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Location: SE Pennsylvania / Pirates Cove-Manteo, NC
Posts: 3,000
Help choosing first boat?
Need advice on where to start looking for first boat. Use will be:
50/50 fishing/fun
60/40 freshwater lakes/sound or bay.
45/45/10 2 adults/4 adults/ more than 4 adults
Plan on tubing and maybe skiing.
We have spent several weeks on an 18' Maycraft CC and while it was fine for the guys fishing, it was too "utility" for the women. They want some padding, "comfort", and some shade.
So my initial thoughts were:
A std bowrider may not be very comfortable for rougher days on the bay.
A std cc fishing boat isn't comfortable enough.
A dc fishing boat seems to work but they are few in number and very expensive.
I'm all over the map on the style/type of boat I'm looking for so that makes it impossible to search for, and find.
maybe a nice walk around like a grady or whaler with a small cabin, nice cockpit, some boaw seating and a good all around performer in moderate conditions. What is the budget?
Location: SE Pennsylvania / Pirates Cove-Manteo, NC
Posts: 3,000
RE: Help choosing first boat?
$20k. No on the walk-around but thanks for the suggestion. Boat shows are great but standing and looking at a boat on a trailer does not answer my questions - I was hoping that people who use various types of boats for various purposes could help me get started.
Just looked at a new Four Winns 18 bowrider and I liked that. It wasn't a F/S but aft seats could be removed, along with the carpet, to make it more fishing-friendly. Salesman said a lot of people buy 'em just for the bay ( ) but I'm still not sure about that style/size on some chop. Then again, for 20-30 possible days I'd be on bigger water should that matter? Am I emphasizing that too much?
I think boat shows are an excelent suggestion. You get to see lots of diffent styles of boats, all at the same place with no real pressure to buy. My best suggestion would be to buy something used at a good price, because chances are your wants/needs will change shortly after you buy any boat. Only then will you figure out how you will be using the boat the majority of the time.
Location: SE Pennsylvania / Pirates Cove-Manteo, NC
Posts: 3,000
Re: Help choosing first boat?
Quote:
beber - 10/22/2008 12:50 PM
because chances are your wants/needs will change shortly after you buy any boat. Only then will you figure out how you will be using the boat the majority of the time.
Damn, I knew someone would say that! That seems to be the case most of the time.
I would look for a used Dual Console boat in the 20 ft range. Boston Whaler, Aquasport,Grady White, Polar,Key West and several more have all made Dual Consoles for many years that appear on the used market frequently. I have a Dual Console and it is a great multi-purpose boat. These boats all have a full inner liner and make cleanning up after fishing or a run in salt water all the easier. Good luck with your search.
I would also suggest going to boat shows and visiting many dealers.
BUT
ONLY if you take the Admiral.
That is the main reason our family has our boat. Wife had to have a potty, but either the boat was way to large for our garge or the potty area was so small that wife said NO WAY. Wife also did not want me to be spending time polishing our boat and did not want extra money going our for gelcoat repairs.
We are both happy with our choice. Good luck on your search.
__________________ Vic in Osprey FL
2005 Triumph 210 CC
Location: SE Pennsylvania / Pirates Cove-Manteo, NC
Posts: 3,000
Re: Help choosing first boat?
Quote:
OspreyVic - 10/22/2008 1:09 PM
BUT
ONLY if you take the Admiral.
Ha ha, got it. Trouble is, she's not real interested..."get what you want". Which, as we all know, is a recipe for disaster when I follow her instructions and it' end up not being what she wanted. I have a partner (couple) involved and the girls both say they just want to lay in the sun.
I would look for a used Dual Console boat in the 20 ft range. Boston Whaler, Aquasport,Grady White, Polar,Key West and several more have all made Dual Consoles for many years that appear on the used market frequently. I have a Dual Console and it is a great multi-purpose boat. These boats all have a full inner liner and make cleanning up after fishing or a run in salt water all the easier. Good luck with your search.
I concur. I purchased a used 18’ Boston Whaler dual console (Ventura) this spring. DC’s are certainly less common than CC’s, but they’re out there if you’re willing to look. Sounds like you’re in the right ballpark with a $20K budget for something under 20'.
I agree with getting a Dual Console. Being a gal, I wanted 2 things in our boat...a place to lay out in the sun and a place to potty. But we also like to fish so it works out great! Check out the Sea Hunt DC's, you can usually find them used for a reasonable price. I wouldn't trade ours for anything...well except for a Yellowfin!
__________________
Fishing Goddess
2006 Sea Hunt Escape 220 with 200 HP 4 Stroke Yammy
Boattrader, Yachtworld are the heavyweights. Plenty of others. I would stay away from the show pony boats (SR, FW, etc) but that is just my opinion. I also agree that you wont really know what you want until after you have and use something for a while..
Another recommendation for a dual console....
I never would even look at a 'bow rider'
Then we rented a 19 Grady down in Florida with another couple for a day cruising around FT Myers.... So comfortable I bought a 22 and kept it 9 years.... Loved it.
Most flexible boat I ever owned, do anything from fish for tuna 50+ off to water ski with it..
hey kone im amy's hubby. i will tell you that when i bought my first boat it was a 18ft DC Seapro. well we used it for 4 years and it was a good boat for what we were doing. then we started to look for something else and this is what we ended up buying. the Sea Hunt 220 Escape DC. this is a very big DC with alot of room i had 4 adults on this boat at one time and still had plenty of room to move around. its very deep and has alot of that carolina flair in the front to help with keeping you dry. the boat i have has a 200 4stroke yami. and it pushes the boat 45mph without thinking about it. the motor has plenty of power and the boat rides very well. the only thing is that with the 22 ft boat comes a 22ft boat price and its a little above the budget you has said
Help choosing first boat? 
) but I'm still not sure about that style/size on some chop. Then again, for 20-30 possible days I'd be on bigger water should that matter? Am I emphasizing that too much?
Check out the Sea Hunt DC's, you can usually find them used for a reasonable price. I wouldn't trade ours for anything...well except for a Yellowfin! 
