advice on boat buying

[4x4man514]

hey guys,i am in the market for a boat and am relitively new to offshore fishing. ive been on big charter boats a couple dozen times plus on a couple of friends boats a couple dozen times. one of which was a 22 ft striper which we have had out 50 miles on a good day and the other was a 27 ft sea fox out to about 35 mi.

i really dont know which brands to look at besides the obvious choices unfortunately they are not in my price range.

i also dont know just how big i need to go.

am i better with an older bigger boat or a newer smaller boat. i have been watching ebay and seen some decent deals on boats. i was looking to spend in the neighbor hood of 20k.

ride quality and gas mileage are important to me but i realize alot of the time they contradict one another so im trying to find a balance.

any help would be great. im addicted to the offshore fishing and dont know what to look for!

thanks a load!

kevin

 

[jonesg]

Re: advice on boat buying

If I had $20K I would look for a used Parker Bros.

If you're handy with tools , maybe a used Bertram in need of repower, around Boston you can get them for cheap, look on craigslist.
These guys have a few.
http://www.boatbrokerageinc.net/

 

[JRJ]

Re: advice on boat buying

Welcome to iboats.
First, where are you located, or more importantly, where do you plan to use your new boat? How many miles offshore to you want to go? Can you do any of your own maintenance and repairs? Right now there are a lot of good sounding boat deals on the saltwater geared forums I belong to. Do not buy a boat sight unseen. Photos can leave out a lot. Insist on a sea trial. A boat survey costs money but could save you a lot of grief in the long run too.
Personally, I like 4-stroke outboards for power and a cuddy for comfort. Have fun looking.

 

[dingbat]

Re: advice on boat buying

If I had $20K I would look for a used Parker Bros.

Thought they made board games.

 

[4x4man514]

Re: advice on boat buying

thanks guys! i am in ga and that is where i will be primarily going out from(savannah). but i live in augusta which means i need atrailerable boat. im not sure if some of the ones yall mentioned can be easily trailered or not. and im pretty handy with some wrenches. i wouldnt call myself a boat mechanic but ive had several hot rod cars and a bowfishing boat i used to work on all the time. most mechanicing is the same basics but i wont go deep into an outboard. lol! too many wires for me! lol!

oh i almost forgot, i want to be able to go at least about 60 mi. ( i realize i will have to pick a peaceful day to do this)

 

[tnduc]

Re: advice on boat buying

Trailerable- you are looking in the 25 ft range, max. You can find a lot of good, used boats around $20K, today is definitely a buyer's market. I'd be looking for a deep V, center console. Just be patient and take along someone who knows boats and get a survey before buying.

 

[capt sam]

Re: advice on boat buying

the one you really need to avoid is Sea Fox, a friend has one and we work on it constantly, I would look for a quality used boat like a Contender, $20k might get you a 23' with a single engine.

 

[4x4man514]

Re: advice on boat buying

thanks. thats the kind of advice im looking for. what to stay away from. the sea fox i went out on did have a pretty rough ride as compared to the striper which was a smaller boat. i have heard the contender was def one to look at, i just didnt know if i could afford one. i was kinda wanting to go a little bigger but not at the cost of quality.

gas mileage question: if the same boat was outfitted with 2 -115hps vs. one 230hp, would one set up be better than the other for efficiency purposes? im sure twins would be better for reliability.

 

[commander315]

Re: advice on boat buying

If you want a balance between fuel and ride quality, outboards are generally there. As for the boat, if your gonna need to trailer it, a nice, older, big, well kept sportfisherman....is out..Take a look at the Wellcraft coastal series. maybe a nice 2000-2004 270 or 250 Coastal will be great for you. Theyre fast, fishing capable, and both got nice little cuddy's...plus their hull design offers an awesome ride in a rough chop..Have Fun!!...hope this helped

 

[4x4man514]

Re: advice on boat buying

thanks, i was going 2 ask about the wellcrafts, there seem to be an awful lot of them out there. im kinda trying to stay away from cuddys but i havent ruled them out yet, ill have to check them out, thanks again!

 

[older]

Re: advice on boat buying

My GF's brother has a 19 foot Arimma deep bow with a 90 hp outboard. That things rides really nice in the open ocean and he even takes it lake fishing where everyone else is using aluminum boats.

It's way out of my price range though and I'm happy with my little 14 foot fiberglass for lake and harbor fishing/cruising.

 

[JRJ]

Re: advice on boat buying

If you don't want a cuddy, I wouldn't try to talk you into one, because I like CC's too. Just about everything is a trade off one way or another. For offshore I would recommend a kicker motor if you don't go twins. Have fun.

 

[4x4man514]

Re: advice on boat buying

i would prolly do that but i would rather have twin motors. i just havent been able to figure out how they stack up against one big motor as far as efficincy goes.

has anyone heard anything about century boats? ive seen some decent deals on them as well.

 

[capt sam]

Re: advice on boat buying

well made boats.

 

[4x4man514]

Re: advice on boat buying

thanks!i appreceiate all the info im getting here!

i guess everyone is as unsure as me about a fuel efficiency standpoint between one and two motors. lol!

how about renegade boats? anyone heard anything about them?

 

[capt sam]

Re: advice on boat buying

I've heard good and bad, they're known to have some glass issues.

 

[4x4man514]

Re: advice on boat buying

oh really? do you mean like soft spots or something?

 

[capt sam]

Re: advice on boat buying

Delamination but in all fairness I've only heard that and the issue I was aware of the company took care of after some prodding.

 

[joebob14]

Re: advice on boat buying

As far as eficiencey goes 2 115,s at wot will deffinitley suck more fuel than 1 230. However 1 115 at wot wont be as bad as the 230 at 3/4 throttle and when your 60 miles out its always good to know you have two engines. As stated before there is always a trade off of some sort but my opinion is go with twin engines if you want to go out that far.just dont forget twice the engines means twice the maintenence. Good luck.

 

[jmcleod]

Re: advice on boat buying

I would have no problem recommending a SeaFox. I have a 195 Bay Fisher and have had great luck with it. It is dryer than a 20' Pathfinder and can get on plane in less water than a similar size Hewes Redfisher. But then again, I am mainly inshore...

If you need trailerability, you will automatically sacrifice fuel economy, because the option for diesels that fit your need are slim. You can find a great used Whaler right now - very stable. If budget is a concern, look at Sea Chaser by Carolina Skiff - another good ride for the money. And definitely get twin engines (outboards or I/O's). Nothing is worse than being 35 miles from shore and floating dead (been there!)

Jon