Thinking of a Stabicraft for a fishing boat

J

JackJester

Smolt
Hello All. I’m looking to buy my first “real” boat. I currently own a 10 ft Koeffler whitewater pram. It is an excellent boat for fishing lakes and I spend many weeks up in BC in the summer using it. But I’d really like to get out on Puget Sound, Hood Canal, San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island BC Inner passage, etc. I want to go crabbing, fish for SRCs, Rockfish/Lingcod, and maybe some salmon (would love fly fish for coho in the kulp beds of places similar to Rivers Inlet BC). And, sightsee / whale watch / bear watch. Its just the wife and I and our Border Collie (a good boat dog). We want something small (< 18 ft) but ‘safe’. Unfortunately, we will have to pay to store the boat in a 10' x 20’ - 30’ spot; no room at the house. Will be towing it with a Tacoma TRD Off Road, and I am likely to add a truck camper (probably a Kimbo) to expand our range … particularly exploring on Vancouver Island. We realize it will be a challenge to camp on a small boat (maybe sleeping pads on the deck if the weather permits). This won’t be often since we will most often have a daily base marina to explore from. We are currently looking at a Stabicraft 1550 Fisher. https://stabicraft.com/the-boats/1550-fisher/#specification-section Boat has a Honda 75 outboard (60 gal tank). Does anyone have any experience with this boat and how we plan to use it? We would add electronics and fishing aids like a Riptide Terrova trolling motor and a Lowrance FS7 Elite fish finder. Thx so much for any feedback.
 
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I keep thinking someone with more boating experience will reply to your post. I've never physically seen a Stabicraft but see them for sale on Craiglist and have looked at your link: they look extremely well built and are apparently unsinkable ∴ safe (within reason). I think cruising a 15.5' boat (around the inside of?) Vancouver Island and doing some boat camping you're likely to find the boat pretty small. Two people and a dog and all your stuff.... I'm not sure I'd take a boat that small on the outside of the island. Good luck with your search, give some follow up, please.
 
Great boats, but I think that despite your storage limitations, you're going to wish you had something a little bigger. I think going any smaller than 20-22ft for what you have planned would be tough.

The one drawback to stabicraft boats is they are a little tighter for space inside than other aluminum boats. So if you are determined to go with that size range, I'd consider something from another builder.
 
I’m in the same boat (ahem) search-wise, with nearly the same criteria across the board. A whale research group I worked with had a ~20’ center console Stabicraft custom built back in 1999. We used it in the Bahamas. It was decently fast but I was surprised how wet the ride was. TBH we were kind of disappointed with it and much preferred our Novurania RIBs. I know back when Stabicraft first showed up in Bham they did a publicity run and took one of the smaller models up to SEAK. Looked like a fun adventure but I can’t find the write up.

With the closed bow and the arch, the 1550 looks challenging to fly fish out of. Probably makes for a drier ride vs. CC though. And camping in one seems like a miserable experience.

I will say that going from a 10’ pram in a lake to the waters you’re wanting to fish is a significant jump in exposure and experience. Something to consider.
 
Im partial to the Arimas and haven't spent time on a Stabi, but know they are well respected and highly coveted by some.

I believe they're built in port angeles now, so a factory visit may not be out the question.

Buy a motor that has good local service. All brands are pretty good these days.

I've got a 19 Arima, and although capable, comfortable, easily trailerable...I run into circumstances where I could use more boat.
 
Internal beam 53”?
External beam 79”?
So 4’ 5” walking space inside side to side. Kind of cramped 2 adults trying to pass.
 
Usually you gain space in an aluminum vs glass boat, but the chambers blow up that convention.

Fish whistle is another chamber boat that comes in a smaller platform.
 
