AluminumAlloyBoats.com

Let me beat you guys to it. 2 feet,right?. I am trying to decide between a 26 and 28 weldcraft cuddy king. I mostly fish lake Erie but I trailer to Gloucester and Venice Louisiana. Need to do 150 mile round trips. I need to sleep 4 for a few days out there. The problem is that there is a huge jump in price going from the 26 to 28 due to the trailer and horsepower. Anyone ride in both in nautical seas?

/trout, I guess I'd have to ask if you're equating LOA with some linear pricing or performance? LOA, when combined with the other dimensions give the displacement and that is definitely NOT a linear proportion in boats.

Next, accommodations often shift in scale/scope/quality at different LOA's so; a 20' cabin cruiser is not fitted as well as a 24' which is in a world of different class.

I think you're discovering a class difference in fit out, accommodation, and finish - they may all jump at 26' to 28'? Not saying I know the Stateside market well enough to remark about this possibility.

But, if we're talking bare hulls- one 26 and one 28' with the same power, and other major dimensions except the LOA- the differences will be: The longer hull will have less pitch by the bow in the same sea state. The longer hull will run (top end) faster that than the shorter hull (unless the fit out has full planked interior with sealing and sole all done up yacht style-adding tonnes) and the longer hull will have a gentler motion in a head sea at most all speeds due to the waterline length.

I've riden in both, and they were similarly fitted out (wt-wise) so my remarks are about the lengthened hull's easier motion by the bow. I hope I've read your question well enough to reply usefully?

Cheers,
Kevin Morin
Kenai, AK

Thanks for the reply. I am just trying to figure out if the 2 foot is worth roughly $50,000. I guess getting caught in nasty stuff, the 2 foot could save my life.

kmorin touched on the scale/scope/quality.
Having a new boat built you can discuss fit and finish in negotiations with the builder.

trout, I don't think the 2' is a matter of life and death - nothing un-seaworthy in a well designed and built 26' that a 28' will survive over the shorter hull! I was (more focused) discussing what gets stuffed into the extra 2' - $ in electronics and fitting out/finish is where the changes usually happen- not just hull work.

Cheers,
Kevin Morin
Kenai, AK