Looking for some opinions for my next boat, small offshore

[mnypitboat]

OK lets try to start this one off a little better than my last thread started.

I am going to be very seriously looking to purchase a boat I can take offshore, and maybe safely take on a Bahamas trip. I have owned many bowrider and performance boats, and the only time I ever too anything offshore was back in the late 80s and it was a 36ft Scarab with twin 454s that we used to regularly take to the Bahamas. The problem was that all I did was drive. Someone else told me where to go. So my offshore experience is very limited.

I am looking for an offshore fishing boat with a small cabin to accommodate my wife and daughter, in case we go someplace and it gets to be too late to come home, that we can stay overnight. Bathroom and small kitchen would be nice too.

I will be keeping my current 21ft bowrider.

OK my budget will not be huge, I cannot afford a new Boston Whaler, and probably cannot really afford a used one either for that matter.

I was seriously looking at some earlier Grady Whites.

OK I am just beginning this research. I am not ready to buy yet. I would lie real world experience with these type of boats. Pros and cons of I/O vs O/B vs I/B, differant manufactorers, differant hull designs, etc etc. Basically anything anyone can think of when purchasing a boat of this type. Mistakes you made, and what you are happy with and not happy with in your current boat, or past boats.

Hopefully you get the idea. I will try to keep my ego to myself and ask if everyone else can do the same. I am not trying to start a Camaro vs Mustang type thread. Been there done that and nothing got accomplished.

Thanks guys

 

[Solittle]

Re: Looking for some opinions for my next boat, small offshore

Would this be trailerable and if so you will need an adequate tow vehicle.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Looking for some opinions for my next boat, small offshore

For the time being, yes. If either my wife or I get the raise we are expecting in the next year, then no. We have a 7300lb towing capacity now. I guess, lets make sure that is feasable first, and stay in those parameters. If not, then I may be able to pick up a cheap 3/4 ton. They seem to be all over the place lately.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Looking for some opinions for my next boat, small offshore

I think you're on the right track with something like a Grady. Center console or walk-around cuddy. 25' or better. Twin outboards would be my pick.

Grady, Pro-Line, Seaswirl, etc. are all over the place. Cobia made some nice ones. Wellcraft 'Coastal' models. Aquasport, Mako, Shamrock, Angler, Donzi- the list is almost endless... and they're all designed to take on offshore conditions (within reason, of course).

Good luck with the hunt!

 

[commander315]

Re: Looking for some opinions for my next boat, small offshore

I think a small express would be good like a Grady White or the Wellcraft Coastal series which I love. (The 290 Coastal would probably be great for you) btw, where do you do your boating from?

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Looking for some opinions for my next boat, small offshore

I think a small express would be good like a Grady White or the Wellcraft Coastal series which I love. (The 290 Coastal would probably be great for you) btw, where do you do your boating from?

I am kinda partial to a GW. I grew up in South Jersey, and most everyone I knew that actually went boating, had a GW.

We boat on the St Johns river and the intercoastal in Central Florida now. Plans would be to go out at Ponce Inlet, or head down the Intercoastal and head out somewhere down south to go to the Bahamas.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Looking for some opinions for my next boat, small offshore

Thanks guys, for those that replied. I guess I have to say something contraversal to get a lot of responses.

I was hoping to get more responses, especially from people that have owned a few differant models and configurations and could give some real world experiances too.