The Boating Forum - Who makes the best riding DC?

I am researching my next boat for dual purposes (family and fishing). I have narrowed my interest down to a DC. What should I be looking for in a DC for a dry non-pounding ride? Who makes the best riding DC?

Thanks,
ml8163

Its going to come down to what type of boating and where, but let me throw in a few thoughts. First though, I am a newbie boat owner so this is the voice of inexperience talking.

I have a family of five but still wanted an easily trailerable boat (nothing too large). I also wanted a hull that would be good for lake fishing around Charlotte (ie, stable and shallow draft) but could also handle the intercoastal and even go inshore off the Carolina coast. Plus wanted low maintenaince, quality build for re-sale, etc.

All that said, I went with a Scout Dorado. Great boat, planes well, smooth ride, very stable when at rest, rock solid.

ml8163, you fail to mention other factors, such as new, used, size, price, etc.

With anything other than what you mentiond, I would suggest you look at Triumph.

Plastic flexes, so a softer less harsh and less hard ride. As with any purchase of this size, I would recommend a test drive.

No fiberglass or gelcoat to polish means more time fishing or with family and less time and cost maintaining the boat. All we use is a pressure washer or a do-it-yourself car wash to keep ours clean.

With a family, that means you can teach all of them about how to dock a boat without fear of having to pay for gelcoat repair. The same can be said for shallow water fishing, beaching, etc.

The owners web site is http://www.triumphowners.net/ and it provides some great information. The largest DC model is their 195DC. They also have a 191 Fish & Ski and a 170DC is their smallest DC.

On the down side, the boat MUST be properly supported when out of the water and a Triumph will never shine like a new fiberglass hull. We have yet to find the "perfect boat" and if we did we doubt if we could afford it, but the Triumph gives us what we want in a boat.

Good luck in your search. There are som GREAT dealers in NC. I know because I brought mine home from NC.

Vic in Osprey, FL

Clearwater makes a 22' dc.:joincc:

World Cat 250DC

Even more better. World Cat 290DC.

In the 21' class the Seaswirl Striper is awfully hard to pick on- Great ride, high bow, stable and quick; very roomy with lots and lots of storage. For the dollar, darn near unbeatable- all glass, foam and composite hull construction

For what it worth Thomas Marine Gonzales Louisiana offered a 2007 Hydra-sports DC 24 footer i think Brand new for 28K at our CCA banquet last week.

No one jumped for it.
I would have, but in 2007 when I looked at he wanted 66K!!!!!

I had a custom all welded aluminum made.

It's worth the google search if you are looking.
It's a beast of a boat with the Big Merc Varado.

Pioneer 197 venture is what we pick for us and the five grand kids, Lots of room and storage. With the 175 suzuki it will pull any water toy.

No doubt, 22 DC Hydra Sport, great boat

glacier Bay, World Cat and Hydrasports are the softest, driest three.

I would say World Cat too. If you can afford the 290, it's a beast. Not too sure about how trailerable it is... I too am looking for a dc but a big one. Looking at the Wc 290 and the Grady White 275. The dc is a good mix of cruising and fishing. Good luck.

I've not rode in a SV2 hull Grady Tournament 22 or 19.. I have not rode in the others brands either, so I can't honestly answer your question. But, you'd be smart to check them out. I had a older 22 and loved it, in fact someday I just may get another one.

I am researching my next boat for dual purposes (family and fishing). I have narrowed my interest down to a DC. What should I be looking for in a DC for a dry non-pounding ride? Who makes the best riding DC?

Thanks,
ml8163

Just start with a Grady White Tournament 307 dual console and skip the wish I got a bigger boat syndrome.

Now that's a big boat!!! Awesome though... That and the World Cat 290dc are insane (and expensive)...

Thanks for the feedback guys. I've done a fair amount of research and found that there are a lot of options out there. I'm hoping to be able to pull the trigger on something this coming spring.

Pioneer 197 venture is what we pick for us and the five grand kids, Lots of room and storage. With the 175 suzuki it will pull any water toy.

How is the quality of the Pioneer? What did you pay for it.

You might want to also consider an Edgewater. I have never rode on one but they are quality boats.

You might want to also consider an Edgewater. I have never rode on one but they are quality boats.

Edgewater's are really nice, but they are way out of my price range. I'm looking at Sea Hunt, Key West, Tidewater, and Pioneer, Sea Pro. These seem like good mid-level boats.

