Thoughts on the Conch 27?

[Matt1121]

Hey guys-

Is the Conch 27' made be Edey & Duff a clone of the old Seacraft 27 hull?

The Conch is made up here in Massachusetts (and I believe a 2nd factory in Florida just opened up) and I was wondering what the general opinion was of it's design and construction methods. I know Ray Hunt designed the hull and heard many Key West guides use them.

I had the opportunity to go out on one during a charter out of Manchester (Mass.) and at the time I was impressed, but it was 4 years ago and I really didnt know as much about boats as I do now.

[John R]

Good looking boat...

I know the lower hull design is different than the Seacrafts - not a knock off like a lot of boats are. It also is a bit sleaker looking than the SC...

I think Trayder is somewhat familiar with them and I know he speaks well of those boats too. And a LOT of guides do use them. That says a lot.

[ychtcptn]

They are starting to catch on with the local tournament guys around here. I have heard they are great boats. One negative though is that they have a low gunnell height, which makes it easy to fall out of the stern.

[Marc Googer]

They are top notch. very sexxxy lines and well built. They dont have a interliner, but the deck is molded and hatch lips. The sides are cored and the deck is glassed to them(I belive the deck is bonded to the stringes with plexis). This makes the boat solid as a rock and very quiet. Then finished to charter boat or yacht finish.

[Reel Smoker]

I think they are awesome they ride great. I would definately put twins on them. I know of a guide down here that got rid of his first one and ordered another with twins.Them and a whitewater 28 is about the only one that I would switch to from my 23 Seacraft.RS.

[Trayder]

Not only are they great boats but they are made by a great company. David Davignon (sp??) is the man from Edy and Duff who spearheaded the Conch 27 project many, 10+, years ago. He spoke with many Key West Guides and from their input created a boat for them. It is whatever you want, cut out transom, bracket, OB, IB, multiple livewell, etc etc.. Their Mattapoisett yard is 5mins from my office and I stop by a couple of times a year to see what is going on. They build them one at a time and all by hand by 3-4 craftsmen.

The only reason I did not buy one was beacause it was too heavy for me to consider towing with a Suburban. Awsome boat and a fantastic boat company.

I am pretty sure the Conch 27 is an original design but an intereting tidbit of info is the Yellowfin 31 is a copy of a Conch 27 with a stepped hull and integrated transom.