i WAS IN SEARCH OF A SAIL FISH FOR THE SAME PURPOSES AS YOU STATED .... THEN I DISCOVERED THE MARLIN ... SINCE THAT POINT I HAVE OWNED TWO MARLINS ... 2001 AND 2007 ... THE MARLIN IS AN AMAZING MULTI PURPOSE BOAT ... WHETHER IN FIVE FOOT SEAS , A NASTY INLET, OR 2 FEET OF WATER ON THE SAND...