When you think of a multi-purpose boat, you consider fishability and family comfort. With today’s flagging economy, you want to get both in one boat and you want it at a price that doesn’t chew up your family’s budget along with the money you need for fishing gear!
That is what Seaswirl was thinking too, so they built the 2605 Walk Around as their answer to the “SUV” on the water. It has a cabin, fishing-friendly cockpit, and room for the family to just go out and enjoy the water. You can pump it up with more fishing features like a hardtop with Alaskan pack, outriggers and rocket launcher rod holders. You can dress her up with a cabin table, fold-away stern seat, CD/stereo and Sunbrella canvas. Standard fishing features include twin fish boxes, 28 gallon livewell and recessed rod racks, among other fishing-friendly features. The cabin sports 6’ of headroom and there is a standard swim ladder to enjoy the water at anchor. Where many builders have pushed their boats to 27’ with a broader beam, this is just under 26’ and still a trailerable 8’6” beam.
Seaswirl Striper 2605 Walk Around
By Capt. Rob Smith
The Striper 2605 Walk Around is not only a more affordable cross-over boat that has family and fishing features, it is also more useful. Most builders have chosen to move on up to 27’ and over 8’6” in beam. This not only adds more weight which the family vehicle may not be able to tow, but becomes a towing situation that may require special permits due to excess width. The 2605 seemed to have as much cockpit space as the 27s I have seen lately, or at least close enough that two or three guys out fishing won’t know the difference.
The Striper fishing boat has been around since the ‘60s and is found on just about every type of water. Seaswirl instituted their Fibercore Stringer System where the stringer is glassed into the hull, then all the voids are filled with flotation foam, even those that aren’t required to have minimum flotation by the USCG or NMMA. The added flotation foam serves as insulation, noise dampening and vibration absorbers. Glassing the stringer system to the hull adds stiffness. The V-trac hull shape slices the off-shore waves, calming the ride. The chines and strakes add lift and whisk the water out rather than into the cockpit. Water that does reach the cockpit or bow is quickly channeled overboard or out through scuppers.
To the Bow
Forward on the 2605, you have an integrated pulpit with anchor roller and anchor line locker. Rails are thru-bolted to ensure stability and are at the perfect height for someone to sit in the molded in bow seat and watch the action on the beach at anchor. Deep side decks run water off just before reaching the molded in steps to the cockpit. My test boat had the optional hard top which I think is a necessity when going offshore for hours at a time. With the hardtop, you have access to add antennas, radar and outriggers as well as lights for the deck and fishing astern and rocket launcher rod holders for trolling.
In the Cockpit
Once into the cockpit, there is enough room for several to hook up at a time without smacking each other every time they haul back on the rod. Large insulated fish boxes to port and starboard keep the catch fresh until you get back or stow the equipment when you are back to work and dreaming about that next trip. The boxes have macerators to make cleanup easier at the end of the day. Washdown connections and the macerator switches are under the gunwales along with rod racks to keep several rods handy. Flush mount rod holders are in the tops of the gunwales that are wide and have anti-skid patterns molded in. The cockpit measures about 84” by 54” to the back of the jump seats. If you take a crowd out, you may want the extra jump seats you can add in the stern. In the stern you have an aerated 30 gallon livewell/baitwell with high speed pickup. The transom door is on the port side and leads out to a three step nested swim ladder. Another handy add-on is the fold-away stern bench seat. With the family onboard, the kids will battle over who gets to sit here! When you are fishing, it folds away neatly and doesn’t get in the way. Batteries, battery switches and the fuel/water separator are behind hatches in the front of the stern. With the exception of the fuel/water separator, everything was handy. The fuel/water separator is too far back under the stern. Company representatives tell me it will be moved soon.
Helm Deck
Moving up to the helm deck, seating is a pair of Pompanette pedestal seats with jump seats immediately behind and below them. The helm station was laid out fairly well with a large compass on top and room to add one or two large screen displays. As we had Yamaha engines, this one was also rigged with Yamaha digital gauges. Trim tabs are optional on the 2605, but if you plan to do much offshore, you will probably want them added. In the Intracoastal, I found it comfortable to either stand or sit to drive and used very little trim tab.
Down Below
With a small cabin, it is a challenge to make it truly useful. Seaswirl did a fine job in my opinion on the 2605 Walk Around. Forward you have the typical V-seating with a table large enough to serve two a meal. To port just inside the cabin is a vanity with a sink and manual pump water system. The hatch on the front drops down to reveal a single alcohol burner, just be sure and take the strap off before you light it. Across from the vanity is a bench extension that goes over the toilet, a ceramic manual pump toilet in my test boat. If you need room for a nap, filler cushions quickly convert the entire space into a bed large enough for two adults.
Specifications
The Striper 2605 Walk Around measures 25’7” overall, with a beam of 8’6”. She tips the scales at 4550 lbs. and draws about 18”. Fuel capacity is 160 gallons and standard power is 225-hp outboard and maximum rated power is 350-hp.
Test Results
The Striper 2605 was responsive, like the Seaswirl folks told me it would be. She made sharp, controlled turns without losing momentum and control. She sliced through the wakes of passing large cruisers without bucking like a bad bronco. She was on plane in 3.4 seconds and up to 30 mph in 5.5 seconds and had very reasonable bow rise. I believe I only lost the horizon for a split second. The most economical speed was at 29.2 mph for a full tank range of 456 miles burning 9.2 gph. Top speed reached 48.1 mph averaging 1.6 mpg. After spending a bit more time and playing with the tabs I was able to reach 50 mph.
Conclusion
The Striper 2605 Walk Around did not disappoint. It is a no-nonsense family/fishing rig that you don’t have to remortgage the house and use your arm for as a down payment. She has all the necessary fishing ability and Seaswirl offers the options that most will want. She handles well enough that the family will be comfortable going out with you. The best I can say is to take one out for yourself to see if it fits your qualifications.
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