Lowlysubaruguy
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2012
- Messages
- 514
I'm shopping for a lightly used boat in the 22 to 28 foot range. Been boating for 30 plus years moving into this class boat should be no issue for me. Own a 20 foot welded aluminum deep V boat now its actually 21 to 22 ish boat with the swim deck know inboard and characterists of a deep V boat well and I boat and fish The Mid Columbia river which is comparable to a bad day in the ocean a lot of the times. Maybe not to some typhoon but we see 50 MPH winds that blow into heavy current makes for some hefty waves I am headed out into 4 to 6 foot waves in the dark when most people have raced to shore or decided not to go. Point to this may be to help you direct me as I will most likely find myself in rough water from time to time. Not that I would go out in really bad weather but I wont call a fishing trip off in a minor storm especially if the timings right. The point to this is I do want a very safe stabile boat worthy of ocean waters. Don't take this as I'm headed out to battle the storm of the century either.
Long term 5 years from now I plan to spend winters in Florida diving and fishing. Buying the right boat in the now or near future not thinking cheap not thinking $100K either. But I want to buy now get it paid for and all of its quirks learned and fixed before I start becoming a snow bird. My kids start graduating in 2 years or less and life may change faster for me than 5 years if they get a good launch so I am really thinking if I find the boat that rings my bells its coming home with me.
I'm not hung up on style ( I seem to think theres less cats out there because they aren't as pretty to look at as a deep v) more functionality quality ride and will it do what I want. Never been in a cat or twin hull. Don't seem to be many of them in the Northwest. I looked at a few last trip top Florida but did not have time to even crawl around in one. I have read enough on them to think my heads swollen. What I think is a cat may be the right choice. We want something with a cabin to sleep long comfy enough to make a two week trip in it if we don't kill each other. But I have one need here that the walk around deck up top be wide enough to easily maneuver from front to rear if anchoring or playing a big fish which I plan to do.
I'm not opposed to an older boat but I also need very easy access from water level through the transom with a door or gate many boats even 5 to 7 years old still have a solid transom. Fuel efficient is a plus but I also want a top speed of 37 or more so fuel consumption is maybe middle of my desires list.
So short version. V hull vs twin or cat hull with walk around deck and adequate cabin for overnight and gear storage
Safe in rough water sizes of boats from cat to V hull is there a general rule that a cat of X length will compare to a V hull of X length and if you have knowledge of boat style hulls what's your preference if you have similar needs.
Looks like I may have to drive to Seattle to really see any cat hull boats but plan to do so. Theres two cats that I have found that are appealing on a computer screen. But it looks like if I decide to go with a cat hull I may have to travel some distance for the right boat.
Thanks
Long term 5 years from now I plan to spend winters in Florida diving and fishing. Buying the right boat in the now or near future not thinking cheap not thinking $100K either. But I want to buy now get it paid for and all of its quirks learned and fixed before I start becoming a snow bird. My kids start graduating in 2 years or less and life may change faster for me than 5 years if they get a good launch so I am really thinking if I find the boat that rings my bells its coming home with me.
I'm not hung up on style ( I seem to think theres less cats out there because they aren't as pretty to look at as a deep v) more functionality quality ride and will it do what I want. Never been in a cat or twin hull. Don't seem to be many of them in the Northwest. I looked at a few last trip top Florida but did not have time to even crawl around in one. I have read enough on them to think my heads swollen. What I think is a cat may be the right choice. We want something with a cabin to sleep long comfy enough to make a two week trip in it if we don't kill each other. But I have one need here that the walk around deck up top be wide enough to easily maneuver from front to rear if anchoring or playing a big fish which I plan to do.
I'm not opposed to an older boat but I also need very easy access from water level through the transom with a door or gate many boats even 5 to 7 years old still have a solid transom. Fuel efficient is a plus but I also want a top speed of 37 or more so fuel consumption is maybe middle of my desires list.
So short version. V hull vs twin or cat hull with walk around deck and adequate cabin for overnight and gear storage
Safe in rough water sizes of boats from cat to V hull is there a general rule that a cat of X length will compare to a V hull of X length and if you have knowledge of boat style hulls what's your preference if you have similar needs.
Looks like I may have to drive to Seattle to really see any cat hull boats but plan to do so. Theres two cats that I have found that are appealing on a computer screen. But it looks like if I decide to go with a cat hull I may have to travel some distance for the right boat.
Thanks