All purpose (water sports, cruising, fishing) possible in a fishing boat?

[Mark Larsen]

The BW Ventura is an interesting design. For all purpose boating, including some in the salt, any suggestions? Teens want an open bow but I believe a WA looks more suitable to NW waters. I do want a good hole shot for skiing.
21-23' range and trailerable. OB or I/O?

[Wagon1]

If you want your boat to do more than one thing, it's always a compromise. Fishing machines make lousy camping boats, etc. My wife loves to boat around and camp, I love to fish and I have 6 and 9 year old boys who love to do it all. We have a 20 ft walk around. It is an okay fishing, camping, cruising boat, but does not excel at any of them. For us however, it is the perfect boat.

I am a whaler man, I own a 72 sport I spent years restoring. (The above mentioned boat is a 99 Proline). I have heard however (no firsthand knowledge), that you don't quite get your moneys worth from the Ventura.

Regards,
Mike

[Doug in Bermuda]

People are always in search of the 'perfect' boat. They want the fuel economy of a single diesel at displacement speed along with 50mph WOT that gets out of the water in 2 seconds has a cockpit big enough to take 6 guys fishing & a cabin that has all the comforts of home to keep the Admiral happy &, oh yeah, can I have that in a trailerable model please so that I can tow it behind my SUV?


Anyone who has ever owned just one hunk of fiberglass knows that the 'perfect' boat does not exist no matter what the builders brochures say. It is all about collecting a bunch of compromises & putting them together.

[Stretch]

The finest dual console boat on the market bar none is the Grady White 225 Tournament.