What are the REAL alternatives to a wilson flyer?

[croge321]

Hi all, I'm looking for a new boat this year, I currently have a pilot 520 dory and am generally very happy with the sea keeping, of course she slams a little but the trade of is more than worth it when you're fishing.

I use the boat for family pleasure trips, fishing and towing toys and she's an excellent all rounder but she's very old, tatty and being the full cab version, deck space is tight. I have a very good honda 50hp that i'm hoping to transfer to my new boat.

My question is what are my real alternatives to the obvious wilson flyer?, I like to be able to fish even if the sea conditions are not great would a predator or warrior or alaska 500 give me the same sea keeping as my dory bearing in mind that they are a foot shorter. My budget is £3000 but is for the boat only as my trailer, engine, electronics etc will transfer over. I can get a brand new flyer 17 for this.

To summarize, I need a boat that will handle some sea comfortably, pull a skier, have loads of deck space and provide adequate performance with my current 50hp engine, I would also like a forward access to the cabin or no cabin! as it's easier to get my 4 kids on and off. I don't mind going 2nd hand but a nice example must be within my £3000 budget. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly received. Thanks

 

[BruceK]

I helped a mate sea trial a Sea Hog last Friday in Conwy Bay. For a 16 footer she has a huge amount of deckspace. The sea state was confused and lumpy but I was quite impressed with this little boats handling beam on to the swells etc. She was also remarkably dry even when slamming. I'd certainly recommend you have a look at one even if it's just to discount it.

 

[rustybarge]

Most of the warriors etc are quite heavy, you'd probably need a bigger OB.

have a look at the endeavour 500, 16.5 ', perfect with your 50hp, semi displ hull, 500 kg and has a reputation as a very good sea boat. Iirc it used to be called a Teal; lots of second hand versions available very cheaply.

http://www.endeavourboats.com/Endevaour-500/70

 

[croge321]

Thanks Bruce K, i'm currently talking with a gent about a seahog sealord, which does seem to be a possibility, the cabin is positioned further forward and is open backed so deck space appears larger. Unfortunately it's a package with 2 old 2 stroke motors which i would have to sell on. maybe i could put them on my pilot and sell it as a package.

rustybarge, I do like the look of the endeavour but dropping below 17' concerns me slightly, the fact that it's made by fletcher reassures me a little as i had good experiences with my old fletcher vigo and faro. The think that really puts doubt in my head is the fact that i never see any similar boats out when it's rough. I do fancy a change from the cathedral hull but a worried about losing space an sea keeping.

 

[jfm]

I agree with rusty barge. I've had 2 Wilson flyer hulls (the mould was cloned by many builders) and it it is too big/heavy to perform at all well with a 50hp 4 stroke. I had a 90hp 2T on my first, and now a 125hp 2T on the second one. I can see it not even getting on the plane with a 50hp 4T

 

[croge321]

I'm surprised to hear this. As far as I am aware the pilot 520 is slightly heavier and less streamlined as the wilson has the centre hull stepped forward slightly. I currently get 25knots with 2 very large adults and my 11 year old son on board with fishing gear etc. Do you have a 125hp on a 17' Wilson? That thing must be insane!

 

[arawa]

I agree with rusty barge. I've had 2 Wilson flyer hulls (the mould was cloned by many builders) and it it is too big/heavy to perform at all well with a 50hp 4 stroke. I had a 90hp 2T on my first, and now a 125hp 2T on the second one. I can see it not even getting on the plane with a 50hp 4T

+1. My friend has a 20 ft Flyer (admittedly well loaded with fishing gear) and it felt sluggish with 100hp. A new 115hp suits it perfectly. Excellent sea boat.

