Offshore Fishing Reports - Kencraft boats - What is everyone's opinion of the sea king boats? Are they a good buy for the money? What about the ride? Thinking about a 230. Has anyone got any bad experiences to tell? Is 2 150's enough or would 175's be be

fishinbumnc · Ol'Salt Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 368

What is everyone's opinion of the sea king boats? Are they a good buy for the money? What about the ride? Thinking about a 230. Has anyone got any bad experiences to tell? Is 2 150's enough or would 175's be better? I'm looking for fuel economy and range not go fast/ burn gas Laughing

. I'd like to have a 26' but with fuel going up I may stay in the big 23' class. Oh yeah, I'll be running quite a ways, I gotta likin to stream fishin. Thanks for your time.
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Donnie (Reel Affliction II)

jimshady · Ol'Salt Joined: Aug 16, 2007 Posts: 321

I liked them when I went and looked at them a few months ago. I think I liked the old challengers better, but that personal opinion.

BigE · Ol'Salt Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 367

I have the 21' & I think it's awesome for it's size.I looked at the 23' about a month ago at Anglers marine and I thought it was sweet. It had 2 Suzuki 175hp 4 strokes. That boat can hold up to 500hp.The only thing I don't like about mine is that it don't have a full transom with a bracket like the 23'. The only thing I didn't like about the 23' was that I can't afford it! Laughing

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Think like a FISH

jeffrehs · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

One of my good friends has a 21' and loves it. A great boat for the money.

jeff
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22' seapro/ 200hp suzuki

JO · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:26 pm Post subject:

Nothing against Sea King/Kencraft but I would shop around for a used 23 Contender with either twin 115's or 150's. Much better fuel milage due to hull design. There are plenty of them out there on the market still under warranty for much less then a new 23 Sea King. With these fuel prices there are countless GREAT deals out there.

e40 · Mate Joined: Mar 12, 2008 Posts: 18

definitely a battlewagon! i have a friend that has a 05 w/ twin etec 225"s for sale.

rodhog · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:13 am Post subject:

You will not get a better boat for the money. It is one of the biggest fishing small boats on the ocean. Very sea worthy / safe. I may not be at the fishing grounds as fast as others but, I can fish about any sea in the same rough waters as a 30 ft..
As for engines do not under power, this is a heavy boat. Under power causes you to have to run your 150/175s harder to push it, therefore burning more fuel... Extra power also saves fuel..
Any 230 or 235 Kencraft owner will recommend at leaast 200's..

Miles 235 Kencraft Challenger...

CrabMan · Ol'Salt Joined: Apr 03, 2007 Posts: 332

I heard the 23's ride good. Never riden on one. I have riden on a 25 and it will beat you bad in chop hung

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Tony Pavone
High School Mathematics Teacher
Y-Not Fishing Team
SKA Divisions 1 & 2
23 Key West (2) 140 Suzuki 4 Strokes

rodhog · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

Tony you need to call me. I have a simple fix for it. My friend has his 25 riding great & he helped me get my 215 riding great also. Theres not many short boats that ride good in a chop and I know of some high dollar long ones that don't either. The 215 & 250 challengers have a 18 degree dead rise which hurts the ride but is well worth it when you arrive at your spot and are not getting tossed around due to a lot of dead rise.
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If you cant feed it, don't breed it !

BigE · Ol'Salt Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 367

Trim tabs are a must!!!
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Think like a FISH

CrabMan · Ol'Salt Joined: Apr 03, 2007 Posts: 332

The one I fished on had 150 lbs of sand in the front compartment and it didn't help. The one thing that did was putting wedges in the motors. You are right about one thing, once you get there it is very stable and fishes great.
_________________
Tony Pavone
High School Mathematics Teacher
Y-Not Fishing Team
SKA Divisions 1 & 2
23 Key West (2) 140 Suzuki 4 Strokes

rodhog · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:03 pm Post subject:

Yep, if you weigh it out you spend more hours fishing than riding and the comfort of your fishing time will out weigh the ride. As you and I both know there are new boats out there that don't do either well.
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If you cant feed it, don't breed it !

CrabMan · Ol'Salt Joined: Apr 03, 2007 Posts: 332

well said
_________________
Tony Pavone
High School Mathematics Teacher
Y-Not Fishing Team
SKA Divisions 1 & 2
23 Key West (2) 140 Suzuki 4 Strokes

fishinbumnc · Ol'Salt Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 368

Miles you are right about less deadrise fishing better, I have a c hawk and would love to find a 26' but need a "head" for guests. What size motors you got? Are they 4s or hpdi's? How many mpg you get? Seems like all the great deals are within a few thousand of what I can get a new boat for.
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Donnie (Reel Affliction II)

chumpuppy · Ol'Salt Joined: Apr 17, 2007 Posts: 135

you might want to try this site:

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/products/perfbull.aspx

It will give you some pretty good comparisons of several makes of boats, Kencraft included, with various power options. All yamaha of course.

I have driven the 21ft kencraft or sea king, it's a great boat. I would venture to say that now with fuel as pricey as it is this is a better option than a 23ft. My neighbor has a 23 w/ twin 225s. It sure is pretty sitting in his driveway. Not sure if he can afford to run it right now without a second mortage.

I like my 21 ft hydrasports. It is a little beamier than the kencraft and does not ride as well. Love the fuel burn with it, though.


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