If you love fishing and you want to make your trips safe, easier and as hassle-free as possible, then there is a huge range of Fast Fishing boats on the market.
Fast Fishers generally have an open configuration and a good walkaround designed to give you access to every corner of the deck. Add this to some clever features such as live bait-wells, plenty of dash space for electronics, and large fuel tanks for longer trips, then you've got the perfect set up for some great and fruitful fishing expeditions!
What's more, Plymouth is the perfect base to reach some of the best fishing spots in the Westcountry including Gara Point, Rame Head, Eddystone Reef and an abundance of reefs, deepwater spots and wrecks.
So which Fast Fisher is right for you? Take a look as we run down our top 5 all of which are suitable for berthing in our dry stack...
But don't forget - we love fishing and deal with boats day in, day out. So if you want more advice, just get in touch with our team!
Beneteau Barracuda 7
A spacious wheelhouse, expansive views from the cockpit, sliding doors to create a larger stern deck, and a well-spaced walkaround. The Beneteau Barracuda 7 is an exemplary fast fisher with the luxury of a basic cabin, heads, cockpit table, shower and fridge making it equally comfortable for family trips.
This boat is also great for longer days with a good 200 litre fuel tank and a top speed of 34 knots. But cruising at 20-25 knots, you'll get a cruising range of over 120 miles.
For Sale - This Barracuda 7 is for sale from Boat Exchange in Plymouth for £64,104
Arvor 215/AS
This no-frills boat is an outstanding and reliable inboard fast fisher, and the number already found in our Drystack pays testament to this.
There's ample space/access around the cockpit and up to the transom, while the self-draining deck and non-slip finish is a must-have for all keen anglers. The L-shaped deck and offset wheelhouse is a clever design allowing for a spacious fishing area with plenty of room for 3-4 anglers.
Her inboard diesel engine and hydraulic steering means she handles extremely easily and, as with all Arvor models, the overall quality is second-to-none. And, with a comfortable cruising speed of 18-22 knots, she is extremely economical as Fast Fishers go.
For Sale - This Arvor 215AS Cummins is for sale from BoatsandOutboards4Sale for £18,750
Merry Fisher 795 Marlin
A true hybrid and nicknamed the '4x4 of the sea'. From Jeanneau, one of the world's biggest boatbuilders, the Merry Fisher brand is trusted and popular around the world.
The Marlin model is an adaptation of the popular 795 cruiser. As a result, the internal space is sacrificed for a bigger walkaround (including proper space on the foredeck) and a larger aft deck helped by a significant beam of 2.8m.
The three sliding doors on the wheelhouse allow fast access around the deck and create welcome inside-outside space, with the skylight adding to this impression.
At 280 litres, the fuel capacity is probably the largest you'll find for a boat under 8m. This makes longer fishing trips far easier, especially when combined with the roomy cabin. Any windage is balanced by an efficient bow thruster ensuring manoeuvring is simple and intuitive.
Smartliner Fisher 23
The Polish-built Smartliner brand is a great value Fast Fisher and, as you'd expect, they're smart, reliable and functional (without being overly glamorous).
The dual pilot locations (one inside and one outside) is a niche in the Fast Fisher market but doesn't overly compromise deck space as you might expect.
The Smartliner 23 has ample walkaround space and solid guard rails for safety. The dual 75lr fuel tanks allow for a good cruising range, especially due to the Smartliner's lighter hull.
Overall, if you're a first time buyer or you just want to get out on the water, the Smartliner is a great choice - great value for money, simple layout and easy to use. The full range are on display at Yacht Haven Quay, home to South West Yacht Brokers, Smartliner’s UK importer.
For Sale - This Smartliner Fisher 23 is for sale from South West Yacht Brokers for £17,900
Pilot 6 Classic
Lightweight, durable and surprisingly nippy. The Plymouth-built Pilot range are great all-rounders and extremely attractive. Their simple and practical layouts make her suitable for families as well as great boats for keen anglers.
If your boating ambitions take you around every nook and creek of Plymouth's rivers, then the Pilot 6 Classic is the perfect inshore boat.
At 5.2m LOA, the Pilot is the smallest boat in our top 5 but this is by no means a negative. With a 50hp outboard, she will comfortably cruise at 18 knots with space on deck for 4-5 anglers.
Her size does mean you lose the walkaround deck feature but the generous aft cockpit provides ample space. Extremely seaworthy for her size, this boat is a prefect compromise between heading out to the reefs, and exploring further up river, taking full advantage of the lure of the Rivers Tamar, Lynher, Yealm, Erme and Avon – all on our doorstep here at the Drystack.