NC 795 Sport - Chesapeake Bay

[bozz73]

Hello Captains,

 I am hoping to find a 795 owner who has experience with this boat in the Chesapeake Bay. My wife and I have really found the NC 795 Sport to possibly be the perfect boat for us, and are very close to buying one. We live off the Chesapeake Bay and currently fish and boat the bay. Looking to upgrade to a boat that will allow comfortable spring - fall fishing and weekend family trips all over the bay.  We also like to just shot across the river for dinner, anchor up with friends in a cove and occasional tubing. I know, I want it to do everything! 
My concern is this boat handling the bay, we want to travel up and down the bay on long weekends, stopping at different marinas\towns for most overnights and occasional overnight on the hook (perfect weather permitting, since no a/c etc..) 
Since I currently fish and play in the bay on a 19 CC, I see how quickly the bay changes and surprising how rough the chop can get.
I currently spend more time checking weather\wind and chop reports then boating, and the kids are no fans of getting bounced around in my little boat anymore. Just hoping someone else is out there doing what me and my family are looking to do and can give some insight into this boats ability to handle the bay and if we are doing a weekend trip and 75 miles down the bay, I will be in the right vessel for my budget.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

[Capt’n Ron]

Hi Chris, I did look at the NC 795 Sport (aka Marlin) when I purchase my MF795 a few years back. While I was attracted to the fishing aspects of the boat I found I preferred the extra cabin space of the NC795 over the Sport, especially when I had my wife and others on the boat and the weather takes its turn, and for overnight cruises. As for the handling, I’m sure the two are very similar, but I don’t know if the hulls are the same. I live in the northwest and do a lot of boating on the Puget Sound, and while it’s protected water from ocean swells it can kick up the wind and current waves at a moment’s notices and the boat handles great! I do crank down the speed to keep the passengers from getting too bounced around, but they are warm and dry! I’ve also had it out on the ocean in some pretty good wind waves and swells and it handled very nice, although I felt it was a bit underpowered to keep up with the swells. On the fishing side I gave up the full walkaround, the open bow area for jigging, casting, and seating, but I’ve found it works fine for the majority of fishing I do (and I do a lot) with 2 to 4 people. When looking at the specs I did notice the Sport has less fuel capacity (53 gal versus 74 gal), which I would find noticeable. I’m not trying to talk you out of the Sport, but that’s where I started, looking at the Sport and ended up with the 795 cruiser.



I believe there are several folks on the forum with Sports/Marlin (695/795/895) that can give you better details of their experience.



Good luck!



Cheers,

Ron

[bozz73]

 Thanks Capt'n Ron, I do appreciate the information. My wife would prefer the NC vs Sport, but I feel for what I am looking for out of a boat, the sport fits my needs. I was really thinking I would be buying a bigger CC deep V, until I come across the Sport. I didn't know there was anything like it being made. Never seen one around my way before, so this opens up that longer weekend trip aspect for the family, more comfort, but would give me full angler capabilities of a CC. Win win, right...

On another note, just come across the Beneteau Barracuda. Anyone here look into this model before choosing the Jeanneau.

Thanks,
Chris

[chesbay]

Chris,

We are new to this forum and have recently come to the same exact conclusion as you! We are Chesapeake Bay boaters (currently own a 33' flybridge boat) that we keep on the Sassafras river.  We are looking to downsize to something that is a faster, more economical and can meet a variety of duties: day trips, cruising, anchoring in shallow water, recreational fishing, towing a tube and some overnights. 

We will be at the Annapolis show on 10/11 to really go over the NC 795 with a fine tooth comb, ask our very long list of questions and schedule a sea trial.

I had never seen the Beneteau Barricuda until you mentioned it.

Thanks,

Phil

[Rob]

Hi Chris and Phil,

New to the forum as of two hours ago.  We have been boating on the Sassafras River and Chesapeake Bay for ten years now on a 24 ft open bow deck boat.  Got tired of the unpredictable weather and being chased in by showers and storms so we just purchased a 2019 NC 795. 

We were suppose to take delivery last August but got caught up in the 795 move from overseas to Cadillac Michigan, so the boat didn't come in until November.  We did the Sea Trial in mid November and accepted the boat and the dealer agreed to winterize, re-shrink wrap it, and store until the spring of 2019. 

We ordered most all the options available except the chart-plotter because when we ordered, a Garmin Chart plotter wasn't available using 2018 specs/order sheets. I noticed now on the 2019 spec sheets the Garmin is an option.  I was surprised that I couldn't order a hot water heater but have read on this forum they can be added which I will install myself.  I haven't been able to find out if there are hot and cold water lines installed on the boat or just a cold water line, so if anyone can answer that I would appreciate it.  The dealer will install a Garmin 942 with thru-hull detector and bottom paint in the spring before we take delivery.

I saw a NC 855 in a Marina on the Sassafras River where our boat will be this summer, but was not able to caught up with them when we were there. So Chris and Phil, maybe we will run into you on the river or bay this summer ??

This forum has been great, I got a lot of my questions answered, even though our dealership has been great and answered most of them.  I just got tired of calling and bugging them every time I got another question from reading all the information that came with the boat !!

[nanus18]

Hi Rob, the European of the Merry Fisher 795, only has the installation of cold water
Regards

[Capt’n Ron]

Hi Rob,

First off, congrats on your 795, you will really enjoy that boat and like the rest of us, you will always find something more you want to add!

I did have a hot water heater installed on mine by the dealer when it was purchased. The whole option thing was quite confusing as to what is factory and what's done by the dealer.  We were newbies for this type of a boat so we asked what were the must have options and the sales person said a hot water heater.  In retrospect I would not have gotten it and would have opted for the diesel heater instead.  I've found we very seldom use the hot water given it can only be used while on shore power, although if I leave it on shore power to heat up the water and then go cruising the water does stay hot for a fair amount of time. So I wouldn't say it was a complete waste of money and space (takes up a lot of space), it just wouldn't be on my first options list. If you do add one you will need to change out the sink faucets to a dual faucet, and you might consider a separate supply to your washdown (what they call a deck shower).   

Cheers,
Ron

[miller]

Hi All!!
New to this forum and I'm wondering if anybody has the 795 sport on any of the Great lakes? I am on Lake Ontario and I am also wondering about how it handles in the rough water's. I am 90% sold on this boat and about to make the decision but I'm hoping somebody has some insight.