Trying to get some advice on an offshore boat

[perna00]

I currently have a bayliner discovery 195. It serves a good propose fishing in the bay. I want to get a boat to fish offshore in at least 20' long but got my first one quoted over $50k (mako). Anyone have some advice at which brands are good and what exactly I should look for?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Down here you see many Robalo and Welcraft boats for offshore fishing. You also see Pursuit and Yellow Fin.

Then there are plenty of custom boats for flats fishing.

 

[perna00]

I think I'm going to have to compare specs between brands and figure out which ones are the best for the money. I'm not as interested in the flats versus offshore fishing.

 

[Chris1956]

The style of the boat plays a role in the comfort of the boat off shore. Center Consoles (like the Mako) allow all kinds of spray and wind to hit the driver and passengers. A dual console or walk around style boat gives much better protection.,IMO

20 foot is suitable for a mile or two off the beach, IMHO, although usually the most dangerous part of the trip is the inlet.. Larger would be better, if you want to go out 2-4 miles. Past that start thinking about twin screw.

 

[ondarvr]

Without a good deal more info it would be hard to make any suggestions.

Where do you go boating, what do you fish for, how do you fish, how many people, are you hard core or casual about fishing, new or used, budget? These are important in making a decision on which boat you may want.

 

[perna00]

Twin screw...? I think I need educated on that.

I usually go out by myself or maybe a few friends with me. I live out of Savannah so they have offshore reefs within 10 miles? Although they have some naval towers about an hour away. We have access to the gulf stream but that is about 2 to 3 hours away. I think the gulf stream might be a bit out of reach but if I can go to all the artificial reefs and cliffs...That would be ideal. Trolling for some cobra/Mahdi would be great also. I'm pretty mechanically inclined but I don't want to spend more time working on the boat then I need to. I'm more of a weekend fisherman but would definitely be a lot more interested if I could go out and get some better species of fish. If I got a used boat I know I could get a much nicer one for the cost but the Mrs. is paranoid of getting somebody else's problems. I could get a new one but would probably be low/entry level due to budgeting

 

[southkogs]

Twin screw...? I think I need educated on that.

Two engines ... two propellers. "Technically" a propeller (airplane or boat) is a "screw" (based on the way they move through the air/water).

 

[Scott Danforth]

T If I got a used boat I know I could get a much nicer one for the cost but the Mrs. is paranoid of getting somebody else's problems. I could get a new one but would probably be low/entry level due to budgeting

New doesnt mean its not a problem, it simply means when you get towed back to shore, they may fix it under warranty. that far out, you will want twins.

If it was me, and I was really into fishing, i would probably pick up an older Hatteras fly bridge with twin diesels