Southampton Boat Show - Pirate 18

Over to the boat show with the family today to have a look around. My main aim though, was to get a look and a test drive on a Pirate 18 centre console. Why the centre console and not the cuddy?...I just love the extra space and freedom of the open boat, it's really well suited to drifting, plugging, fly fishing and mucking around in. Fitted with a dodger, this would afford some protection from the elements at anchor too. It also goes like stink!!
Today though was more to satisfy my curiosity rather than actually buying a new boat...that will be the plan in a few years time but It would be nice to know what I am saving for.
We eventually found the two boats (cuddy and centre console version) on their berths. They both looked very nice and in the end I managed to test drive both. Stability was amazing, turning into tight corners there was literally no list  at all and the ride was superb. The centre console was fitted with a 60hp honda but I think a 90hp (as fitted on the cuddy version) would be better suited. I was told that the boat could take up to 150 horses and return 50mph if speed is your thing!

Definitely one that has made the short list....as long as budget allows!!