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California Spearfishing Talk here about spearfishing on California's Pacific Coast, and post those reports and photos! |
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07-20-2011, 04:40 PM | #31 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: 805
Posts: 421
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Great writeup Lance!
Radon Boats are hands down one of the finest for our local conditions in the SB Channel (and Hawaii too). Andersons and Wilsons are damn nice rides too. I don't fish or dive but i have been surfing the Islands and Ranch for many years now and after enough white knuckle rides home in deep V boats i knew it was time to upgrade to a modified V Radon. The real nice Radons were way outta my price range so the first one i bought was an old urchin dive boat, ran solid and was extremely stable. The boat i really wanted was a 20 ft Radon that sat in the harbor but was well outta my price range. Finally last year the owner and i struck up a deal and i sold the 24 Radon and bought the 20 fter, which had more creature comforts (like seats). Turns out the boat i bought is Don Radon's old surf boat....STOKED!!! Don and Linda are super nice people and after talking to Don it turns out my 20 is the boat he used to make the mold for the new 22's...he just raised the sides a bit. It's cool to own a neat little piece of Radon history. These boats ride so well in the rough stuff, even my little 20fter, it's unbelievable. In boats i have owned of similar size where i would throttle down to 12 kts i can keep charging at 22 kts in the Radon. Plus these boats are constructed so well they are as bulletproof as a boat can get. And it's stories like the one Bob Ballew shared about his 24 in super gnarly conditions that are a testament to these boats seaworthiness. here's a few shots of my Radon surf sled Caitlin: Anchored at Scorpion At the Radon yard Quote:
BTW, right now Don and Linda are out of T-Shirts but they will be ordering more soon so give them a call and get one on order...they seem to go pretty quick. Dolphins like Radon's too: SB Channel Crossing with Dolphin Friends - YouTube Here's a little vid of when i was in the process of buying the boat (i probably watched this video 10 times a night til i bought the boat): Radon 20 - YouTube Last edited by sbsurfer; 07-21-2011 at 07:30 PM. |
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07-20-2011, 08:01 PM | #32 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Camarillo, CA
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Bob, it might be interesting to compare weight. My 26' Radon is 11,000 with gas, water, ice, dive gear, and the trailer (weighed it at a truck stop once). That puts the dry weight at about 6,500 lbs. So I estimate the boat sits in the water averaging 8,500 - 9,000 lbs (with fuel, water, ice, gear, people, etc).
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Lance Merker Camarillo, CA |
07-20-2011, 08:22 PM | #33 |
thats fillet 'o' fish
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Nebraska by way of San Diego
Age: 39
Posts: 1,086
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
WTF. Now I just gotta win the lotto! What a beautiful boat!
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david any beach! anytime! as long as the wife and 2yr old says its ok |
07-20-2011, 09:46 PM | #34 |
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Location: O'side, CA
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
That's such a nice boat! Mine is the illegitimate bastard step-brother of the Radon. It is the H&F Custom made up in Oregon from the Radon mold. I love it. When I first saw the Radons, I couldn't stand the way they looked, but I saw mine and started looking at them in a whole new light. I would love to have a real Radon, but I will settle with what I have for now.
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07-20-2011, 11:14 PM | #35 |
Wong army Soja
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ka Lae Hawaii
Posts: 210
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Here some classic photos of early Radon experimental hull designs. Lance, you might have seen these. 68' / 69' / and the other is a 74' And of course the seven WSB in one day of your old man.
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http://www.pacificseasafaris.com Big Island Overnight Spearfishing Charters Wong Spearguns/Local made in Hawaii http://www.dwong@wongguns.com Del Pacificos dive group Est. 1969 http://www.delpac@delpacificos.com Keep Country Country |
07-20-2011, 11:32 PM | #36 |
Ocean Bound
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2,555
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
This is an awesome thread. Thanks for posting.
