White Shark, Karnic or Boston Whaler?

I hear what your saying. And if it was just me and the chaps i wouldn't even consider the heads. But i have given my girlfriend, sister's and all my mates girlfriends the right hump over the last couple of years when i have handed them the bucket. I want to keep them interested in boating so think the potable heads are the way forward. I really don't want to have to empty them heads but to keep the girls sweet i think i with have to make a sacrifice.
 
I did have a quick look round the Karnic 2050 at the London boat show. It did seem like a pretty solid boat. There was just something that didn't feel right. Could really put my finger on it, i just felt to tall in it. Sitting at the helm i wasn't really protected by the windscreen and standing up didn't feel very comfortable. I'm going down to Poole in a couple of weeks so i will pop into Yellow Penguin and have a proper look. How do you find your Suzuki 200? I've always had little Yamaha's. How does she do on the fuel consumption?
 
I found this thread as I have an almost identical search criteria (I have a 20ft mooring in Christchurch) I have been looking at White Shark, Azura, Karnic 2050, Karnic 2051, BW Dauntless, Outrage etc. On spec the Karnic looks similar to the BW, both have foam filled hulls for bouyancy although Karnic dont claim to be able to make 2 10ft boats from a 20ft one. The Azura is an interesting version as it has a full open front yet squeezes a cuddy into the bow space. I'll be interested to watch this space and see which one you settle on.
 
Re: White Shark, Whaler, Karnic

A bit late for this forum, but it might be useful for anybody else considering one of these boats. I have owned a Karnic 2050 for a couple of Seasons. I have a Honda 135 fitted, which gives excellent performance and economy.
Plenty of room in the cockpit, and cuts through the chop without any slamming. The most surprising thing about this boat is the ease of steering at idle speed, helped by the sharp entry vee. This is really useful in tight harbours. The boat is very dry, safe and well put together.

As many others have said, Whalers are excellent and very expensive, but so are Bentleys. There are still many other quality cars for less!

The White Shark is part of the Kelt company, based in France. They also made Azura Boats which were a budget version, but no longer available. Some niced used examples come up from time to time.

In terms of size, the hull is actually 5.9metres, or about 19.5 ft, so as long as you dont opt for the swim platforms, the 20 ft limit wont be a problem. The anchor sprit on the pre 2007 Karnic can be removed, so is also a possibility as a sub-20 ft used option. Removing the anchor sprit is especially useful when going in bow first.

More info available, but all round the KArnic is a great boat. I use it in Lyme Bay, and often do a 30 mile round trip in comfort. The walkaround cabin is tall enough to sit up in, and the infill cushions can be removed to use a porta-potti. Importantly, the cabin door is solid, so no chance of being spied on!!
 
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Ahoy there. I found this old post from 2009 and thought I should really update and thank everyone for all their advice and input.

After a lot of careful consideration I ended up purchasing a Karnic 2050 with a sweet Mercury 150 Verado on the back. I received and still do receive a fantastic and impeccable service from the Paul and the team down at Yellow Penguin over in Poole.
In fact the Yellow Penguin team are just getting the Jenny Wren II already for her fifth season. She has been a really fantastic boat and has looked after the whole family. For a 20ft family boat she ticks all the boxes.

After four seasons part of me is starting to think them classic words. “We need a bigger boat”. Especially after last season I am wondering whether an enclosed cabin would be good idea and something where the hull can really take on that formidable Solent chop.

The Karnic’s 18 degrees deep v hull is pretty good and I doubt for a 20 footer you can get better but some times that Solent chop can be challenge with a fair amount of slamming and wet faces ;-)

If we want to go further afield then I think a slightly bigger boat would fill me with more confidence.
A Botnia Targa 27.1 would be the lovely or a super fast, super thirsty, Scorpion Serket 88 Rib. But I think I am dreaming. Going bigger means higher mooring costs, high fuel bills etc. and how many more weekends realistically would a bigger boat give me. With the Karnic having a low draft and an outboard it means I can carefully slip in and out of Christchurch at low’ish tide and get more time on the water.

So for the time being I think I will stick with my beloved Karnic 2050.

Here’s hoping for a great season with plenty of fun filled times on the ocean waves.
Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep boating.
 
Ooops! Didn't realise the thread date before posting!

New is nice, but so are the prices!

I took the plunge with a 13 year old Whaler and couldn't be happier. Prices at that age seem comparable between Whalers and White Sharks size for size. Although my experience is with boats much older than you're looking at, I think the Whaler feels more solid than the same size/similar age White Shark my brother in law owns.

Anyway, good luck whatever you decide. Don't forget pics.

BTW Hi to Whisper - have you been down this way yet?
 
ducie said:
Hi Matt13, I see from your video that you upgraded to a Crownline 250cr. How do find her? Whats she like in the rough stuff?
Click to expand...

Well I've not been out in anything too rough, to be honest these types of American sports boats are perhaps more suited to lakes although when I have been caught out she has handled well, and being that little bit bigger does feel a smoother ride than the karnic IMHO. Although I do miss the karnic I'm more than pleased with the crownline.
 
"Have you been down this way yet ?"
Took boat out of the water in Jan and will be down to antifoul hull and service outdrive in the next 3-4wks.
Have been down in Kingsbridge regularly for the last 25 yrs but boating seems to occur less and less. Very much weather bound last year and begining to wonder if having the expense of the boat is worth it. This thread is apt as I think I'd like a Whaler if I was to downsize - prices still seem rather steep but then they were when we bought our Botnia!!
Here's hoping for a decent May, Jun, July and September. I try to avoid August and the school hols as I can't abide Salcombe when it's full of junior Hooray Henrys.
 
Last year was pretty awful weatherwise and I can definitely understand your frustration! We are very lucky to be able to take advantage (or cancel a trip) without much advance planning.

If your boating needs have changed then I think why not change boats? Would you look for something to tow or consider one of the 'ready for your holiday' services? Mine lived at a holiday home boat and only had 150 hours on the motor in 13 years. It was PXed against a smaller RIB. Too much trouble to launch and moor the Whaler, apparently. I imagine it's 8' something beam was a nuisance on our roads.

I understand your aversion to school holiday times. It's busy enough already on Saturdays when they're dinghy racing. It's a good thing I don't expect even the slightest acknowledgement having sat waiting for them to tack or whatever it is they do!
 
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