Sandy Strait 14

I just received this email from Paul who bought an existing Sandy Strait 14 design which was built years ago

He writes:

I recently purchased the Sandy Straits 14 from a gentleman on the Sunshine coast. I was looking for a quiet and stable boat to fish some of Queenslands dams and estuaries for barramundi, saratoga and flathead.

When I originally purchased the boat it had a 20hp Honda four stroke outboard that pushed it along at a slow plane. It was sufficient for taking the family for a fish in the estuary but I needed a bit more so I sold the Honda and put a Suzuki 30 four stroke on. I could not believe the difference 10 hp would make. It now flies.

I have found it to be a remarkably stable boat and would highly recommend for taking the kids or family on a dam or estuary for some fun. It had plenty of storage and seating for all, even a casting deck up front. The family could even be involved in the build as I believe you purchase plans and build it yourself.

regards

Paul

Steve's Tropic 14 Update

 

It was great to receive an email today from Steve down at Bundaberg (QLD - Australia) and the latest adventures with his Tropic 14.

He writes:

Hello Mark. 

I was recently checking out the website and I saw an update from Michael with his Tropic 14, and seeing as our builds were running parallel, I thought I would pass on an update for my Tropic 14. 

I am in full retirement mode and using the Topic for local Estuary crabbing and fishing. Usually doing this solo or with first mate Pooch. Still loving the boat and the way it is holding up. It is carrying some minor war wounds from concrete ramps exposed to tidal run and wind, but I repair these when I can. 

This time of year I poke out the front of Burnett Heads and chase the Diver Whiting. 

Living the dream with my Tropic.

Regards Steve

Michael's Tropic 14 (Australia)

Great to hear from Michael again and his Tropic 14 adventures.

He writes:
Nearly 5 years on and HOLDFAST is still going strong. I love this boat, super stable and great for bait fishing and even better for checking lures. My 7yr old son hayden is mad keen into fishing now so I seldom go alone

Darryl's Sea Strike 16 (Croatia)

 

Great to see Darryl is out again. After towing his his boat from Ireland to Croatia, time for a holiday

He writes:

We had a great time, boat was fantastic no problems over the 6 weeks yes my boat has never run out of fuel but this holiday my mates boat did and it was handy to just take out fuel and fill him up.

75lt tank was full on departure and had just over a 1/4 tank about 20lt left. Not bad for a two stroke with 5 of us onboard and had another spare 60 lt of fuel which I always take with on long trips

Luc's Pro Tournament 24 (Canada)

 

Its great to see yet another Pro Tournament 24 being launched .. this time from Luc in Canada.
This is Luc's 2nd BMD boat. He previously built a Sea Strike 16.. it's here in this blog)

He writes:

Hi all,

Well, it was splashed down a few weeks ago, ran some tests, added trim tabs with auto trim feature and brought her to the Thousand Islands for a vacation.

She runs real nice. So very light. Planes quickly. Topped at 42knots for now. The prop has too much pitch (14x24). Ordered a 14x19. The engine wasn't even reaching 5000rpm. Aside from that, just a great great boat. No need for trim tabs aside from just side to side trimming. The ventilation plate is set at 25mm above keel bottom (i know 10mm is recommended but for some reason, it ended up higher). Does not ventilate at all in sharp turns or trimmed up.

Real nice.

And when I have a bad day, I just look at my pro tournament 24 and I feel happy again. I changed the prop to a 14x19 and it runs much better. 42knts @ 5100rpm. I guess I could go smaller, but for now, it is fine. 

Mark, maybe in 1-2 years, I'll contact you to commission plans for a 32'-37', who knows... Building a boat is such a rewarding experience. 

On the picture: wife up front, friends behind the console.

Kosta's Sea Strike 16 & Cruise Control 5.8 (Greece)

 

Its great to hear from Kosta again, this time "Showing off his Girls" as he said

Kosta is a licensed BMD builder in Greece. His attention to the build and detail is awesome. 

You can find his Business Facebook page here "Ocean Sky Boatworks"

Williams Cruise Control 5.2 (Australia)

Its great to hear from Will again, sharing his fishing adventures with us

He writes

Hi Everyone,

Last trip out. No luck at our regular spots so we spent some time having a look around and found a promising lump with activity on it. We fished it for half hour or so and landed a nice breaksea cod !

 Mark & Deb... yeah mate still love getting out. They have brought in new demersal bans in WA so only 6 months of the year we can fish for demersal fish. My young fella is 16 now and 6ft 4" and the twins are nearly 5. All the boys love going out on the boat when we get a chance. Time flies. I still get great comments when people ask about the boat.

Grants Sea Strike 16 (Australia)

 Great to see yet another launching.. Grants Sea Strike 16.!!
He writes:

G'day all,

The first launch happened yesterday. Great day for a run on the river for the first time with Leisa (wife) we had calm water at the ramp and once in the water I officially gave the bow a christening with a brew and we jumped in and were underway.

Have to say its a feeling hard to describe ,wrapped in many ways. After making our way though the no wash zone I gave her a little and we were on the plan. Cold wind and chop head on, no worries. The boat feels so solid and just moves quietly through the water. Our trip was mixed conditions and with the wind hitting us on the port side the boat had a slight lean to windward part of the way so it was a perfect opportunity to try the trim tabs to level it out, no worries ...easy as.

I took the motor gradually through the whole torque curve and eventually WOT briefly. To my calcs 29.7 kts.  Five hours variable speed is required to start the run in on the Suzie.

Today out again with a mate to put some more time on the clock. Another good river run finishing with a run up the break walls to the bar entrance with a large breaking swell on the bar and swell rolling down the the walls it was a glimpse to how it will travel outside. Bloody awesome. Can't wait to go again.

Special thanks to Mark for making my dream a fantastic realty.
CHEERS MATE

She looks awesome mate !!!

First fish on Grey Matter. Nice little flatty

A week later...

Hello all, 

Just thought I'd let you all know that I'm loving my sea strike 16. Took her out on her biggest run to sea, out to our local fad. The conditions were meant to be calm till mid afternoon , the wind picked up early and continued building to 30 knot + south Easter.

Ran into Tim and his sea strike 18 ( Lines out ). He had two mates onboard and at one stage I marveled at the stability of his boat watching all three of them fishing on one side, no trouble at all. Tim pulled the pin and headed for home and I followed not long after. My boat handled it so well. I had the trim tab on the wind side down around 2 thirds and the boat just punched along beautifully.

Anyway, just a few words to inspire fellow builders. Just know your in for a treat when you finish your build.
CHEERS

Nathan's Pro Tournament 23 (Australia)

 

Its's great to see Nathan back in Australia again for a quick holiday (Nathan works in Dubai as a helicopter mechanic) 

He writes:

Its been so long...Time to take boat out.... LOVE THIS BOAT !!!!!