Small roughwater boats

[Sublime]

Re: Small roughwater boats

I navigate down the Merrimack river and out the mouth occationally-with a good forcast, in a 16' Troller w/45hp. I imagine the Cape may have similar rip and swells (VERY humbling in a small boat). I would like to get a bigger boat in the next couple of seasons, and need to as well. Some of my friends won't go out with me anymore because we had to pry their finger nails from the gunnels. LOL.<br /><br />If you want industructible/unsinkable, look into the welded aluminum chambered boats that the CG is using now. I'm not sure exactly what they are called but was starting to look into these my self. You can roll these suckers over in a surf and they will right themselves and ask for more.<br /><br />What ever you get, good luck and watch the weather.<br /><br /><br />I am a God at sea!

 

[HeadHunt]

Re: Small roughwater boats

Ok, that helps a little but two things to start with. No boat is unsinkable, I don't care what the manufactures says. Two, there is alot more to seas than wave height. Wave period and chop are more critical. 3-4 foot seas with no chop and a 12 second wave period is a piece of cake. Let the winds kick up to 20 knots and it will turn into 4-6 footers with a 2 foot chop and a 4 second wave period and if you are in a bay boat we will be calling your next of kin.<br /> Your budget is OK for a good used lower tier, maybe mid-tier off-shore boat but it sounds like you need to do a bit more reading and I would suggest a saltwater forum such as www.thehulltruth.com. Be warned that most of these guys are experienced salts so search and read some forums first.<br /> The north Atlantic is a very dangerous part of the ocean. It can turn bad in a matter of minutes. Let something go wrong, stuff the bow or take one over the side and, well, you can imagine the rest of the story.<br /> I know you want a recommendation but I am only going to give general opinions for now. In the north Atlantic even a few miles out I would want at least a solid 23 foot deep-v well equipped (I can explain well equipped if you like). For starters the upper end CC boats are Regulators and Contenders. some mid tier CC boats are Sailfish, Bluewater and Key West. Lower tier I would not consider but a couple are Mako's (Unless they are the older hulls before Brunswick destroyed the company), the same with Seacraft (Unless you can find the old Potter built seacrafts) and Anglers. Those three names are low priced and you get what you pay for.<br /> If you are going out 50-75 days per year I would go with the upper end quality. Otherwise the constant pounding will take its toll on the boat. Less than that, I would go with mid-tier.<br /> If you are looking at walkarounds consider Grady's, Steiger Crafts and maybe Parkers but those are very expensive. For 30k, you are looking at and older boat which is OK if you do your homework, get a surveyor, and find one with good engines. Many people will not venture out very far without a twin engine setup, or at least a single with a kicker. I would take a single 40 miles out if I had buddy boats around, proper safety equipment, current membership with TowBoatUs or SeaTow and I know the engine was in top notch shape. However, you can still take a wave over the stern and drown out a single or twins.<br /> Hope this helps to get you started. The last thing you want is to buy a small boat, head out of the inlet with no experience or safety equipment and we read about you the next day. It happens every week, twice in NC last week.<br /><br />HeadHunt

 

[HeadHunt]

Re: Small roughwater boats

Originally posted by Seaswirlstriper:<br /> <br />Trophy 1903 CC<br />Scout 185 CC <br />Keywest 186 CC<br />Mckee Craft 184 CC<br />Seaswirl 1851 DC<br />Pro-Line 19 CC<br />Edgewater 185 DC or CC<br />Aquasport 185 CC<br />Boston Whaler Dauntless 180 CC<br /><br />THanks!

By the way, McKee Craft definately goes in the upper tier category but the 184 is not an offshore boat. Their Freedom 23 or Freedom 24 would be an excellant smaller off-shore boat. wish I had one. They run about 75K well equipped. Scouts are also good.<br /><br />HeadHunt

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Small roughwater boats

headhunt is the type of new member i like to see. great info, agree with almost most of what you had to say. hope others paid attention.<br /><br />i'll add that i recently picked up my rig for $28K. i think i made a great move and got an offshore capable boat, even if i never venture out of the chesapeake. point is, they are out there, just need to look for them.<br /><br />btw, what i got is listed below.

 

[Gmarkos319]

Re: Small roughwater boats

Century boats any good? I found a 20 fter for around 30k at a dealership today..i think it was equiped wit a Yamaha 150 4stroke and a T-top. Good deal? or are Century boats still having some trouble?

 

[HeadHunt]

Re: Small roughwater boats

Matt, <br /> You got a deal. 1994, that is the SeaVee 2 hull, correct?? And re-powered with a 4-stroke. That's pretty sweet. I would expect that to be 35k at least. There are deals out there.<br /><br />BTW, thanks for the compliment. I remember when I first started fishing offshore. I thought I was invincible. I was humbled pretty quick.<br /><br />HeadHunt

 

[Gmarkos319]

Re: Small roughwater boats

i never said anything bout offshore fishing headhunt...you might be a intelligent person but u need to learn how to comprehend words that are put into sentences....i said the water gets pretty rough...never said anything bout 40 miles offshore

 

[HeadHunt]

Re: Small roughwater boats

Sounds like you got your feelings hurt but that was not my intention. I don't recal responding to your post with fishing as an objective, only boating offshore. It really does not matter if you go a few miles offshore or 40. It is still not a place to be unprepared. Most times the inlets can be the worst part of heading out. If you do not want advice, then don't post on message boards and then read the replies. If you want to buy a bay boat and head offshore then that is your personal decision. You will figure it out on your own soon enough. Anyway, what are you going to do offshore, waterski? Maybe you should stick to being Captian of your inflatable raft!! <br /><br />HeadHunt

 

[Gmarkos319]

Re: Small roughwater boats

lol ok mr head hunter one last question for youu...then i wont post here anymore lol. (i think i already asked this) but could you possibly give me at least 1 name of a offshore boat under or equal to 20 ft? <br /><br />P.S. I have pulled a tube off my inflatable raft 5 miles out!

