Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Cart contents
Cart empty

Sailfish in Hawaii

sailfish-in-hawaii sailfish-in-hawaii

Hawaii boater Tyler Dickinson relies on a 220 Walk Around to keep his kids safe, his wife and friends happy, and his fishbox full.

The brilliant thing about a walk around boat model is the way it combines the open-cockpit layout feeling of a center console with the comfort and convenience of a cuddy cabin. For a lot of people, the Sailfish 220 Walk Around is truly a “best of both worlds” boat, combining family-friendly amenities with the serious fishing ability that is synonymous with the Sailfish name. Owner Tyler Dickinson is one of those people. As an avid angler living in Holualoa, Hawaii, Tyler needed a boat that could deliver big-water performance and the right tools for fishing success.

As a caring husband and father to two young daughters, ages 7 and 4, he also wanted a boat that would keep everyone safe and happy on long outings. By choosing the 220 WAC, he was able to check all the boxes on his list — and even some he didn’t anticipate. “One of the things I was immediately impressed with was the size of the cabin,” Tyler recounts. “Friends of mine with larger boats have said to me, ‘Wow, that’s even bigger than what’s on my 25!’” He landed on Sailfish after poring over online forums, considering a variety of other brands that he ultimately ruled out. Some were too expensive for what they delivered; others were lacking in quality or versatility. With Sailfish, Tyler found, he was getting a ton of bang for his boating buck. “As a friend of mine told me, ‘Sailfish are just as good as any top-of-the-line boat, they’re just not as well-known out on the West Coast,’” he says. “Well, they should be!” As his research showed, Sailtech construction meant the boats were ultra-reliable and built to provide years of hassle-free enjoyment.

Variable Degree Stepped (VDS) hull design meant the Dickinsons would enjoy a soft, dry, safe ride, even as they ventured out into the wide blue Pacific Ocean. Thoughtful design and purposeful engineering meant the family would have all the features and storage they needed to participate in a full array of fishing and family activities. “One main reason we chose the Walk Around was for the kids,” Tyler explains. “It gives them a place to hang out with all their stuffed animals and blankets. I’ll get them out of the house with me at 5 AM, they’re content to hang out down there for the first part of the day while I fish, and my wife can stay home and sleep in.”

The Dickinsons found that the 220 Walk Around offered the right amount of space and seating, including the optional rear jump seats, and a perfect mix of amenities for fishing and playing. For starters, the standard Porta-Potti in the cabin is a welcome convenience, as is the high-low table that converts to form a berth. A walkthrough transom door and 3-step boarding ladder provide easy access to and from the water. Sailfish’s exclusive dot-matrix textured flooring helps prevent anyone from slipping and sliding around the deck. The boat is also available with a retractable ski tow bar, making it well-suited to pulling the kids on a tube. Other popular options include a pair of 25-quart Igloo coolers and underwater LED lights. For anglers, the available Offshore Tournament Package adds a powder-coated hardtop with a built-in radio box and transom rod holders. Tyler often heads out with a close friend, his girls and his father-in-law to put the Walk Around’s fishing features through their paces. Within their first few months of owning the boat, they had already experienced big success. “In the first 6 weeks alone, we put more than 20 hours on the engine,” Tyler says of his 220’s 200-hp Yamaha outboard. “We’ve caught a 140-pound tuna, a 90-pounder and a 93-pounder. The Sailfish is definitely set up to fish.”

He can also feel confident bringing his family out, knowing the boat will reliably get them home. The Walk Around’s high freeboard means the tall sides keep everyone safely inside the boat, whether craning to spot sea turtles or leaning over to haul in a tuna. Wide deck walkways and tall bow railings allow for safe, easy access to the bow, explaining the boat’s “walk around” name. And thanks to the VDS hull and its reverse chine, the 220 also excels at keeping everyone dry and comfortable. “The boat looks great, it rides great, and it has plenty of power. It actually goes a lot faster than I thought it would,” Tyler says. “Plus, the size is perfect for trailering from our house to the marina and back.” As an added bonus, the boat is a head-turner, drawing admiring looks even amidst all the beautiful Hawaiian scenery. “Pretty much every time we take it out, we get compliments,” Tyler says. “We’ve even had people take pictures of it, saying ‘I want one of these someday!’” For families looking to enjoy memorable boating adventures, saying “aloha” to a Sailfish Walk Around is a wise first step.

Sailfish in Hawaii

Posted:18/05/2023 05:27PM

Locate A Dealer