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I am looking a new 21. Want a boat that is reasonably put on a trailer but can be taken 20 miles off on good weather days. Looking for premium construction and willing to pay for quality. Any ideas?
I just purchased a Scout 202 SF that is perfect. It is a 20 ft center console and has a t-top and mine is outfitted with a Honda 4-stroke 130 HP engine. Many fellow boaters will argue that is might be slightly underpowed, however it runs like a charm and will go somewhere between 35-40 MPH at full throttle. How fast do you want to go ? You can ofcourse get a yami 150 or 200 ...your choice.
I looked at the Parkers and Grady Whites and I actually think your paying too much $$ for the name. The Scout 202 was rated # 2 in Center Consoles by JD Power report this year.
Grady White was named # 1.
if paying for quality ain't an issue, regulator 21', with or without forward seating, is best in nose-bleed tier.
ouch! on the price. but...
absolutely awesome boat. the forward seating model very family friendly, and not so much deadrise so ain't like the other models from regulator and other offshore boats.
scout 202 is my pick for best in show for the next category down.
then i'd say seapro 220 gets the nod in the mid-tier category.
Boston Whaler changed the 21' Outrage this year. This means there are probably some deals to be had them. You may also still be able to get a 5 year motor warranty. We took advantage of these facts and bought a 23' Outrage.
This is what I would recommend. Make a short list of boats you like and hear people recommend and then do some comparisons:
weight fuel Cap
21' Regulator 2700 100
21' BW Outrage 2700 95
202 Bay Scout 1560 65
(from websites and cats.)
This will help you narrow down your choices.
Scouts maybe nice boats I have no personal experience with them but the 202 Bay scout has the word Bay in it's name and it weights 1100+ lbs less then the other two. This isn't neccessarily bad it just makes me wonder why? Once you have narrowed your search down to a few boats take them for test rides. I have only been on one Key West and it was the wettest ride I have ever been on but this may not be indicative of all KW's.
Other boats to look at include:
Contender
Grady white
Edge Water
Parker
Hope this helps.
aubv, there is no "202 Bay Scout" model. Are you thinking of the 220 Bayscout? If so, I don't think that's the type of boat Tommy is looking for (?)...
Certainly look at the Scout 202 Sportfish, as well as the Parker 2100 and 21SE, Cape Horn 19 and 21, (plain but great), Bluewater 2150, Contender 21, Edgewater 200 and 225 CCs, and of course the Boston Whaler and Grady.
What's your time-frame? There are also a couple other boats "in the works" that might be worth waiting for... maybe even from SCOUT! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]
I think the Cape Horn 21 is very capable. I would be willing to fish fifty or sixty miles off in one in the Gulf of Mexico in the Summer. I would want a good kicker set-up and prefer to have another boat with me, but the Cape Horn 21 is a heck of a lot of boat in 21 feet. In this size I think the linerless construction is perhaps more desirable than a typical hull/cap design.
A 21 foot well designed boat with an prudent, skillful mariner at the helm is safer than a 35 Cabo with a reckless or inatentive yupster in the skipper's chair.
Tommy,
Don't know if you're interested in Contender, but the red and white one on boattraderonline.com, is in excellent shape. I live in Summerville, SC and went and looked at it. I considered the 21 but decided on 23. That 21 looked brand new. The guy took the cowling off the motor, and it looked like it just came out of the box. I think he's asking a fair price, and may be negioable.
Just went and looked at new Contenders and Regulators. Clearly the Regulator is the premium brand in terms of finish, interior design, and lines. Also I question why the Contender is 600 pounds lighter. Regulator seems to be better construction. Comments?
No better or more capable 21' for offshore fishing than the Bluewater 2150. Period.
I grew up fishing 16' - 24 footers offshore of Boynton. Before I bought my boat, I looked at and tried to test ride EVERYTHING decent in this size range.
The Grady is 20' is a nice boat but expensive, smaller, and in terms of ride, range and storage can't compare.
The 21' Regulator is a lot smaller, more $$, exceptionally well build but can't compare is ride, range, features, layout and storage.
The Scout 202 is a very nice boat, but its 19'6". A small 20'. Great for inshore and offshore - but not in the same league as the Bluewater in terms of ride, size, storage, range, etc.
The whaler is a quality boat, but its very pricy, and the ride isn't close, and its also smaller.
The 21' Contender is the closest in ride - about the same as the Bluewater. But the Bluewater has about 2' more in interior length and is about 2' overall. It also had more fuel capacity, a bigger console, a bigger anchor locker, more in deck storage, and a transom livewell.
The Cape Horn, Parker and Dusky are all capable boats at good prices. Can't say any are bad choices, as long as an unfinished interior is acceptable. But the Bluewater ride is still the best in this size.
The 2150 is a flat out huge 21'. Its 23' plus LOA. Closed transom. Armstrong bracket makes a great dive platform. Well built. Tons of storage. 120 gal fuel and 350 mile range fully loaded with 200 HPDI. Nice fit and finish. Great looking. Huge freeboard all the way to the bow (no casting deck). Rigged by factory to your specs. Plenty fast. And the ride - that is the absolute clincher. Seeing is believing. If you are gonna run to the islands in a 21', this is the boat for the job. Plus at around 36K complete with lots of extras (no trailer), its a good value.
All right, dissenters, let it rip.. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]
P.S. - don't try to tell me another 21' is better for offshore use unless you have been out offshore on the Bluewater. For inshore use, of course boats without a 24 degree deadrise might suit you better.
Yea...Bluewater is the only 21 you need to look at if your serious about fishing. Its not really a family cruiser though...so if your looking for some fluff...something else may suit your needs.
You need to compare the Contender 23 to the Bluewater 21. I understand they are going to rename the 23 a 21 and come out with a new 23. Both great boats. You can't go wrong with either. The Contender 21 is small.
I have been in the 2150 Bluewater, and it a nice boat. It does have more room than the 21 Contender, but not as much room as the 23 Contender. The Bluewater is a serious boat, I considered one, but wanted to go a little bigger. I looked at a couple of 2350 Bluewaters, but couldn't work a deal, so I went with Contender 23'. If the Bluewater 2150 were a little wider, or maybe if the gunwales weren't quit as wide, it would plenty roomy. Nice 21' though.
acendhole - congrats on the 23' Contender. While I love the Bluewaters, the Contenders are fabulous boats and I am sure you will be happy with your 23'.
Looking for 21 CC ideas 
