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Sea Pro
Proline
Hydrasport
Wellcrafft
Aquasport
Seaswirl
angler
Hydrasport out front of the rest as long as it is the vector series.
My next choice from that list would probably be proline but after the choice of hydrasport it would really come down to motor, location, and deal to choose between the rest.
Unless you have to get a WA you should consider cape horn.
nomis is that your boat? That was a little high for my price range. If you are willing to go down then e-mail me and we can talk. Still looking though. Very nice boat though. After much thinking and reading Grady678's comments I think I'm going to actively hunt for a WA. Now if there was a fancy CC that came available I don't think I would pass it up.
I'm surprised to see Wellcraft ranked above Seaswirl in here. I'd figure equal or a slight tip to the Seaswirl in that department. To each their own; try 'em all out. Bring your wife to each one.
I will throw in a vote for Hydra-Sport Vector as well. I fished on a 28 Vector in the slop and I came away very impressed. They are at a higher price point than some of those other boats though.
On the walkaround thing, I understand the appeal but I can honestly tell you that I'll bet your next boat will be a CC. It's a pretty common trend.
You said not Contender, but the 23 not 23T is not that bad of a price for the years you want. I know a guy who won over $100,000 in king tourneys in that boat. 2nd would be Hydrasports, 3rd Proline my buddy loves his '01 23, 4th only cause I used to work on them a a boat company that sold them Angler. Last place, 23 Seacraft! You don't need anything more than a single motor if your fishing Sebastion and south of there.
I found a palm beach walkaround for a good deal. Any opinions on this kind of boat?
Made out of wood and have water intrusion problems that rot floors. POS! Same with Polar. Thats why theyre cheap, everyone's heard the saying, you get what you pay for.
Also, being in SW Florida, I'd have to vote center console. Historically, people buy walkarounds because of family and quickly find out that they end up being 120 degree storage compartments. You loose a lot of valuable fishable deck space too. I'd say find a good center console and have a bow dodger installed for her to be under when needed and folded forward when not needed.
__________________ Faithfully committed to our Marine Industry since 1992
I once owned a 2003 HydraSport 23' WA with a 200 Yamaha HPDI. As the previous poster stated, it didn't take long for it to become a hot storage compartment. I believe my wife and I slept on that boat one time. I don't know about the other brands of walk around cuddies but this one would soak your ass in a two foot chop! I had a hardtop with full enclosure and had to open the front curtains to see where I was going. That's when I got soaked, from the spray coming over the port or starboard bow while running about 25 knots in a two foot chop. Worst riding boat I ever owned.
Now the Center Console Vector series is a totally different ball game. I think you would be better off with a CC of any brand rather than a WA. And there are quite a few in the 23' range that allow for a porta potti under the console. If it comes with T-Top you can also get curtains to close in the helm station and keep dry, and warm in winter. I have been looking at some 23' CCs and I like the 2005 Wellcraft and the 2004 Cobia. Both are nice boats. I can only speak to the old V-20 Wellcraft hull though. I've owned two of those, a 1973 and a 1979 model. Good solid hulls. I think Wellcraft is still among the better boat builders.
I think you'll find that your wife would be fine with a CC with a porta potti in the console floor. I know my wife didn't mind a bit when we lost the 23' HydraSport to Katrina and then came back with a CC, no potti. Was so damn hot down there in the summer you'd have a heat stroke trying to use it anyway. Bucket or overboard is good for her!
__________________ '09 Key West 186 CC
'09 Suzuki DF 140
Thanks for the replies. The wife really wants that wa. I had a 19ft angler cc but had to sell it to buy a ring, but it was a great little boat. The wife liked it but really think a wa is the way to go this time. CC's seem significanly more in my price range, but I would be equally as happy with either. I can honestly say I stilll look at some good deals on CC's but ultimately would rather a wa. I'm probably not half the "professional" boater that many of you are on here, but I still do my fair share of king fishing off Tampa's gulf coast. Used to go out about 8 miles in the anlger and would do very well, but would like something that can take me a little farther out a little quicker. Plus we have a few friends here and there so i think a walkaround would be more of a comfort for guests as well. Either way I'm keeping my eye out for both.
has anyone dealt with National yacht liquidators in Ft. lauderdale? Looking to try and get a repo'd boat from there as that may be my best chance at a newer boat for my low budget. Thanks again
I haven't "dealt" with National; but I have been to the yard a number of times to look. The brokers are all busy in the office, you just need to sign in with a photo ID to get a pass to the yard. Looks like a well run operation and I've never heard anything bad about them.
