Anyone have experience with Skagit Orca boats?

M

matt_unique

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Mar 28, 2007
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25670
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I'm researching for my next boat purchase. I have been all over the place of course. As we know, you can do a search on every single boat brand and model ever made and find good and horrible stories.

My latest research effort is for the Orca 24' with the extended cabin. I know Orca is owned by C-Dory. I have been researching C-Dory but I don't like the idea of a balsa coring. Too many accounts of improper sealing in production resulting in wet core in boats less than 5 years old.

Is it possible to buy a well built boat now a days? How many boats leave the factory with poor sealing in the trim tabs or other accessories? I don't expect to drop $80 - $100K to then have to remove every exterior bolt and seal it properly.

Anyway - if there are any Orca owners out there I would love to hear any information you can provide about your experience.

Thanks
 
Matt,
No experience with Orca's but we shopped hard for a boat within your size range (including the C Dory). We looked really closely at the 24' Seasport Explorer. We finally settled on a Nova Scotia built boat and couldn't be happier. Just trying to give you a few other options and something to ponder.
 
Do tell! What brand did you settle on? I'm looking for a pilot house - totally enclosed hard top 24-25' cruiser. I'm allergic to canvas ;)

Thanks

--Matt
 
I like that "allergic to canvas"!
We have done the canvas top cruiser thing and would never do that again. Nothing like a cabin boat with a lockable door.

We settled on a RF 246 Rosborough. She has a Cape Island hull which is the predecessor of the Maine lobster hull. She handles our choppy bay conditions fairly well. She never truly gets on plane so it doesn't pound like a traditional planning hull of this size but of course it's not a fast.
We really liked the Seasport but with it's deep V hull it would require twins which would burn lots more fuel. The Seasport also has a planning hull which has that on plane/off plane thing which we wanted to get away from. The Rosborough is very happy running at any speed with very little bow up attitude you get with a planning hull. Our boat is powered by a single 150 4 stroke Yamaha and has a burn rate of 5 to 6 GPH at 14 to 16 knots. If burning fuel and speed is your thing then the Rosborough might not be the boat for you. I guess it all depends on what you want to do.

Don't know what your connection speed is but if you have cable or DSL I have a video of our boat. Here is the link if you want to check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY9s8YC7SKg
 
Nice ride! I will have to look at that brand again. Does it have a stand up hot water shower and head?

My current (19' cuddy) has canvas and I will never buy canvas again. Canvas looks good for 5 years, leaks, and is just not as good at keeping out the elements.

Seasport was on my list for research, but I could not find any dealers around here. Do you know of a local dealer?

Thanks

--Matt
 
Matt e-mail me at inaforty *at* yahoo dot com. I have photos online of the Rosborough's interior that I can send you etc.
When we were looking at Seasport boats Old Lyme Marina in CT was a dealer for them but it looks like they are now carrying the Ocra/Skagit line.
 
Matt,

We went through three 25' foot express cruisers and got tired of two things....living in a shoe and canvas.

So...we downsized to a 22' Campion with enclosed pilothouse. Our's is a simpler version in that it has a porta-potty...no enclosed shower, but the rest is fine for overnight cruising, especially since we tinted the windows for complete privacy. (We never showered in the previous boats. Most marinas have one).

I don't know what kind of hull Campion builds but they fully warranty it. I will tell you that it is the best riding boat I've ever had, tried in all kinds of conditions. Plus with the 4.3 Volvo with duo/prop, she gets 4 mpg at 28 mph cruise.

And....she's dang quiet and easy to trailer.

Price for the new ones are 45k.

I do like the Orca but it has too much cockpit. We cruise first, fish last, so having that much exposure isn't suitable for us. Our Campion has room for a couple of deck chairs. That's all we need.

-Greg
 
Thanks for the replies. The Orca I'm considering is the 24' XLC (Xtra Long Cabin). This model gives you more pilot house and less open deck space in the back.

It's pricey for the size, but I like the fact that it's a lifetime transferable warranty on hull and deck. I have not found another full hard-top cabin cruiser with a lifetime hull and deck warranty. Do you guys know of any others?

Just returned from a cruise today in my current boat (18' cuddy cabin with canvas). Can't wait for the upgrade in comfort, ride, and convenience....

Anyway still at the research phase...thanks again for the help.

--Matt
 
I had a chance to look at an Orca XLC. It was a fine boat, but could only sleep two adults. I'm 6' tall and I just barely fit in the v berth...add bedding and I would basically not fit lengthwise. If your woman was short she might be able to join you but it would be extremely cramped.

I decided to go with the C-Dory Tomcat. Based on my research and trail run, it offered the most of what I was looking for.

--Matt
 
I recently purchased a skagit orca 24 ft std cabin powered by a 5.7 volvo penta. The outdrive is a dual prop counter rotating style. My main area of fishing is the strait of Juan De Fuca and out to the Pacific via Neah Bay. To sum up my experience with this craft I will say this- It is, without a doubt, the absolute best boat I have ever owned in my life, I've had about 10. It is seaworthy, unsinkable (I do keep survival suits on board anyway) and knives thru waves like no other. I am 6'2" and can sleep in the lower berth in comfort along with my lady. The only issue that I have found to complain about is that one must adjust the trim tabs much too often.I believe this situation may be caused by an unbaffled fuel tank(120 gals) located just aft of amidship. I ran in last week with a gently rolling sea at about 30 mph and had to do almost no adjustments in over 10 miles of travel- pure bliss on a great day. They are a tad spendy if purchased new, the prudent mariner can find deals, or steals in my case, if he monitors the net on a daily basis and is willing to drive some distance to pick it up. I chose to drive about 1000 miles to get mine as it was undervalued by about 25000 dollars. Used ones are not common but well worth the wait and expense of getting it. Bogwon out.
 
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