Pathfinder 2300 V
 

I was looking at the Pathfinder 2300 V, which is modelled after the 23' SC. Looks like a nice boat. Anybody got any feedback on that one??

http://www.pathfinderboats.com/pathf...specs/2300.htm

Looks a little lite, but the quality seems good. I will have to take a look at it.

TG_190

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

HA TG
Pathfinder is committed to a light hull designs which is great on bay boats and flats boats but when you use that same theory in open seas you can have a few problem. I am almost 100% sure that they are using a cored hull on that 23’ that can cause problems in the future just like a transom can get water logged so can a cored hull. Another problem is when a boat is light it could bounce when it hits a wave instead of cutting through it like a heaver boat of the same design.
FellowShip

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

Hey guys, were only talking about a 300 pound differance in the weight of a pathfinder 23 and my '78 cc 23. That's about the same weight of 50 gallons of fuel or one fat friend or 3 female "friends". Im sure the pathfinder is a sweet ride but not at 55k. As for cored hulls, that's another subject...

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

Been on a 23 Pathfinder and it is a NICE riding boat, even offshore....
If you have the $$$$, they make a nice boat. Just my two cents..... [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

I've heard nothing but good things about this boat, and the dealer sounds "eager" to prove that it handles the rough stuff well.

I've also heard that a lot of good design features are in this boat.
i.e. accessiblity, ergonomics, balance etc.

I will definately take a closer look at it, as it reminds me of the classic seacraft lines that I really appreciate.

As far as cored hulls go, I will do a search on this topic,
or but would somebody be kind enough to give me the skinny on the gotcha's of this sort of construction?

It seems like a lot of "high quality" boats are going this route.

BTW, for 55k -70K what boat would you guys buy in the 25" class?

I also like the specs and the story on the Cape Horn 24'. Seems like a good
offshore boat. I am also gonna look at the Triton 24 and 26.

TG_190

TG_190

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

TG,
The problem with cored hulls is that once you tap a screw or drill any type of hole, the coring is now exposed to potential moisture. You have to be real careful properly sealing a hole to prevent saturation. A lot of cored hulls use balsa which will wick up water like a sponge, become soft and eventually rot.

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

I emailed Maverick Boats, manufacturer of Pathfinder, Hewes, and Maverick boats, with this.......let's see what I get for a response.

"This question is most likely best served by someone with technical knowledge.

I have a close personal friend who is interested in purchasing your Pathfinder 2300, as am I.
One of the MAJOR concerns most people have been telling him about is the way the hull is manufactured. They say that this hull is manufactured with "cored hull" which, in time, will absorb water/moisture. This may happen from simple things such as screws being installed, age, etc. Could you please supply me with some detailed information regarding this subject? This would be greatly appreciated and help us make a determination on your product. I would ask the local dealer but I assure you, they are clueless about this question. I look forward to your response and thank you in advance."

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

And with the email, Maverick Boats responded, quickly I might add, with this!!!

"John,

Thank you for your interest in our Pathfinder 23DV. I have spent many hours in our demo 23 and can tell you it is a great boat.

We use a balsa coring in the 23 as do most offshore center consoles. What sets us apart is the lamination method, VARIS, that totally encapsulates the coring. With this method you get a perfect glass to resin ratio, something impossible to accomplish with hand lamination. The balsa coring makes a stronger bond than a composite core which we use in our inshore boats. We build these to take punishment and the balsa does a better job in making these boats "bulletproof".

Over a very long period of time, I assume the coring could become wet. I assure you, this would be very rare in this case as again the VARIS makes a very secure bond. If you check around you will find that the vast majority of offshore CC boats are built using a wood core.

If you would like to speak in detail please feel free to contact me toll free at 1-888-742-5569.

Skip Lyshon
Maverick Boat Company"

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

TG 190,

For a good explanation of a cored hull check out the link below. This website also has lots of other very pertinent info. on all sorts of boating issues.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/structuralissues.htm

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

Ha TG
Looks like I open up a can of worms for you on the cored hull thing. But you needed to know what the Pathfinder people don’t advertise much about their boats. There are a few other manufacturers that also use this cored hull approach. I believe most if not all Hydrasports boats are built the same way and lets not forget Boston Wailers. “For me” I would never buy a off shore boat with a cored hull I wouldn’t want to hit something like a log and have it go right through the hull because of it having balsa wood core. If I am going to spend big $$$$ I want it to be made strong. The other point about through hull fittings, attaching bilge pumps, and transducers through the hull would be a major major concern for me. In all farness though if I was wanting a light flats boat that I was going to push someone around with a push pole all day long I probably would want the lightest hull I could find.
FellowShip

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

TG,
If you would like to look at a boat that you can use for MANY purposes, take a look at a Concept. I am not saying they are the best for offshore but, they are a great boat and they do NOT have a balsa cored hull. That is what I am running now and I personally love the boat. They can be found at www.conceptboats.com
Hope Trayder doesn't boot me off for this.

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

Read these.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/searay_ba...re_bottoms.htm

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

Guys, I have to disagree with those doubting the cored hulls on the Pathfinder. I will not doubt your concerns with cored hulls in gereral but I am not too sure every one here realizes how different Pathfinders cored hull is from say a Blackwatch or other typical cored hull.

