Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

[RickV1955]

My wife and I bought a home in Bradenton, Florida - will be moving full time shortly following my retirement (from Massachusetts).

I looking for a fishing boat - something that I can use in-shore as well as off-shore. Something that can accomodate three of four fishermen, but not too big that I can't handle it myself/alone if need be.
Also a boat that will sufice for pleasure boating for my wife and myself...and guests, at times.
We are not on the water...we do have a secure area to store boat, so would be trailering it back and forth to public ramps.

I'm thinking of something like a 25' center console.
Have seen a few with twin engines (can anyone tell me the advantage of twin engines - to overcome the obvious double fuel and maintenance costs??)

Any and all advice....tips....hints.....etc...would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,

Rick

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

My wife and I bought a home in Bradenton, Florida - will be moving full time shortly following my retirement (from Massachusetts).

I looking for a fishing boat - something that I can use in-shore as well as off-shore. Something that can accomodate three of four fishermen, but not too big that I can't handle it myself/alone if need be.
Also a boat that will sufice for pleasure boating for my wife and myself...and guests, at times.
We are not on the water...we do have a secure area to store boat, so would be trailering it back and forth to public ramps.

I'm thinking of something like a 25' center console.
Have seen a few with twin engines (can anyone tell me the advantage of twin engines - to overcome the obvious double fuel and maintenance costs??)

Any and all advice....tips....hints.....etc...would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,

Rick

Sounds like your initial choice is a good one. A nice 25' center console with a porta potty under the console works well. Craigslist has them at bargain prices right now.

As for twins... being stranded at sea in the Gulf due to a failed single engine with a big thunderstorm rolling your way isn't fun. Been there, done that.

My 23 footer will have definitely have twins when it's done. I'm considering small twins on my 15 footer as well.

Best of luck with your choice!

-BWR

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

If you plan on any offshore excursions, twin engines offer a measure of security in that if one engine has an issue, you can motor back on the other. The bigger the boat, the more power is needed to provide adequate performance. The difference in performance between a boat that takes (for example) 250 HP to provide adequate performance, may be a much better performing boat with two 150s or 175's. You then have the option of just puttering around on one engine to save fuel if the situation arises. Yes, you have two engines to service however when you are in that class of boat, if you have to worry about maintenance and fuel consumption, then perhaps rethinking your needs is in order. Boating is not a cheap activity. As someone so aptly pointed out, the definition of B-O-A-T = Break Out Another Thousand!!

 

[capt sam]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

Have you ever owned a big boat or any boat? Take a boater safety class if you haven't and 25' boats can be tough to load/unload by oneself.

 

[RickV1955]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

thanks for the info guys......

I was under the impression that "twin engines" could not be used separately....guess I was wrong.
I'd something to the affect of.....each engine set up such, that running one engine would cause serious pull to one side or the other....
If I can run one engine, then it all makes sense....lol.

As far as fuel and maintenance.......I agree that boating is not cheap...however, as far as I see it, there's no reason not to try and save money or o
operate as cheaply as possibly....lol.

How shallow could one of these boats go??
Is there any need (fishing some Florida species) to go really shallow?

I would also love to do some "beach hopping".....like down around "Beer can Beach"....et al......and pulling up onto the beach......
Would I need a "jack plate" or would most "stock" engines come out of the water far enough??

Any opinions on a "Sea Fox".....seen a couple of them for sale lately for pretty good prices......a couple with twin engines.......

thanks,

Rick

 

[RickV1955]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

Oh yeah........

And I do intend to take a coast guard boating course......

Most of my boating/fishing experience has been with fresh water fishing up here in "snow country" (aka Massachusetts)......lol.

No experience in the Gulf what so ever......sooooo thought it might be a good idea.....lol.

Rick

 

[BigJ08]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

thanks for the info guys......

I was under the impression that "twin engines" could not be used separately....guess I was wrong.
I'd something to the affect of.....each engine set up such, that running one engine would cause serious pull to one side or the other....
If I can run one engine, then it all makes sense....lol.

As far as fuel and maintenance.......I agree that boating is not cheap...however, as far as I see it, there's no reason not to try and save money or o
operate as cheaply as possibly....lol.

How shallow could one of these boats go??
Is there any need (fishing some Florida species) to go really shallow?

I would also love to do some "beach hopping".....like down around "Beer can Beach"....et al......and pulling up onto the beach......
Would I need a "jack plate" or would most "stock" engines come out of the water far enough??

Any opinions on a "Sea Fox".....seen a couple of them for sale lately for pretty good prices......a couple with twin engines.......

thanks,

Rick

There are quite a few fish here in Florida that require you get rather shallow, snook and redfish are probably the two most popular and both offer some great fishing. A 25' bay boat should still allow you to fish these rather effectively, depends on how deep of a vee the boat has on it.

As long as the motor has power tilt and trim (the motor on a 25' definately SHOULD, as it should be 120-150 hp approximately) you should be fine on beaching the boat.

Sea Fox is a middle of the road boat IMHO.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

If I offend I apologize in advance.....first off, I have to disagree with Sea Foxes being middle of the road, they are lower end, way lower. I can say that because I've worked on a few and a close friend bought a 25' CC with twin Opti's and has nothing but problems with it. Secondly, my advice would be to look for something smaller if you have limited boating experience on this coast, maybe 18' CC or the like. It will be easier to handle in the shallow waters, you'll be able to still go 5-10 miles offshore on a calm day and it will make beaching an easier proposition, plus you can load and offload with one person. Take the boater safety class first and then take the GPS class they usually offer afterwards, buy a $20 Top Spot chart and learn your area before you buy the boat. This will help you define your wants and needs. I've spent my whole life on the water here and two things I've seen done repeatedly, too big of a boat for first time owners and lack of local knowledge equals a bad boating experience.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

when running twins, and one goes out, you trim up the dead motor and use the second to get home, or the maintain headway, until SeaTow, Tow Boats get there to help. also get a boat that has dual fuel tanks, if you can. contaminated fuel, is one cause of breakdowns. run each motor off separate tanks.

my advice is to get here, go hang out at the boat ramps, and see what is being use, talk to people. Bradenton is a beautiful area. we have several members in that area.