Thank You @headduck The Arima looks nice and is similar to the 1850 Stabi I was looking at initially. Unfortunately, due to a few reasons, that's more boat than I can handle right now (i.e., the Arima Sea Ranger and Chaser are 19'). We really like to travel and camp at different fishing locations and will be getting a truck camper after we get the boat (most likely a Kimbo since it is one of the lightest well made campers available at 1080 lbs loaded) . But with my tow vehicle (beefed up Tundra SR5), camper, tongue weight of the boat/trailer, and other stuff, I am really pushing max GVWR; I have a very detailed spreadsheet to figure out all the weights to make sure it works. So I'm really looking at a fishing/adventure 'package' that is truck/camper/boat. And I'm not ready to move up to a full ton truck.

@Northern, I did look at the Stabi Frontier 1550 but its too open to deal with the PNW drizzle we most likely will expereince. I do realize that getting a first time boat is a big move. We have lots of experience in our little 10 ft pram with a 3.5 hp Tahatsu and trolling motor. This is a big leap in comparison. We would be spending lots of time on a low volume tuesday at Lake Samammish to get the hang of things before venturing out in big water. Thank You all for the feedback and keep it coming. I'm probably a month or 2 from making a decision. BTW, this guy has the same boat I'm looking at, and he takes it out to Neah Bay ... here's an interesting video (looks like he is out by the Cape Flattery light house). He's not flyfishing but this gives you a feel how the boat handles. I know Neah Bay is rough, so I certianly wouldn't be going anywhere near there without many hours more expereince. In this video he is crabbing in some choppy water in Grays Harbour Westport (at 23:20 he heads back in at speed, then a quick stop entering the harbour at the end of the vdeo... much too fast most likely).
 
Right on. You're a thorough cat for sure. Dig it.

Neah bay is small boat fishable by smart cautious folk...choose your day, catch a ton of fish.

Seems like the truck is wagging the dog here... With all the extra dough being thrown at the light and nimble, upping the truck seems like a spreadsheet contender. Although, I'm sure youve done the math. FWIW I worked around a f150 for a while and finally relented.

The smaller Arimas are pretty capable too. If there is more interest check out arimaowners.com .
 
headduck said:
Right on. You're a thorough cat for sure. Dig it.

Neah bay is small boat fishable by smart cautious folk...choose your day, catch a ton of fish.

Seems like the truck is wagging the dog here... With all the extra dough being thrown at the light and nimble, upping the truck seems like a spreadsheet contender. Although, I'm sure youve done the math. FWIW I worked around a f150 for a while and finally relented.

The smaller Arimas are pretty capable too. If there is more interest check out arimaowners.com .
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I'm pretty sure Mr. Jester wasn't really looking at alternative watercraft when he posted the OP. Stabicraft boats are very cool and that's what he wants. Playing it safe up around Vancouver Island's inside passage, it will work for him. And yes, he can fish for lings and rockfish and black sea bass around Wada Island, some days. Some - nope. The rough water video he posted - I hope he and his wife have strong, flexible spines. The boat may well take that kind of abuse but I'm not sure I want to endure anything like that ever again.
 
headduck said:
Right on. You're a thorough cat for sure. Dig it.

Neah bay is small boat fishable by smart cautious folk...choose your day, catch a ton of fish.

Seems like the truck is wagging the dog here... With all the extra dough being thrown at the light and nimble, upping the truck seems like a spreadsheet contender. Although, I'm sure youve done the math. FWIW I worked around a f150 for a while and finally relented.

The smaller Arimas are pretty capable too. If there is more interest check out arimaowners.com .
Click to expand...
F150 with the deluxe tow package can go a long ways :cool:
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I use the Lowrance gear as well. Take a look at the late model hds. Often they can be price comparable to current elites but with much more capability.

I imagine the captain will give up well before the boat will...
 
I haven't ridden in either of these boats, but any thoughts about the Montauks that are popular here? The center console design would be better if you wanted to fly fish, and glass boats tend to ride better than aluminum. Boston Whalers seem to really perform above their class I rode a 21' Whaler Walkaround and the ride quality was better than a 25' Pursuit I rode on the next day with a different captain, and honestly, better than our 25' Defiance Pilot House
 
speedbird said:
I haven't ridden in either of these boats, but any thoughts about the Montauks that are popular here? The center console design would be better if you wanted to fly fish, and glass boats tend to ride better than aluminum. Boston Whalers seem to really perform above their class I rode a 21' Whaler Walkaround and the ride quality was better than a 25' Pursuit I rode on the next day with a different captain, and honestly, better than our 25' Defiance Pilot House
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Montauks are love/hate with a lot of folks, myself included. I grew up with one in SF Bay and operated one out of FHL for five summers so I'd say I have plenty of experience with them. I'm speaking of the classic vintages, not the newer deeper V hulls.

