What to do, what to do???
 

It is one year today since HORBA was started and I am very deeply invloved with that....especially since we have some great plans for the future.

I am also involved with my son in Banana Boat Co and bringing on the new models....a long wait but almost there.

And now, I find myself in partnership with an old racing buddy frm the 70's, we just bought the molds etc of a center consloe deep V. Our new company will be called Gloucester Fisherman.

My feeling is, we should only make outboard powered boats and sell them ready to be rigged. The other alternative would be to have an option for sterndrives too. But that would mean a lot more people on the payroll to complete the installations etc.

We will be making these in a 27 foot model..(the hull was made years ago from a 27 Magnum) and a 24 foot model, the hull coming from the 24 Banana / Cigarette, and a 30 something foot, sometime in the future.

We have a few hulls and decks and consoles, that came with the deal that I say we should just blow out, let someone else finish them with outboards on a bracket.

BUT...fellow OSO people.... What to do......just outboards or sterndrive too? What is your valued opinion??

Pictures below are the 27 foot with a small cabin in front and console in place.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Honestly, in a smaller (under 30') center console, I wouldn't want inboards. Outboards are lighter, trim higher, are easier to maintain and free up more room inside. I don't see too many inboard c/c's and for the reasons above, I can understand why.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Thanks.....I agree with you....we are better off working with a dealer of outboards..(dealers) for various brands and let them finish the rigging.

Outboards on a bracket...... I think are better in these sizes.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Outboards only, no telling what requirements will placed on inboards regarding emissions etc and the packaging changes that may be required for some States.

Besides, with outboards you only have to deal with the quality/warranty of the boat.

Good luck

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Yep ..... Just Outboards !

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Outboards are the bulk of this market.

Plus, who says you can't add ihe I/O's later?

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Outboards.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Outboards Only :drink:
I would also be careful who I sold them to, to rig. If Im looking at a boat and the rigging is junk, I usually dont take the time to ask who rigged it, I just move on to another boat.

I would see if you cant start a relationship with someone to rig/finish them off for you and sell them complete. Or make the inhouse finished boats easily identifiable ie: Gloucester Fisherman 27 "Limited" or "Special" etc.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

One more vote for O/B only.....and I like that hull.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

i agree outboard only.

Everything else aside, from the business aspect of it by sticking with outboard only you will keep your costs down and allow you to become profitable in a shorter timeframe.

I like the fact that you are putting a cabin in the 27 footer. Its rare to find cc's with cabins until you get above the 30ft range. I think this will be a selling point for a lot of people who like the versatility of a cc without sacrificing protection from the elements, a place for the kid to nap, a place to change clothes, etc.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Since our background is strictly racing, all the rigging that we would allow, would have to be to what we consider racing standards and by someone that we are familiar with their work.

The only exception, would be if someone wanted to buy these 2, 27 foot hulls and decks that came with the sale....we would sell them as is without our name on them and someone could assemble them and rig them. They both have 140 gallon fuel tanks in them.

Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate it, and can see that outboards only is the way to go.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

with a name like Gloucester Fishermen, you got to off er it in a single diesel version. If you don't mind me asking, were was that pic taken with the tanker truck in the background? Good friend of mines father owns that company. Just curious.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

I would also have to say O/B's for that if it is to be set up as a CC.

The hulls that you have - what is the HID saying is the manufacturer??
Just curious.

Oh, and Happy BD to HORBA!!
I love what you guys are doing.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Definatly outboards,,,,,,it would seem weird to hear a fishing boat coming

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Charlie

I would carefuly consider a single i/o diesel. I am from Cape Cod and do quite a bit of fishing and have run around in all diffrent cc boats. The best boat I ever ran was the formula 233 that started life as a cuddy it was converted into a cc and they put a 240 hp yanmar with a bravo 3 ran better than any ob boat and burned 5 to 6 gal an hr at a 35 knot cruise.

I would consider going with the i/o option.

Hey on a diffrent note do you have any old bananas in the horba that are ready to race yet. I am getting ready to buy an older banana boat thatdid a little racing in it's past.

Oldschoolfan

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

I agree with everyone here. Outboards on a CC is the ONLY way to go. I really like the idea of selling without power. That gives the buyer a lot of options.

I would love to relocate to FL and be on your payroll !

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

If we did a diesel option, which set up would people like to see?

The Merc package with sterndrive .....what else is out there?

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Charlie - consider both I/O or Outboard - create a engine box - as an option - build to clients demands - individually - you should send the finished boats to a rigging shop for the I/O's - like Kurts Marine - also other shops like Bridge Marine in Point Pleasant NJ for Merc Outboards - then you are just a boat builder - not a rigger - that will help keep your costs in line - Do what you do best - and let others do what they do best - just my 2 cents worth ! PHIL

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

In a boat that small I would want an OB... Less rigging and more space in the cockpit for fishing.

As for Diesel, I would save that for a trawler version. Not many diesels out there in a center console. Given the length and width of the boat the Diesel may be too heavy. Also, I wonder what the cost differential is between a single O/B and a diesel. You may price yourself right out of that market.

On every small center console that I've ever been on with an I/O the motor box always got in the way when trying to fish of the back. The ony boat's that were any good had a v-drive where the motor was under the center console but I'd rather have a bathroom or storage under there.

I think this is a good question to ask on a fishing only website. What's important to powerboaters isn't as important to a fisherman.

Frank

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Thank you everyone.

I think we have pretty much decided that we are going to stick to outboards on a bracket for the 24 and 27 at this time.

We are going to blow out the two 27 foot hulls and decks that came with the deal cheap and then start fresh with our own stuff. Any one interested, PM me.

Maybe at some future point, if the diesels become more popular, we can take another look at it.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Center console boats w/ sterdrive jack shaft packages are popular now.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

Charlie

Cape cod marine 26 cc or I guess it is now the 26 albin cape cod just did one up w/ the volvo dou w/ a 300 hp boat does 50 and burns just 6 gph. That is a great ride. Yanmar also has a 270 w/ a merc 3 and it's a great package. I just sold a cc w/ twin 200 hp yammies and if I were to buy another i would lean toward the i/o w/ a jack shaft moves the weight forward and you have the reliability of the new diesels.

Think about it Charlie 5 to 6 gph at 50 mph

josh

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

I myself don't like outboards on brackets, they always get in the way when fighting fish, whereas an outboard hung on the transom it easier to fish over.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

I believe outboard would sell better, but single diesel under the console would generate alot of interest as well. The most important design of a CC (when used for fishing) to me is that it is self bailing and that there are mascerators on the fish box drains. Good luck with your boats.

Re: What to do, what to do???
 

SeaVee offers OB and diesel versions of most, if not all of their boats.. their under 30'rs are rarely seen with diesels though. Their 34 with twin Yanmars is an awesome package, but the smaller sizes lke yours are really better off with OB's IMO...