fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

[JoshKaptur]

Hi everyone,

I’m in the research stage of what I hope will be a 2007 boat purchase, and am really struggling to find the right compromise (I recognize all boats are compromises) between a fishing boat and a family friendly boat. In the summers I expect the boat to see a decent amount of cruise/ski/wakeboard time and some fishing time, but the other 3 months it will see a lot more fishing. Put another way, if I didn't love fishing so much I wouldn't even be thinking about buying a boat, but as long as I'm getting one I want to keep the family and non-fishing friends happy too. If I lived on a lake I’d probably get the Tahoe Q6 SF or the Four Winns 203, but my boat will be used primarily on the Chesapeake Bay. It would be a big disappointment if I had to cancel a lot of fishing trips because of minor or even moderate wind/waves/chop, as I suspect I would have to in either of the aforementioned bowriders with fishing features. The problem is I can’t seem to find the inverse… an inshore fishing boat with a healthy amount of creature comforts (e.g. seating) and watersports (e.g. small swim platform, raised ski pylon, etc) engineering.

My search started with a whaler 220 dauntless, but not enough creature comforts even with the comfort package. I've just today stumbled on the GW 225 and the Scout 222 Dorado... but all of the above are out of my price range.

Boat will be kept on a trailer (tow vehicle is 06 nissan pathfinder), needs to stay under $30 grand (used is acceptable), and I’d like to get 8-9 people in it sometimes. Stated simply… I want an inshore fishing boat hull, with a fair amount of deckboat/bowrider interior features. A small enclosed head on a dual console is a big plus, but not a dealbreaker.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated… sorry for the info overload above.

Thanks,
Josh

PS – whatever I get, it should be quite an upgrade from my current boat…

 

[bassboy1]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

I would say get an outboard. I/Os can give lots of trouble. here is a list of boats that should fot your descrtiption.
mako 212
mako 2201
Lund tyee
Lund baron
Personally I am a lund man. And the lund would be fine since you are trailering. But, if you were to moore it in salt water for long periods of time, you would need fiberglass.

 

[Flukinicehole]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

I would look into getting a walkaround. You lose some seating but gain a great ride compared to a bowrider.They can pull a skier easily and have plenty of room for fishing. Besides a big center console with head below console these are in my opinion the best inshore fishing boats.Also the I/O vs. outboard goes like this. I`ve had both took care of both and never had a problem with either one.Maintenance is the key to owning a boat do the regular maintenance and you will be a happy boater.

 

[Flukinicehole]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001...ryZ63726QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I think something like this would be best. Just my opinion good luck.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

agree

 

[ruf1967]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

check out the Trophy site:
http://www.trophyfishing.com/index.asp

 

[Boatist]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

You may want to look at Crestliner. I had one since 1980 and love it. 21 feet but only 92 inch beam but has been in the Ocean many time. Worst conditions 9 feet seas every 6 seconds and building fast.

In general we do not launch for the open ocean if the conditions are seas over 8 feet or distance apart is less than 8 seconds. Just not very fun. My boat is a runabout with a closed Bow.

New boats are wider 102 inches and they no longer have a closed bow option. Still for rough water could easily make a bolt on bow cover. Quality of my boat has been great.

Since they were bought out have done away with the 24 foot boats and closed bow options and hard top options.
Anyway take a look.

http://www.crestliner.com/boats/boat_model.asp?BID=31

 

[JoshKaptur]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

Thank you all for your suggestions. My search as expanded, but in the right direction. I'm hitting the boat show circuit this month and next, but with a plan for boats I want to see and manufacturers I want to talk with. The more I research, the more I love the Scout 222 Dorado... may have to re-evaluate the budget. Or I may need to learn about the 3rd element of the "compromise" I referenced in my first post... price. Not sure how I feel about whether the "perfect" boat is worth 1/3+ more than a similar "good enough" boat that lacks a few desired traits?

 

[QC]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

Your description screams Robalo's R227 Dual-Console. I am in lust with this boat, you'd have to find a serious deal on a used one to fit your budget, but it does all that you ask . . .

BTW, Welcome to iboats!!!

 

[xtraham]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

http://www.chawkboats.com/

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

Your description screams Robalo's R227 Dual-Console. I am in lust with this boat, you'd have to find a serious deal on a used one to fit your budget, but it does all that you ask . . .

BTW, Welcome to iboats!!!

I bumped into a Wellcraft @ the boat show the other day, the setup was similar to that boat.......................took me 20 minutes to fianlly leave..i felt like a 18 yr old man seeing his girl for the first time...
in week's

 

[dingbat]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

In the rivers you’ll be Ok but you will not be happy in the open Bay with a bow rider type boat.

Generally speaking any wind out of the East or West at 12 kts. or more and any wind out of the North or South at 10 kts. or more is going to make for a very uncomfortable experience.

If you want to be able to boat a majority of the season you're going to need an offshore type configuration. Modified V hulls with large bow flares are the norms for these waters. Grady White and Parkers are a couple of the more popular boats in the area.

http://www.gradywhite.com/

http://www.parkerboats.net/pages/07_boat_lineup.jsp

 

[KCook]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

I would expect Polar, Sea Hunt, Seaswirl, and Wellcraft to all be priced under Scout.

