Tenure means a new boat purchase. What is the most inexpensive 24-26 C/C boat I can get?

[thundra]

I may be getting Tenure at my job, that is, I'll have my job for life, provided I don't spend all my time on THT and ruin it. This means I may be in the market for a new 24-26 foot C/C. I want and need bare bones. No livewells, no T-Top, maybe head-in-console, but I only need the most simple of center consoles out there. What brand is the most inexpensive/cheapest for the size, at least a true 24 footer to 26 footer?

Now I know that one or two feet makes a world of difference but hopefully some of you can help. I have had the same 222 Aquasport for almost 20 years now and just repowered this past May with an 06 OptiMax 150 and the boat has been awesome, however for those days when I feel like venturing out the 20-30 miles out in 2-3 footers, I could use a little more length and deadrise to smooth things out better than the 10-12 degrees I have now with the Modified-V which is the 87 Osprey 222.

How much can I spend? Good question. Of course I'll be making payments but is there anything in the $40-60,000 range that will fit the bill?

[Cracker]

A seachaser 24 can be had with a single for about 37 to 38K from Ed's superstore....Sounds like what you want

[evernic]

WASQUE has a new 24 mckee on tht for $58900........

[mrdabbs]

Panga?

[greyg8r]

Angler. Oh, and congrats on tenure. Associate professor at a university?

[KCook]

Another thread along the same lines -

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t....asp?tid=54683

[Cooper]

I know you want barebones, but there's a 25' contender on the trading dock now (and probably 20 more on boat trader) that fits in your price range. You can buy a hull finished to any level you want from a number of smaller florida builders - ocean master, great white, rumrunner, competition, etc. Also consider a dusky. EVERYTHING is an option on a dusky, so you could get a barebones setup easily.

[thundra]

Thank you all. My search is only preliminary. I have the winter to really look around here in MA/New England. Fishing is my number one passion as is for many here so I just need simple. I will be keeping the boat on a dock so I'll have to bottom paint it which is no problem as the Aquasport I have must have at least 8 coats of paint or maybe even more as I've been painting the bottom over just about every year I can remember having the boat. I bounce off rocks, pull the boat out and there isn't even a scratch as the paint must be so thick it is like a bulletproof vest on the bottom which I'll be attempting to sand off this fall/winter/spring. I wouldn't be averse to twin 2-stroke outboards but would consider a big single to keep the price down. I would prefer to have no power on the boat so I can make my choice of engine. I have an new OptiMax now and have been with Mercury since 87 so I am partially biased. My buddy has an E-Tec which has been flawless for two seasons so that would be my second choice, however with the new Generation 2/II OptiMax, I might be biased even more.

I will look into all of your choices. I really want and need to go new and won't consider a used outboard, it is just me but getting it new and keeping it maintained is what I need.

[YellowJacket]

What about an old mako?

[Drifter]

Jones Brothers now offers a 26' boat that might be worth a look. Bare bones, but if it's like their other models, probably well built. I didn't see any info on their website concerning this new model, but they have one on the lot at their HQ in Morehead City NC.

http://www.jonesbrothersmarine.com/

[B-Faithful]

Commercial grade, Bare bones, 3 piece hull, head in the console, easily powered by a single with a variable deadrise hul -

Maycraft

[wetspot]

For a no frills fishing boat and new or close to new, look at the Maycrafts. http://maycraftboats.com/models.html
I saw them at them OC MD boat show and they were in your price range new!
Other than that, any rolled edge boat will be much less in cost and not have any of the frills.

The trade you are going to make is cost versus ride. If you are really going out >20 miles, I would reconsider this choice!

Good luck.

[wetspot]

B-Faithful,
you beat me to it!

[TraderVic]

Only 23 1/2 , but.....

[scboater]

How about spending $30 bucks less and buy a wheel? Keep Wiley happy.

[toleary]

There are an awful lot of 1-2 year old boats out there with reliable 4-cycles under 100 hours for sale at about 65 cents on the dollar. Unless it's a financing thing, a nearly new boat will give you a great deal more bang for your buck, especially counting outfitting costs. I would not rule them out.

I would not get too hung up on the brand of motor, either. From my experience, there is little real functional difference in performance or reliability between any brand of 4-cycle motor (and the E-tec seems OK, too). Any of them will do the job for you.

Tom O

[bear 13]

Buy a used Reg, great deals especially on a stripped one!

[JGarman]

Buy a quality used boat with a 4 stroke once. Never buy crap you'll regret it. Look for value, not price

[Flot]

If you've got a 20 year old Aquasport with a brand new engine, why not look for something you could buy and hang your existing 150 on, PLUS a matching one on? Would give you peace of mind and reliability when you're 20-30 miles out, plus 300 horses is just about right for a 24-26.

I don't have any personal experience with them, but when people say "barebones good affordable CC" Dusky does come up a lot. I checked them out at the boatshow and the product seemed to match the reputation.

[MiHungLo]

I third Maycraft if buying new. Slightly used I would look hard at a Trophy. You could more then likely find a slightly used Trophy with an Optimax. I think in your size range the new Maycraft will be less $ then the Trophy. Either or/apples oranges. Lots of other options, that said having Ed's on the East Coast and buying a no frills new boat to hang on for 10 or so years, I'd probably be all over the Maycraft.