Small mobo suggestions please!

[dewinowens]

I currently own a Mk1 Orkney Longliner powered by a Honda 8hp outboard. I am considering moving to something a little bigger, up to a maximum of 20', with a bit more speed. The Orkney is a great little boat - easy to launch, very economical to run and copes with surprising amounts of chop without slamming or throwing us around. I store the boat at home and launch from the beach or slipway - at the moment launching as close to where I want to go as possible is important since the boat can only manage 7.5 knots! Trips are usually pretty close inshore in the Menai Straits or on the Anglesey coast with a maximum of 2 adults, 3 teenagers and a small dog.
I quite like the look of the faster Orkneys, e.g. the 590TT should manage around 26 knots with 70HP, but I would be interested to hear what else forum members can suggest. I have tried a RIB (c. 7.5m) and although the speed was initially fun, I was surprised by the level of exposure, even behind a console, and how violent the ride was. I'm not really after a 'drysuit and ski goggles' kind of boat, so I'm leaning towards something a bit tamer that I can still launch easily and that can maintain 15-20 knots in a bit of chop without the dog getting airborne.
Any suggestions will be gratefully received!

 

[maverickofpoole]

Orkney make a very good boat so that is a very good starting point. Others worth looking at are Warrior 165 or 175, Explorer Elite, Pirate 18'

If you're interested a member of our fishing club is selling a very good Elite http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/ipb/topic/18453-explorer-elite-for-sale-%C2%A310795-ono/

 

[RobWales]

Take a look at the Leeward 18 full cabin model, a cracking little ship, cathedral style hull with very high bow, external pod to hang the outboard off gives excellent cockpit space for it's size, owned one a few years ago and wouldn't hesitate to buy another if looking for a fast general purpose fisher....
Should add that next to a catamaran this one was the most stable sub 20ft boats I have ever set foot on, having owned various other fishing boats over the years, Shetland, Warrior, Endevour.....this does take some beating....
Couple for sale in the UK at present (usual sites) one with 1.7 Merc inboard however you do lose cockpit space with this option.
Good luck, Rob.

 

[rustybarge]

Have a look at the good ol' Merry Fisher 625; they work well with just 90hp, the later versions weigh 250kg more and need 115hp.

I think it won the best sea angling boat of the year several times.

 

[lenten]

one thing to think about is the increase in weight of the whole rig---out board alone 8 hp-40+kilos--70 hp--125+kilos +heavier boat and trailer--more of a faff to launch and recover and is your tow car up to it