SUGGESTIONS REQUESTED FOR $25,000 - $30,000 21 ft to 24 ft CENTER CONSOLE 2003 - 2005

[DadsDreamboat]

This is my first boat but I am not new to boating. I am looking for a center console that can accomodate, me, my wife, and our 8 year old triplet boys for fishing in the Eastern Long Island Sound from New Haven to Mystic to The Race to Mattituck. It will be used mostly for the Connecticut shoreline area.

I am looking to spend about $25,000 - $30,000 for a 21 foot to 24 foot Center Console about 2003 - 2005. The best boat I have seen to date to meet my boating requirements and is in my price range is 2004 23 foot Polar center console with a 2004 2-cycle Yamaha outboard plus a new trailer. The problem with it is the gel coat cracks on the gunwales. I have seen many complaints about these gel coat cracks even from people who the factory repaired them. Some have complained about how these cracks got progressively worse each year. From what I know, these cracks are not simply a cosmetics issue but can allow water to reach the firberglass matting where it is wicked in and damages the matting (by hydrolysis?). Therefore I believe that I should stay clear of this boat.

My requirements are as follows. It must be suitable for our intended use. It must be safe for my children (high freeboard, deep cockpit to gunwale depth, and front railings). It must have a one-level sole (deck). There must be wide spaces between the center console and the hull to be able to fight a fish and to comfortably pass. The center console must seat two with an enlcosed head that can easily be navigated to by my dad. There must be a t-top or a fixed cabin top Trolling and drifting should be comfortable. (The worst day I had tuna fishing was drifting in a 40 foot Hatteras due to the deep-vee that made it comfortable in heavy seas.) It seems that about a 20 degree deadrise would be right.The boat shouldn't be an overly wet boat in heavy seas but I do realize that a wide flare means narrow soles such as on a Sailfish.

Hull quality, construction quality, wiring, etc, are musts. I don't need a boat that will fall apart on me.Need some electronics, rear seat for kids would be preferred, nice fish and bait wells.

Seacraft, Contender, Parker, Regulator, and Jones Brothers come up in my searches as the best boats for my usage but they are out of my price range. Any suggestions?

Should I get an older, high quality, boat instead of a newer boat that can give me problems? Can I find a 21 footer that can accomodate my requirements or do I need a 23 footer?

[capemaychef]

You might be hard pressed to find a 21'cc with a head in the console... a 23 will give you that head...

Take a look at Sea Hunt...they put out a nice boat for the money...You will want to buy the best boat you can for your money, it's a buyers market out there...boats aren't selling well with fuel costs, so you would be suprised that you might very well find a boat that is listed for 38k and you might be able to get it for 30. Take a look at Mako's as well...Used Hydra Sports, used Parkers should fall in your price(very solid boat),

I will take a look around and if I find anything I will post it back here for ya

I still think a 22'-23' sea hunt is your best bet...high sides, plenty of seating...and you can probably find a 05-06 for 30k brand new they run around 40k

[gf]

I'm in the same boat...so to speak. I have twin 11-year old sons, their friends and several nieces & nephews to accomodate.

I sold my '04 McKee Craft 196 last year and now I'm looking for something in the 22'-25' range to accomodate the herd.

If you're going to fish with a family of 5 you really need at least a 23' center console or maybe a 22' dual console. If you're just cruising around or towing the kids on tubes, then you can get by with a 20'-21' boat.

For your budget I would look at Key West, Seaswirl, Sea Hunt, Sea Pro, Pro-Line & Hydra-Sports.

These would do the trick:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/boa/647138638.html

http://hartford.craigslist.org/boa/628880931.html

or maybe a little smaller dual console:

http://providence.craigslist.org/boa/648135609.html

[mytime]

I may be a bit biased but one of the best boats I found in that price range is the one I bought. 2005, 225 CC Key West with a 225 HP 4 stroke and a t-top. It has the head in the console and the full curtain set for rough weather. I have had friends and family out in the boat many times. Very good quality for the price. It has a 21 degree deadrise and is stable on a drift with a nice bowflair. I actually just bought a new boat a couple weeks ago (needed a cabin) and listed mine on this site yesterday. It is in your price range and is loaded with every option and then some. Take a look and give me a call if you are interested. 302-528-0805 (Mac)

I would agree that Sea Hunt, Sea Pro, and Hydra Sports also make very good boats in your price range.

