Bay Boat versus CC

[nightstalker]

If you split your fishing time 50/50 between the bay (skinny water) and 15 miles or so offshore, which is the better buy, a Bay Boat or a CC.<br />Stalker

 

[KCook]

Re: Bay Boat versus CC

Good question, with no clear answer. I've seen posts by owners of both swearing their boat is the best choice. As a general rule the more chances you have to (or want to) take with weather the more you will want the CC. Whether the bay boat works better inside depends in large part on your style of fishing. Get demos in both! <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[PAkev]

Re: Bay Boat versus CC

You didn't mention size but heres my $.02 for your consideration.<br /><br />As far as the skinny water goes, theres not too many places you will be able to take a deep V. The deeper freeboard is also a little overkill and makes fishing shallow water more difficult so I would say the bay boat wins here.<br /><br />As far as offshore, I'm presuming you're concern is getting caught 15 miles out when conditions turn nasty rather than willfully compromising your safety. Although you may not have complete control over the weather, you should be knowledgable about prevailing weather conditions for that day regardless of what kind of boat you are using. If you know the limits of your boat, you can comfortably manage a bay boat in good ocean conditions.<br /><br />If your mix is 50/50, I would go for the bay boat because a deep V will probably put limits on shallow water boating that may actually turn this ratio to something like 20/80 and you will then have to buy a $1000 pair of really good binoculars to visit with girls on the beach.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Bay Boat versus CC

I'd go for both. No rule I know of says you can only have one boat...Chief

 

[Solittle]

Re: Bay Boat versus CC

Stalker - You did not say where you boat but I run a 23' CC in Biscayne Bay south of Miami & have run these waters for 30 years + plus off shore. I have also run "bay" boats in these waters. Yes in a bay boat you can run flat out in some shallow waters that you have to go a slow put put with a CC. However I can go out comfortably in relatively rough water that would keep a bay boat on the trailer. So kinda depends on what is important to you and your crew.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Bay Boat versus CC

Thanks for the info. I'll probably go with a Bay Boat and watch the weather when I take her out to deeper water off shore. I fish off Tampa Bay and already have a real good pair of binoculars.<br />Stalker

 

[zeppellin]

Re: Bay Boat versus CC

Hey Stalker...what did you end up with, im having the same dilemma, i live in the tampa area..love fishing the flats. only a few ft deep, but if im buyin a boat i wanna be able to do offshore fishing..safely. ive been looking a bay boats and salesman say..you can take these out ..but i just cant seem to trust those guys

 

[DJ]

Re: Bay Boat versus CC

zeppellin,<br /><br />I owned a bay boat, never again. It would hurt you in a one foot chop not to mention get you awfully wet.<br /><br />A light center console with some degree of deadrise is a better choice, IMHO.