I also like Hydra-Sports, Scout, and Century. But I think they will be out of my price range as well. Besides new, I am also considering something that is a few years old.

What length and price range are you looking at? That information would help.

Key West boats are not high end boat but they are still good. I have never heard anyone that owns one have anything negative to say about them.

Throw Robalo 227 or 247 into the mix. I think this is the first year for the 247, but you should be able to find a used 227 pretty easy. Good family and fish friendly layout.

To start of with I am not a big fan of dual consoles but I fished on a buddies Triton dc and it is a wonderful boat. Not the most expensive boat but defiantly not the cheapest either. This boat is a big 22 footer and rides very well. The above comments are coming from a guy that do not like dual consoles and do not really like Triton boats but this boat is a great boat for a dual console.


http://www.tritonboats.com/boatImages/galleryImage4_239.jpg
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http://www.tritonboats.com/boatImages/galleryImage1_239.jpg
http://www.tritonboats.com/boatImages/galleryImage2_239.jpg

Click Here To Go To Boats Webpage (http://www.tritonboats.com/boat_detail_new.asp?bid=239)

I had a Seaswirl Striper 2101DC for the past two seasons and it was a great boat (especially for what I paid for it). The construction quality is good, the layout is very well done, and it handled well. I bought it leftover in 2007 (it was a 2006 model) and launched it for the first time in the Spring of 2008. I put about 120 hours on it in two seasons. It was powered by a Yamaha 150 4-stroke.

Ironically it was my wife who pushed me to get something bigger (and who was I to argue with her). After looking at the Grady White Tournament 275, everything else paled by comparison (except the Grady Tournament 307 but that was just too big and too expensive). Grady White makes a great boat. I looked at Robalo and Edgewater but liked the Grady better (although it was more expensive - it was also bigger). I know that there are two cat manufacturers who have dual consoles but couldn't bring myself to buy a cat (just looks too much like a pontoon boat to me).

There are a lot of good choices out there. Research every posting on every forum and read all the reviews. You will know more about the boat than the dealer or the person selling it to you if you do your homework.

I traded in my Striper 2101DC for a 2010 Grady White Tournament 275. While it was delivered to the dealer about a month ago, I'm keeping it wrapped up until Spring and will splash it in April (it will be a very long winter waiting for until that day).

Good luck!

Proline 23 DC is a great option in that size.

I own the 225dc(key west) and am very happy with it. You will get wet in 2-3 footers and pound a bit though

What length and price range are you looking at? That information would help.

I am looking for something in the 20 - 22 foot range. I don't want to spend over $30K.

With my price range, I will most likely be buying something that is a couple of years old.

Does anyone know how financing used vs. new works? I assume that the older the boat, the shorter the available term? Also, I'm guessing that interest rates go up as the boat gets older also? Does anyone know if there is a general rule?

With my price range, I will most likely be buying something that is a couple of years old.

Does anyone know how financing used vs. new works? I assume that the older the boat, the shorter the available term? Also, I'm guessing that interest rates go up as the boat gets older also? Does anyone know if there is a general rule?

Finance rates on the Great Lakes are quoted as a rule by dollars borrowed-the more you borrow, the better the rate; same rates on new or used. Terms up to 20 years if you borrow enough money. Rates increase by 1/2 percent if 1997 model or older; and strict adherence to book values and at least 15 to 20 percent down. Credit scores of 680 have been financeable at times, but not consistently.

I've had a R227 for 3 years. Great boat!

No problem with "casual" offshore fishing and have landed tons of phins, sails, etc. I've been 15 miles offshore in the middle of the night for swords, but no luck.

Great for entertaining for days or evening out with friends.

Awesome for family. Diving, skiing, tubing, lounging.

Towed it several times to Key West and Florida west coast.

And Robalo is great to deal with. I'm currently looking to upgrade to a larger express fisherman (R305).

Guys I made a serious error............
It's not the Hydra Sports for 28K in Gonzales it's the Triton.

Thomas Marine in Gonzales Louisiana, Talk to Mr. Kimbrough.

Number is 225 644 5361

Guess the bourbon haze confused me. I looked at them all back then.

In the 30K range this is likely the best deal out there for new.

I have a Century dc and it rides tough in chop. She is heavy and just under 18' feet tho.

I saw a Sea Hunt Escape 20' docked at the marina last week, looked like a really nice boat but had 6 individiual seats not including bow. Seems to me that would restrict fishing.

