Any thoughts on Mako's Walk Around Cabin Models?

Question

I am looking for a well built used fishing boat that is not overpriced because of a name. Mako seems to fit that bill.

Looking to hear about ride quality offshore, does the hull design keep you dry, is it a well built boat, etc.

Answer 1

older model mako boats had problems with weak transoms on outboard models. there were a lot of them that had to have the transom reinforced. for offshore 25 feet would be a minimum but if seas reach 6-8 feet or higher you better head for shore. twin engines is a must. i regulary run 30 to 50 miles out in a chapperal 25 ft. but i have the speed to head in before a storm hits. a semi v or deep v is needed. a deep v will roll more but is better for running in rough seas. i fish the atlantic ocean.

Answer 2

Hi there are a number of boats which might fit your criteria.

I had a seafox 21ft CC open... it rode well and  to be honest I loved it and have been on a few other boats and found them  to be a harsh ride.

As for hull design... the deep V is important to cut through waves when you go off shore.  The seafox had a flair at the  bow  which rolled the water and waves away from the boat it worked well.

Seafox do a walk around too..  and  I have heared they handle the same as the CC.  Some peopl edont like the seafox becasue they feel that the finish isnt as good as others....  however...  this was only noticeable  when you looked in the battery compartment at the back.  

Check a few things out.. too ...  look carefully when you go for a boat.. check the back  the stern and the transom carefully.  When we went looking for ours...  we  saw a Cape cod..  great reputation but there was a crack all across the floor at the transom.  we were told it was nothing to worry about..  I check on the internet and fund the same model had a problem where the transom came away from the boat.

Mako are a good make ...  but you pay for the name ...

..

Little story ...  the first time we took the  seafox out on our owns...... we had taken it for a sea test...  but we pick it up from the boat yard..  brand new..  (never again!)   and we headed  to Yankee town florida...   we got the boat in the water and off we went to the gulf.....  after about 30 mins we were finally out inthe gulf...  Like all clever mariners we had forgotton in our excitement to check the marine weather..  so sudenly the swells got larger and the waves were between  6 and 8 ft.....    my wife was driving...  and she said  ihad to do it.. she would hold our little one... sooo... I am there looking forward and we went down a swell  and all i could see at the front of me was a wall of water... oooohh  shhh........  i thougnt...   but the boat when straight up semi through it .... and little water came in the boat   but...  it dropped like a stone behind the wave...   I left my side straight up in the air ht the tee top and banged back into the seat .... my wife and little one hit the floor...   I  turned the boat  and ran along the waves heading back...   it proved to us that the boat would handle  rough ( rough to us seas...)   but we never went out  if the forcast was fro choppy seas///////

Answer 3

Mako makes a good boat.  Also Boston Whaler and several other brands.  The thing to look for on an off-shore boat is the "V".  The more "V" it has in the bow, the dryer it will be-and smoother.  Not to say that you're garanteed to stay dry, but it will help.  It has nothing to do with the weight of the boat itself.  If you find a full V hull it will handle seas appropriately, but don't tempt fate.  There are hundreds of boats out there to choose from that will all offer something just a little different.  The one thing that will remain will be the hull design.  The common denominator.

Answer 4

No open boat keeps you dry>Best find 1 and try it out as those walk arounds are a bit bow heavy>