Flyfish Friendly Boats?

[northfork]

Have a chance to get a 23' Seacraft CC. Main reason looking at the boat is for the great ride - never been in one, but hear the ride is unmatched. Present boat is a 21 ft Privateer that gets a little wet and uncomfortable on the way back from Montauk Pt to Northfork of LI,NY going into the prevailing west winds. Just got into flyfishing and really enjoy it. The Privateer is a no-frills boat that has a lot of space that makes it easy to fly fish for 2 guys comfortably. Will I be giving up some of that with the Seacraft? It has a t-top, leaning post and a closed transom with an outboard on a bracket. I'm thinking the closed transom will give me adequate room in the stern. Anyone have this configuration and flyfishes? Would like to hear your opinions. Appreciate any help. By the way, this is a great site. Learning a lot about these boats. Really comes across how people love these boats.

Greg

[Ikan Besar]

Contrary to what many might think, a t-top does not impede fly fishing in the least. Most people that are in the least bit proficient with the sport cast side-arm anyway, so the top is a non-issue.

I have fished off a 23' that did not have a closed transom or bracket, and there was still plenty of room behind the leaning post to fish with a fly rod. I can only presume that the enclosed transom model would have just that much more space to avail of.

The only thing I would suggest is that you replace all cleats and other obstructions with flush mounted hardware if the boat is not already equipped in that manner.

Depending on what vintage the boat is, you may also have to get some custom racks to hang fly rods under the gunnels, but that is simple and inexpensive.

good luck [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Mark]

To further on Ikan's post, the ONLY person that ever wrapped a leader around one of the antenna's on my t-top was someone who worked for Sage rods [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Amazingly, countless other people with far less experience never had the slightest trouble with it.

Now, outriggers are another matter entirely, they can make fly fishing in the stern area downright sporting [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[northfork]

I.B., Mark,
Thanks for the quick response. You're making me feel better about my decision.

Greg

[RS]

Of course T-tops get in the way when fishing, and more so when fly fishing. Imagine being at the helm and jumping up on the seat to make a quick cast to albies that just showed up off the port bow. Maybe with the breeze blowing from the stern. Kind of tough to do with a T-top, but easy without, even with a buddy up in the bow. It’s also easier for two people to fish a small pod of fish, since both can cast to the same spot, despite the breeze. Without a t-top, you can cast through the middle of the boat.

There are many scenarios where a t-top gets in the way. Of course, it’s all a matter of degree. The 23 is a fine boat, and if the top is not to your liking, you can always remove it.

[Capt Chuck]

Hey guys lets not forget the main reason you have a T-Top!!! Not having one just to support a day on the water for the fly fisher is not the delima [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Can you imagine a double hookup on fly with a Bow Dodger, Bimini Top, Gunnel mounted Outriggers or a Radar Arch [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Thank God for the Radar Dome, Top Guns, Side Curtains, Radio Box, Rod racks, Light mounts, Crows Nest, Sun Protection, Salt Spray Shield, Fly Rod Holders, VHF Antenna Bracket, GPS Receiver, Rough Water Grab Rails and Sea Gull Crap Deflector!!!

Anyone want to go fishing on my 23' [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[catman115]

Northfork...
My brother in law has a 22' grady white center console with a T-top and he isa very avid fly fisherman. He fishes every morning in the summer and he has never complained about tangling line in the top. Albeit he fishes alone, 2 people would still probably be ok.