Kelly Cook

 

[JoshKaptur]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

I bumped into a Wellcraft @ the boat show the other day, the setup was similar to that boat.......................took me 20 minutes to fianlly leave..i felt like a 18 yr old man seeing his girl for the first time...
in week's

Bumped into the Wellcraft 220 sportsman at the boat show this weekend, and it really was nice. The only thing I would have liked to see different, but is not all that important to me at all, was the addition of a walk through transom. Oh, the price could have been lower too. With a brand new yamaha 250 four stroke the dealer wanted $52K. Not terrible, but not great.

I also seriously looked at a 21ft Wellcraft DC that was an 05 leftover. Had a 200 Yamah 4-stroke and they wanted $34K. Wife and I thought long about a down payment, but decided not to rush this one. The Seaswirl was not quite as "family friendly" as the Wellcraft, though both seemed like very nice boats.

I'm encouraged that there are boats out there that do what I want, and that if I'm patient I'll be able to stay within budget.

Also had a very positive experience with the exibitor (a local marina) selling the SeaSwirl... in no rush to sell me a boat, very patient with all my questions, not at all "used care salesman" in his approach.

Haven't seen the Robalo yet, but I'm hoping it will be at Baltimore this upcoming weekend.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

Pay attention to the boat weight if you intend towing it very far, very often. Nissan indicates 6000# tow capacity for the Pathfinder but with a 4.0 V6 that's a stretch. Some of the listed boats are in the 2600+ pound range bone dry. Add 50 gallons of fuel, an engine, batteries, anchors, gear, radios, water, a tandem trailer and weight climbs in a hurry.

 

[PAkev]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

I'm trading or selling my 2004 2010 Polar Bay Boat within the next year. It has only been on saltwater 2 times, has less than 100 hrs. and is in mint condition. I love this boat ....It performs very well and is exceptionably stable but I find my fishing opportunities on smaller PA lakes is limited due to the size (specifically many of our limited HP and electric only lakes where I can not power the boat onto the trailer) It has bow/deck cushions that enable you to convert it from a serious fishing boat to a family pleasure boat in less than 5 min.

Here is a picture of the actual boat:
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/049968.jpg

Here is a link of the floorplan from the dealers website:
http://www.godfreymarine.com/cf/fea...x.cfm?modelName=2010 BAY&series=bayboatseries


Many of the following are upgrades to the original dealer package:

Yamaha F150 4 Stroke Outboard
Minn Kota Riptide 74# 24V Saltwater Trolling Motor with Autopilot & Copilot wireless control & on board charger & 2 Deep Cycle Batteries.
New Optima Dual Purpose Starting/Deepcycle battery
Jensen AM FM CD & Sirius Satellite Radio
Lowrance X18 Color Fishfinder & GPS Chartplotter
Rubberized Tuf Coat non skid deck
Bow Mounted Lowrance X67 Color Fish finder
2 Stainless Steel Props & Factory Black Steel Prop
Bimini Top
Bow Keelguard
Stainless Skegguard
Fuel Water Seperator
Venture tandem bunk trailer w/ 4 wheel surge brakes, salt water wash downs on brakes, & LED lights.
Boat Buddy Loader

The boat is winterized right now but can be water tested in early spring. At that time I'm also planning on taking it to a dealer for consideration of a trade and/or putting it in the hands of a broker.

NADA is listing the package value over 28K WITHOUT all the above listed upgrades. I have documentation of over 35K invested in this package and know selling it direct to the right person at a fair price will be a mutual benefit. Per NADA value I believe somewhere around $26,500 - $27,500 would be a better than fair price.

I can deliver to Mid Atlantic area upon purchase commitment.

PM me if interested: opticare@epix.net

 

[JoshKaptur]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

Thanks PAKev... but I think I've made my mind up on a DC and probably a few more feet than that.

I made a mistake above saying it was an 05 wellcraft... it's actually an 05 sea swirl/striper that we thought about buying.

I'm hoping to get to some sense of knowing exactly what I want at the Atlantic City boat show. Right now, here is my list of boats I'm looking to know more about... hopefully finding a gently used model to benefit from someone else's twofootitis:

Wellcraft 220 sportsman (and 207)
Polar 2100 DC and 2300 DC
Sea hunt escape 220 (or 200)
Sea Swirl 2101 DC and 2301 DC
sea fox 216 DC
Robalo R227
Pro-Line 20DC
Hydra-sports 202DC

Thank you everyone for helping me along... I've come a long way from looking at the Four Winns 205 Fish and Ski a few weeks ago (which I think would be a nice boat if I lived on a lake somwhere).

 

[Solittle]

Re: fishing/family compromise boat (chesapeake bay)

I run a 1988 23' Wellcraft CC with twin 110s on the back & love it. You will find that boats of this size can "comfortably" carry 6 average adults. I doubt that any one would be comfortable with 8-9 on board.