Looking for boat that may boat exist

[mrmamiller]

Hi,

My boating has been primarily in an 18' welded aluminum runabout (bowrider, split windshield), which has served me well. Now I need a similar boat for Southwest Florida, which is salt water, and I am having trouble finding a boat to fill my needs. This boat may not exist, so if anyone can suggest a model for my searches, it would be greatly appreciated. I am looking for a fiberglass boat, shallow draft suitable for 12" - 14" water, split windshield, bowrider, sharp entry into water (minimal water spray), outboard power (70-150HP). Normally, a center console would do, but I have skin cancer issues and require shade most of the time, and, wife likes something a bit more cushy than the normal CC. If anyone knows of such a boat brand/model, I would be most appreciative of where to look or search.

Thanks, Mark

 

[mrmamiller]

Re: Looking for boat that may boat exist

Forgot to mention, boat length to be 17 to 21 ft. Thanks.

 

[cribber]

Re: Looking for boat that may boat exist

Hurricane deck boat or a DC style Key West... Google either and zero in on what appeals to you. 17 to 21 foot range of boats is a pretty wide market to pick from here in Florida.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Looking for boat that may boat exist

Do you want to be able to run at speed in 12-14" of water? Or does the boat just need to float in that much water?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Looking for boat that may boat exist

Whaler.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Looking for boat that may boat exist

Whaler.

... or maybe Carolina Skiff.

You can also look into some of the river sled type boats, especially with the shallow draft requirements.

 

[mrmamiller]

Re: Looking for boat that may boat exist

Racer, looking to fish in 12-14" water, probably run in 2ft or more (oysters are hard on equipment).

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Looking for boat that may boat exist

In the Northwest they run aluminum jet boats up the coastal rivers all the time:

http://www.hewescraft.com/freshwater_boats/sportjet_boat?p=1.1.3.3

http://www.thunderjet.com/thunderjet_us_jets.html

http://phantomjetboat.com/boat-models/

http://www.customweld.com/


Understanding that you want an ouboard, take a look at these manufacturers and you'll see that most of them offer boats with O/B power also.

BUT, you want fiberglass. So the suggestions to get a dual console from any of the well known offshore fishing boat manufacturers seems like a legitmate suggestion. Although finding one that will comforable run in 2 ft or less of water will be a challenge.

Typically a bay boat will draw a lot less water than a typical offshore boat. I'm not aware of any that are dual console/bowrider style.