23ft boat offshore advice?

[jvislax32]

OK so i am moving down to naples fl next year and selling a couple of my toys to purchase a small offshore boat. i am looking for something that will be big enough to handle a moderate chop offshore trolling for mai, and kingfish but small enough draft to fish off the gulf coast . i was looking at a semi older boat seaswirl , proline , sea fox. and was curious about advice looking in the price range of prolly 12,000 cash and 23ft. not planning on going out farther that 5-6 miles off miami.
i took my 14 ft deep v off naples with a 25hp tiller and had some luck with sharks but after enjoying the inlet battle realized my 19ft center console dream boat was going to be to small for larger waves
also any difference in the cuddy cabin design vs center console in rough chop? 7ft seas and higher??? By the way selling the john boat and yamaha r6 but keeping the harley electra glide.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: 23ft boat offshore advice?

I fish the Pacific Ocean in a 21 foot there are many 20-22' boats. North river, starcraft, duckworth, seaswirl.
23' should be good enough, If I recall Florida has less large swells most of the time.

 

[tazrig]

Re: 23ft boat offshore advice?

A late 70's Formula would also be a good choice. They are built like tanks have a deep "V", draw about 3 feet of water and will handle even heavy seas with ease. Keep in mind any 23 boat you buy for 12K is going to have some maintenance costs asssoc. with the motor.

 

[jvislax32]

Re: 23ft boat offshore advice?

A late 70's Formula would also be a good choice. They are built like tanks have a deep "V", draw about 3 feet of water and will handle even heavy seas with ease. Keep boat you buy for 12K is going to have some maintenance costs asssoc. with the motor.

Well im not worried about maint. As much i can rebuild engines, replaced gimbal bearings bellows and throttle xables and.sych. i figure as long as the fiberglass and.shell are not broke i can fix everything else

 

[Don S]

Re: 23ft boat offshore advice?

Moving this over to boat topics forum, it's not really about fishing, more about finding the proper boat.

 

[tazrig]

Re: 23ft boat offshore advice?

Well im not worried about maint. As much i can rebuild engines, replaced gimbal bearings bellows and throttle xables and.sych. i figure as long as the fiberglass and.shell are not broke i can fix everything else

If you don't have to worry about maintenance cost then the circa late 1970's Formula 23' model F-233C is a great choice. It weighs approximately 5,900 lbs dry with one engine and 6,500 dry with twins. It is a great all around boat for fishing, skiing or just cruising and has a 80 gallon fuel tank. Here is a pic of one: