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I just got back from another day of boat browsing. Of the two 19-foot boats I seem to like the most (so far), that I can afford, ProLine, Key West and Polar are at the top of the list.
Today ...
I liked the Robalo 18'7" model with 115 Yamaha four-stroke and aluminum trailer. The "discounted" price was $21,000 with aluminum trailer. To much.
The Cobia 19-footer, comparably equipped is running $22,000, and wasn't in stock.
I moved onto the Polar-Fisherman dealer, who had some nice Polar models. I had never heard of this boat, but it appeared very solidly made with many extras, such as pop-up stainless steel cleats, two live wells, nice seat, snap-out upholstered interior side panels, "floating", very solid console, cool exterior colors, T-top, aluminum trailer, etc. Very solid, despite a 15-degree deadrise (It appears sharper and deep inside). With 115 four-stroke Yamaha and four-year engine warranty, it cost $21,300.
The dealer claims the Polar is among the top fishing boats. True? Good, bad?
I walked around the Key West 1900 Sportsman. I also liked it despite a shallow interior and 15-degree deadrise. The local price, with 115- Yamaha (four-stroke), trailer and Bimini, is $21,600.
Another dealer phone-quoted me $18,200 for the same boat with two-stroke Yamaha, trailer and Bimini. Any recommendations on two-stroke versus four stroke in Yamaha, or engines in general?
The ProLine is a 19 Sport (again, appearing very solid but kind of cramped due to its design) with 115 Mercury, nice Vee, aluminum trailer, Bimini, some electronics, etc. This was probably the nicest looking boat.
Finally, it is amazing how some dealers will pan other boats and dealers. Today was the first time I heard that Mercurys (and in particular the Optimax engines, with the "digital fuel injection") are horrible and break down all the time. This came from a Mercury dealer (who seemed to be packaging mostly Yamahas).
Thanks for helping me through this major decision process.
By the Polar. Independent company will beat a copy cat boat like a pro line or robalo anyday. high bow and uniuqe built in sea drive works nice i bet. by the polar
Do yourself a favor and consider the Twin Vee 19, it blows the others away, roomy, economical, great dry ride and very fishable....I've had 8 other boats and this one is superior....Mick
Find a used 2002 17 foot Sport and buy it. The 19-foot is The LOA. That includes the swim platform in the rear. Inside, it is the same as the 17 foot. Where did I hear this? The Proline salesman at a boat show.
I'll have to check out that ProLine claim. The 19 Sport was nice but seemed a litle cramped inside.
Is Twin Vee the name of a company?
As for the Polar, the boat I saw had a 115 four-stroke Yamaha. I don't think it was a sea drive.
The Polar has a nice, solid and slightly raised console that is part of the boat structure. It supposedly has recessed lighting at foot level, coming from under the console.
BMarkey - I realize that you're on a tight budget but that Polar may be a bit underpowered with only a 115. See if you can get it with a 140 Suzuki 4-stroke. Might not be too much more than a 4-stk. Yammi 115. It just depends on what you want to do with the boat. If you're happy with a 30 mph cruise & 40 top-end then that might be enough.
The ProLine 19 footer may seem a little cramped compared to the others based on the fact that the swim platform is part of the LOA.
Compare features. Does the boat come with a bimini top, second battery, washdown (you bluefishing….there a messy fish!), etc.. Only YOU can determine which features you need.
Did you take these boats out yet? If not this is a MUST DO thing. Take the ProLine, Key West and Polar out on a day with 2 to 3 foot waves and you may have your answer. I can't tell you, as I have not been on all three boats.
Great tips. I want to take the contenders out for a test, but the dealers are pretty stingy. One (Polar) told me I would have to be approved for financing (which means signing a contract) before I could take the boat out.
The fit and finish of the ProLine seemed fantastic to me. The design of the bow, with the anchor thing jutting out, added to the cramped feeling. There wasn't much bow area room.
All of the boats, including the Sea Fox, "felt" tight and solid. Some, like the Polar and ProLine, had more solid features, such as bow rails. All claimed to have stainless steel/brass-backed cleats and such. The Polar had pop-up cleats.
The Polar's console was very solid. It felt like (and was) part of the boat.
The Sea Fox had the most room and largest console, with lots of storage inside. It also comes with a neat little head.
None came with second battery, but all came with raw water wash-down.
I'll be back out looking today. I think a used higher end brand would be my best best.
After looking around, you see some of the stuff that is out there. Keep your eyes open and watch the boat trader. A higher end used boat is really the way to go. A lot of people, like me, get their boat and realize they want a bigger one in short order You will find your gem.
I wandered through Stuart and Jupiter today and didn't make much progress.
I liked the Aquasport 19 - much like the ProLine 19 - although it was a bit snug inside.
Saw a Sea Pro from a distance. I know nothing about it (dealer was closed at 4 p.m.)....also some Makos, Contenders, etc. All out of my price range.
The Wellcraft 18 was also nice. It seemed to have as much room as the other 19s. $19,500 with 115 Suzuki four-stroke.
I fell in love with the ProLine 20 Sport, which was so roomy compared to the 19 (basically a 17 or 18 with a foot or more of bow-anchor extension and swim platform/bracket. That bracket/platform is really nice for family uses, though). But the 20, at $22,000-plus before trailer and $2,000 add-on warranty for the 150 Merc two-stroke) is just too much.
