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Yet another "tell me about these boats" question. Looking to upgrade from 20' to 23'. Need an a open center console that can handle the slop and is well built. If you have experience with these boats, please add your comments to this thread. If you think there is something better, add those too.
Boats I have looked at already are:
Grady White
Hydra-Sports
Parker
Contender
Scout
Thanks
[This message has been edited by Montauk Joe (edited 03-16-2002).]
quote:Originally posted by Montauk Joe: Yet another "tell me about these boats" question. Looking to upgrade from 20' to 23'. Need an a open center console that can handle the slop and is well built. If you have experience with these boats, please add your comments to this thread. If you think there is something better, add those too.
quote:Originally posted by Montauk Joe: Yet another "tell me about these boats" question. Looking to upgrade from 20' to 23'. Need an a open center console that can handle the slop and is well built. If you have experience with these boats, please add your comments to this thread. If you think there is something better, add those too.
Ihave a parker 23cc with a 225 yamaha my friend has a regulator 23 with a 250 I have fished it many times I have more fishing room and better storage then the regulator my parker is set up better
quote:Originally posted by VINNY SI: Ihave a parker 23cc with a 225 yamaha my friend has a regulator 23 with a 250 I have fished it many times I have more fishing room and better storage then the regulator my parker is set up better
OK Vinny, just how do you think the Parker is set up better? I need details. The Regulator is 100% fishable, no platforms, no aft seats, nothing to get in your way. I think the Parker was similar.
I have fished Regulators for several years now. Having fished many different type of brands as well styles (cc, convertibles, expresses, etc.), I find the Regulator brand to be excellent in my opinion. These boats are built tough and have longevity. Another important factor to consider is the company itself stands behind their product. I can state this as fact since I own a Regulator 32. There isn't much that can stay with me on flat or bad water regardless of size of brand.
I compared 2001 models of Grady 24, Contender 23, and Regulator 23 last fall. All had Yamaha 250 EFIs and T-tops. Asking prices (already discounted from list prices) were within a couple thousand dollars of one another. All three are fine boats
Unfortunately, I threw out all my notes, so Ill have to comment based on memory alone . . . yikes! Heres my take on how these boats fit your needs.
* No casting platform.
The Contender has a flat deck and the highest freeboard at the bow, Regulator has a platform thats raised only 2-3", Grady has a raised platform and rail flush with gunwale. Points to Contender and Regulator on this one. With Grady, youd have to consider getting the pulpit option that includes a higher bow rail ($1000).
* Moderately fast 30 to 35 mph (30 kts). * Fuel efficient and good tankage, may need to run 50 miles and 50 miles back plus trolling.
All three are similar on these points, I think, but youll probably get a little more speed out of Contender and Regulator compared to Grady.
I know Grady has 150 gal fuel tank and I believe the others are similar. Check that. Fuel consumption will depend on your power, of course, check the performance bulletins on the Yamaha web site for something similar to what youre considering to find real data on speed and fuel consumption.
* Able to handle real 3 to 4 footers, no inlets here but the rips at Montauk and the Race can be nasty.
I fish The Race a lot, and these boats are perfect for that kind of water, but I tend to stay out of the rip when it gets up to 4 feet.
* Self bailing, wash down, stable at rest.
Grady is probably best for "stable at rest", but I havent driven all three.
* Rod storage and a fish box to carry 40 inch stripers or 60 to 100 lbs tuna.
Lots of rod storage on all three, my Grady has 18 rod holders and I'm thinking about adding a couple more.
I dont think any of these boats have fish boxes big enough for 100 lb tuna and 40 inch stripers are about the max.
* Not a big fan of live wells or porta potties.
Check me on this, but I think Regulator is the only one without a built-in live well. Maybe it has a small one in the corner?
Grady has a live well built into the transom that might get in the way, but the cover is a replaceable cutting board. It also has a sturdy transom door that would be very useful for hauling in big tuna. Contender also has transom door and a live well in the floor of the cockpit. I didnt like this feature, and you should read the comments on the "In-Deck live well removal?" thread on this board. There are some real disadvantages of an in-deck live well.
Grady has the most space inside the console, usually for a porta potti, but it could be removed or just not used for that purpose. Its nicely finished with carpet on the walls.
Contender is next in line for console storage space, and the interior is not finished meaning electrical connections and back sides of gauges are readily accessible. These connections are also exposed to anything you store in the console.
Regulator has the smallest console storage space, with room for little more than a tackle box and a couple of life jackets. The 2-cycle oil tank is in there, too.
* Other
Fit and finish was best on Grady, and Grady had the most comfortable driving positions for me with tilt wheel. I like the wheel on the Contender. Regulator has a removable transom splash board that I didnt like. On the other hand, it gets you closer to the water than Contender or Grady solid transoms. It also might get the water closer to you in heavy seas. The plexiglass electronics cover on the Regulator console isnt attached by hinges and it has to be removed and stowed somewhere. I liked Regulators hard top, the other guys have canvas. Contender and Regulator are available in some great colors, Grady is . . . well, Grady.
Based on what youve told us, I think Contender or Regulator fit your needs better than Grady.
Fuzzy
PS: I chose Grady because my priorities and fishing habits are different than yours.
PPS: I took a quick look at a used Hydra-Sports Vector 23, but passed it by because it had a 99 Ficht. If you can get a Vector with Yamaha or Honda power, it's definitely worth a closer look.
