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I am looking to buy a boat to use in south Florida (Stuart). I would like input on what hulls as well as hull lengths perform best, for south Florida inshore/offshore fishing trips. Can it make it to the Bahamas?I am looking for the best hull for the least money. Someone suggested a 20' seacraft. Thanks very much for help.
Go to Lentine Marine in your area. They have many consignment boats for you to check out. Choosing a rig depends on what you want to do and where you want to do it. Those guys are very knowledgeable.
How much do you want to spend and what kind of boating will you be doing 90% of the time? Will you be fishing or playing in the Indian River/ St. Lucie more often or going out the inlet for near shore or offshore? Fishing or pleasure? There are plenty of good boats on the market but it is hard to give advice without knowing how you are going to use it.
Lentine had (or still does) a 20' Seacraft with a Honda. If I remember right, it seemed under powered (possibly a 130hp).
I would recommend that you look at a little larger boat in the 21 -23 range. If this will be your sole boat, then chances are you will want something a little bigger in a short time. If you are making runs to the Bahamas you will really want something in the 23 range. BTW - the Seacraft 23 is a prized hull.
__________________ What kind of cosmic bunny hole is THT? Breast implants seem to be a moral issue.... They're BOOBS!!!
Most folks will recommend the boat they "currently" own. I am no different.
My suggestion, go to http://www.triumphowners.net/ , click on the "Articles" Tab at the top and read why we purchased our Triumph.
We live in Sarasota County, almost directly across the state from you. While our boat is NOT for sale, would be happy to invite you over to talk boating. Being retired, it can be almost any day.
We like not having to polish, a place for wife's porta pottie, using our pressure washer to keep her clean, and no worry about gelcoat cracking or damage if we hit something like a dock a little hard.
Good luck in your search.
AND
Being on the water in any boat is better than standing on dry land.
__________________ Vic in Osprey FL
2005 Triumph 210 CC
A lot of variables here. Do you intend to trailer, wet slip, or dry stack...take the wife/girlfriend out or pee in a 5 gal bucket or over the side...hardcore fish only or waterski, booze cruise as well...chase sailfish in the spring (windy and rough), flats fish, bottom fish, etc...then there's the Bahamas wild card. If you truly want to do it all you will need a two boat plan.
Buy a boat you can afford for what you're gonna do 80-90% of the time. Unless the wife is truly into boating...buy what you want and let here pick the color. Like OspreyVic mentioned, folks tend to recommend boats they already own and I'm no different. When I moved to Stuart about two years ago I didn't really know what I wanted to do so I did a bit of research and bought what I considered a good compromise...a 24 ft Pathfinder with a 225 hp outboard. It does a lot well but like any boat it has it's limitations. Anything over 3-4 ft and I'm probably staying inshore.
Give us some more information
__________________ Entropy
2001 Pathfinder 2400V/2004 Honda 225 Four Stroke/T-Top
Most folks will recommend the boat they "currently" own. I am no different.
My suggestion, go to http://www.triumphowners.net/ , click on the "Articles" Tab at the top and read why we purchased our Triumph.
We live in Sarasota County, almost directly across the state from you. While our boat is NOT for sale, would be happy to invite you over to talk boating. Being retired, it can be almost any day.
We like not having to polish, a place for wife's porta pottie, using our pressure washer to keep her clean, and no worry about gelcoat cracking or damage if we hit something like a dock a little hard.
Good luck in your search.
AND
Being on the water in any boat is better than standing on dry land.
you insist on pumping the plastic garbage boat now don't you?
Go to Lentine Marine in your area. They have many consignment boats for you to check out. Choosing a rig depends on what you want to do and where you want to do it. Those guys are very knowledgeable.
do your self a favor and don't listen to the boat salesmen hyping their junk on this forum and think for yourself, you are a big boy aren't you.
IMO, 23' is about perfect for South Florida. It's big enough to get to the bahamas on any day you'd want to be on the water, big enough to creep out for some sails when it's rough in the winter, big enough to go fast in the usual seas, big enough to fish with 3-5 people, small enough to be fast and efficient with a single, small enough to trailer anywhere in the state with a normal vehicle, and a very popular size if you're buying used or selling.
Best hulls for south florida? 
