1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

[Firestar]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

A deep V aluminum boat and a Honda outboard. An aluminum boat usually weights 33% less then it's comparable
fiberglass counterpart. 21ft alunimum, 21 ft. fiberglass. The aluminum boat will require less horsepower to achieve the same level of performance of the fiberglass boat.
Your tow vehicle will have less of a load to deal with. Gas will be saved in both the tow vehicle and the boat.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

good comments here.....

i would re-read tashasdaddys list again......that will narrow the playing feild to boats specific for your needs.

another thing you MUST get...is a boat with a lot of freeboard....(distance between the water and the deck)...........this will help you in the huge water YOU WILL experiance.

may i also suggest that you take a good power squadren safe boating course or two......make no mistake.....that lake is a graveyard of ships...

as jb says.....there is no forgivness for the unprepaired

 

[MikDee]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

A Boston Whaler is a good boat, but most of them are pretty low to the water. Here's what I mean, 28" of freeboad. I believe the earlier yrs boats are made the same way:
http://www.seaswirl.com/models.cfm?model=628

 

[dingbat]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

Don't be put off by the sticker shock of the new ones but take a look at the Grady White 225 Tournament. Its a very well built, seaworthy bow rider that has an enclosed head, lots of comfortable seating and all the amenities a fisherman would ever want.

You should be able to find a mid to late 90?s model in the price range you?re considering. There is one for sale right down the road that?s loaded (bow pulpit, full enclosure, Furuno electronics, etc,) and has a new 200 HP E-Tec on the back for $25K. You could problem get it down to $21-22K.

http://www.gradywhiteowners.com/225/

 

[fishingdan]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

I think dingbat's suggestion is a great one. That is a great boat that can handle some rougher water if you happen to get caught in it.

Boston Whaler has a somewhat similar model in the Ventura. BW's are solid boats, but they are pricey. The good news is that they hold value well (or at least well for a boat).

Serisouly consider buying a late model used boat. There are many on the market right now. Most will have factory warranties still in effect and the previous owner will have worked through all of the new boat issues. The boat mentioned by dingbat is a good example of fully rigged out boat selling for a very good discount compared to new.

All of the name brand power plants are good (outboards or I/Os). Matching it to good service in your area is the important part.

 

[bamafutbal]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

it would be nice to go to jd powers and look up reliability on boats. seems there is no such thing as "honda reliability" in the boating industry.