F32 Sedan for Fishing?

[MIFisherman]

I am considering purchasing a 1977 F32 Sedan. I wanted to get some feedback from any fisherman in the forum. I did not think this was a very popular model for fisherman and was designed mainly with pleasure boaters in mind. Does anyone have thier F32 rigged up for fishing? Any ideas or pictures of your vessel? How about the swim platform does that get in the way? Also almost eveyone I have talked to has loved thier Trojan but I have heard that due to the oversized flybridge they tend to be a little top heavy or squeemish in rougher seas. Any thoughts on how they handle in 5-6 footers? Looks like a lot of boat for the money and the design is almost timeless but I am concerned about using it as a fishing boat for Salmon/walleye in the Great Lakes.

[jav]

I'm not a hardcore fisherman but I do fish my F-32 some so I'll share my views.

The F-32 is a convertible more than a sportfisherman. It is intented as a multi purpose boat with some fishability. If your looking for a vessel thats really taylored to fishing, I think there are better choices. Yes, the swim platform can get in the way but not bad unless your going for serious game fish. There are no fish boxes and the cockpit, while fairly wide, is not very long. Perfect for 2, impractical for 3-4, impossible for more than 4. The railings along the gunwales might get in the way of riggers if you want them (I don't have them as I can easily troll 3 spreads as is)... but worst for me - they make it tough to setup a standard bait prep station. The scuppers are well above the water line but they could be bigger. There's no real way, other than the washdown, to clean up without tracking fish guts through the salon. On the positive and negative side - it has a tournament helm up top which is great for a captain, not so great for a single hander . Mine has the lower station but getting to it dirty... is frowned upon by the family.

As far as seakeeping goes.. this is one I'd like hear other takes on as well. I'll be the first to admit that when I first got my f-32, I experienced some handleing traits that I didn't like. The more I run the boat however, the more we've come to know each other and I now beleive the source of those quirks was as much the captain as it was the boat. I really enjoy how she handles and feel quite comfortable and confident in what she can take. I don't know what her limits are... I'm more in tune with what my limits are. I hate to discuss this becuase everyones got their own ideas about "sea's". One mans 3 footers are another mans 6 footers. Being an engineer, I tend to be very realistic about wave height (not sea's). I know a lot of guys will refer to bouy data that might show peak to trough values as high as 6-8 feet (swells with wave action on top) but the average short period wave height is only 2-3'... I call that 2-3's. I don't go out in true 5 footers... don't enjoy it. Even legitmate 3 foot close period waves are not fun. The boat will take it, but it's not going to head into them at 18 knots without pounding. If thats what you want to do, look into a fishing boat like a Blackfin.

Top heavy? I don't think so... and I have a fiberglass hardtop as well. The F-32 carries a 13 foot beam and is very stable at anchor, on the drift or slow troll. As I'm sure your aware, the boat really shines when look at it's flexibility as a cruiser as well as an occasional fisherman... but thats got to be what you want.

Hope this helps.

[rossjo]

My F32 is setup for fifhsin. I have Lee Jr. (full size) Outriggers, and rod holders across the top rail and 2 each on the side handles below. I have a new fiberglass cockpit sole with fish boxes, and freshwater wash down (use it alot!). I've added Rod holders, and can easily fish 9 rigs. Twin Cummins 6BTAs give me the grunt I need to push this along, alebit not very quickly (have gotten 27 knots once , but not in fishing form).

picture http://www.trojanboats.net/images/VivaMahia.jpg

So ... do I fish the F32? No. We live in Charleston, SC, and it is 50-60 miles to the ledge. This boat is fine for a 20 mile ride, but 50-60 miles (we have gone 90 before) is too much. The boat tends to bow steer, and pounds quite a bit due to its short length, wide beam and shallow draft. I fish offshore in my 25' Chapparal express (everything new top to bottom over 3 years) which runs up to 57mph, but most importantly has a deep vee to cut the waves.

I understand that the Great Lakes can be very choppy - and I too am a degreed Mechanical Engineer, so I'm not sure what your 5-6 footers are, but I can tell you that I would not head offshore in my F32 in 5-6 footers. I would, however, go in my 26 with its 24degree deadrise (if the bite was really on)! I have made it home in 12 foot following seas once (never again!) in this boat - and it would have capsized my F32. For comparison, we have headed out into 9 footers in my friend's 56' custom Carolina boat with 1800HP.

We love our F32, and will keep it (its a great ICW cruiser, and our family & friends would miss it deeply), but I agree with JAV - if you're looking @ 5-6 footers, buy a Blackfin or a Bertie! Another great fisher for the money is the Topaz 28 ...

[willietrojan]

There are pro’s and con’s to any type boat, deep v’s are good for running through rough sea’s but have a problem with rolling at trolling speeds. I have a F32 that I fish the Chesapeake Bay and off Ocean City, Md as well as Virginia Beach and I have had this boat in just about every type of sea and it has performed well not great but it has gotten us to fishing grounds and back home with no real problems. I feel that you would be fine
with the F32 in the Great Lakes.

[JuiceClark]

Look at an F-36 if you want to fish with a few other guys...it's the same boat pretty much with more cockpit. I have a 25 gallon live well that I can take take off the boat when we're cruisin'.

I've caught more sharks, dolphin, grouper...whatever on this boat than any other. That's the reason I bought it...it sits in the water right when you're on the hook. Forget a Bertram or Viking if you fish at anchor...they swing like crazy. If you troll for fish, then get a deep V like those.

[rossjo]

The F36 is better for offshore. I wanted one, but am limited by my trning basin and dockage at my house.

A bit heavier, but easily justified by the larger cockpit. We fish 4 max on our F32.

The extra 4' must be nice for handling as well. 32x13 versus 36x13 is a big difference in lenght/wdith ratios!

[mintregila]

I had an F36 for 5 seasons (still have it for sale) and it is a great fishing platform and fairly fuel efficient. Good cockpit and decent ride.

[Lake Superior charter ser]

I have an f30 and fish it daily on Lake Superior and it does have its short comings but it does go straight in a following sea. On the other hand an F32 is lousey at best in a following sea. Most are underpowered with small blocks and the weight is to far forward. My freind has one and in honest 5 foot following seas he said qoute: "If your not paying attetion you can see GOD!" They get pushed around because they are short on power. He took an inch of pitch out of the props and that helped a bit. But if you fish the good days you will do fine.

[rossjo]

My F32 w/ diesels has sufficient power, and my weight is well back as my tanks are moved aft. ... and I'm not going that fast in 5' seas. I think the issue is shallow draft, combined with a keel board forward and a high width to length ratio. It can be a handful!

The F36 is about the same wdith, yet 4' longer. I think it has similar deadrise angle, but the better legnth/width ratio favors tru running.

I'm not as familar with the F30 ...