wellcraft eclipse 232 in open water

[rykersdad1]

I have come across a deal on a wellcraft eclipse 232 that i was originally gonna use on re-power for a different boat but my dad and i have decided that it would make us a good boat to use around the inter-coastal and take a few mile out to do some fishing. my question is how do these boats do out in the ocean? its gonna be a project but i think it will be a good boat for this.
I appreciate any input on the subject.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: wellcraft eclipse 232 in open water

I take my 23' boat on Lake Erie. I don't know if I'd take it out on the ocean.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: wellcraft eclipse 232 in open water

It's not the right style boat for the intercoastal, inlets and offshore North Carolina for fishing. it is a ride around in protected water and look boat. You need a bow shaped for waves and chop, a hull that can run skinny water, self-bailing non-carpeted deck, open bow and a stern you can land fish from, so from bow to stern, it's a non-starter.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: wellcraft eclipse 232 in open water

It is more of a bay boat than an ocean, "go out in everything" sort of boat. So, on the calmer days, probably fine in un protected waters.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: wellcraft eclipse 232 in open water

I have come across a deal on a wellcraft eclipse 232 that i was originally gonna use on re-power for a different boat but my dad and i have decided that it would make us a good boat to use around the inter-coastal and take a few mile out to do some fishing. my question is how do these boats do out in the ocean? its gonna be a project but i think it will be a good boat for this.
I appreciate any input on the subject.

With the boat that is in my signature, I take it 16 miles out in open water in socal. I have been in some pretty rough stuff but I have many years of experience doing so.

 

[rykersdad1]

Re: wellcraft eclipse 232 in open water

we have been going out for a while we have had a pen yann for many years but it has just become more of a pain than its worth. i have seen guys in 16' DW jon boats 3 miles out before. I know its not the most ideal fishing boat but for the price and the fact that it will need a new deck and probably stringers i can bring it back up any way i want. i have yet to see the boat in person but it sure looks like its got a deep enough v and tall enough sides to handle any average day 5-10 miles out. i dont plan on taking out during a storm or anything. anything over a 5' sea becomes to difficult to fish anyway. btw it doesnt have carpet it is a glassed and gell coated deck. also i dont plan on taking it 50 miles off shore i like to keep things at least close to the sight of land. thanks for the input it will cause me to think about things.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: wellcraft eclipse 232 in open water

If it was already in usable condition, I'd say "why not". It would not be an ideal boat for near offshore fishing, but you certainly wouldn't burst into flames or ride to your imminent death in it either using it for that purpose.

But since its a project you're gonna have to dump money into anyway, why not find a boat more suitable for what you want to do?

 

[rykersdad1]

Re: wellcraft eclipse 232 in open water

well i have more time then money and i am picking this thing up for next to nothing. if it doesnt fit our needs we could get it done sell for a profit and invest the money in a nice center console or something. honestly for what i am paying for this complete boat you cant even buy the outdrive for.

option b is that i live on lake norman and its a perfect boat for up here so i could just buy out my dad and bring it home.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: wellcraft eclipse 232 in open water

well i have more time then money and i am picking this thing up for next to nothing. if it doesnt fit our needs we could get it done sell for a profit and invest the money in a nice center console or something. honestly for what i am paying for this complete boat you cant even buy the outdrive for.

Ehh, maybe, but probably not, unless you find a sucker who jumps at your first asking price.

Project boats, at least the ones that are not old and made of wood, rarely if ever turn their rebuilders a profit.

 

[rykersdad1]

Re: wellcraft eclipse 232 in open water

i feel like that depends on what you are starting with. my current project is an 85 bayliner capri 1950 bowrider with a stringer drive. i know i could never get out of it what i will have in it. however when you start with a more desirable boat and spend 1k to 1500 to repair the floor and stringers and you only have a total of 2k in it then it should easily sell for 4-5k.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: wellcraft eclipse 232 in open water

well it sounds like you're going to do it anyway regardless of the answers to your post.

While a boat like that may be safe in coastal waters, it is not at all a good set up to use for coastal fishing, and that was your question. Not resale, not lake, not cruising (which it is fine for).

Yes you see all kinds of boats out there fishing. Doesn't make them well suited for it. The question is not what you 'can' do but what you 'should' do. Here, guys catch striped bass from the stern of a destroyer and from kayaks, and everything in between.

Have fun with your project.