The Rodman 800: A Versatile Cruiser

The Rodman 800 is a 28-foot boat designed for fishing. It is manufactured by Rodman, a Spanish company that has been building boats since 1974. Rodman is one of the oldest shipyards in Spain and has a diverse product range, including professional and leisure boats. The Rodman 800 is unique in its size due to its inboard shaft drive motors, typically found in larger craft. The boat is well-equipped for fishing, with a long rear deck, a fly bridge, and brackets for heavy-duty rods. It also has a powerful engine, with a single or twin inboard configuration, which provides better safety and comfort than outboards. Despite being designed for fishing, the Rodman 800 also offers comfortable cruising, with a wheelhouse dinette, a galley, a shower room, and a double berth.

The Rodman 800's design and features

The Rodman 800 is a 28-foot boat designed entirely for fishing. It is produced by Rodman, one of the oldest shipyards in Spain, which has a long history of building fishing and working boats. The Rodman 800 is a typical trawler, playing on fishing boat characteristics to handle rough seas. It has a very long rear deck at water level and a fly bridge that allows the skipper to adapt their movements according to their fishing strategy.

One notable feature of the Rodman 800 is its inboard engine, which can be a single or twin configuration. This is unusual for a boat of its size, as most similar vessels use outboards. The inboard engine offers a more centred and lower centre of gravity, enhancing safety and comfort during navigation. Despite its clear focus on fishing, the Rodman 800 also offers a comfortable cruising experience. The wheelhouse features a dinette for four people, and below deck, there is a galley, a small shower room, and a double berth.

Under the hood, the Rodman 800 packs some serious power. The inboard engine configuration delivers impressive performance, with a top speed of 28 knots. The boat feels responsive and efficient, with smooth acceleration and a steady climb to its maximum velocity.

The Rodman 800's walkaround area is highly practical, providing ample space for fishing activities. Additionally, the sturdy gunnel bow-rail offers excellent support and safety when fishing from this area. The flybridge, designed for comfort, accommodates two people and provides the skipper with a clear view of the cockpit, along with all the necessary tools to navigate effectively.

The interior design of the Rodman 800 is both beautiful and functional. The helm station is ergonomically designed, and the saloon offers a relaxing space for passengers. Despite its compact 28-foot length, the interior feels spacious, with a lounge, galley, cabin, and bathroom. Even when navigating through rough waters, the boat's facilities remain practical and easy to use.

The Rodman 800 is an exceptional boat, blending fishing capabilities with cruising comforts. Its robust construction, attention to detail, and seaworthy design make it a top choice for fishing enthusiasts and leisure cruisers alike.

Engine and power

The Rodman 800 is a 28-foot boat that is quite different from most craft in its size. One of its distinct features is that it is powered by inboard shaft drive motors, specifically diesel inboard shaft drive motors. This is unusual for a boat of its size, as most prefer to use outboards. The Rodman 800 is also available with a single or twin engine setup. The twin-engine setup provides very good performance, with a top speed of 28 knots.

The inboard engine setup has some benefits over an outboard setup. One benefit is that it offers a more centred and lower centre of gravity, which improves safety and comfort at sea. This is especially important for a boat like the Rodman 800, which is designed for fishing and may need to handle rough seas.

The Rodman 800's engine provides plenty of power, with a 285hp Volvo KAMD 300 engine. This gives the boat a cruising speed of around 16-18 knots and a fuel consumption of 20.5 litres per hour. With this setup, the Rodman 800 can handle a big following sea and has good tracking stability when running down-sea.

The Rodman 800's engine and power system also include three batteries, charged by the engine and shore power. This provides more than enough power for the boat's needs, including state-of-the-art electronics. The boat is equipped with Raymarine electronics, including a fish finder, radar, autopilot, and plotter. All of these systems are integrated and work together seamlessly.

Safety and comfort

The Rodman 800 is a 28-foot boat that is quite different from most craft of its size. It is powered by inboard shaft drive motors, which is unusual for its size. The inboard engine offers a more centred and lower centre of gravity, contributing to safety and comfort at sea. The Rodman 800 has exceptional sea capabilities and is designed to cope with rough seas. It has a very long rear deck at water level, a fly bridge, and brackets that can accommodate large fishing rods. The Rodman 800 is also equipped with a powerful engine, providing good acceleration and a high top speed.