 

[jfm]

I'm surprised to hear this. As far as I am aware the pilot 520 is slightly heavier and less streamlined as the wilson has the centre hull stepped forward slightly. I currently get 25knots with 2 very large adults and my 11 year old son on board with fishing gear etc. Do you have a 125hp on a 17' Wilson? That thing must be insane!
View attachment 50100

Ok you must be right there. We may have different calibration as regards performance but I can see from your picture that you're planning nicely with the Honda, so all ok there. I stand corrected; apologies

As far as I know the pilot 520 and Wilson 17 have identical hulls or at least they can have. The pilot always has the single hull knuckle above the chine, like Nab 17, Mariner 17 et al. However, if you google image Wilson flyer 17 there are two different hulls repeatedly shown - one with a single knuckle above the chine and one with a double knuckle. The single knuckle hull was cloned a zillion times - the Nab dory, Pilot, Wilson 17, one of the Seahogs, Mariner 17, Midlands, all had a copy of the same mould. If you google image pilot 520 you can see the single knuckle, and if you google image Wilson flyer you'll see 50/50 of the double knuckle/single knuckle version of the hull so go figure...

My two hulls are identical with Mariner 17, Pilot 17 and the others, and the single knuckle Wilson (except I don't have the cuddy). But bottom line is if you are running fine with the 520 Pilot and 50hp you will be fine with the Wilson. Manufacturers tended to specify max 85hp on these boats, iirc

Here are my two. Yep they run fast with these large motors

 

[croge321]

Please don't apologize for offering the advice that I asked for! I have noticed that some pictures of wilsons have the single chine but I thought this was just down to people not identifying their boats correctly, Interestingly Your top image there is exactly the sort of thing that i'm contemplating, Center console, bench seat behind etc. Do you find that you get wet without the protection of a cabin?

I've had a few of those 6 cylinder towers of power shown in your last pic, I used to love those motors, silky smooth, loads of torque. The most insane boat that i've ever owned was an 18' Pirahna Sunburst Dory with a johnson GT250 250hp v6, That thing was ridiculous as was the fuel consumption!

I'd love to see some more pics of the layouts of these if you have them.

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[jfm]

Nice to meet another Tower of Power owner! That ToP was bought new by my father in 1981 and we had it 20 years. The sound was beautiful - when bored I often listen to the many youTubes of them running at 5000rpm - bliss! I took my eye off the ball and my father sold it for £500. I didn't have piles of money then so didn't think to keep the engine. I wish I had done, and I'd have had it shipped to USA for a full refurb and then brought back to Europe as a piece of art for my house!

Both our boats were centre console. I don't have good pics on this PC - just the one below. The GRP console was custom moulded. I find the screen perfectly ok and have no desire for a cuddy, but we are pleasure boaters not hard core fishermen. I just added it up and we've had these boats (as well as others) in the family 34 years - my father bought the first centre console one in 1981

 

[croge321]

It's nice to know that i'm not the only person that gets excited by them! That boat looks as close to perfect as you could get! At 34 years combined you must have had your monies worth out of them. I think that you've answered my question, there is no alternative other than something poached from the same mold. I'm going to order myself a new Wilson Flyer and fit it out as I want it. unless you wanted to sell yours!

 

[maverickofpoole]

Where's the like button? this thread is great I'm just sorry I have nothing to offer other than I like the Seahog Commodore which is very similar to your pilot 520.

I had a 520 years ago with a 50hp evinrude and had loads of fun fishing on that boat.

Good luck in your search for a replacement

 

[silverdee]

From memory the Wilson Flyers could come single skin no foam injected and hence much much lighter than the JFM 2 shown above.
For my money in this size category I would have a good make of RIB EG Delta 5 dash 5 or Tornado 5.5M (or an old narrow body 5.8- flying machine)- imho alot more seaworthy.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Most of the warriors etc are quite heavy, you'd probably need a bigger OB.

have a look at the endeavour 500, 16.5 ', perfect with your 50hp, semi displ hull, 500 kg and has a reputation as a very good sea boat. Iirc it used to be called a Teal; lots of second hand versions available very cheaply.

http://www.endeavourboats.com/Endevaour-500/70

I've just bought a Warrior 165 with a Merc 60 4 stroke. I like the deck space and the high freeboard and the protection offered by the cuddy. It all feels pretty solid. The chap who sold it to me tells me he could get over 25kts on a good day. Strangely enough it was owned previously by one of the guys who started Endeavour boats. He only sold it because it wouldn't have looked good for him to be seen in anything but one of his own boats. I look forward to having some fun on her in the Exe next month.