Joe,
Although 23' is out of my range of experience, Kencraft makes a 23'CC than is a real tank. It was designed for the 23' and under class of the SKA. It has more freeboard, deadrise and it beamier than thier own 25'. I not sure of the arrangement of the livewell ect. but Kencraft is a well put together boat, very seaworthy, and may even save you a few bucks (thier prices have been going up lately). They are built in NC like the GW and Regulator.
Good Luck
Thanks for the detail post Fuzz - I quess for me it's all about the ride (first) and then the fishability. I can catch fish from a barge if necessary but it has to take me to where the fish are. Since you mentioned it, I do like the transom cut-out design better than the bracket for the engines. A full transom does a beter job keeping the water out (free wash down) but it's easier to work a fish around the closer engines.
I'll track down that thread on live-wells.
Thanks
Fishing the Race on a weekend is not my favorite spot - too many boats and too few people who know what they are doing.
[This message has been edited by Montauk Joe (edited 03-17-2002).]
You should check out the 23' Seacraft too. It fits the moderately fast and able to handle 4 footers well billets very well - IT IS THE BEST RIDING BOAT IN THAT CLASS - PERIOD.
MJ
All the boats you are "chasing" are great boats ... comes down to personnel preference with layout at this point (much as Fuzzy2u states)
I second POUNCE! ..... Take a look ...better yet a ride on a SeaCraft....Some really nice boats...Also look at Ed P's post in "looking for opinions on seacraft 20 master angler" It says alot!!
Good luck ...you cant go wrong with anything you've selected!!
I was @ the regulatormarine.com site yesterday and noticed the 23 had a notched " type" transom, I think it might have been molded with a splash guard/well type thing but if not I personally would go for a sealed inboard/I/O , or bracket.
Dont need the following seas comin in while chunking 30 miles out.
Alan
Come on Pounce - I'm salty enough not to believe statements like your last one anymore. The original Sea Crafts were a great boat but those are gone (kind of). Just who makes the new ones, what moulds are used, and what makes them better than these other boats we'er talkin' about? Price?
Eveyone believes that their boats are the best but there is no such thing as a perfect boat, always trade offs. Care to elaborate?
A quick check of the Sea Craft web site reveals that the 23 Classic has a dead rise of 20.5 vs the Reglators 24, weight is 3070 vs 3800, fuel is 135 vs 184 and a big negative for me is the bow casting platform. So Sea Craft is off the list.
quote:Originally posted by POUNCE!: You should check out the 23' Seacraft too. It fits the moderately fast and able to handle 4 footers well billets very well - IT IS THE BEST RIDING BOAT IN THAT CLASS - PERIOD.
[This message has been edited by Montauk Joe (edited 03-17-2002).]
MJ, I think of the three it comes down to Regulator or Contender. I had a 24 Grady and it was wet and slow. I will agree that it has a nice finish and a strong following if you ever need to resell. The only thing I don't like about the Regulator is the notched transom. That can be a real issue when fishing or running in bigger following seas. I guess you can get one with the transom enclosed but I am not sure. You should get a slightly better ride in the Regulator, its a heavier boat. The Kencraft suggested by DTW is also a great boat for the money. I am not crazy about its two level deck but other than that it is a very capable boat at a reasonable price.
Let me save you some time and frustration. When I went to buy my 1999 23 Regulator tht was delived in July of 1998, I was in and out of 27 different boats from Fl. to NJ. I was dead set on an Albemarle until I rode the Regulator.
I fish some of the roughest waters on the East Coast, Hatteras to Carolina Beach, and my Reg has performed beyond expectations.
Dont be taken astray buy claims like, It Rides Like A Regulator, Built Just Like a Regulator. Ever wonder why they are compared to a Regulator. Regulator is at the top of its class for 21, 23, 26 and 32 ft. boats.
The biggest complaint you will hear about a Reg is the price. As their Ad says, not everyone will have one. Instead of costing up to a Reg like most people have done, bite the bullet, get yourself one, it will be cheaper in the long run. Its like the oil Ad, Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later. The Reg. does hold its value. You only get what you pay for. Other boats you pay for what you get.
Price, as is said my boat was new in 98, its 99 model and in May of 2001 I was offered exactly what I had paid for the boat. They hold their value, are easy to sell, ever see a used Reg in the paper. If you did it didnt last long.
My boat looks as good today as the day I bought it. They are bullet proof as many have said.
I keep all types of records so if you any other information on a Reg, please Email rather than clutter up this Board. I had a single 250 when I bought it and now have twin 200 HP HPDIs.
No Regulator does not sponsor me, and I do not work for them. You will not make a mistake if you are fortunate enough to buy one.
MJ,
It's all a matter of persoanl preference, but from your list of what's important, I'd say Regulator will fit all of them. I own a 23 and wouldn't trade for anything (except maybe a 26!). Built in NC, the company is happy to have you as an owner and they will help in any way. The boats are solid, ride great and fish great. I fish Va and NC, inshore and offshore and I'm happy. Listen to Stanman about the cost, he is right! You may consider a used one if you can find it (they don't last long), as there are some subtle differences per year. All in all, great boat!
quote:Originally posted by Montauk Joe: Fishing the Race on a weekend is not my favorite spot - too many boats and too few people who know what they are doing.
Roger that, MJ.
A charter captain once told me he wouldn't fish The Race on weekends if he didn't have to. To people who've never seen it during one of those busy times, I tell them its like fishing on the Jersey Turnpike.
'Course conscientious people like you and I would _never_ miss a day of work to fish The Race, right?
Deep V boat tend not to be as stable at rest as boat with less of a deadrise. The Regulators reverse chine is supposed to help but does it? I have owned at deep V 25 footer and it was quite rolly.
Regulator Boats? 
