in place are a lower grade of stainless and some rust is comming through where the bow rail is mounted. I think this will be a PIA to upgrade.
In regards to the photo's...Like it was stated up above, My fresh and salt water pumps are up and out of the way, not near the bilge. The pumps are sitting right under my rear rod holders, and the thing I like is that they have tubes that run from the bottom of the rod holders, and work there way to the bilge. Keeps the pumps dry..
In regard to the tackle box, I can say that I have never had any water in the trays, nor the pull out tackle station, and I always give it a good cleaning from the outside and she is dry when I check after....
I was told or I read it here, that the pumps should be up and down, not lying flat..with that I don't know where they would mount them.
In regards to the fuel filters, I think it is a great place, it makes it easy to change them, no fuss no muss..but I do see the point that gas can leak out when changing them..I put a rags down on top of my pumps and wires to cover them....Anyway's I am very happy with my Sailfish..oh its the 2660..
Mark
__________________ 2660 Sailfish CC.
F150's, Furuno Electonics www.ShannonSea.com
I have an 2004 218. I never had a problem with water in the tackle box while it was a tackle box. Last year I removed the plastic that held the tackle boxes just making it an access door. That way I can easily check the hose & clamps for the scupper on that side. I like the quick access better than I liked the tackle boxes.
My pumps are mounted almost level with the deck, as fairgame stated, mine is an 05. The only complaint I have after my 1st season is that the bolts that hold the hardware in place are a lower grade of stainless and some rust is comming through where the bow rail is mounted. I think this will be a PIA to upgrade.
I have seen the results of a 04 218 left out on a moring for the season last year, every stainless screw was rusting, also the bow rail and stainless rub rail, the console is two piece and the calking that seals the two pieces together needed to be replaced, the hatch covers and tackle center in the rear were comming off, the holes they cut for all the hatches were cut too big so only a few screws held them in place so the other screws were glued in place, all not easy stuff to fix
It was posted earlier that the Stainless screw problem was fixed for 2005. Sorry to hear that yours rusted so.
__________________ 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
Just an update. I have also since heard from a good source that they have some new battery switches that are more sturdy as compared to the ones in my boat that was one of the first 2360's built. As usual they are busy trying to make the boats the best they can while keeping them a good value. Its good to see a company that continually tries to solve any concerns with the hardware on the boat.
Hi, I am a new Sailfish 218 owner (it's an 06) and I had some concerns about my boat. I won't post my concerns as a thread, but I have shared a couple of thoughts with fellow owners I have found on the web. My sailfish arrived with a couple of gel coat cracks where the cutting board hinges were screwed into the engine well. The dealer performed his magic on the cracks. My stainless which they says is specially treated in their literature has rusted before my eyes, especially the ladder brackets. I'm waxing it but will be replacing it this spring. All my gauges have "failed" and are innundated with water. Teleflex has already warrantied me out a new set of gauges. My Rule bilge pump has already fried and Rule has warrantied me out a second. I have spider web cracks where the transom joins the floor and a ton of scratches on the non skid which make me wonder if the gel coat is soft. I have also had problems with the Yamaha 4 stroke 150. Yamaha has been involved and has expressed concern towards the rigging, the shift cables, the Mercury ignition switch and the the aftermarket fuel filter. I had stalling issues they attributed to the rigging of the shift/ throttle. I contacted the factory, and the VP (son of owner) told me my rigging problems were "all in my head." Not cool. My boat spent more time at the dealership and with the Yamaha techs than it did in the water last Summer. It was not the new boat experience I had been hoping for and it seems that I have no choice but to go along. The dealership certainly did what they could. They put 20 hours on my motor trying to find a problem. Yamaha went above and beyond. A guy from Wisconsin even came out to look at it. The cap of my engine got scratched up at the dealership and the tech hit a rock with the lower unit test driving the boat. He replaced the cap and the lower unit (I was told to a tune of about $4000). I'm thinking about getting Yamaha throttle cables, an ignition switch and and going to a professional rigger and getting things straightened out. I bought the boat to fish in the ocean, and I want everything done right.
I changed my filters to the racors with the nipple on the bottom for drainege - Just put a glass jar underneath to drain -no problem. When changing the filter in the past only drops of fuel come out
I myself have a 05 266 sailfish and have had very few problems. What problems i have had, sailfish and Coral bay marina in Morehead fixed them without even complaining. Both have been great people to work with. No, it is not a regulator, but I did not pay the regulator price either. I have made many offshore trips out of oregon Inlet to the stream and have been very pleased. I find myself able to cruise around 28-32knots, and most days that is all you can do on any boat and stay relaxed out of Oregon inlet. I myself have had the rusty bults and strews too, but a little rust cleaner usely cleans them right up. Very pleased, would love to ride on that new 30 footer and see the difference.
Sailfish boats..pics 
