Wet, wet, wet. Not spray kind of wet, more like curtains of water wet. Other than that, they run pretty skinny and have decent top end. A buddy of mine redid the deck on a smaller Redfin a while back and found they used plain old nails as fasteners. I'm sure they aren't all like that, but his sure was.

 

Spot on

 

OP I was in a similar situation as you about 2 years ago. I was about to buy a Red-fin also, and I posted on here and was glad I did. I didn't end up buying it because of the comments of wet riding, I bought a Kenner instead and I'm very happy with my choice. I've ridden in several and they aren't the type of boat to fit my needs running in Galveston and trinity, because it can get sporty at times. I'll try to find my post and put it up here. Good luck

 

Cheap boat & from what was posted you now know why. If you just want a cheap boat & do not care about fit/finish/ride it's your boat.

 

Make sure bottom is not cracked and the foam is not water logged.

 

Had one, man it was wet riding, neck and neck with a Carolina Skiff. I guess if it's a steal, put on a wet suit and enjoy!

 

u are getting it cheap, if it runs and hull looks solid go for it.

 

Agreed with the others.. If it is a solid boat and cheap.. Go for it but they are WET !! not totally a bad thing in the heat of summer though LOL

 

I have a 19ft Wetfin and in all honesty, only really wet when riding into considerable chop and wind, it gets pretty shallow and fishes 2 - 3 people comfortably. I would however have gone for something a little bigger had i thought further than my nose.

 

If it is cheap, floats and runs a wet riding boat is better than no boat. Could always sell it and upgrade later on.

 

I have a 20 foot Redfin tunnel hull and have had it since new in 1992. It was and still is as far as I know the biggest boat that will fit in my garage. We have used it everywhere from Toledo Bend to Galveston North Jetty. It has held up well, still looking almost new, I'm sure garage stored and rinsed off after every saltwater trip have helped with condition. It's not a rough water boat, although it can handle it when the unexpected weather shows up.

I read a lot on this forum that they are very wet, and I really wonder how many of those people actually owned one or are repeating what they read, or took the time to learn how to drive it on a cross wind. In a cross wind, shift passengers to the downwind side and it is considerably dryer, knocking the spray down instead of cutting into it. Also add scuppers to the floor drain holes if it doesn't have any. The floating ball type work perfectly and keep the floor dry.

I speared a ship wave on the channel side of the North Jetty years ago with my wife, a friend, and my two boys in the boat, and it ran fine and drained quickly.

The front and rear decks are perfect for fishing chairs and a bow mount trolling motor.

I replaced the galvanized trailer a couple years ago with a tandem axle aluminum one and it looks like a new rig. Any time the carpet started to come up I glued it down and it too has held up well.

 

Thanks. I appreciate the replys. As mentioned, I have plans to take it for a spin this weekend and will be sure to make a run to some skinny water to see how it does out of the hole and open rough water and see if the ride/ spray is tolerable or a deal breaker. I'll post, once I dry off, after demo and let ya'll know how it turned out.

 

Had one as my first boat. Way, way, way to wet. I can't stress enough how wet. Miserable. I had it about a year and sold it for what I bought it for. I test drove it in the lake on a calm day and it was fine. First time in the bay in any chop, I regretted it.

 

Test drove and bought the boat today. Nice windy day to check it out. Motor ran flawless smooth idle, great throttle response and top end and i was really impressed(never owned a mercury). Handled the chop fine. Did get occational spray but we never got wet. Ran tight to the shoreline seemed skinny enough. Hole shot seemed ok. I will have to get used to how it handles at speed during turns and was told they will swap ends if not careful. Basically trim down/slow down and then ok. Might try a 4 blade prop and a shallowblaster? A friend of mine had a rf years ago and from what i remember it improved not only the hole shot but the steering too but sacrificed some on top end. Anyhow, that about sums it up. Once again, thanks to all that replied. I will post pics as soon as I figure out how to do it