18 vs 20

[dcobbett]

A few days ago, I got my first look at an 18 and I was pretty impressed. It felt larger than I had imagined. I liked the wide gunnels with rod storage under, plus the additional interior freeboard. Within the last week I also got a chance to fish from a 20 SF and a 20 MA. I was very impressed with the ride and the layout of both boats.

The spec sheets on this forum say the 18 is 1'-6" shorter and 200#'s lighter that the 20 SF and MA. Any opinions on the difference in ride between the 18 and the 20 ? Also, any opinions on HP for the 18? The one I looked at had a 115 Suzuki 4S on it and the owner said he thought it was not enough.

[RS]

Hi Dan,
You already know what I think - get the 20 like you planned. BTW, I found one of your mackerel flies on board. If it's OK with you I'll keep it to use as a good example. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Ikan Besar]

A few days ago, I got my first look at an 18 and I was pretty impressed. It felt larger than I had imagined. I liked the wide gunnels with rod storage under, plus the additional interior freeboard. Within the last week I also got a chance to fish from a 20 SF and a 20 MA. I was very impressed with the ride and the layout of both boats.

The spec sheets on this forum say the 18 is 1'-6" shorter and 200#'s lighter that the 20 SF and MA. Any opinions on the difference in ride between the 18 and the 20 ? Also, any opinions on HP for the 18? The one I looked at had a 115 Suzuki 4S on it and the owner said he thought it was not enough.

Unless you buy a new issue 20' or the older 20 "master angler", you will have to do significant work to the boat in order for it to handle rod storage under the gunnels (gunwales if you prefer).

The 18' is like a 20MA that was put in the dryer and shrank a bit.

When comparing my 18' and my 20', there is not a significant difference in ride quality, just a little bit of extra space inside the 20. They are very similar boats. The casting platform in the 18' is smaller than that in the standard 20', so the 18' has more space on the overall floor. The casting platform on the 18' is the same as that on the 20MA.

As to power, it all depends on how fast you want to go. The 115 that is on the boat you were looking at would certainly get you where you are going but you won't win any speed awards. The 140 on my 20 pushes it along at 40mph WOT. I generally cruise at about 27-30mph as it may make the pain at the pump less severe.

Both models are tail-heavy, so bear that in mind when selecting power or considering boats with heavy engines on them (providing they have their original height floors).

When having lunch with Bill Potter some time back, I think he put it most succinctly: "the 18' will do anything the 20' will do". That pretty much sums it up.

[eggsuckindog]

I had an 18 with 115 HP, and yes it could use a bit more but was OK.

[Michael Vezzosi]

dcobbett, how are ya? My brother, Part I has an '87 '18 and I have a '79 20 MA. Tommy's is powered by a rebuilt 1994 Johnson 150. Mine has a 1999 Johnson 175 carbed.. They handle very similarly and top end is very close, though being the smaller Big brother I can run him down! Also he stows 40 or so gallons of fuel vs. my 70 or so. We have not subjected our boats to extreme conditions but feel most comfortable in both. Neither has a port-a-potty, but Tom has a wife and three girls and I have a five gallon bucket. Tom has a small, usable console with a leaning post, and I have a monster with Captains Chairs and pedestals removed. We are easily differentiated. But most important, we are usually together, having a ball and sharing one "classic smile". The only time you'll see us riding together is in the Jersey Speed Skiff, and thats a whole other type of expression.

Honestly, his boat cannot go anywhere that mine can't, and vice versa. That's the bottom line. My first ride in a 23 was with Miles Offshore last December. We fished Stripers together, landed some nice fish, and caught some sweet conditions, against the forecast. That is a boat! Similar ride you would hopefully expect, but what a fishing platform! I think my brother and I would agree there is a difference between the 18 and 20, but step into a 23, for bigger water and fishing...well, I felt like I had graduated. Don't get me wrong, ours fits the bill. But if I could make the step, I'd be blowing out the rear wall of my boathouse, well, garage, I mean, house. But then again, living above it, I could not raise the ceiling, floor for the T-top. Did I tell ya, my SeaCraft is PERFECT???

Vezo, Part II.

P.S. Confused yet. It's like buying real estate. Just buy one. It's a chip, into "the game". Good Luck. You won't go wrong with any size.

[makade]

bump, not sure how to link!

[Mark]

bump

The beauty of this site is that info that was provided five years ago is still valid when discussing a 30 year old boat. There have not been any 18's made since the posts above, hence the info is still as good today as it was when it was originally posted.