 

[RickV1955]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

Thanks for the additonal info all........

And, Capt. Sam....no offense taken....lol.

Have done mostly bass fishing (some amateur tournaments) here in New England. Mostly lake and river fishing....not much salt water fishing experience...although have gone quite a few times, striper fishing with a buddy of mine out and around Martha's Vinyard and surrounding areas....also did some blue fish - had a lot of fun but did not have to be responsible to piloting the boat...lol.

On my own, I had a 17' fiberglass Bass Tracker with a 50hp Johnson engine (the boat originally came with an older "Mariner" engine - I had nothing but problems with this engine.....breakdowns, repairs......when I had enough, I finally bought a brand new 50hp Johnson...was the best thing I ever did - ran awesome and never had another problem!!)
Used to take this boat up to Lake Champlain, Vermont on a yearly basis with a group of friends...was a ball...fishing for smallmouth bass......largemouth bass....pike....lake trout......

Soooooooo, I have some experience....
None in the gulf waters (although have gone out fishing a few times with some friends out of Ft. Myers area....some Sheephead.....sea trout...flounder...and some type of "slimy" catfish type of thing....lol
Have a long way to go to get any type of proficency in gulf waters....lol.

One of my concerns is to have enough boat if I want to fish with three or four fisherman...18 foot seems a bit small...although, I'm sure it's a much easier boat to launch and handle by myself.....

Good advice.....I should probably try to hook up with some of the locals and check out different boats and setups to see which fit me the best.


Thanks again for all the great info!!

Rick

 

[RickV1955]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

Hey, while I was down in Bradenton a couple of weeks ago, I did stop and look at a couple of boats in Cortez - near the bridge.

Spoke to a guy about an approx. 23 foot center console - however had an inboard motor.....
Was a pretty good price.

I'm not really familiar with inboards at all......
Anyone have any thoughts.....the pros and or cons of an inboard vs. an outboard.
I've only owned outboards.

The owner/salesman (?) has a similar boat with an inboard motor...gave me what he said were pluses:
1. Just like car engine....if oil changed, tune ups, just as reliable than an
outboard or more so??
2. (I was concerned with the draft of an inboard)
He stated that there's no problem going pretty shallow with an inboard?
He stated that he takes his to Beer Can Beach all the time.
3. Stated that no salt water runs through the engine...sooooo, easier to
clean (just lower end) and maintain?

Soooooo, any comments...good or bad??

Thanks,

Rick

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

Rick, you're gonna find that the Gulf is very, very different from what you're used to up north. It's shallow. I mean, really, really shallow!

I went Cobia fishing with a co-worker a few years ago and we went out 12 miles from land. Couldn't see land anywhere, but the water was still only 14' deep. We could see the fishies swimming around down there in that clear water.

There are flats boats marketed here that will draft only five INCHES of water.

Yes, there are deeper areas, but it isn't like the Atlantic side, where you swim out 100' and there's a dropoff into 50' of water. The beaches here don't have "waves" like you see on the Atlantic side... just very low, very gentle stuff. Sometimes, it's as smooth as glass.

I've been on the west coast of Florida for 11 years now and I do like it better. Very different, but very pleasant.

Check out some of the popular magazines like Florida Sportsman and Shallow Water Angler to get some more ideas.

Welcome to paradise!

-BWR

 

[capt sam]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

Rick, you're gonna find that the Gulf is very, very different from what you're used to up north. It's shallow. I mean, really, really shallow!

I went Cobia fishing with a co-worker a few years ago and we went out 12 miles from land. Couldn't see land anywhere, but the water was still only 14' deep. We could see the fishies swimming around down there in that clear water.

There are flats boats marketed here that will draft only five INCHES of water.

Yes, there are deeper areas, but it isn't like the Atlantic side, where you swim out 100' and there's a dropoff into 50' of water. The beaches here don't have "waves" like you see on the Atlantic side... just very low, very gentle stuff. Sometimes, it's as smooth as glass.

I've been on the west coast of Florida for 11 years now and I do like it better. Very different, but very pleasant.

Check out some of the popular magazines like Florida Sportsman and Shallow Water Angler to get some more ideas.

Welcome to paradise!

-BWR

because of everything he brought up is why I advise folks to look at flats or bay boats here, it really gives you more viable options fishing this coast. You can fish offshore but running out 10 miles or more every trip gets expensive and old. I've owned a lot of boats over the years here and my flats boat has been my favorite one.

 

[smclear]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

Thanks for the additonal info all........



Good advice.....I should probably try to hook up with some of the locals and check out different boats and setups to see which fit me the best.


Thanks again for all the great info!!

Rick

That has been the wisest statement yet. That is exactly what you should do. Do that before you make up your mind re: any boat. I spent 10+ years working in the marinas in Ft. Lauderdale and can honestly say, nothing's better than local knowledge. Not to mention, you'll wind up with a great bunch of friends for fishing trips.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

Check out the pix and videos of the different models from Shallow Sport Boats and you'll see some pretty amazing stuff.

Gives me some ideas for my 15' refit project.

-BWR

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Fishing Boats - Bradenton, Florida

Rick,
Welcome to both iBoats AND SWFL...
Hope you noticed we are having a get together this May.
Hope you, and all of our FL iboaters can make it!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=291501