F-Ribs And Sibs - Inflatable Boat Community

After all this time looking around, I think I am almost there with my final decision.

While I am against a jockey seat, because they take up too much room, a single person jockey seat will do the job, and free up some space. At other times when I want to take a couple of mates out, I thought I could bolt a decent size cooler box with a decent seat cushion, in front of the transom.

A main, important part of a fishing boat is the cool box, both for your bait and ya catch ! A decent size one with a decent seat cover will act as 2 separate seats, and you can swivel your arse to fish from. A much better position to fish from than the jockey seat. A good secondary is a radio, fish finder, etc, this can be parked in the console.

I have x2 boats now to choose from, a Mercury 420 or a Stealth 390. One GRP hull, one Ali Hull. I have still to make my mind up about the power source, but what would be the downside of putting the jockey seat as far forward as I can ? Great if I have x2 buddies on board, not so great if I am by myself ? Obviously I have to make the centre of gravity, as centre as possible with one person, any ideas ? Or can I use the electric tilt on the OB, to balance the boat, or is it not that simple ?

The Stealth is lighter, and you can route all the spaghetti under the floor, the Merc has a GRP so not as light but prob a bit more hard wearing.

Power ? Again difficult, the Stealth is lighter, and mostly I will be using it for me and not the rest of the world travel bus, now I have to match up an OB.

The jockey seat will have to go in a particular position for the boat to be balanced, so you can't have it moved forward or back from its correct position

On the 420 surely the "pack comfort" with the bench seat would be better for fishing?

The console and leaning post look good on the stealth. However some people love leaning posts others hate them. I'd have a sea trial in a 420 with your preferred choice of jockey or bench and a stealth with leaning post and then buy whichever you like after the sea trials. Buying anything without trying both out on the water first will very likely be a very big, very expensive, mistake.

If you are considering the stealth also look at the Highfield OM range.

It really does sound like you’re hammering in the homework hours to get the best boat for your needs..

Chris is an RYA powerboat instructor and has had the use of many many different hulls and seating arrangements. I agree with him completely with the try before you buy quote, very few folk get it right first time.
The boats you’re looking at are not cheap and it really could end up an expensive mistake.

Slow down a bit buddy and take a huge deep breath

chris moody wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2018, 18:45

The jockey seat will have to go in a particular position for the boat to be balanced, so you can't have it moved forward or back from its correct position

Sorry I disagree...On my 340 I've moved the jockey as far forward as I can, to create more space to the stern......On Pauls 420 he's had his seat set as far back as possible to create more room forward.....both boats trim easily using the power trim tilt.