Recommendation For 23'-25' Walkaround

[AndyFL]

I've finally decided to upgrade my 20-footer bowrider for a used, low to mid
20 feet Walkaround saltwater fishing boat. To stay within budget, I prefer 2002 to 2006 models only. I definitely want twin outboard engines, perhaps 115HP + each.

So far, I've only looked at a couple of Pro-Line WA's, and a 23' Polar. Someone told me Robalos are excellent fishing boats...Is there anything else out there that I should consider and take a look at?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Recommendation For 23'-25' Walkaround

Grady White and Seaswirl are quality fiberglass walkarounds and Trophy makes a less expensive version(hull's aren't quite as thick).

If you really want to break the budget I'd recommend a Boston Whaler hardtop.

My dad's got a 24' Seaswirl Striper walkaround that has served us well in Lakes Huron. He runs a 225 Yamaha OB. I agree that dual OB's would be a good way to go especially in the ocean.

Also you may be interested in this previous thread on the same topic:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=314314

 

[Mr. Ross]

Re: Recommendation For 23'-25' Walkaround

In this market you can pick up a high quality boat for a reasonable price, so why compromise? Twins are great but remember twice the maintenance cost if you are minding the budget. I myself prefer them but not so sure on a 20' boat, 23 yes.

Do a search, you will find Grady, Robalo, Proline etc being offered used for unbelievable prices.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Recommendation For 23'-25' Walkaround

Twins are great but remember twice the maintenance cost if you are minding the budget. I myself prefer them but not so sure on a 20' boat, 23 yes.

I'm seeing more and more single engine boats offshore all the time. The reliability of the new outboards are getting such that twins are not the necessity that they once where.

If you decide you must have twins consider dual fuel tanks. Otherwise you have a common point of failure for both engines.

 

[Mr. Ross]

Re: Recommendation For 23'-25' Walkaround

Good point and a situation that exists on my new boat. Old boat, twin tank and engines, new boat, single tank. Take extra care with your fuel and filters and single tank is fine. Off season I drained the tank after adding preservative to the fuel since it is difficult to get it all out. Wanted to ensure that little bit left was stabilized. Carry the extra filters. Switching to Racor with the clear bowl myself.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Recommendation For 23'-25' Walkaround

Take extra care with your fuel and filters and single tank is fine.

One would think but......stuff happens.

Second week in April. Had already burned through a tank of fuel (92 gallons). Working on a second tank of the season. Topped off the tank on the way to the ramp that morning.

Couple miles out of the inlet. Dead in the water. First breakdown in 15 years. Racor full of water. Had not filled the auxiliary fuel tank (47 gallons) yet. Spent an 45 minutes clearing the water out of the system. Got it running enough to get it back to the dock. Cleared another 2 ? gallons of a water / alcohol cocktail out of the tank after I got home.

Have since burned another 2-3 tanks of fuel. No further collection of water in the Racor since.

 

[AndyFL]

Re: Recommendation For 23'-25' Walkaround

Thank you guys for all the great tips, is great to have so many knowledgeable people on these forums always offering excellent and expert advice. I'll sure look into those boat brands mentioned.

Thanks a bunch, Andy

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Recommendation For 23'-25' Walkaround

To stay within budget, I prefer 2002 to 2006 models only. I definitely want twin outboard engines, perhaps 115HP + each.

I'm in the market for a similar boat, so I'd also recommend adding Sea Fox to your list.

Just thought I'd mention, in that vintage many boats will be coming with a pair of two stroke outboards.

Be aware, if they are conventional 2 stroke outboards (not high-pressure direct injection like Mercury's Optimax) the fuel consumption will be high. By "high", I mean anything from kinda high to freaking massive. It's all relative, but with two engines crankin' I think it's very worthwhile thinking about this aspect.

Do some research before you buy and know exactly what you're getting into with the type of fishing you intend to do.

DO NOT take the current owner's word for it, they'll just tell you that it "isn't that bad" or some such. Fuel costs could well be the reason they are selling the boat in the first place, so they may well not answer the question honestly.

Last year especially, there were huge numbers of two stroke twin engine walkarounds on the market because with fuel at almost $5 a gallon, the owners couldn't affored to run them. I run a single 150 HP conventional Johnson Ocean Pro on my 20 foot sportfisher and it's not at all uncommon for me to burn 30+ gallons a day if there's a fair bit of open water running involved. While I know a second engine wouldn't double the fuel burn, it would still be looking like about 50 gallons per day. Even filling it at gas stations when it's on the trailer rather than at the marina, that'd be over $150 a day in fuel at today's pump price.

As I said, it's all relative, but one weekend I went through over $300 in gas last summer and it really killed my enjoyment to be honest. Granted prices are lower now, but they are rising fast in recent weeks. There's nothing worse than having a boat you can't afford to use so I think it's worth considering and going into it with your eyes wide open to the running costs.


Grouse

 

[AndyFL]

Re: Recommendation For 23'-25' Walkaround

Grouse:

That's a great point you bring out and one worth giving it huge consideration. Yes you are right, that might be the reason they might be selling them in the first place. As a matter of fact, the couple I've checked out so far, both had been 2-stroke outboards. Are the high-pressure, direct injection OB engines you mention available in boats within the time frame (2002-2006 models) I'm searching for?

Thanks, Andy.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Recommendation For 23'-25' Walkaround

You're going to find a mix of 2-stroke technology in that time frame. I'm sure Mercury's Optimax high-pressure injection engines were on the market then, as I believe were Evinrude/Johnson's equivalent whatever they were called.

Yamaha has a high-pressure injection engine, but I don't know when it came on the market or what it was called.

Just to be clear, as I recall, most makers had both high pressure and conventional 2 strokes on the market, so just because it's a 2005 Mercury doesn't mean it's automatically an Optimax.

This is one area where I personally would say be very careful, do your research,and know exactly what you're buying. As a lot of us learned last year, running costs are nothing to sneeze at, burning a hundred bucks in fuel took no effort at all last year and even this year at under $3 a gallon, it's still no laughing matter to fill up a 50 gallon tank. The storage yards and marina dry stacks were full of boats that never got the hulls wet last year because of fuel prices.

Do you really need twin engines because you venture way off-shore?

FWIW, I have a 10 HP kicker on my boat that if necessary could be my limp-home engine. Ever thought about adding a 20 HP kicker to your walkaround and running a single main outboard instead?

Grouse

 

[fishaddict]

Re: Recommendation For 23'-25' Walkaround

I must be half asleep, but I didn't see Hydra-Sport mentioned.

Just so happens I have a 212WA w/150 Johnson for sale. 2001 Model.