28' Bluewater Boat???

[lmontagnaj]

Anyone own a 28' Bluewater Boat or fish on one that size???

Pros?

Cons?

[bbogue]

Lucian,

If you haven't already, you might try The Hull Truth message boards. You'll find 'em there for sure. Good luck.

Bill
Miss Ginya

[lmontagnaj]

Bill:
I try to avoid THT... You get experts who don't know shinola... With that said, I guess it's worth a shot...

BTW: You trailering down tonight????? I think the bite might turn on by tomorrow if the water keeps on moving in... I'm thinking 280, but I could be wrong.....

[On The Line]

Lucian, there a quite a few on the florida sportsman boating forum but they really like the sea-vee's. The folks with bluewaters down there love 'em though.

[bbogue]

Lucian,

You might also give Paul a call at the factory. I'm sure he can put you in contact with someone closer than FL. Watch his site for used ones, too, if that's what you want.

Yeah, tomorrow morning. Will probably fish the 280 area unless my crew decides to bail. The lack of good reports is discouraging...but that's fishing. Tomorrow could be the day.

Bill

[lmontagnaj]

Bill:
I called Paul today and he is putting together a quote for me. I hope it's what I can afford... I also found a 2003 loaded with 250 Evinrudes, but I want 4 strokes, preferably Suzukis and he is asking way too much IMO, he says he has some wiggle room though.. I will keep you informed..

Hope you get out and CRUSH the YFT

I talked to Jimmy and he is heading to the Rockpile... I'm thinking the bite will be a little north, but he has a way of finding the bite and I think he will catch fish...

[bbogue]

Lucian,

A few things about my boat you may wish to investigate when you ride and possibly order the 2850.

My batteries are installed in the transom under the livewell. I've had some instances where condensation from the livewell was dripping on the batteries. I put rubber connection covers on them but I wonder if there might be a way to install them in the console with some sort of a hatch for access. Better for weight distribution, too. There's an electrical terminal strip mounted on the transom wall too behind my batteries which I keep coated with silicone. I wonder if it could be located in a spot less likely to get condensation.

If you let Paul install your engines, make sure you do the research on anything special your engines need and get those things covered in your contract. For instance, my batteries did not meet the Yam spec and had to be replaced within 6 months of ownership.

Take a look at the bracket when the 2850 you test is at idle and trolling speeds. My bracket is awash at these speeds and consequently the engine cowling gets wetter than I would like. There are plenty of bolt holes on my engine to have mounted the bracket a couple of inches higher on the boat. If I were ordering again I would have asked about mounting the bracket a little higher.

I don't have a center rigger and the rodholders in the T-Top are a little high to pull lures from. If you don't plan to use a center rigger, you might ask to have your center rodholders lowered a few inches...not all of them, lest the end ones will become head knockers.

I think Paul tends to try to rig his boats for speed, possibly because many of them are used in SKA. My engine was mounted a little too high IMO and the prop they installed initially was pitched too high. In my first sea trials, I could not maintain a "bow up" attitude in a following sea without prop blowout and could not get the max engine rpms, even with a light load. Lowering the engine a bolt hole and dropping the prop pitch 2" took care of these problems.

I chose the best electronics I could get and afford without going to color. I regret that...visibility in sunlight is impaired. Get color.

I have the overhead electronics box and like it. Get it.

Overall, I like my boat. I do have a list to port caused by engine torque...overcome easily with tabs...that should not be a problem with twins. You might check tab sizes, though. I'm not sure that Bennett would concur with the size tabs on my boat...a little small. A friend has had some gelcoat issues which Paul took care of by paying someone locally to repair. I have had no such issues.

Best of luck.

No, I'm not fishing today. NUTZ!!!

bb

[lmontagnaj]

Thanks Bill... I have the Raymarine C-80 I will be removing from my current boat and transferring to whatever new one I get. I also plan on a backup with the new xm system with the sattelite overlays to keep check on the weather.

I too want the rocket launchers where I can reach them and will give measurements before purchase and I plan on installing a center rigger as well.

I am concerned about the electrical issues. Before I buy I plan on a test ride and visual inspection of any boat.

Thanks Again[smile]

BTW: I spoke with them yesterday and we talked about the wet ride I had on your boat on a rough day with no curtains and he told me we weren't going fast enough.. I don't think the 28' will be as wet, but if I buy I will have curtains made ASAP. I'd rather have spray on the boat than beat up a crew..

[bbogue]

Lucian,

Concerning the wet ride. Bluewater may have been right about not going fast enough. Last fall, on the trip buddying with JimmyK, my crew was getting wet on the ride in. I let a hot-rod friend have the wheel and he added 5mph and spraying disappeared behind us...a little tough on the crew however...no shock absorbers on my boat. Certainly, this year whenever we seem to be getting wet, I'm going to try adding speed to deal with it.

Bill

[lmontagnaj]

Bill:
Bluewater gave me a great deal on the boat fully rigged to the hilt.. I'm trying to set up a test ride... I will keep you informed...

Hope it's what I expect...

BTW: I went and looked at the 26' Regulator today and that isn't so bad either.....