 

[HeadHunt]

Re: Small roughwater boats

How about we start over and we agree not to be jerks and lets move on.<br /><br />Now 20 foot offshore boat, that's a tough request. What do you want to use the boat for? If you are just looking for a boat to go near-shore for some cruising around, then your bay boats listed are OK for good weather days (as if you can really depend on the marine forecasts), not rough water. I would still recommend you get some local advice from some guys in your area concerning the winds and inlets. Maybe some other guys can take you out for a spin or two. You still must have some minimum safety equipment and at least a handheld VHF so you can communicate with other boats and the Coast Guard if needed.<br /><br />The main differences between bay and offshore boats is weight, deadrise, true self bailing cockpits, length and width. People take the boats you listed offshore all the time, like me. You just have to know the limitations and take the proper precautions and understand that things can get bad in the blink of an eye. My response to your original question was because you mentioned rough ocean waters.<br /><br />Anyway, look at the Sailfish 206, Regulator 21 and the Grady 208 (not a CC). I assume you want a CC. I will think of some others and try to help.<br /><br />HeadHunt

 

[Gmarkos319]

Re: Small roughwater boats

lol good idea on starting over. <br /><br />the main purpose of the boat is just going to be cruising around,watersports and occasional fishing, but the water out where I live can get pretty rough. Im going to sound like an idiot now but I almost sunk my boat on the 4th because its a bay/lake boat. I took some nicely sized waves over my bow and water was up to my shins. One bilge pump couldnt work fast enough and i have no self bailing system. The engine stopped, I assume it got flouded or something, and we were so close to going down until some nice guy found us and towed us in. I have a VHF and the usualy coast guard package stuff (flares, horn, first aid, etc.) <br /><br />I dont intend on taking any of these boats really Offshore. Where i cruise around i can usualy see land at all times heh but regardless the waves can get pretty big. <br /><br />I would get a bigger boat so i would be a little safer but I'm on a strict budget preferably under or around 33k..A pre-owned boat is an option too.<br /><br />I was leaning towards the Whalers because of their so called Unsinkable boats and the incedent i had on the 4th heh.

 

[HeadHunt]

Re: Small roughwater boats

We have all done some stupid things. At least you live to talk about it. No bilge pump will help you if you take waves over the bow. When I said no boats are unsinkable some are better than others. I do believe that whalers will not sink to the bottom of the ocean but get them full of water and they will go under and probably flip. matttt25 found a solid offshore boat for 28K. Just take your time, do your research, take a boaters safety course and you can find something in your budget that makes you happy.<br /><br />HeadHunt

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Small roughwater boats

I'm surprised to see so many recommend the Whaler. That's about the least ocean worthy boat I can think of in any kind of weather. From the list I would have to say, None of the above. <br /><br />Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats- By FAR the most seaworthy craft out there for their size. I've been in huge breaking surf in 17' to 21' foot RHI's and they are perfect. Extremely low center of gravity, shallow draft, self bailing, virtually un-sinkable, and best of all, FAST!<br /><br />The good makes (Avon, Hurricaine, Zodiac, etc...) are pricey but well worth looking into.

 

[Gmarkos319]

Re: Small roughwater boats

Really...RIBs hmm. My friend has one and it flies like im talking 60 mph+ but it seems a little tipsy, also arnt they very light? Ill look into that thanks!

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Small roughwater boats

I'll post some pictures that will definitely convince you. I've got to scan them in first.

 

[Gmarkos319]

Re: Small roughwater boats

I acutaly am really interested in RIB's heh i just looked at some pictures myself...amazing. Couple of questions for you: Can i keep it on a mooring? (will the sun effect the tubes, will the hull be fine, etc) Do they ever deflate? or once they are inflated you trailer them that way and stuff? and how hard is it to pop them? heh im scared im going to try and dock and there's going to be a peice of splintering wood that will pop it or something. But im assuming the tubes are very rugged.

 

[Gmarkos319]

Re: Small roughwater boats

I have to go to sleep because i have to get up early . Ill check the pictures in the morning but thank you very much for bringing up RIBS heh. You've opened up a hole new line of boats i should be looking into.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Small roughwater boats

Where are you seaswirl? From the sounds of it you just described the coast of maine, I travel it with a 15' boat, if coastal travel is your thing, im not sure that any of those boats listed would be a bad choice. I like the Trophy 1903 CC myself as most bang for the buck.<br /><br />-John

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Small roughwater boats

Seaswirl. Yes you can keep them moored if you want to. Check out this site for tube material durability. Hypalon <br /><br />Yes the tubes vary in pressure dependent on many things. A foot or electric pump are mandatory. Typically, they might need topping off once a week. I have never popped a tube and I have been in some fantastic collisions with them. I frequently drag them against razor sharp rocks with no problem. I can't imagine the force it would take to actually tear one with the new materials they use. <br /><br />I am at work tonight, but I will scan the pics and post them tomorrow when I get home. Some pretty amazing shots of me and my friend in a 17' RHI in 8 to 10' breaking surf in Jones Inlet on Long Island. Taken from the deck of a 44' motor lifeboat also in the inlet.

 

[Gmarkos319]

Re: Small roughwater boats

John im in Mass. near Boston...I would guess about 100 or so driving miles from Maine