Pathfinder literally vacum bags each hull sucking the resin into the grain of the balsa core. Other cored boats simply spray gel coat in the mold, lay roven, lay core mat, and then lay roven over the core, allow to cure and pop out of mold this is what creates problems as there is no way for ploy to wick into the core if you just lay it over. Pathfinder goes through an intense process to assure the resin gets into the core which as Skip says makes it bullet proof.

here is a pic of a boat in the mold:

http://www.pathfinderboats.com/pathf...ages/resin.jpg

I hopped aboard one and was really impresssed, its a tad small for 23' and it does not share a seacraft hull design as TG thought but the wide gunwales, large console, agresive deep V, pitch bait wells, large livewell and composite construction has me sold. So much so that I advised one of my very good fishg buddies to buy one. ( I suggested a classic SeaCraft first of course but he wanted a new boat and is not very "hands on" althogh he liked the beer to work ratio) [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

He got a demonstaror model straight from Pathfinder and is happier than a pig in S&%$. Pathfinder has treated him like he bought a new boat and he has had it out almost every day since he bought it, he is down in the panhandle of FL. I am looking forward to going for a ride when he tows it up to CT for the summer.

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

Thanks for the suggestion for Concept boats, too many things working against them for my given situation. They seem well made, but not right for me.

Well, I've read all that Pascoe has to say about cored hulls, and such. What he says in the several articles I read makes sense to me.

Traydor, or should I say Traitor, (just kidding) I have heard that vacum bagging is a good technique, but you still do wind up having balsa below the water line (which pascoe drives home as a no-no). What are the best materials for stringers, as a lot of boat companies are advertising the high-tech "foam filled stringers". Is balsa used in the hull for chines/strakes as well?

The dealer I spoke with (Waretown,NJ) told me that the design was based on the SC23. I like the lines of the boat, and the story on the pathfinder site is compelling, but somewhat "deceiving" in that they neglect to mention the coring, yet go into gory details regarding the vacum bagging thing.

I guess it says a lot that you reccomend this boat to a bud.

Unfortunately, Pathfinder is not gonna be at the AC show.

What other boats would you consider??????
I am gonna be at the AC show, and want to give a good look at what deserves my time:

Triton,
Hydra-sports,
Sailfish,
Cape Horn,
Sea Craft,
SeaVee(?),
Yellowfin (?),
Contender (?),
Grady,
BW,
Dusky,
Robalo,
Regulator (?$$$),
etc.

Regards,

TG_190

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

TG-

I would not recommend taking what Pascoe says as 100% truth. Having read most of his articles he brings up many good points but his opinion often fogs the truth on some matters, do not take what anyone says as godsent, Pascoe, Powerboat reports or any one for that matter.

As for balsa under the waterline I if done right, as thepathfinder is, and well maintained, which every boat should be if you want it to treat you right, I would not hesitate. In regards to the chines/strakes I think they fill them with somesort of a resin before the balsa is laid down, I know that is how Contender does it except Contender only cores the hull sides and has a solid bottom.

you have to understand with production boats, there is no best boat or best built boat. All boats are compromises in one way or the other and the same goes for the way they are built.

As for your dealer saying the pathfinder is shares the SeaCraft design he is mistaken, it has reversed chines on the bottom not the variable deadrise hull as SeaCraft is knowm for, I will agree they are similar looking but they are vastly different in design and construction.

You have a good list going, although you are all over the board (which is good), I do not think you could add any, except the Conch27, and you should look at them all and figure out which config/build fits your needs then take the final 2-3 for a seatrail and make your decision.

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

TG,
I agree with Trayder here, and this is why. After I finished reading all of those articles, it seems that person is biased in some ways and if you really read deep inot it, it really seems there is, and pardon the expression, a hard-on for SeaRay in most of the articles. After investigating more last night, I still think the Pathfinder is a great boat. I have had the time to look at at them and they are a well made boat. Trayder's points on vacuum bagging are well made and again, I agree. Trayder's point on proper care with any boat is well made and is sooooo true. That is why we all look up to him so highly around here and that is why he is The Man!!!!

Suggestion, call the gentleman that responded to my email. He seems knowledgeable on the boats and if you need any other info, I am sure he will get it to you.

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

Ha TG
I’m responding to your list of boats you put up it seems to me you are looking at 23 footers or their about size for a few reasons like trailer ability, one engine boat of very good quality. If I am correct, then if I were you I would narrow your list to just a few. That make excellent boats in that size. My list would be the 23 SeaCraft, 23 Contender, 26 SeaVee which is a 25 with a built in bracket and does fine with one engine, and the 23 Yellowfin all these boats do not have cored hulls and if you ever decide to sell her many people would be interested in paying a fair price to get her from you.
FellowShip

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

Keep the Hydra Sports on the list as well. Their Vector Series 24 is a great boat with Very good range (350 MI), and a very smooth dry ride. Although the hullsides and decks may be cored I don't believe the hull is. At least not when I sold them a couple of years ago. But I could be wrong now.
http://www.hydrasports.com/Boats/Boa...=1&bid=71&sn=7

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

Thanks for all the input.

Here is the best of the Padcoe links on the subject:

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/core_materials.htm

See y'all at the AC show.

TG_190

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

TG,
I am going to the Miami Boat show during the next week. Skip, from Maverick Boats, has been kind enough to invite me to meet with him at the boat show. I will speak with him personally about all this stuff and get the skinny on the boat. Skip seems to be a genuine type guy and has given me his cell number to contact him at the boat show so we can meet up. They will have one of the boats inside at the show as well as in the water, according to Skip. Maybe all the CSC guys that are going should all meet up together and we can all go over to skip and tie him up and interigate him!!! Anyone have the bright lights????

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

I have some really Bright "GLOW" in the Dark Bullet Lures ! in "3" Sizes,Whatcha' got in Mind ? [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Re: Pathfinder 2300 V
 

Captain Jamie Boyle runs a new Pathfinder 2300 on Martha's Vineyard. Call him at 508-693-7454 and get his feedback.