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Hello all I have a question, What are some facts on the 21 and 23 foot sea pro bay boats. Are they wet , do they ride nice , are they junk or are they a good boat. ect. ect. Any input would be great , thanks
Hello all I have a question, What are some facts on the 21 and 23 foot sea pro bay boats. Are they wet , do they ride nice , are they junk or are they a good boat. ect. ect. Any input would be great , thanks
I had a Sea Pro center console before I got my current boat. It was a very good boat and dry for its size. I would imagine that any bay boat would be wet to some extent. I would not think any Sea Pro boat would be junk but the company is no longer making boats if that matters.
__________________
SpongeRob 232 Sea Hunt 225 Johnson
I'm Ready!!!
I've got a 2005 SV2100 and it is reasonably "dry". If you are running in a short 2ft chop with a crosswind at 20, then you're going to get sprayed, but that's typical for most center consoles. The bow has a nice flair and it kicks the water out to the side pretty good.
Many people will say the Sea Pro is "a good value for the money", and that is a statement that I would agree with. It has been a great boat for us. Layout is good for fishing and storage. Live wells are nice. Fishing platforms bow and stern are great. With the cushions on it is a very nice family beach boat - including an easy boat to get the dog on/off. Some of the tradeoffs are as follows (things you won't see on the higher end boats):
1. Sloppy wiring - it works but is a pain in the rear to work on or add things to.
2. Finish - the hidden areas; rough fiberglass up under storage box edges, etc.
3. Gauges suck; the standard ones anyway. Tach works, speedometer is useless, fuel level works when it's full and is highly inaccurate as fuel is consumed. Wish I had the Yamaha gauges, but I'm not willing to spend the money...
Other comments:
Standard equipment was a cooler seat which was awful if you ran in the ocean. I ripped that out and put a leaning post in.
Trim tabs would really help running in the ocean. I have not done that one yet, but should have 4 years ago.
Most people do not put t-tops on bay boats but I use my boat in the ocean as well as the sound and the t-top I added really helped with shade and storage. The boat is large enough that I can still fly fish off the bow platform without problems.
The boat has been great for us as an all around family "compromise" boat. It goes reasonably shallow, fishes fine out in the ocean in good weather, is comfortable for 4 people and a dog, can handle the occassional "8 boy scouts at a time fishing" scenario, is easy to beach. Nice solid mid range boat.
I have a SV1700 and agree with Hockeyhasbeen about the wiring, my boat is smaller so I'm sure that makes it worse too, but overall it's a very solid boat, mine has a big casting platform for a 17' boat with 2 livewells in the back... very good boat for the money...
Well thanks for all the great input and I will looking to get one this winter or spring. My last two boats were 1976 26 foot mako with twin inboards and after that I had a 26 foot Grover single diesel inboard . I have two young kids and realize I am not going offshore as much as I would like so I am looking for a familiy orientated boat that I can run up on the beach and still fish . It looks like it has a great beam and lokts of room. Also looks like I could take this boat offshore on nice days ? Thank you again for all the input and if you think of anything else please tell me
As far as the offshore thing is concerned, it depends a bit on what you mean and your level of comfort in small boats in the ocean. From my viewpoint, the boat is perfectly capable in good weather conditions, but it is still a bay boat and was not designed for the offshore thing. Not sure where you will fish, but I regularly go to the east side of the Cape Lookout shoals, have fished as far out as the Atlas Tanker. Down at Topsail I have regularly fished the Dallas Rocks area and been as far out as AR368.
My boat has a t-top which at least makes it feel a bit more comfortable offshore. The low gunnels are an issue - definitely makes you feel a bit unsafe if it is rocking and rolling. Fuel is an issue - I never go far without knowing the tank is completely full. With 54 gallons, I know I've got a 200 mile range or so. I once did a 3 day trip at Cape Lookout where I did not refill the second/third day, figuring there was no way I could have run more than 100 miles or so (and the "guage" said nearly full). A bit after lunch the third day I'm looking at the fuel gauge when we stopped to cast to a pod of false albacore, and it says between 1/4 and 1/2 tank. For whatever reason, I decided we needed to run in and get some gas, even though it would take an hour. Got to the fuel dock and the boat took 52 gallons.... I later downloaded my GPS data and figured we had run over 200 miles with all the starting, stopping, and running to the next spot.
