Salmon fishing from the Cutwater C28 & C302

[Explosion5000]

Hi Everyone! Prospective CW buyer here...

I am really interested in the C28, and especially the C302, as a salmon fishing platform that will please my wife as a weekend cruiser. If you've fished either of these boats, I would be curious to hear your opinion. Also, I am very interested in why you went with Cutwater vs express cruisers like the Boston Whaler Conquest, Grady-White Express or Pursuit OS; or if you considered any other makes before choosing CW. On the 28, I like the price and length (lower monthly slip fees); however I'm drawn to the speed, wider beam and ability to open up the bulkhead on the cockpit of the C302.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I've fished off my cutwater 28. works pretty well. probably not quite as optimized as pure fishing machines but works well.

the cutwater 28 is a great all purpose boat. good for fishing. good for cruising, good for entertaining, good for overnighting.

This combination of use cases, design, and price point, engine power choice (single diesel) drove my cutwater purchase.

I met a couple who fish extensively out of the cutwater 30/302 outboard boat. they love it and take it very seriously. the open back of that boat doesnt appeal to me for cruising in the PNW but would work well elsewhere in the world. I like to be able to close the hatch 🙂

 

[Explosion5000]

Thanks Cutwater28GG! I appreciate the candid feedback. I agree with you on the strengths of the C28; hence why I am seriously considering it. I should clarify that I was speaking about the flip-up starboard bulkhead on the C302 Coupe, not the completely open back of the C302 Sport Coupe. I agree that being able to completely enclose the cabin without using vinyl is a nice feature in the PNW.

 

[baz]

That C302 Sport Coupe is an awesome piece of fishing boat..... 🙂

 

[Explosion5000]

Does anyone know how the C302 handles offshore? Probably getting ahead of myself, but it's fun to think about going for tuna.

 

[sjreib]

My 2016 C28 is a great all purpose boat for cruising and fishing. The factory support is amazing. I should mention that my boat has the optional trolling valve that allows me to troll at speeds well below 4 knots. Don't know if that option is still offered on the Volvo D4 engine.

 

[Rocky Lou]

RE: Does anyone know how the C302 handles offshore? Probably getting ahead of myself, but it's fun to think about going for tuna.

I have this same question about seaworthiness in heavy sea conditions. I'm strongly considering a C302, but, will be rigging for BFT and Albacore.

 

[Whidbey Cruiser]

This is my first year with a new C28 and I have not been offshore yet however, I did cross over the Strait of Juan de Fuca a couple weeks ago. The forecast was bad for the afternoon so we left Roche Harbor at 7:00am to avoid the small craft advisory. Well, we got into the straits and the westerly arrived sooner than expected and we took on 3'-5' seas hitting us starboard broadside. I had to alter course for awhile but found a sweetspot of 12 knots and rode it out and was impressed how the boat handled. The stepped keel design is really a great innovation for handling.

We have fished on our C28 the past two weekends and it is a great fishing platform that can handle 4 people easily (we had 6 last weekend and that was too many). The rear station works really well and we only burn about .2 gallons of diesel per hour at 1.5-2.5 KPH.

Tight Lines!

 

[Bruce Moore]

RE: Does anyone know how the C302 handles offshore? Probably getting ahead of myself, but it's fun to think about going for tuna.

I have this same question about seaworthiness in heavy sea conditions. I'm strongly considering a C302, but, will be rigging for BFT and Albacore.

Check out posts by nzfisher. He regularly chases tuna off shore on his R-25SC "Swims with Tuna".

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Rocky Lou]

Thanks Bruce, I'm looking now. It may take a while, I see 457 posts;-)

~Paul