Guys,
Thanks to you all, I have narrowed my boat selection to 3 of our respectable local builders.
I would like to ask for your opinion, ratings, and ranking for the following boats of the 22 ft outboard drive:

1. Skagit Orca
2. Palmer Tiderunner
3. Osprey

Thank You and
Take Care.

Skagit Hands down! Have you ever been on one of these boats?

If it was within my budget there would be no decision.

There is a dealership in Coronet Bay on Whidbey, I checked a few of them out, by far the nicest sportfishing boats I have seen in that class.

I have seen Osprey at the shows and they look nice, but I dont think they are built as well and have as nice of appointments within. I have not seen the Palmers other than what is on their website. Look like good boats.

My dream boat is an Orca!

Iron Head, of the 3 I would rate them in this order:

2) osprey, I have run 1 for a couple trips in Ak. and it was a sweet boat, handled 3 ft seas very well and was a nice boat to fish out of. I also know some guys who charter out of them and they speak highly of them

3) Skagit Orca, though I haven't run 1 I think they are a well built boat and most of what I have heard about them has been good, I do know of a resort in Craig that runs a fleet of 24 ft Orca's and a couple of the guides have told me they don't like the way the handle in rough water.

4) Really know nothing about these boats so I don't have an opinion 1 way or the other.


My personnal 1st choice of locally (or anywhere for that matter) built boats would be an Almar

My old neighbor bought a 22ft osprey a few years ago. Used it for taking the family fishing and crabbing. He ended up getting rid of it within a year because he didnt like the way the boat rolled with that deep vee. Ive kinda been spoiled by my outrage so Im not so sure about the orcas. They dont look as top heavy as the ospreys so the rolling may not be as pronounced. Good luck and enjoy whatever choice you make

Osprey
Skagit
Tiderunner

I love Skagit Orca (my first fall-in-love boat), but I wonder how much longer they will be in business. Tiderunner has a nice history, but they pretty much top out at 22'. right? I would rather get a 22' boat made by a manufacturer that builds bigger boats as well.

Have you looked at Almar, SeaSport, Palmer, and Campion? They are mighty nice as well. I know Campion does outboard on a bracket for their 22' Explorer. I don't know about the others.

Don't forget the dealer. I think you have to go with a boat+dealer combo you are comfortable with. The dealer is a very important part of the formula at this price point.

Good luck with your boat. You sure have a nice list to choose from. I hope to have the burden of such a decision someday.

With those choices, my favorite is the one you buy and I ride in!!! Doesn't seem that you can go wrong.

what do u guys think of the Stripper boats? have also seen some nice wellcraft fishing boats.

If C-Dory is building the Orca as well as Jim Lindell did, that would be my choice. I looked hard at Osprey before buying a SeaSport. I wasn't impressed with the quality. You'd definately want to sea trial the Osprey before buying. Check for porpoise-ing & roll. That tall cabin has to act as a sail as well.

Parker sure makes a nice OB boat in that size range. I really like their beamy 25 footer.

IH,
I dig my Tiderunner, but if iwere to upgrade i would love to have a 22' or 24' Seasport Sportsman

Before you drop a dime go visit the mfg plant. Look at the tooling, raw materials used, how the boats are put together, look at the guys building the boat.
A lot of the local builders are still using the old Glas Ply tooling. It's ok, just that even if they have modofied it a bit its still old designs. Boat tooling and molds never go away. If a builder goes away someone else just picks up the tooling at auction or from the bank, and goes into the business.
A quick rule of thumb is the heavier the boat and deeper the vee, the smoother the boat will ride thru the rough stuff, but will roll all over the place at slow speeds or in beam seas when trolling or at rest. A light boat with a deeper vee hull will also go thru the rough stuff but will really roll and wallow around in sloppy water at low speed or at rest.
After 20+ years in the mfg biz I've been on or looked at nearly every boat made in the US. When asked what to boat to buy I tell people to buy what you need not what you want. Buy a boat suited to the conditions that you will use it. Buy a boat from a mfg thats been in biz a while. Long warrantees become worthless if the builder goes under. If you think that you will get "2 foot itis", stretch the budget and buy the bigger one as boats rarely appreciate in value. Trading for a larger model can be costly. Segwaying into buying from a builder who offers larger models. If you buy a Sea Swirl, trade up to a bigger Sea Swirl. Same with Trophy, Well Craft, Sea Ray, Alumaweld, Almar/North River, etc. Talk to other boat owners as to what they like or don't like about their boat. Just remember when doing so that opinions are like a**holes, everyones got one.
Builders philosophies and markets change over time. A builder that built great boats 10 years ago can build crap today, a builder that built crap years ago can build a great boat today. 5 years ago Bayliner Trophys were nothing but fishy looking Capris, now they are fine boats.
Do your homework and you won't be disappointed.

I'd take a look at the NorthRiver Seahawk O/S. From what I've heard NorthRiver and Almar have joined efforts. It's basically a Sounder with a forward leaning windshield. Nice looking boat, comes in 22', 24', and 26'. Saw one at the Boat/Outdoor shows. Very nice!!!

Kev

Sea Sport, 24xl, Or an Orca

Is the Orca the only boat that I can see the manufacture offering a life time waranty?
Must be good if they offer a life time waranty.

Thanks

Lifetime warranty is a gimmick IMO, especially for a boat. There are 10^6 ways for a maker to wiggle out of a lifetime warranty. I bet it doesn't cover the engine or outdrive.

Read the fine print carefully on those warranties. Lifetime warranties are usually "VERY" limited after 10 years.

About all those limited lifetime warrantees really cover is if the boat dissolved totally in the water. Most "real" warrantees stop at 5 years. A warrantee is a financial liability to the mfg. If they fold their tent all warrantees are voided as no other mfg that may buy the assets will assume them, and the courts and creditors want their money. The selling dealer will be less than enthused about doing "warranty" work if he has no one to charge the $$$$ back to. What all of us posters are trying to tell you is to do your homework and choose wisely.