A Few Favorites

- David Pascoe

Blackfin 32 FB

No mistake about it, this is a fisherman's dream. One of the top choices for anyone with a fat wallet and an eye for small boats and great design. Best with 375 Cats. At 21,000 lbs. It's h-e-a-v-y. A real wave smasher.

Blackfin 27 Outboard

A rare find if you can find one, not many were made because there are few who would want to pay so much for a new outboard boat. A real gem of an outboard in a style that isn't made anymore. If gallons per mile concern you, forget about it. This one's heavy too.

Tiara 31 Open

Not a stellar performer in the ocean, the 31 open boasts good style, sensible design and fairly high quality. A great boat for the sometime fisherman with other things in mind. Looking slightly bloated is what gives considerable interior space for a boat with a large cockpit.

Tiara 27 Open

It's hard to find a better built used boat at a reasonable price. A great choice for those that want good quality but don't quite have the bucks. Twin gas inboards make it a flyer, but a relatively flat bottom doesn't make it a wave smasher.

Contender 25

For sheer good engineering in this style boat, we've seen precious few that come close to this one. Yep, as you would expect, the price tag is steep. See our full review on this one.

USS Theodore Roosevelt

For those with large families and who absolutely abhore taking spray over the bow, the Roosevelt offers the ultimate in spaciousness, seaworthiness and cruising comfort. U.S taxpayer warranty still in effect. Twin  GE ANG/41 reactors rated at 106,000 Kw. Top speed is classified. Currently cruising the Adriatic Sea. Aircraft and munitions not included. Requires nuclear certified engineers and crew of 2,500 w/o aircraft.

Bertram 31

One of the most successful small boats ever built, this one needs no explanation. Built since the mid 1960's they're now hot items for restoration projects.

Hatteras 43 Open

We're pleased to see Hatteras upping the quality of their "smaller" boats. The 43 open is a fine example of a top end fisherman with some serious refinement, not only on the outside, but in the engine room too with such things as easy clean fiberglass liners. The interior is positively scrumptious with a big leap forward in cabinetry work quality. Pricey but very well done.

Hatteras 37 Convertible

Initially over priced, its unfortunate that not a lot of these smaller boats are sold. As used boats, they are a superb value and excellent performers. Lightly but well built. Short on glamour, a solid choice of a low maintenance boat for those who've already been burned by the glitz.

- David Pascoe