As a Parker owner, I first thought my boat was a little utilitarian looking. Soon after I started to love the simple 'commercial boat' look/feel of it. Same thing with the Radon's. I especially like the underwater hull cameras! |
07-20-2011, 11:40 PM | #37 |
I drive boats
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Santa Barbara/Vallejo
Age: 33
Posts: 624
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Growing up with Don as my uncle definitely had it's perks. We've had both a 26' and a 24' in the past and they were both awesome boats. Our machine shop does a bunch of work for their customers and I've had the chance to go out on countless different boats. Each boat has that Radon quality with cool personal touches. Can't wait till I can affoard my own.
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Hendrix Manufacturing-Machining/Welding-(805) 967-3050 |
07-21-2011, 12:06 AM | #38 |
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Location: Long Beach
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Are Radons still being built?...seems all I see in Southern CA is Davis boats, based on the Radon design.....am seeing more and more Parkers around Long Beach since I bought mine..
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07-21-2011, 12:30 AM | #39 |
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Location: Camarillo, CA
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Sasha, those are some amazing photos! Where did you find them?
Yep, that last one I know well.
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Lance Merker Camarillo, CA |
07-21-2011, 12:46 AM | #40 | |
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Quote:
Sasha...awesome pics man! very cool to see the different concepts of the hull design (almost as cool as your avatar photo, that is sick!) |
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07-21-2011, 01:02 AM | #41 | |
Wong army Soja
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ka Lae Hawaii
Posts: 210
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Quote:
Your vessel is beautiful! All the bells and whistles! The cameras are mental!! Your kid should be so stoked to grow up on that Rolls.
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http://www.pacificseasafaris.com Big Island Overnight Spearfishing Charters Wong Spearguns/Local made in Hawaii http://www.dwong@wongguns.com Del Pacificos dive group Est. 1969 http://www.delpac@delpacificos.com Keep Country Country Last edited by Sasha; 07-21-2011 at 01:29 AM. |
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07-21-2011, 01:20 AM | #42 |
Wong army Soja
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ka Lae Hawaii
Posts: 210
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Along with Don still building boats out of Goleta, so are his brothers with the same traditional concepts. Ron Radon yard is up in Merytle Creek Oregon. And Mike Radon who's located in Aarapapa New Zealand. Don't know if Mike is still building. He runs an aquaculture farm for abs. Havnt spoken to him since Mickey Doyle passed. Last boat I know of by mike is a 32' that was up for sale in Ensenada in 08' for $150,000. Ron is still put em out.
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http://www.pacificseasafaris.com Big Island Overnight Spearfishing Charters Wong Spearguns/Local made in Hawaii http://www.dwong@wongguns.com Del Pacificos dive group Est. 1969 http://www.delpac@delpacificos.com Keep Country Country |
07-21-2011, 10:09 AM | #43 |
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Location: Camarillo, CA
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Sierra Bravo, you must be a Hendrix! You guys do awesome stainless work.
Here's a shot of the kelp knife you guys did for the leading edge of my Bravo III
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Lance Merker Camarillo, CA |
07-21-2011, 10:24 AM | #44 |
KITESPEARO
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Awesome boat... i would even own this on South Florida...looks badass
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07-21-2011, 12:47 PM | #45 |
Works too much :(
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 69
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Re: California Dive Boats -- the legend of Radon (pictures)
Awesome thread!
I'm had my Radon for almost 10 years and just adjusted my life so I can start using it a WHOLE LOT MORE! I just moved my house to CI harbor(boat is dry storage) and my biz to Ventura. Before that it was a 60 mile drive for me to the boat just to realize I forgot some tools. Restoration is on like Donkey Kong now(well almost)! I figured I was not getting any younger and it's time to do what I want. Greatest feeling? Taking my almost 70 yr old dad out diving. That my friends is priceless to me. I'm glad I'm doing it on a Radon!
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Hey guys. Woah, Big Gulps, huh? All right! Well, see ya later. |
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