[jtburf]

I would look at this one http://hartford.craigslist.org/boa/628880931.html

That is a good deal if the boat checks out...

John

[Rlandspirate]

I got a 2004 23 Hydra Sport that you can get for $26,000. Still has 2 years of warranty on the Yamaha four stroke 225. It has a head and flip up rear seats for the kids and dad. Comes with Garmin electronics. The boat is for sale in the buy/sell forum. Call if you want more details 910-389-6695.

[barrell]

21 Maritme skiff has a 5 foot cabin below console. dryest and most stable boat Ive ever been in. Gets 5.5 miles per gallon and will go 32 knots with max hp of 115. Bow rail and side rails are avaliable.

[Billj]

http://www.judgeyachts.com/specials.html

There is a 2006 Judge 22 on a trailer for 29k. *


http://www.judgeyachts.com/images/22DEFORD1.jpg

[txhedg]

If you want to go Center Console, I would highly recommend looking at the Hydra-Sports Vectors. For early 2000's, it is a bit of a challenge finding them without the FICHT engines, but from my search for a first boat last year, i was impressed by the Vector hull. Nice high freeboard, easy access to head (at least on the 26+ ones i was looking at), and good seating for the family (I've got 3 kids under 10 y.o.)

Not sure where you are on the shoreline, but the HS/E'rude dealer in Westbrook has sold lots of HS over the years, so this is a good area to find used vectors in my experience. as long as the E'rude on it is 2003 or later (or it has a yam) you should be fine (I dont want to start another FICHT battle here, so I will just will say the 2002 and earlier FICHT is a bit controversial......)

[wmalloy382]

No one else noticed this?....I think I would go for the Stripper center console... there has to be some perks there that are not listed....
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/boa/647138638.html



Seriously though. If you are going to be heading to the race with 3 kids , you dad and yourself, Get a 23 foot boat minimum. I have a 21 and have had a 24. You may not think so but its a HUGE difference in the way a boat will handle in short chop.

[BigShrimpin]

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...96298&posts=14

You won't find a better 23ft boat with essentially new power (47hours).

[plugmeister]

That SeaCraft is awesome! BUT--if you really work at it you should be able to buy something brand new for that $$. Also, check Ed's Marine SuperStore for SeaHunt prices.

[tankerfly]

Check out the Kencraft Challenger 215 or 235. May not meet all of your requiremnts, but they are a well thought of boat down here. I have the 206 and will buy one of the two I mentioned when I can afford it. http://www.phoenixcreation.com/kencraftboats/235cc.html

[itwonder]

I'd look first at that Hydrasports 2390 on Craigslist. The earliest Evinrude FICHT motors had some teething problems, but by 2002 they were solid. That's an excellent boat that should meet your needs very well.

[kitebuz]

plugmeister - 4/22/2008 5:49 PM

That SeaCraft is awesome! BUT--if you really work at it you should be able to buy something brand new for that $$. Also, check Ed's Marine SuperStore for SeaHunt prices.

You could do that, but would only gert @ half the boat that Seacraft is...

The HS2390 is a good suggestion - I've seen several that fall w/in your price range. Smart to steer clear of the early Evinrude dfi's. Some came rigged w/ a single Yam F225 - somewhat under-powered, but gets the job done for lighter loads.

I have also seen a few Contender 21's in that price range which is a nice boat - & yes, I like the Sea Hunt 22's - a couple advertised here that look nice w/in your budget. The Sailfish 218 is another one to look at. Your buying at a good time for sure. In terms of quality, all the above newer boats are nice, and fairly similar. That Seacraft is a one of a kind, and if you look into the rebuild - it is a custom quality, like new, boat.

Good luck

[Pole]

check out that 23 Key West on the trading dock, prefect package for the family

[fmTuna]

Of course I am biased... I am the guy with 2 vectors AND one of them is a 2001 2390 for sale. But even if you don't want to look at mine, you would be really hard pressed to find a more capable, safer vessel to surround your family with. If you have any questions on the boat.... even if it you are not interested in mine, shoot me an email and I will be happy to share some first hand experience with it.

And don't worry about looking at 2001+ fichts that are running fine today ... the problem was years ago, and the ones still in service are true workhorses...

[obstom]

Some center consoles to consider

http://www.onlineboatsource.com/Vehi...wse.asp?cid=13

[DadsDreamboat]

Where are you located?