Just beware buying a repo because it's all you can afford. In some cases they are great, but in other cases if the owner wasn't paying the note they probably weren't doing maintenance. Be prepared for way more nickel and dime crap. This isn't a reflection on National; just for anything with an engine that doesn't neccesarily receive regular maintenance (again; this is not to say everything there suffers from deferred maintenance - there are always cherries)
Ha Mike, I have a 07 233Coastal from Wellcraft. 225yami on it (133hrs). Boat is in excellent condition. I owe the bank 51k. Loaded to the gills two garmin 440s, and all my fisihng equipment. Purchased it as a left over in 08. Wife lost her job in 09. The boat is covered right now in the back yard. All service records are on hand. Trailer. Great family boat. If your not happy with it I will fly you home for free. Cannot go any lower then 48k. If you like it, I will take you me and the boat back to florida for free. jones1428@comcast.net..
In South Florida, I think you will find better deals on W/As.
You need to narrow the list to 4 or 5 specific models and then concentrate your search on that so that you are not up all night looking.
Also, keep an eye out for boats for sale on the side of a street, in the marina and other out of the way sources. You may hit on an under valued boat there.
I just bought an used 26 Intrepid that was parked along a neighborhood road for I think a very good price after missing an incredible deal on a 28 Whitewater that still makes me sick to think about because I didn't ask, thinking that it would be way too much.
It seemed to me that a smokin deal comes along about every 2 months or so. Good luck!
__________________ 26' Intrepid CC
Twin 200 Yamahas
We looked at the Proline this past summer, when we were still considering a WA, very impressed with the construction of the prolines. They are very comparable to the hydrasports. The wife needs to be with you if she has a "vested" interest in this adventure.
I was pretty much in your exact shoes in early 2007. I was looking for a 23-25' boat for fishing and the wife asked for a cuddy. So, walk around it was and I began climbing in and out of Cobias, Trophy's, Wellcrafts, Seaswirls, Hydrasports. At the time, I was hesitant on spending more than 20K on my very first boat because I wasn't exactly sure what I really needed and how I truly was going to use it. I ended up buying a 98' Seaswirl 2300 WA with 500 hrs for 14K. Never even saw another one listed under 22K at that time and I searched everything for months, typically hours a day.
Bottom line is I really didn't see much difference in build quality between all of the above models in the pre-2000 years and went with what I felt was the best bang for the buck vessel. I have worked the shit out of this boat. Usually have 4 divers, spearguns, fishing gear, full fuel tank and hit the Gulf at least 2-3 times a month and usually 15-40 miles one way. It has never even skipped a beat. Never left me stranded. Not a single issue other than a bad aerator pump ($40). I now have over 1000 hrs on the Ocean Pro and the compression is identical to the day I bought it. Them Ocean Pros are not the most efficient, that's for sure, but will always get you home and that's a huge plus in my mind.
Take a wild guess how many times the wife has used the "mandatory" cuddy? ONCE. It IS a 120 degree storage shelter! My next rig will definitely be a Center Console!
My only negatives are that I have a 105 gallon tank and only see around 1.2-1.3 mpg with the Ocean Pro, so limited on my range (that and a single engine limits that also). I realize how much more hardcore my trips have become over the past 3 years and need a different setup. That said, this boat has delivered ten fold what I paid! I'm very satisfied with it and my lord, has it seen the fish!
Best of luck in your purchase! Let me know if you have any Q's about the Seaswirls...
well I found another boat with my persistence. A triton. Any opinons on this? it's a very nice walkaround and I think I will be happy with it if it all works out. I'm going to go take a look at it next week. I understand all the persuasion for the CC and yes I may regret it down the road, but if my wife is going to be happy (and not push me to have a kid) then it is worth more than one can imagine.
I have put some offers on some boats already and it's all fallen through, but I have high hopes for this one. For all that have helped me I will keep you posted and if it works out then there will be lots of pics. If not then back onthe market for me.
I still would rather the seaswirls at National, but the broker has not responded to my phone calls or e-mails so we'll have to see.
Thanks for the offer on the coastal, but that is not even close to my price range. I'm looking to stay under $20k.
This is my first post here and after reading MANy threads a few opinions have changed my mind on the boat I'm trying to get. I had an 18ft angler a few years ago, but ready to go to 23-25ft CC or WA. Here are the boats I am looking at. On a ranking scale which is the best bang for my buck (looking to go used (2003-2006)). Also if there are any other "entry" level boats that may be good please throw them out as well. Thanks for any help. (I am doing mostly king fishing in South Florida). Can't really afford the grady white, boston whaler, contender, etc.
Sea Pro
Proline
Hydrasport
Wellcrafft
Aquasport
Seaswirl
angler
I did have an offer on a Seafox, but after reading this website I have changed my mind.
