Boat choices... not specifically design related

[curtis73]

Hello to all. I doubt anyone remembers my posting about a year ago about wanting a shallow vee thunderbolt to build. In case you do remember, I'm still looking for just such a boat. I have since moved to California from Pennsylvania, so I don't get to boat on smaller lakes as much, so the Thunderbolt has taken a middle burner to a new project idea.

I'm somewhat experienced with salt water navigation. Mostly inland waters, but some very short (1-3 mile) excursions out past the last bouy. We always went off the coast of Virginia in a friend's 18' center console. The weather had to be perfect to venture out that far on the Atlantic, and we had to be really hungry for shark and blues to make the potentially dangerous trip in a small craft.

If I lived in Virginia, I would know exactly what I want. Now that I live in SoCal, I need help selecting a boat that will be good for the Pacific. I'm told that (unless strong weather makes it) the waters are pretty calm and rarely do you need a big trawler to venture 10 or so miles out safely like you would in the Atlantic. Anybody in SoCal help me pick out a design to build/buy that would make good leisure/fishing on the Pacific?

Objectives:
1) trailerable if necessary for cleaning, transporting, or storing. I can easily tow up to about 10k lbs for short distances, but I don't have a dually, so long distance might get hairy when it comes to sway and weight issues. I'm picturing a three axle trailer with electric disc brakes on all three. My rig would easily get me to and from storage/home.
2) respectable cruise speed
3) 100-150 mile cruise range minimum for long fishing days around Catalina and points south.
4) safety and stability in pacific waters as far out as the windward side of Catalina (40-ish miles)
5) small cabin with head. Galley not necessary.
6) fishable. I can't live without my fishing habit.

I can't say a budget yet because I don't have any idea what I'm looking for. If I get an idea for the type of boat I need I can either A) build it from a plan as I get time/money, B) buy a fixer-upper, or C) if the type of boat I need is already in my budget range, I'll just get a good boat to start with.

Here is what I had in mind:
http://www.databoat.com/Page_Product...d=157&pid=3307

Need it be that large? I want to get by with the minimum size and price necessary to accomplish this. Since I don't know the waters out here, I can't even venture a guess. Do I need a 26 footer or just a 20' cuddy? Thanks all for the help.

[badges65]

Go for a 20' IVB with a 90 Yamaha you will cruise whenever possible at at least 30Kts and in most adverse seas at 15Kts.
we go out to the hen and chicks off whangarei (see location website) and boy have struck so hairy times on the way home ..
big easterly swell with at least 2 cross chops on top and have never felt things were getting out of control..
Easy to handle on and off trailer and no problems towing it home..
don