Fisher 25

[JamesDavis]

I have always wanted a Fisher since seeing them while out fishing with my father back in the sixties when they were first produced. Now I finally have (just about) enough cash to buy one but I have never sailed a Fisher and have no idea how well they sail or in fact anything about them. Can anyone help with say a list of pro's and con's. I'd be grateful for any comments.

Many thanks

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[rickwat]

I looked at various Fishers about 8 years ago when I got interested in sailing. The looks are certainly captivating and I was overboard(metaphorically) about the 37 and on cloud nine when I saw the 46 but I never saw a 37 at a reasonable - to me - price and the 46 was just so heavy and huge. I looked at a 31 I think it was which was excellent on deck but a poor layout inside. There weren't many to choose from and someone also suggested that although they are very seaworthy they tend to roll all over the place. They're almost worth buying on looks alone though and if you're not intending anything too serious I would think you would be well pleased.

Just one view.

Rick

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[freeman]

I have never been on one but do know the owner of one Fisher 25.

I believe that they have a lively and not always pleasant motion in a seaway.
I stronly suggest you do some research

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[david]

Re: Fishers

James I like you always wanted a Fisher, here is a heavily edited email that I wrote to someone some time ago.....

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In the early 1970’s my dream boat was a Fisher 30 built at that time by Fairways Marine but owing to a young family, mortgages and other priorities my bank balance was never going to allow the ownership of such a vessel. But I did manage a little Norman 18 with a twenty five horse outboard strapped to the back of it. By 1980 I owned a Southerly 28 but my dream was still a Fisher, It would be nearly twenty years before I could afford one.

In December 1999 having sold my business and retired to Cornwall I had the time and the money to think about buying that Fisher, but not the 30 now it was a choice of the 34 or even the 37. In January 2000 guess where I was? No prizes for guessing the LBS, first stop Northshores stand the present builders of the Fisher range. But alas no Fishers present only a Southerly and a Vancouver. I stayed about an hour poking about on the Vancouver but talking about a Fisher 34 to a salesperson who was gleefully rubbing his hands on what appeared to be a sure fire sale, and then I noticed on the very next stand a motor sailer, it was a Nauticat 331.
Finally after nearly thirty years my dream of owning a Fisher had vanished, there was no contest the Nauticat was the boat I was going to buy.
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The Fisher range in my view are over priced for what you get for your bucks, although large to look at they all suffer from interior lack of room (bad design planning), they don't sail very well, they all roll like pigs. IMHO




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[Sinbad1]

Sailors.....everyone has an opinion. Its one of the delights of this board in particular tho occasionally not every opinion is as accurate as it could be.

The Fisher 25 is a wonderful little boat. It is extremely well built and has the advantage of not having a canoe stern which gives it more form stability and a lot of room for the length. They also sail remarkable well and off the wind fly along. Of course the rather broad shouldered bow does prevent her flying up to windward thru the seas, but that is when the engine comes into its own, motorsailing.

The wheelhouse is small on the 25. If you are about 6' then it will be uncomfortable as you will have to bend you knees to see out tho sitting avoids this.

All the Fishers are round bilged with little tumblehome. This makes them very forgiving in a sea where they roll the bilge away from the seas presenting a hull to a sea rather than stiffening up and presenting the coachroof/wheelhouse. They certainly do not roll any more or any less under sail than another boat.

The long keel makes them stable and easy to steer in any sea condition. The quality of the fit out is practical and strong and is not merely superficial which is the case with some Nauticats. You only find this out when you are pulling the boats apart to work on them.

Their high bows and deep coamings make the boat very safe to sail and to work on. Close quarter handling comes with experience and needs practice due to the long keel and the propwalk. A bowthruster will help relieve some of the stress while you are on the learning curve.

They are not cheap to buy and not only hold their value but appreciate if looked after. Their is an active owners association which organises events around the Uk annually.

I bought my first Fisher when my children were tiny. It was the only boat that gave me the safety features I wanted with a young family and the ability to take us all wherever we wanted to go. We have cruised Holland, Belgium, France Portugal Spain and Italy. I was caught out in Biscay in the tail end of hurricane Bonny in a huge confused sea and stayed dry in the wheelhouse. My children are now at university and I have no intention of changing....well maybe after doing the Baltic and the South Pacific....

Get one.


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[l'escargot]

Do you know the builders website <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.northshore.co.uk/>here</A>?

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[Althorne]

You lucky man. Came to sea a bit late in life. Always fancied a Fisher 34 aft cabin to retire on. Still doing the lottery so you never know. I wish you the very, very best with you endevour.
Roy

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[Sinbad1]

Roy, unfortunately they have never built an aft cabin 34, the aft cabin was introduced on the 37 and there seems to be few of them about. Now if you want to see an aft cabin....have a peek at the 46!

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[JerryHawkins]

I have an F25

You'd be most welcome to visit if you're in the Plymouth area at any time.

Sailing performance is not the most spritely for a boat of its size, but as others have said: that's what the engine is for! Very seaworthy - I always feel safe, even in a seaway, albeit a little bouncy. I have the sloop rig on mine which I think gives better performance than the ketch.

Depending on size and budget, I'd suggest you look at the Fisher 34/37, Nauticat 33/331 and Cromarty 36. I'm torn between all three if/when we are able to upgrade.

Cheers,

Jerry

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