Anyone own a 29' Chesapeake? Interested in the practical difference between that and a Marlin. I am in the market for both but the Chesapeake seems like I could trailer it.
Mark
mkdurf@aol.com
Mark
mkdurf@aol.com
Chesepeake
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Fishtales
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I'd stay away from it. I heard they had nothing but problems with the hull performance. The Sailfish was a 9'6" beam. The Marlin 10'7". My guess is the Chesepeake was 10'2" or something like that. 8'6" is the legal limit, so you'd either be risking it or need a permit for any of them.
You can tow it in MA. There are a few restrictions but it is definitely legal. What did you hear about the hull problems?
Second hand news here, but there is a guy with one on a lift in my basin. He has mentioned in casual conversation that he enjoys the boat. Takes it from Ft Myers to the Keys every spring.Plans on keeping it, I think.
mkdurf said:
I have no firsthand knowledge of the Chesapeake but there's probably a reason why it only lasted a few years whereas the Marlin has been going strong for almost 30.
Fishtales
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mkdurf said:
MA law is 8'6" max beam for towing. You can tow with a wider beam, but you will need a special permit to tow legally. The LEOs in the coastal towns are pretty boat savvy, so if you have a wide beam - get the permit. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe it is a moving violation which will impact your vehicle insurance rate if stopped and written up.
I was told to basically stay away from it from a source that I trust and is in a position to know. He indicated ride problems with the hull and that there were several mods done to try to address. The advice I was given was 'stay away from it, you don't want one'. At the time I was inquiring about a boat for a friend, he thought I was interested in it myself.
I never asked for the details as I wasn't interested in the boat. In the end, having two near identical boats (Sailfish then Chesapeake and Marlin) really made no sense. Out of the three hands down the Marlin is the better one IMHO. My guess is that is why it stayed and the other two are gone.