Halfhitch
Well-Known Member
- Aug 24, 2021
- 841
- Boat Info
- 1988 Laguna 23CC
- Engines
- 1988 Mercury 135 Black Max twins
I was just wondering when Searay gave up on the fishing designs. If I knew the approximate year it would help in my search.
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I was just wondering when Searay gave up on the fishing designs. If I knew the approximate year it would help in my search.
Thanks, I will look into that model. It's a little on the big side, I had set my focus on 24-26 ft, but worth a look.The most recent 270 Amberjack was made from 2005-2009. (different than the 270 AJ from the 80's)
I really like the quality and good handling features of the Searays but to find a model with a livewell, fish box, rod holders, rocket launchers and an open cockpit for fishing seems hard to find.
The 270 and 290 Amberjacks had those features. Or at least could be spec'd with them. The default for the 270 was the single captain's chair, then added the optional fishing package: tubular arch, rocket launchers, 26-gallon live baitwell, prep station, cockpit toe rail, seawater washdown, and (4) four cockpit rod holders. A transom fishbox and cockpit rod storage was standard. The cockpit was pretty open when the aft bench was folded away. We could fit a double-size blow-up bed in there for overnighting.Sea Rays have never really been fishing boats, the Amberjack was the closest hybrid in that arena, but still not what you describe.
THT guys have a very different take. They seem to hate Sea Ray just on principle. Most of them seem to want to get away from family to go fishing, not bring them along. The SR Amberjack models were a nice way to combine both for someone not a hard-core fisherman. I can tell you bringing a fish onboard with a stern drive was pretty easy since there were no outboards to block the transom.As a follow up to Sky, as we know SR was always an upscale boat. Fish guys want barebones no upholstery fishing boats. SR and fishing was an oxymoron.
Go over to THT and ask what SR model they preferred for fishing.
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It's not a huge boat. 8.5' beam. It's based on the hull of the 260 Sundancer. The lower cabin layout is the same as the 260 DA. The difference is the deck layout. There were complaints that the hull was very tippy. If you didn't use your trim tabs properly (or they failed) it would tend to tilt to one side. But once you got the hang of the handling the 270 AJ was a great boat. I had one for 12 years. We sold it to get more overnight space.Thanks, I will look into that model. It's a little on the big side, I had set my focus on 24-26 ft, but worth a look.