Hi , let me first start by saying ive owened a 28 mako, 25 pursuit , 25 sea hawk , and rode on contenders regulators , and about everything else out there , my best experience on a DC was on a grady white 225 dc with 225 yami , it was my brothers boat . We took it about 50 miles off the north carolina coast and had a great day of fishing shes dry and comfortable and has a ton of cockpit, you can find them for a reasonable price if you find a used one and they seem to hold thier value very well , like most gradys do , good luck ....Brian Pratt

World Cat 250DC
X2 :thumbsup:

how about a scout dorado if it is nice as my 242 abaco you will be in buisness

glacier Bay, World Cat and Hydrasports are the softest, driest three.

The seacat 22 DC is the cheapest of this bunch

I just went through the same agonizing search. I investigated all DC's and drove some. I purposely looked for boats a few years old sitting at the marina to see how they held up over time. I concluded that the Pro-line 23 DC was best for me. It rides really well, appears to have a strong and well put together foundation, is very big, and the hardware seems to be easy maintenance. Most importantly, they were the easiest boat manufacturer to contact and speak to someone. I bought one yesterday. PM me if you'd like more details.

Best ride is going to be Glacier Bay or World Cat, no question. The monohulls are competing for second best.

Best ride is going to be Glacier Bay or World Cat, no question. The monohulls are competing for second best.

The GB 22 is not as good as the Seacat 22.

Check out the Trophy 2206 (22' 6") Dual Console. It is really a Sea Pro 228. US Marine discontinued the Sea Pro line and just put the name Trophy on the boat but, it is exactly the Sea Pro 228. I picked up an 08 dealer leftover for $29,950 in September.

It won the:

2009 Excellence in Design Award

Trailer Boats has announced that the Trophy 2206 Dual Console is a Trailer Boats Excellence in Design Award Winner for 2009, and is featured in the January issue of Trailer Boats magazine.

"This award is for pushing the envelope for boat design. It is this kind of vision and risk-taking that the Trailer Boats Excellence in Design Awards program is intended to recognize. Your achievement is exemplary," said Ron Eldridge, Editor of Trailer Boats.


http://www.trophyfishing.com/brochure.asp?modelid=122473

-ftlee

I am looking for something in the 20 - 22 foot range. I don't want to spend over $30K.

Check out Trophy Boats. Their Dual Consoles are the Old Sea Pro Molds. We just got some in and I got to go for a ride on one. Boston Whaler has done away with their dual consoles, so fille the void with the Trophy Brand. The BW 210 Ventura was a great boat that I would recommend, but they are very expensive.

Trophy: http://www.trophyfishing.com/brochure.asp?modelid=122473

World Cat 250DC

I too am a newbie to actually owning a boat and after a year of research and searching I bought a World Cat 250DC. The kids love the full cushions in the bow. The wife loves having a head that you can actually get into. At a height of 6'2" it is comfortable even for me. I love the twin Honda 150s as I can actually have a conversation at full throttle without having to yell. Great cruiser with lots of cockpit space for fishing.

As far as the ride...very smooth. Very comfortable for the family and great peace of mind. At 8'6" she trailers great but make sure you got yourself a man's truck...3/4ton minimum preferably with a diesel.

Plus she is a fuel sipper even at near WOT. Two adults, two children, and 150gals of fuel still pulling a sustained 38mph in a good chop with gusting winds all with no bow spray.

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/leebourgeois/LaborDay09002.jpg

I have a Grady 225 tournament 2003. Boat is awesome. Rides as good if not better than my father in law's 25 Seamaster. Knocks down that afternoon Barnegat Bay chop like it's nothing. Never pounds. This is a great combo of a top quality fishing boat and a family cruiser. With a full transom and bracket I doubt there is another 22 footer that has the cockpit space of this boat. I didn't believe all that Grady crap until I owned one.

I bought a Grady White 275 tournament with a 350 Yamaha on the back. 2008 model, and have been totally pleased.

I wanted a boat for the family, but after buying it, started to fish. Now I have it fully rigged out. The capt'ns I've take out love it, because of the hard top and it's enclosed. So you can beat the weather, and step outside the curtains to fish. I added rocket launchers, second gunnel mounts for my Penn 130's with backing plates, out riggers, and it's just great.

After hosing off, we put in the bow cushions and take the kids and wife for a ride...

Can't beat it.

I live in Raleigh too BTW... Want to go for a ride?