I am sick of my center console "fishing boat" and want a full on, no bull, hard core dive boat and have a few questions! What does everyone think about C-hawk boats, specifically the 29 sport cabin? Are they solid no bull boats? Has anybody dove off one, and did it make a good dive boat? Are there other similar boats that you would recomend over a C-hawk?

c hawk makes a good dive boat.

i just saw a 25 kencraft buxton with a new 250 4 stroke in the boat trader.
i called he wanted 14k.

i had a 84' buxton.....awsome dive boat just like c hawk...enclosed pilot house.

no frills death machine.

i will try to find the link

Capt. Tom has that boat - handles weight well, real good dive platform. REAL nice to get out of the weather if things get crappy.


http://www.spearitcharters.com/7577.html

I've got a 25 chawk. Plenty of room for diving gear and fishing. Not the best in anything over 3-4's

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Chawk - I think lots of 25 foot boats start to get bumpy in 4 foot seas. Hell my 27 proline gets bumpy and wet in a solid 2-3 if the wind is blowing right. With the pilot house, at least I will be dry

Thats for sure its just that its a modified v hull and you get the hell beat out of you in running in 3'ers. Its a very versatle boat though because i can float in some pretty skinny water that most 25's can't.

CHawk,Privateer,Parker almost all the pilothouse boats suffer at speed in chop for one because you are further forward.Some WA and cuddies are similar.

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They are bare bones, hardcore fishing/diving boats. I have a 25 Standard Cabin and it's a great dive boat. The flat (12-degree deadrise) bottom does make for a rough ride at times, but it planes quickly and stays on plane at slow speeds. With four divers and 12 steel tanks, mine averages about 1.7 nautical miles per gallon. It's powered by a 250 OX66 Yamaha.

Being a center console guy my entire life, I can say without reservation that it's a wonderful thing to flip on a windshield wiper switch instead of taking waves in the face for two hours.

I have a similar boat, 24'6" Privateerr renegade. I love the shelter of the cabin... I think it beats out a CC anytime. Mine is also 12 degree deadrise, a single yamaha four stroke 225 pushes it a 28 MPH cuise getting 2.7- 2.8mpg, as calculated by GPS on two different occaisions, with four divers aboard. You cant beat that.

I have also loaded my boat with 5 divers and 19 high capacity tanks, and it will get up on plane and crusie no problem. Great little boat.

I think these cabin boats, all the types as listed above, are the ideal diving platforms for local waters. The only issue is the rough water handling which suffers from the flatter bottoms and forward mounted helm, but the tradeoff is well worth it. Parker makes a deep v model, but you will lose efficiency and need more power.

These shallow-v boats also get you into the skinny water! Ive had mine 60 miles ofshore, and miles up river, in this photo getting ready to dive hospital hole near weeki-watchee.

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Fished and dove off many different styles of boats and IMHO they can't be beat for diving and bottom fishing.

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Damn I want one of those. I guess I better go make some money.

Wow, thanks for the great info and pics everyone! I am sold on this style of boat now. Everyone I have talked to says these types of boat are a little rough riding but very solid boats, and will hold up in the long run. Also I think it will be nice to be abe to stay out of the weather if it gets nasty

My experience on the 29' model was awesome, maybe you should schedule a trip on the SpearIt and call it a "research" trip? I keep seeing people talk about rough ride, maybe compared to a cat but compared to my 26' wa century the 29' C-hawk was smooth as hell over the ground swells and chop. I also think most boats in the 30' size class will ride chop alot smoother since they tend to be on two waves at the same time, my 30' sportcraft rides great even into short period 4-5' seas that would cream the century.

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Pat,
Did you get my PM?

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Pat,
Thanks for dedicating your second post to my thread!

Hear are a few pics the dealer sent me, this is the boat I would get if everything works out. How does everyone like E-techs?

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Sweet boat. If I were to repower, I would get e-tecs, power to weight ration, and maintnance schedules are unmatched. Some people are wary though as some of the engines seem to serially blow powerheads, while most engines are fine.

Very nice! That one will get the job done. I wouldn't sweat the ETEC's, I've heard good things about them and you'll love the fuel consumption numbers. While on the subject of fuel, what is the fuel capacity of that boat?

Thats good news...I have absolutely no experience with evenrude's so that is pretty much the only concern I have. I believe it holds 189 gallons.

John,
The E-Tecs are good motors, my buddy has a pair on his 31 Jupiter. A good thing is there is a top notch mechanic that owns Beach Marine at the Port and he is a good friend. When you get the boat give me a shout and I will introduce you to him.

Thanks, Tom, that would be awesome. I am really hoping I can get my current boat fixed and sold before this one is gone.