Need comments/input on a boat

[JimW]

Does anyone have experience with the following boat? Contender 31 Cuddy. If so, how does it ride and what are the suggested power requirements. Not interested in a rocket ship, fuel efficiency and ample power is my concern. I've seen twin 225 Yamaha 4 -strokes on some. Is that adequate power? I'm kinda stuck on the Yamaha 4 strokes.... but I'm open minded. Any input would be great. This will be a dive/fishing and grounds capable machine. A/C is required too.

TIA

[ITSABOUTTIME]

unless its a fisharound , you just can't ride in the cabin in rough weather, Luckily I tried one before buying. Ended up going with a Boston Whaler outrage to get the cabin a little more midship and generator for a/c. But now I'm much heavier and slower than a contender or intrepid. I guess for me I was shopping for my family. If it was my choice I'd go for contender with no cabin or the fisharound.

[JimW]

Thanks. The only reason for the cuddy is to get out of the sun, and sleep at night. I would never expect anyone to try and hang out in the cuddy while running!!! LOL! The bean bags are for running :)

I just want something simple to get out of the sun and weather and sleep at night. For my wife and 1 year old and myself. I know the cuddy was designed to sleep 2. But, we don't need much. I was thinking of the cruise air hatch mount with a portable generator.

Any thoughts on twin 225 4 strokes? Or would 250s be optimum?

[ITSABOUTTIME]

225s plenty contenders a light boat 250s will just suck more fuel

[Kahuna]

I would really suggest against the portable generator. You can kill yourself pretty easily.

You might want to look at go-fast walkarounds. Those stepover v berths are pretty usless unless you are on the hook. The 28 Mako John just sold was the ideal all around boat to me.


http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=28568&highlight=mako

[Spearchucker]

Jim,

I left your number at the office, I will call you tomorrow.

BTW - 225 HP 4s Yamaha is not enough ass for that boat.

[JimW]

I would really suggest against the portable generator. You can kill yourself pretty easily.

You might want to look at go-fast walkarounds. Those stepover v berths are pretty usless unless you are on the hook. The 28 Mako John just sold was the ideal all around boat to me.

I appreciate your concern about the generator.
The generator would sit on the swim platform over 25 feet away when in use. I don't really see how that would cause issues. Not only that, but I'd always keep a vent cracked regardless. I'm not really interested in a WA. The step over v-birth is what I want actually. Like a said I would only use it to get out of the sun etc. while on the hook. I want an open fish with a little sleep area, and something that will slice thru the gulf chop like a ninja :)

[JimW]

Jim,

I left your number at the office, I will call you tomorrow.

BTW - 225 HP 4s Yamaha is not enough ass for that boat.

Thx John