The Rodman 800's inboard engine offers several safety and comfort advantages. The lower centre of gravity provided by the inboard engine design improves stability and handling, making the boat less likely to roll or capsize. This enhances safety, especially in rough seas or high winds. Additionally, the inboard engine's centralised location provides better weight distribution, resulting in a smoother ride with reduced vibration and noise levels. This contributes to a more comfortable experience for both the crew and passengers.

The Rodman 800's design also prioritises safety and comfort in various other ways. The boat has a spacious interior with a saloon cabin, lounge, galley, bathroom, and a double bed. These features provide ample space for relaxation and practical amenities, ensuring a comfortable experience for extended periods at sea. The saloon offers protection from the elements, and the fly bridge provides an elevated position for improved visibility and manoeuvrability. The sturdy gunnel bow-rail adds an extra layer of safety when fishing or moving around the boat.

The Rodman 800's sea capabilities and design features enhance safety and comfort in challenging conditions. Its exceptional performance in following and head seas instils confidence, with good stabilisation and the ability to handle rough water. The boat's overall bow design and hull design contribute to a smooth ride, even when travelling into a big sea or along the crest of a swell. The twin diesel motors provide additional stability, reducing lateral push by the wind and sea, which is common in outboard-powered craft of this size.

The Rodman 800 is also equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and fishing electronics, including a Raymarine system with integrated "Sea Talk". This advanced technology enhances safety and efficiency during navigation and fishing activities. Overall, the Rodman 800 combines performance, functionality, and attention to detail to deliver a safe and comfortable experience for both leisure and fishing enthusiasts.

Interior and exterior features

The Rodman 800 is a 28-foot boat designed specifically for fishing. Its exterior features a very long rear deck at water level, a fly bridge that allows the skipper to adapt their movements according to their fishing strategy, and brackets that can accommodate heavy-duty rods. The Rodman 800 is also equipped with a powerful inboard engine, which is unusual for a boat of this size. This engine configuration offers a more centred and lower centre of gravity, enhancing safety and comfort while at sea.

The Rodman 800's interior is well-equipped and comfortable, featuring a wheelhouse with a dinette that can seat four people. Below deck, there is a galley, a small shower room, and a double berth. The saloon cabin provides more creature comforts than typically found on similarly-sized craft. The helm station is comfortable and functional, with a lounge, galley, cabin, and bathroom. The overall impression is one of spaciousness, and even taller individuals can move about and utilise the amenities comfortably.

The Rodman 800's finish is superb, with high-class workmanship. The attention to detail is commendable, reflecting the knowledge and experience accumulated by the Rodman Group over many years of boatbuilding. The Rodman 800 is a versatile craft, ideal for family cruising while also offering the capability for serious fishing expeditions.

History of Rodman

The Rodman Group, founded by Manuel Rodriguez in 1974, is the oldest company in its sector in Spain, with an uninterrupted history of building boats for over 50 years. The company began by building fishing boats in the Spanish port city of Vigo and soon expanded into the production of speedboats, motor yachts, and other recreational boats. With a focus on quality, design, safety, and seaworthiness, Rodman has become a well-known brand in the marine industry.

The Rodman Group has grown into a diversified and versatile company, with a wide range of boat lengths and construction materials. They have production facilities spanning 240,000 square meters, employing 500 people across five shipyards in Spain and Portugal. The company's portfolio includes yachts, fishing boats, and recreational boats, as well as professional vessels made from steel, fiberglass, and composite materials.

The Rodman 800 is a unique boat in its class, powered by diesel inboard shaft drive motors rather than the more common outboard motors. It measures 28 feet in length and is designed for offshore fishing and boating. The Rodman 800 offers a practical walkaround design, a comfortable interior saloon cabin, and a powerful engine. It is known for its stability, manoeuvrability, and ability to handle rough seas, making it a popular choice for fishing enthusiasts and those seeking a family boat that can also be used for cruising.

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