Osprey sport fisher - any opinions?

[ParkerS]

Looking for a replacement for a Trophy sport fisher. Not very impressed with the styling or finish of the UK built offerings so considering another US built boat.
Recently, whilst in the US, I had the opportunity to drive a 26 ft Osprey fitted with a large Honda outboard. I am considering buying one on the East coast of America and having it shipped over, it does not seem difficult to arrange and the economics look OK despite the high $US.
Has anyone used one of these boats in UK waters? Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[ParkerS]

From the lack of response, it seems that the Osprey range are not well known in the UK, any other suggestions, ideally from owners, for a well styled and finished sport fisher in this size range?

 

[omega2]

There is a guy runs one out of brighton, find him on wsf, and Gcs is his avatar. Not been on one myself but they appear to be ok.

A Few on here?


http://www.newsnow.co.uk/classifieds/boats-for-sale/osprey-fishing.html

 

[maverickofpoole]

A chap in our boat angling club has one and loves his. His has the 240 Yamaha with TRP outdrive and flies along. We have buddied with him crossing to Alderney and a few times more locally it certainly seems to take a sea well.

I think generally anglers think they are pretty good

 

[ParkerS]

Thank you both for the encouraging replies and suggestions. If I could find a tidy one in the UK, at the right money, it would be a lot simpler.

There seems to be a strong preference for new boats in the US, meaning that used ones can seem cheap. That and the fact that many / most are dry stored can make importing one attractive.

 

[Spi D]

No input on the boat, but on the process of importing:

Do check CE marking conditions on the exact boat you desire. Remember to check CE notified bodies both in the US and in EU as cost may vary greatly.
Calculate the true cost of boat + transport, add duties and VAT.
Then add transport in the UK
Talk to your insurance. Do this before shipping the thing and make sure coverage is active before it leaves sellers yard.

Good luck - I know it is not impossible and that it may contain surprises if you do not collect all info before signing..

 

[ParkerS]

No input on the boat, but on the process of importing:

Do check CE marking conditions on the exact boat you desire. Remember to check CE notified bodies both in the US and in EU as cost may vary greatly.
Calculate the true cost of boat + transport, add duties and VAT.
Then add transport in the UK
Talk to your insurance. Do this before shipping the thing and make sure coverage is active before it leaves sellers yard.

Good luck - I know it is not impossible and that it may contain surprises if you do not collect all info before signing..

Thank you, sound advice to anyone new to the process.

I did import my previous boat, so I am familiar with the process.
Using a shipping agent that I have a good relationship with through other regular business made it much easier, they arranged in transit insurance and dealt with customs for me.
The seller delivered the boat, on its trailer, to the shipper in the US, then I collected it from Liverpool.

Like many things - with the right contacts it seems easy.

I am pleased that the views on the boat were positive. I liked the one that I drove, the quality of finish and fitments was good. Also it was possible to buy the boat bare or with a Honda or Yamaha engine, avoiding the Mercury or Evinrude standard on many US boats.

 

[salar]

Plenty of Osprey 24 and 26 boats around, long and short wheelhouse versions but all I have seen have an outdrive. Good boats but some in the UK are looking tatty, they don't age well! There are three in the Southsea area at least.

 

[ParkerS]

Thank you, that is interesting especially as that shows less on US boats that are dry rack stored.

Engine options that I have seen are single petrol or diesel stern drives and single or twin outboards. The diesel stern drive option is rare in the US but has some attraction for the UK. With the problems I have experienced trying to obtaining competent service on stern drives in the north of the UK, especially as the get more that 2 or 3 years old, I am not that keen on another.

The large single outboard with a 10HP trolling / back up engine would probably be my preference, probably a Honda due to the long warranty and an excellent local agent.

 

[Spi D]

Stumbled over one for sale here:

http://www.jamesdickensmarine.com/Brokerage/Powerboats/Osprey26.htm

Not connected, but bought a boat from this broker and the process was a pleasure.