Which Boat???

[nwoutsider]

Maybe you can help me choose a make and model of used fishing boat. I would like a boat that will do the following list of things. My target price is around $8000 give or take a couple thousand depending on the options that I need to add. But a boat that after being cleaned and added the options, I will be proud of.

A small cuddy, mostly for storage
Large aft area for fishing and crabbing
Full removable (Stand up height) weather enclosure, large enough for 2 to 3 people (center council is out)
17? to 20ish?, so I can launch by trailer, myself (a lot).
Boat that I can leave at my beach place (only during the summer), which goes dry twice a day.
I like outboard motors, because they lift most of the way out of the water.

I live in the Puget Sound, and in the winter I feel that a 20ish? would ride better.
I like the Arima 17 sea chaser, but I?m concerned that it may be too small and all rainwater needs to be pumped out by automatic bilge pump.
I like the flare of the front deck of the Wellcraft V20 and the layout of that and the Grady-White 20 open. I just can?t find many around this part of the country.

The Trophy is nice but I feel the cuddy is too large and the aft deck is too small.


NWOutsider

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Which Boat???

Welcome to iboats.

Browse the iboats classified and use the menu's to "drill down" your requirements. http://boats.iboats.com/

"Most" newer boats are okay and there are a few to stay away from...... outboards are a great idea for the ease of maintenance.

Okay I know you are going to ask so here is an "aviod" list

OMC outdrives (I/O)
Mercruiser 470 3.7L motors
Any of the 1980's Bayliner's, Sundirds actually older boats because they may have some rot and damage.

In the 8K range I would have a boat surveyed before I bought it.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Which Boat???

I agree with Bob_VT, but I'll add some.

For the size range you want, with decent room for fishing, I'd stay with the walk-arounds. The V20 is a good boat (from what I hear), but you're giving up the whole bow area. I think 17' is way too small for your needs. Depending on the market up there, you could probably get a decent 22' walkaround. I know Puget Sound can get yukky, and if you ever decided to take it further west, a bigger boat will do better for you. Juan deFuca can be nasty if I remember right.

I think you're right on with an outboard. I have a 22' walkaround with an I/O, and the doghouse takes up a bunch of cockpit space.

The only thing I would be concerned about is the low tide issue you have. That may cause issues with the hull, I would think. Especially if it 'lands' on a nice rock. Is there someway you can avoid this?

Anyway, you pretty much have your ducks in row from what I can tell.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Which Boat???

Agree with VT and Beefer. I see an outboard powered, walkaround cuddy in your future. Tons of 'em out there, and I think $8k will put you into a mid-90's model in good shape. I also second having the survey done, and looking at boats that are over 20'.

I had a 21' Pro-Line WAC with a 175 Johnson on it a few years back. Nice package that would fit the kind of use you're planning. On rough days I threw in the towel long before the boat ever felt unstable. I launched, retrieved and single-handed it myself without any issues, and I'm an old fart

Good luck. Shopping's fun.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Which Boat???

good comments above. You want an outboard. For 2-3 people to fish, 19' minimum; 21 a good popular size.
Think hard about the cuddy, and ask around. A lot of people find, after a while, they aren't worth the extra weight and taknig up space, and aren't used that effeciently. Storage does not seem like a good use; you can store a lot in a step down center console. But check with your locals; they know your weather conditions; I don't.

No problem letting an OB sit on sand or mud. Not rocks, though.

 

[nwoutsider]

Re: Which Boat???

Thanks, all good ideas and comments. Just some more Info for your use. The beach is sand. I work a 24 hour shift so I may nap while I'm waiting to pick up a crab pot. But the cuddy gives a larger space to lock down downriggers and pot pullers and what ever else. I like the lines of the V20 with the flat bow and the raise from the aft deck to the bow. That type of look for boats is very hard to find in the Pacific NW. Most of the boats have a bow that angles down as you go forward. I?m feeling that a Trophy may be the closest to that look as I my find.

NWOutsider

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Which Boat???

I had a 1996 Bayliner Trophy, walk-around cuddy. That is the exact boat you're describing. Get one with a 150 O/B and you'll have much more cockpit room.