JEM Watercraft

I'm thinking about building a boat for She Who Must Be Obeyed.
This boat will be primarily used for playing/touring although it is more than likely I will turn her into a fishing convert so I am thinking a SOT is the best option.

I'm tossing up between the Sabalo 15-28 & the Wadefish 15-27 although the Bluefin could squeeze into consideration with good feedback. I'm also looking at the Okwata as a possibility.

This boat will be used in open water and in the surf (entry/exit only, not playing) as we live near the coast... is one suited better than the other?
For the record, my Darling Wifey is 5'3" and around 65kg.

Any suggestions from the floor?

I'm wondering if the Sabalo 12 would be a better choice since she's a smaller paddler (and tell her I said that... you'll get a good meal out of it )?

How would the Sabalo 12 be in the surf?

It won't be quite as forgiving as a slightly longer boat going over but it should do ok.

I have not paddled the my sabalo 12 in the surf or open water yet, only rivers. So I cant really give you any advice on that.

But if yall are ever in my neck of the woods, you are welcome to try it out

neon14 wrote:But if yall are ever in my neck of the woods, you are welcome to try it out

I'll just finish my coffee and pop right over

BigMal wrote:

neon14 wrote:But if yall are ever in my neck of the woods, you are welcome to try it out

I'll just finish my coffee and pop right over

LOL LOL LOL. It would be cheaper to but 5 yaks than "just pop over" to see Neon.

Still thinking about this ... good things take time .

This boat will be mainly used by SWMBO with one of the mini-me's in tow, so we need to think about more cockpit space to allow the littlies to go for a ride, but 15' is more boat than she wants. I would also like it to be capable of open water fishing with surf entry/exits when the kids get a bit bigger or SWMBO decides to join me.
Basically I'm thinking the 12' Sabalo with a Blue Fin style cockpit/tankwell that will allow some configuration changes when the little-ones are on board.

I see there was a Blue Fin 12' prototype build ... did this ever get drawn up?

Hi Matt and All and Sundry, Merry Xmas and happy new year to all.

I see there was a Blue Fin 12' prototype build ... did this ever get drawn up?

I would like to second that question. 15' a bit long for the cook and as she is developing arthritis, she is having difficulty getting into her Laker. Am planning a Blue Fin for myself and scaling one down for her if she doesn't handle the bigger boat. 12' plans would certainly save a lot of mucking around.

The Sab 12 was originally the BF12 but no one seemed to bite on the open cockpit concept.

But it can be built that way with a couple extra steps.