My wife is making me buy a boat and I need advice.

[Maclin]

Actually I do feel quite a bit of sympathy. She wants a sofa boat no matter what you hear. Almost the exact opposite of the boat you prefer, a bare bones fishing rig. Also cannot imagine the wife abiding all that goes with fishing and catching (mainly the blood and odor) while hers is reading. Like when you get ahold of a good one and have to swing the pole over her spot, have you guys discussed that kind of thing.

 

[Suzi55Jet]

I took my wife fishing on our first date 20 years ago. Not much blood and guts. I don't remember the last time I used bait. I'm pretty much a light tackle, lure fisherman.

I'm looking at these boats. Any comments will be appreciated. Apparently I can only post one link in a response so I'll have to post several responses.

 

[Suzi55Jet]

[No message]

 

[Suzi55Jet]

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[Suzi55Jet]

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[Suzi55Jet]

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[fishin98]

Key West boats are a very good boats, the 186 DC looks like the best of both worlds. Looks like it has room for a bow mount trolling motor and the 115 Yamaha is a very good motor.

 

[SkaterRace]

Those look like some good options, pick 2 or 3 and go with the wife to have a look and see what you can agree on. As someone else mentioned don't give in compromise so you don't regret an expensive boat purchase.

 

[ezmobee]

I don't think you could go wrong with any of those. The 20' with the 115 may be a little under powered though. My 20' Hydra-Sports is a heavy boat and most come with 150's. Mine has a 200 which is great but my top speed is still only around 42mph.

 

[cooterdude]

you could look into a deep v aluminum fishing boat such as a lund g3 or starcraft

 

[Suzi55Jet]

I had no idea how thin the used boat market was. There's virtually nothing available from 2004-5 to 2013. I went to look at new boats today. I had a tough time finding anything under 24ft. I really don't want to go bigger than 21 for storage and towing and cost reasons. I found a leftover 2016 Key West 19ft and they want nearly 3k over sticker and they weren't bothered a bit that I wouldn't pay it. I could order a bigger one but it might be the end of summer before I see it. Or later. Every boat I listed above is sold. The one I really liked down in Richmond went for 2k more than asking price.17k for a 13 year old boat that cost 24k new. What a difference than when I sold boats in the 80's they dropped 30% as soon as they left the lot. I really don't want to pay 16-18k for a boat that old. Soooo, I'll probably put it on hold till the next hic-up in the economy. I don't think these high resale values can last forever, nothing does. I could get an aluminum boat but I really don't want to "settle". I'll be patient.

 

[briangcc]

Where are you located? Reason I ask is that any number of marinas around this neck of the woods (Western NY) has any number of new & used boats available.

But you would do well to wait if getting on the water this season isn't a top priority. Right now its "I have a tax return burning a hole in my pocket and I want a boat...NOW". End of season everyone who bought a boat suddenly realizes "Hey I gotta store this sucker somewhere" and the for sale signs go up.

 

[ezmobee]

I see you're in Maryland. Make sure you're on the "Eastern Shore Boat and Marine Stuff" Facebook page. That's where I found my Hydra-Sports. Other than that I guess you're best bet is keep checking boat trader, iboats, yachtworld, and pop yachts. I bought my boat in the fall and I found the used prices to be a good bit lower than new so maybe you're at the wrong time of year.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I
Driving around (pleasure boating) in the water and not fishing is like spending the night with Megan Fox with my clothes on.

The idea is to spend the night with her clothes off, yours off is optional.

As far as boats go those glass Key West style centre and dual council rigs have become very popular around the Great Lakes here as of late. You would have to go south towards salt water to see them 15 years ago, now our local dealer carries the Key West line up. I would love to have a centre council for the extra room it gives me fishing however if I care about the comfort of my deck mates a full wind screen is nice to protect them from the cold spring and fall spray on a big lake. On Lake Ontario that water is wake up cold in the middle of summer. Not many spots to "sunbathe" in on the centre councils I have fished out of. Where there is a lounge deck it is right where the downrigger rack goes. "Excuse me honey while I hoist this slimy Sheepshead over you". Not happening. With the more powerful 24 and 36 volt front electric trolling units we have now these bigger glass boats are more versatile. I can both fish for Bass, Perch and Northern's in shallow water with control now and am able to handle bigger water in heavy winds where my light 19' tinny won't. I love them. Good luck, this is a sellers market this spring. Boats of all designs are going for what was paid, or more, 10 years ago.

 

[jsparks747]

ou could always look at a walkaround or express. You get the fishability, while your wife gets the seating. It wouldn't be a bow rider though.

 

[Suzi55Jet]

ou could always look at a walkaround or express. You get the fishability, while your wife gets the seating. It wouldn't be a bow rider though.

I had a knee rebuilt a year ago next week and my sea legs don't do well in narrow walkways. I'm better in the middle of the boat.

The good news is that I found a boat. It's a 2006 19ft Key West Dual Console with a Yamaha 115. I've sent a bunch of emails to the seller but he never responded. Turns out he's military and hasn't had internet access. We made a deal, he'll hold it till Saturday if I don't beat him up on price. I think it's a fair price. It's in his dads name, the boat is at dads house and the boat and trailer title are free and clear. If I like it and it runs out nice, I'll bring it home Saturday.

I really appreciate everybody's help. I would have never considered a dual console if I hadn't posted here. It makes sense for everybody. The wife stays dry and she has her own seat. Plenty of fishing room and cusioned seating for the landlovers.

Neil

 

[Suzi55Jet]

No Title

This is it! :joyous:

 

[jsparks747]

I had a knee rebuilt a year ago next week and my sea legs don't do well in narrow walkways. I'm better in the middle of the boat.

The good news is that I found a boat. It's a 2006 19ft Key West Dual Console with a Yamaha 115. I've sent a bunch of emails to the seller but he never responded. Turns out he's military and hasn't had internet access. We made a deal, he'll hold it till Saturday if I don't beat him up on price. I think it's a fair price. It's in his dads name, the boat is at dads house and the boat and trailer title are free and clear. If I like it and it runs out nice, I'll bring it home Saturday.

I really appreciate everybody's help. I would have never considered a dual console if I hadn't posted here. It makes sense for everybody. The wife stays dry and she has her own seat. Plenty of fishing room and cusioned seating for the landlovers.

Neil

Great news! Decided on a name?

 

[Old Ironmaker]

She sure is a beauty there. Not too big but big enough if that makes sence. To a boater it does.

 

[southkogs]

Cool - hope it goes well.