They are a great platform for inshore fishing but definitely not wonderful when the seas get nasty. The modified V hull will beat the crap out of you in rough seas and the low freeboard makes for a wet ride. Especially concerning is the low transom; the boat I ran out of FHL capsized twice after getting swamped from the stern (not on my watch). My salty charter captain friends in SF were fond of saying the only boats they ever saw capsize outside the gate were small Whalers. "They'll float you but they'll flip you too!"

Hulls can get waterlogged over time which adds a ton of weight, so buyer beware when buying used. Some of these classics are over 40 years old now!

In the Salish Sea they are a "pick your days" kind of boat. I'd have no problem taking a 17' RIB into the gnar, but a Montauk... no thanks.

That being said, I'd love to own one. Or a 21' or 23' Walkaround. Or an Offshore 27. Or any of the Outrage cuddys.
 
If anyone needed an arima tour then they can hit me up. I have a 16 ft Sea Explorer which has the sleeper sized cuddy in the smaller boat. It's and old fishing boat but I love it and make it work throughout the straits and Puget sound. I pull it with a Honda pilot too
 
adamcu280 said:
Montauks are love/hate with a lot of folks, myself included. I grew up with one in SF Bay and operated one out of FHL for five summers so I'd say I have plenty of experience with them. I'm speaking of the classic vintages, not the newer deeper V hulls.

They are a great platform for inshore fishing but definitely not wonderful when the seas get nasty. The modified V hull will beat the crap out of you in rough seas and the low freeboard makes for a wet ride. Especially concerning is the low transom; the boat I ran out of FHL capsized twice after getting swamped from the stern (not on my watch). My salty charter captain friends in SF were fond of saying the only boats they ever saw capsize outside the gate were small Whalers. "They'll float you but they'll flip you too!"

Hulls can get waterlogged over time which adds a ton of weight, so buyer beware when buying used. Some of these classics are over 40 years old now!

In the Salish Sea they are a "pick your days" kind of boat. I'd have no problem taking a 17' RIB into the gnar, but a Montauk... no thanks.

That being said, I'd love to own one. Or a 21' or 23' Walkaround. Or an Offshore 27. Or any of the Outrage cuddys.
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Might be a function of smaller boats and less experienced crews but FHL seems to have quite a lot of capsizes 😂 While I was there one of the 18ft aluminum's got flipped in Cattle Pass. That place seems scary though, I was in Area 7 last Chinook opener and when visibility in the morning was less than 500ft I couldn't bring myself to try to go through there, even with radar
 
In sea conditions that a Stablicraft would outperform an Arima, why be on the water? Boating should be fun, not endured. And being boats shrink immediately upon leaving the dock as it is, why limit the size of the dance floor?
 
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speedbird said:
Might be a function of smaller boats and less experienced crews but FHL seems to have quite a lot of capsizes 😂 While I was there one of the 18ft aluminum's got flipped in Cattle Pass. That place seems scary though, I was in Area 7 last Chinook opener and when visibility in the morning was less than 500ft I couldn't bring myself to try to go through there, even with radar
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Cattle Pass is no joke. That's where one of the Whaler capsizes was. For the record I worked for a Fed agency docked at FHL, not UW FHL.

One of the common themes of all the incident reports is "it happened so fast" which is what happened to the crew after mine. Main engine lost fuel and died. There were three on board: one at the helm, one on the bow, and one attempted to start the kicker. They took a wave over the transom and that was that. They were all ok and the boat was salvaged but it was an eye opener. That's why we all wore Mustang suits even on the nice days.
 
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