Yeld or King project boat.

[Mal Hannes]

Ok so I am slowly moving back to owning a ski boat.
My ideal boat is a fc with T top with plastics THAT I can close when I do night estuary fishing.

Towable by Hilux from Gauteng to Southern Cape.

So 18 to 20 foot.

I currently have a 19 foot yield or 19 foot kingcat as possible options.

Which is your choice of those two.

I will change motors etc to suit me.

Which of these two would you choose.

[shu vawda]

Hi Mal Hannes.


Honestly boat are good boats and more than capable for your application.I would personally go for the yeld though as its performance through the surf is incredible.I was at Vidal recently and was impresssed by their performance.


It is also slightly lighter than the king cat so would make it easier to tow.


With all that said, the king cat is a better finished boat in terms of bells and whistles.... ultimatlely you will need to decide what you are comfortable with.


I did a complete restoration of a 21ft butt cat.it can be quite rewarding at the end but takes alot of hard work and dedication.If you do not keep at it to get it done, it will take you a long time and ultimately frustrate you.So i hope you have free time on your hands


best of luck with you new venture and please keep us posted on progress.Shout if you need help.....plenty guys here willing to.

[Mal Hannes]

Yes having fished commercially, a butt cat although Butt ugly, has still got the best ride.

That soft landings after a bit of air with a fully loaded boat is pure butt.

[dodger]

We have a 19ft centre console Yeld and a FC Z200, both are great boats. The Z200 has more beam and higher gunwhales and is a little more stable than the Yeld.
Each will have their favourite, both are great to surf launch. The Yeld is much lighter and thus easier to tow it also has a much shallower draft so floats in less water, my choice for long tows.
I to mine to Jozini from Jhb and it is an easy tow

[Rory mundy]

all depends on the age of each boat there are some very old yelds out there and if its a 19 foot then not a kingcat it will be the old invader the kingcat is either a 18foot or 20foot and both you will spend a lot of money on to get nice and you will never get that back if you want to sell

[sardinella]

Go for the Yeld - better resale value

[Rory mundy]

Go for the Yeld - better resale value

if new shape yes they sell quickly

[Rory mundy]

going to be a lot of 21s for sale shortly with the new 22 that is about to be finished

[Mal Hannes]

Hi guys

Is a 21 foot to heavy to tow from Joburg with a Hilux DC.

[stephanhavenga]

You will be able to but, have towed to a 21ft to moz but its not a pleasent drive. Keep to 80km/h and you will be fine. Not sure thats its legal.

[Mal Hannes]

So then if you want mobility you must stay below 20 foot.

[Slim Dusty]

So Mal Hanes.....


Seems you might have found yourself a ski-boat....
What will she be???

[Mal Hannes]

No I have not yet found a boat.

I am just more and more ready to see the dream come true.

I think I know every boat that is available for sale.
The plan now is to buy a boat that is ready for the water in stead of a project boat.

In that 18 to 20 foot range there is tons to choose from but to find that right one.

[Slim Dusty]

Good Luck.....


I’m sure the right one will come your way sooner or later.
When it does, be sure to post some pics...

[HooknCook]

You can tow a 21 Yeld all day long to Mozambique, there is nothing uncomfortable or dangerous at all. I tow mine all the time to Mozambique and tow with a Toyota Hilux. Its a very light boat for its size and ranges in weight around the 2600kg on Double Axle trailer with 6 cans of fuel.

[Slim Dusty]

How does the Hilux (Assuming its a Double-Cab) fair on the Beach with the 21ft Yeld...
Considering one has to launch and trailer the boat, sometimes without the luxury of a tractor.

I'm interested to know, as I have a 4.0 V6 Hilux 4x4, with a 12000 pound Warn bolted to the front, you reckon she would be up to the task?

[HooknCook]

I have never experienced a problem towing with my Hilux, the boat isnt heavy for a 21ft Boat. I have a Automatic Diesel so it wont have the raw power that a 4.0lt Petrol does. On the Sand as you know its all about tyre Pressure and" fast enough but slow enough" momentum. I havent done a lot of beach work but haven't encountered any real problems. There are a lot of chaps towing and doing lots of beach work with 21ft Yelds and Hilux's. The Single Axle trailer is also a advantage as you can fit slightly bigger wheels on it vs the double axle. With that winch of yours you wont ever have a issue trailering it, I have a 8000lb Warn and just use a snatch block at times to half the speed and double the pulling power.