If you are offshore and you run into seas above 2-3 with a reasonable period, you're ability to run fast will diminish quickly. Trim tabs would help, but fundamentally you have a shallow dead rise and it will pound hard. I have run short distances in 5ft seas and while I felt safe, it was slow going. Bottom line, weather is everything and you have to pay attention and make good choices. No new news there, I am sure.
Lastly, others suggested you look at Hotspot's SV2300. I've seen it at Jordan Lake - nice boat with more storage than mine. Longer hull probably rides a bit better in the ocean than mine as well. I also know he maintains it well as I have used some of his postings on engine maintenance as reference when I've worked on my boat.
I have a 05 SV2400 the boat rides good lots of storage. I added a t-top probably one of the best add ons I have done. My next add on will be a leaning post, the cooler seat leaves alot to be desired. It is a good fishing boat and a great family weekend boat. So far I am very happy with it, the only thing I would like to upgrade would by the instruments. The fuel gauge is terible, mine reads full all the time, I have to take the console out to fix it. I have already done that one time and now I am having problems again. This time I am going to run new wiring. Overall I am happy with the Sea Pro.
thanks guys i appreciate the input. I will be fishing out of the Charleston area and dont plan on going more than 15 miles offshore with a boat like that. Guess that reallly is not offshore ! but anyway Its good to know it will take a bit of pounding to make it home. Like I said it will be mostly for the family and inshore fishing but I have that offshore bug that gets me every now and then . I looked at hotspots boat and it looks ideal but now is not the right time for me to buy. This winter or spring will be better for me. Hockeyhasbeen how did you get that name ? Had a friend whos father owned the Devils I have some great pics of partying with the cup !
Nothing too special about the name - sounded better than "Hockeyneverwas", which was my first instinct. I've been playing rec league hockey with the same core group of guys for about 18 yrs, but I'm pushing 50 now and for some reason the young kids out there seem faster than they used to http://www.thehulltruth.com/images/smilies/confused.gif. I picked up the game as an adult, so no deep history for me in the game. Best game I ever played though (and I went to college on an athletic scholarship, different sport....). I got a wiff of the cup when the Canes won in 06, but never got to party with it! Might be fun to parade it around the ice before one of our Sunday rec league games!
One more thing guys, I plan on trailering the 23 sea pro and plan on using my 1999 toyota 4runner 4x4 with a six cylinder engine in it to tow the boat . See any weight problems are they Heavy boats ? Thanks
One more thing guys, I plan on trailering the 23 sea pro and plan on using my 1999 toyota 4runner 4x4 with a six cylinder engine in it to tow the boat . See any weight problems are they Heavy boats ? Thanks
I tow mine with a F-250 Powerstroke and it cuts into my fuel mileage pretty good. I would say that it would strain the 4 runner pretty good. If you make short trailering runs and maintain the trailer brakes well you might be able to pull it off but your on the edge IMHO. Boat 2400 lbs, trailer 600 lbs, motor 600 lbs, fuel 500 lbs, gear/ice/cokes 700 lbs = approx 5000 lbs (rough estimate).
Really needs a full size vehicle.
BTW, I echo the above comments. Good mid tier boat. I have owned two.
__________________ "Shakin the bush here Boss!"
2008 Sea Pro SV2400CC
2008 Mercury Verado 225
Cage full of crickets and a cane pole
thanks Simplmen, I only have a short bistance to tow and thought I would beef up the springs in the rear , sounds like I would be pushing it weight wise. Guess I will have to kick my wife out of the Tahoe when I go fishing thanks again for the come back
SEAPRO Bay Boat 
