I'm searching for a new/new-to-me boat. I'm not pressed for time to buy one for use, but could always find a deal too good to pass up. Ideal buying time for me in next March. Anyway, Here are my "requirements":
- easily trailerable
- able to go out in the Chesapeake Bay (I live in Virginia) in something other than a perfect day
- good for fishing
- good for cruising
- able to get out of the weather in cold/rain
- able to use through December around the Mid-Atlantic (saltwater)
- able to sleep overnight on (not more than one night) up to 2 people
- take off-shore once in a blue moon
- plenty of horsepower to get from point a to point b
- Yamaha OB preferred, maybe Suzuki OB
- No wood in hull
- Able to fish off the front
- Not an unlimited budget
- Quality boat (I suppose the ones people call "mid-grade")
- Not inheriting someone else's problems
Seems I'm looking at a 22'-23' walkaround.
With those requirements in mind, I found three possibilities that illustrate the challenge of new/high-grade used/mid-grade used. Would like your opinions on these if you don't mind:
New "mid-grade" boat. Would have to drive to Jacksonville to get it, but it seems to be price right:
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2008-Pro-Line-23-Express-95718314
Used "high grade" boat. It is six years old and has almost 300 hours on engine, but it's how it's cared for, right? Quite a chunk of change for used in that class:
http://www.tidalfish.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3198&cat=4
A used "mid-grade" boat. The main negative I see in this is that it only has a 17 degree deadrise (a number of people have said that I would loose my teeth getting pounded in that in a chop), but it's been lightly used. A lot cheaper than the others:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0348296118&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Open to other suggestions. Thanks!
- easily trailerable
- able to go out in the Chesapeake Bay (I live in Virginia) in something other than a perfect day
- good for fishing
- good for cruising
- able to get out of the weather in cold/rain
- able to use through December around the Mid-Atlantic (saltwater)
- able to sleep overnight on (not more than one night) up to 2 people
- take off-shore once in a blue moon
- plenty of horsepower to get from point a to point b
- Yamaha OB preferred, maybe Suzuki OB
- No wood in hull
- Able to fish off the front
- Not an unlimited budget
- Quality boat (I suppose the ones people call "mid-grade")
- Not inheriting someone else's problems
Seems I'm looking at a 22'-23' walkaround.
With those requirements in mind, I found three possibilities that illustrate the challenge of new/high-grade used/mid-grade used. Would like your opinions on these if you don't mind:
New "mid-grade" boat. Would have to drive to Jacksonville to get it, but it seems to be price right:
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2008-Pro-Line-23-Express-95718314
Used "high grade" boat. It is six years old and has almost 300 hours on engine, but it's how it's cared for, right? Quite a chunk of change for used in that class:
http://www.tidalfish.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3198&cat=4
A used "mid-grade" boat. The main negative I see in this is that it only has a 17 degree deadrise (a number of people have said that I would loose my teeth getting pounded in that in a chop), but it's been lightly used. A lot cheaper than the others:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0348296118&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Open to other suggestions. Thanks!