I wanted to jump back and forth from the ProLine to the Sea Fox 19, and maybe another brand, but that model was not in stock. Still, I remember the Sea Fox (2004 for $18,000 with 135 Optimax, gal. trailer, Bimini, electronics, etc.) being the roomiest and most full-featured boat in the class (including large console with head, more seating, etc.). Now, if it would last ... or resell for anything?
The specs have the Sea Fox (19'8") weighing 1900 pounds dry, and the ProLine 19 (19') weighing 2,000 lbs dry. But the Proline dealer (Sea Fox, too) said the Sea Fox's big secret is its weight is listed with outboard attached. Anyone know about that?
The ProLine 19 price (with 115 Merc two-stroke, aluminum trailer, top) stayed at $19,470 despite some haggling. It would cost me $1,000 to add three more years onto the Merc's one-year warranty. Good idea? I tried to get the dealer to throw that in, to no avail. The Sea Fox comes with the Optimax and three-year waranty.
While I'm waiting for the home equity loan approval, I'm going to hit the papers and Net hard for 19- and 20-foot lightly used CCs.
Chipper,
Why did you suggest that he run from the Twin Vee? There are many posts of these boats ability to take rough water and chop. Several have crossed to the Bahamas. This would be a rough trip indeed for any of the other boats mentioned. PowerBoat Reports and others would give the Twin Vee a good score for a basic boat with the ability to take rougher water then most boats several feet longer.
Chuck B.
I have been checking out the Polar boat line and am very favorably impressed fit and finish wise,also interior design wise.I looked mostly at the 21 footer.Those people know how a fishing boat should be designed.For a long time I have bitched about these boat designers and the fact that they must not be fisherfolk,but the people at Polar designed that boat-inside-exactly as I would have designed it-with one fairly minor exception.The battery access hatch is too small,but with all the other things they did right I can live with that.
I also took a test ride and it was pretty good.Not as good as my Hydra-Sports,but acceptable in a 3 foot chop and some heavy duty lobster boat wakes.I especially like the huge baitwell in the stern.
By the way-those dealers who are so stingy with the test rides obviously don't need your business.Look elsewhere,and good luck.Buying a new or pre-owned boat should be fun ;-)
I just can't stress enough that taking the boat out for a test ride is a MUST DO. You can look at a boat and see fit, finish and quality components. But how a boat rides is important. Take the boat out in 2 to 4 footers. If the water is like glass, all boats seem great. Any dealer worth buying from will have a boat for test rides.
I have to agree with The Alaskan when he said "By the way-those dealers who are so stingy with the test rides obviously don't need your business. Look elsewhere, and good luck. Buying a new or pre-owned boat should be fun ;-)" Sound advise.
One last thing. It is July 10, 2003. In a few months, prices should start to drop, at least up here in the Northeast!
[This message was edited by BoatGuy on 07-10-03 at 11:16 AM.]
On other thing came to mind. This may help as your still looking a many different makes. Find the boats you like. Eliminate the others. Test ride. Eliminate those that did ride well. Now search for the few makes and models left, both new and used.
By the way, the Twin Vee will ride much different that the others you mentioned. Maybe you should take one out.
BMarkey, if a dealer did not offer you test drive I would ask them why and then ask them why you would buy their product? That is ridiculous, but believeable in the marine industry!
Polar just recently started making "liner" boats and I know someone that has one and loves it. I also know someone that has a 19' Cobia and he loves it also. They both work at the same restaurant in Jupiter, Jetty's, and might be worth talking to them. Both are brand new boats. As far as room, a few cubic feet in a 19' boat makes a world of difference as I'm sure you found out! If I were you, I would take a ride to Lindsay Marine in Stuart where they sell Pathfinder, Parker, Cobia and Hewes and I believe just started selling Regulators. You will see different price ranges and build quality in those products and will definitely see the difference between a Cobia and a Pathfinder or Parker and especially Regulator. I have a Parker and I think it is worth your while to go look at them especially if you want room, affordability and build quality/resale!
If you want to see or ride in my Parker, you can e-mail me. It is a 23' boat, but at least I will give you a test drive! Good luck!
I just recently traded my 23ft Polar Bay for a 21ft Polar Deep V. I was well pleased with the bay boat. I bass fished often in the Rivers and lakes. I could go anywhere the bass boats went and I still feel the fishability of the boat equaled or surpassed the bass rigs. Saltwater use was mostly in the bay and VERY near shore. I had the boat off shore about 25 miles, but the pucker factor was high.
Fit and finish of the boat was above average. I liked the company enough to buy my new boat from them. Let me know if you have any specific questions about the Polar Bay Series.
if you like the Key West,,,try Five Star marine in Lighthouse 'point,,, its not to far from Royal palm beach ,, and he is a Key West Dealer,,, great place to trqde as well... ask for joe,,, Key West makes a great blue water hull but you need to start at a 19 defgree dead rise,, so look at the 2020cc,,, about $19,000 with Honda power...
I was looking at the 19-foot Key West. It has a shallow deadrise (15 degrees?) and gunnels. Nevertheless, the dealer (Tuppens in Lake Worth) sought $21,600 (with Bimini, 115 Yamaha four-stroke and trailer). So I didn't even consider the 20-footer.
Thanks for the tips. After doing a lot of reading here and on the Florida Sportsman boards, I think a 19- to 21-foot good, used boat is in my immediate future.
Compare ProLine, Polar, Key West (19 CC)? 
You will find your gem.
