mike02380 Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 hi everyone i noticed a couple of people on this forum own this boat. i was wondering how they feel this model compares to the likes of the warrior 165 and raider 16. does it limit the marks you fish? how do you feel about the lower freeboard? what appeals to me about it is the low weight for launching, towing and fuel economy. many thanks mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 (edited) hi everyone i noticed a couple of people on this forum own this boat. i was wondering how they feel this model compares to the likes of the warrior 165 and raider 16. does it limit the marks you fish? how do you feel about the lower freeboard? what appeals to me about it is the low weight for launching, towing and fuel economy. many thanks mike Mike the Orkney is a very good boat with a very good heritage, but the low weight will have a flip side and it doesn't take a genius to work out what that will be. The boat is great for most of the time, but will feel a "little" lively in certain sea conditions. A number of boats are for sale on the forum at the moment. Take a look. Tom PS: Big Welcome to Poole Bay SBAC, I see you have been enquiring over at WSF too. Good luck in your ongoing search. Remember there is no such thing as the perfect boat, every one will have a compromise so go with the one that suits you best and when you saw it you just knew ir was right. When you see it, you'll know what I mean. Edited March 18, 2008 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Mike, The Orkney, Raider and Warrior are all in the same size class but IMO cant be compared with each other, they all have good and bad points, all are class leading depending on what you need / want from a boat. You really need to get out on each of them to see what I mean. The bad points in each Ive noticed: Orkney - Low freeboard, rolls and leans when moving around them Warrior - Ride is hard and slow when not on plane Raider - Slap, slap, slap when at anchor, ride not as smooth as a V hull The Orkney is a cracking boat of you are looking for good fuel economy - I dont know of another 16' boat that will get anywhere near it. It also rides well. I'd say that if you fish up to 5/6 miles from nearest point of land then they are a great boat. I'd feel concerned any further offshore that that. But as I said - get out it them - a sea trial is worth 100 forum posts and advice. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 In the terms of hull design the Orkney is the pinnacle of older and well tried shapes. A very tough and seaworthy little boat. BUT In the terms of what can be bought today it does not offer a lot of space for the money nor sea kindliness at speed. First off IMO you should give some in depth thought as to the type and variety of uses you need a boat to fulfill as defining this will almost certainly dictate which boat is right for you. If you want to come back with some ideas on how and what you want a boat to do I bet there will be something more in the way of direct advice. Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Mike Welcome to our forum probably the busiest small boat angling club forum on the net but not as big as WSF......yet From what I have seen Orkneys are good solid boats. We have 3 or 4 members that own 520's and will I'm sure tell you the good and bad when they see this thread Also take a look in our swap and shop section, there are several boats in there up for sale that may or may not suit you, worth a look though. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alun j. Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Mike.......... Come and have a fish out on a 520......... then try some of the other boats club members offer. You'll soon see the + and - points of each. It all comes down to the type and frequency of your trips. Adam's summary is about as concise as you could be....... I love the ease of use of my 520 ... and only occasionally want something bigger! Alun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I second Alun J's comments. The 520 is easy to tow and lighter than a Warrior 165. It is very economical being so light and also gets good economy at displacement speeds. Well built and I am well pleased with my 520. I would not recommend one without side rails though due to the low freeboard. Upsides :- Light, economical and only needs small powered engine ( up to 35 HP specified but many fit 40HP ) Easy to tow / launch ( not so easy to self centre on a trailer though ) Good at displacement speeds Forgiving handling characteristics Forward hatch makes reaching the bow a doddle ( although I side anchor ). Self draining deck ( whilst underway ) - but see downsides Double skinned ( was handy when I had a leak ! ) Downsides :- Does not self centre onto a trailer as readily as a warrior Slams more at speed ( but fine in calm conditions ) Lower freeboard Seats are not as good as a warrior Cuddy is not a strong as a warrior ( but then you might not want a cuddy - see Alun J's boat ) Self draining deck only drains when underway when stationary needs bung put back in. Rolls more than a warrior when moving from one side of boat to other Also be careful that the trailer the Orkney is sitting on has plenty of support along the keel, otherwise damage will be done to the hull. If you would like a trip out you are more than welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 hi everyone i noticed a couple of people on this forum own this boat. i was wondering how they feel this model compares to the likes of the warrior 165 and raider 16. does it limit the marks you fish? how do you feel about the lower freeboard? what appeals to me about it is the low weight for launching, towing and fuel economy. many thanks mike Hi Mike If you wish to see reports from owners of various craft it might be worth you checking out my web site www.fishing-boats.info Regards Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinbad Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 (edited) Orkneys.... in general....some positives hold their value ? local builder/ dealer very helpful and solves any problem - (BHG in Lymington) Nicely finished off under the bits you dont see, but end up putting hands up at odd times....sign of a cheap boat those that are a bit rough... Light enough to launch with one (520), plenty of room for two Soft ride in moderate sea, as semi displacement. can wash hands over the side, dont know what the problem is with 'low freeboard' its not like its at knee level..or like a whaler or dory! Handy when launching to be able to get in over the side, or to get out and push off a sandbank. Will fit under a std garage door with the cuddy on its trailer...just! some negatives.. like BMW's - standard boat hasnt many extras, and the extras cost the earth (e.g those side rails) Hence buy second hand if you want to get a real bargain. Not Quick in a rough sea, rather slow but sure. loss of performance (speed) when heavily loaded (with loads of fish...) Paul Edited March 18, 2008 by Sinbad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike02380 Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 thanks all for your constructive comments, i'm doing lots of research and hope to buy something before the end of the year. i will probably be on my own most of the time so it should have more than enough room and i need to be able to launch/retrieve on my own. the fuel economy is a massive advantage for me due to the price of a new orkney i would be thinking to buy seconhand but may go for a cheap outfit and fairly quickly replace the engine with a new one (40hp??) i do like the orkney, i've been to BHG and had a look, i guess my main concern is whether i will grow out of it quickly and want more offshore capability, eg warrior/raider style? cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) Hi Mike, All three boats on your list will be fine for inshore fishing, but if you do start to spend more and more time further out, you will increasingly encounter larger waves, and rougher conditions, warranting something physically larger. Please note that Recreational Craft Directive lists all 3 of your selected models as Category "C" for inshore. Offshore Category "B" vessels start to appear at about 23' in length, and typically have more space, accommodation, freeboard, and built in stability. However, if they are used offshore, they will need appropriate safety equipment, such as offshore flare packs (more parachute flares), with consideration given to being out of VHF range, so EPIRB and even needing a liferaft to be carried. However, with a boat of this size, you might also be looking at a marina berth and winter storage costs, which can be prohibitively expensive. Lots to think about, but there is plenty of good fishing inshore, and it could keep you amused for many years at a much lower cost! Mike Safety Officer Edited March 19, 2008 by Mike Fox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Quote...i will probably be on my own most of the time so it should have more than enough room and i need to be able to launch/retrieve on my own. Without a doubt I would recommend the Orkney. An ideal starter boat and very easy to launch and recover single handed (with the proviso of a decent trailer as Paul D suggested). Cut your teeth on an Orkney and after a season or two you will know more about what will make your 'ideal' boat. (By the way the ideal boat does not exist, it just that fools like us keep thinking that the next boat we get will be ideal) Anyway, an Orkney will hold it's value very well and be easy to sell on when you decide to go up in size. Go for an Orkney and you won't be sorry as it fits all your criteria at the moment. Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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