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Random Quote: Everything on your boat is broken...you just don't know it yet.
the latest "whats the best 24 footer" thread got me thinking, this is a hot topic. it seems that there are indeed threads about 31 footers and 17 footers and other sizes, but for the great mass of folks on THT, it seems that the 22-26 foot range seems to get the most 'attention'.
so i pose this question, What is the most ideal boat size for nearshore/offshore fishing?
of course its relative. to each his own. not enough information. what i do down here, you dont do up there. my seas are different. my grandmother boats with us. my one legged neighbor hates the color blue. yes, yes, yes.
but beyond the mundane typical answers, if you were to pick one boat size--either bigger or smaller than what you have now, for your current or aspired fishing habits, what size boat would that be? is 20 too small? is 36 too big? if you had to actually purchase the boat--if you had the money, and you had to pay for the maintenance and upkeep, along with fuel, what size boat would you choose? trailerable? handle it by yourself? an average joe boat, but a boat you would be PROUD to own and run.
now, im talking about an ocean/gulf boat. not a bay boat, or ocean cruiser. not a flats boat or river boat. or some fantasy thing--i'd love to have a 50-60-70 foot hat/bert/ocean/vik, but i dont think i want to pay for upkeep or fuel bills.
really, i'd love to hear what other folks think. size, mind you. no need to pick out brands/models. (but if you must, you must) post what YOU think, not what you think the market thinks.
im partial to 24 feet. average joe can run it, afford it and it'll do most anything.
I like the premis of this thread- for me East coast, Long Island- inshore and canyon fishing- 30 ft works for me- small enough to handle in skinny water and canals and the right boat can safely run 100 nm each way on the right day. CC would be my choice - most use of boat space ( important on a 30 ft boat ) speed and fuel economy are always a plus for me... until my back and knees can no longer take it...
the largest boat you can trailer (22-26' ) Any size you have to rely on a marina (haul outs, small service, and everything to do with a boat) your costs compound expedientially. This size allows you to run offshore affordably yet fish inshore easily as well.
I will never own another boat that I cannot put on a trailer again! I never want to hear
"Sorry sir you cannot clean and wax your boat on our premises while it is dry docked due to insurance and environmental reasons" or "That is $290 to haul out $290 to splash" plus the cost of whatever is done again.
Here goes Salt.
Since I cannot afford to have two boats, and definately cannot afford to have something like a 50' SF, this is a good question.
I fish the bay a lot, and fish the ocean a lot too. I will troll and wreck fish. The Canyon for me is around 80 miles offshore. That said, and of course money being a concern, I would like to have something in the 28' range. A good top tier boat that will be reliable and get me to the Canyon on nice days, and still allow me to fish the bays. Comfort, Layout, and easy to Maintain are all important things to me. And as I stated above, I would like a top tier boat, so things like Quality/Solidness and Fit/Finish are to be expected.
__________________ '96 Sea Ray Laguna 24' CC
Twin 175 Optimax's
~27' CC with or without an engine bracket. Deep V, and large twin power. It is large enough to take most seas I'd want to be out in, and has the range to easily make the long runs.
~27' CC with or without an engine bracket. Deep V, and large twin power. It is large enough to take most seas I'd want to be out in, and has the range to easily make the long runs.
I like the premis of this thread- for me East coast, Long Island- inshore and canyon fishing- 30 ft works for me- small enough to handle in skinny water and canals and the right boat can safely run 100 nm each way on the right day. CC would be my choice - most use of boat space ( important on a 30 ft boat ) speed and fuel economy are always a plus for me... until my back and knees can no longer take it...
This was my thought too. I went with a 28 CC (Whitewater)... trailerable, well built, canyon ready, efficient and still small enough to chase fish on the surface with flies.
Loa 28ft with twins
Large enough but economical enough to head offshore 50+ miles yet small enough to tow without a problem. Any larger I would like to have it at a marina. Mark
Good topic....speaking for myself I have the perfect size boat for my current situation. That is what its really based on...the boat owners situation.
My boat is just over 30' from stem to stern and has an 8' beam. I wouldn't want to trailer anything bigger than that other than to transport. I don't trailer my boat much anyway but when I do I don't need a permit and it fits in my driveway.
The biggest limitation in my boating situation is that my ocean access house has a few low bridges which limits my having a 50' Viking, though I believe I will be able to squeeze a 377 Intrepid back here with a folding arch.
The most perfect boat size? 
After that I'd want to jump straight into a 35 Cabo 
) Any size you have to rely on a marina (haul outs, small service, and everything to do with a boat) your costs compound expedientially. This size allows you to run offshore affordably yet fish inshore easily as well. 
Loa 28ft with twins
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