Probably going to buy another boat this winter....advice please....

[2stroke1971]

We started out in a 15 foot runabout, and then went on to our current boat, a 1985 Bayliner 1950 (19 feet or so) Capri Cuddy.The Bayliner certainly handles alot more than my first boat did.

I LOVE the old Bayliner, its a tank, and its good on gas. Its made a great fishing boat for the Chesapeake bay. I've had it offshore a couple of times, on good days off Ocean City Maryland. More often than not, however, when I am near the ocean, I wind up turning back.

Yes, I know, a bad day is a bad day, and no boat is big enough to ignore conditions, but having said all that....

To be able to get offshore more confidently, how much larger should I go? It has to fit on a trailer, so thats one thing. I go all over the place, I would not be happy leaving the boat somewhere in the water.

Would a bigger version of what I have do any better? (Like a 25 foot Bayliner Cierra or something like that) Ive also been looking at some SeaRays... Im partial to a cabin cruiser, I dont want a center console. Whatever it is, it will be old and in need of some TLC Im sure.

Specifically speaking, I go to Ocean City maryland a few times a year and also Chincoteague Virginia, so these are the places Id be going offshore.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Lakes84]

Re: Probably going to buy another boat this winter....advice please....

First off...you're lucky living there. I moved from Mechanicsville MD 4 years ago and miss it terriblty. Ocean City and Chincoteague (my wife loved the ponies) are both places I miss.

Having said that and knowing where you go, I would be comfortable in no less than a 21 ft cuddy....maybe push it up to a 23-25 footer if you can find one. That is still a good jump in length from what you have now and I think it will serve you well. SeaRays are a step up from the Bayliners I'm sure you know that though.

Joe

 

[BARKLEY]

Re: Probably going to buy another boat this winter....advice please....

We started out in a 15 foot runabout, and then went on to our current boat, a 1985 Bayliner 1950 (19 feet or so) Capri Cuddy.The Bayliner certainly handles alot more than my first boat did.

I LOVE the old Bayliner, its a tank, and its good on gas. Its made a great fishing boat for the Chesapeake bay. I've had it offshore a couple of times, on good days off Ocean City Maryland. More often than not, however, when I am near the ocean, I wind up turning back.

Yes, I know, a bad day is a bad day, and no boat is big enough to ignore conditions, but having said all that....

To be able to get offshore more confidently, how much larger should I go? It has to fit on a trailer, so thats one thing. I go all over the place, I would not be happy leaving the boat somewhere in the water.

Would a bigger version of what I have do any better? (Like a 25 foot Bayliner Cierra or something like that) Ive also been looking at some SeaRays... Im partial to a cabin cruiser, I dont want a center console. Whatever it is, it will be old and in need of some TLC Im sure.

Specifically speaking, I go to Ocean City maryland a few times a year and also Chincoteague Virginia, so these are the places Id be going offshore.

Any advice would be appreciated!

23-24 feet sounds right to me... Have you considered a Crownline?? Good heavy boats, and very well built.

 

[dave11]

Re: Probably going to buy another boat this winter....advice please....

How about a Parker 25 DV?