Help choosing boat

kone · 10-17-2009, 07:50 AM

I need a little help choosing first-and-a-half boat. This will be long-winded, sorry in advance, hope you hang with me and post your thoughts...

At the moment I co-own a 18' Century dual console with a buddy. We have decided we both want our own boats so he is buying my half. An 18' boat seems fine for us size-wise but we know we want a CC for our boat - something with some freeboard and a deeper hull to handle the chop. I know I still have a lot to learn and experience to gather operating, maintaining, inshore fishing, etc. Right now, we are perfectly happy fishing for flounder, blues, specs, whatever in the sound so the ocean is not on our radar screen fishing-wise and definitely experience-wise. My hope is that eventually (several years) I'll learn enough through experience and meeting others.

Boat will be used exclusively in Roanoke Sound off of Manteo, down to OI by wife and I. Sometimes two more people fishing along. Also would like to be able to tow a tube if the kids ever want to. If the boat qualifies as "close offshore on a good day", that's great.

We have a place in Manteo where we have undercover parking. Ramp is less than a mile away and our plan is to trailer her in, slip her while we're there, then pull her out and store her while we're away.

Oh, budget is $12k.

So... my initial leaning is towards something that's easy. A 17-19' cc, Palm Beach Whitecap, May-Craft, Triumph, etc with an ob in the 100 range. Easy to learn on, use, make mistakes with, trailer, store, maintain, fish off, etc. Buddies I fish in Hatteras with tell me no, we will quickly tire of that and will want something bigger and to go offshore - "you'll be selling in a year". I know I'll want a bigger boat someday and that's OK but RIGHT NOW I don't want the responsibility of a larger boat.

Just for an example, this boat catches my attention:
http://marinamikes.com/dlrindexsend_...27949-2005.htm

Any help? Especially from people that know the water I'll be in? THANKS.

shemstreet · 10-22-2009, 02:33 PM

Maybe this will get the thread started for you.

Pity you seem against the dual console, that is exactly what I would lean towards for your use. I am assuming you are ok with used, since there really aren't too many new boats in that price range. Anyway, for CC boats in the 18' class:

I never cared too much for the Key Largo/Palm Beach/whatever boats since they were so plain and a couple I had looked at had pretty sketchy glasswork under the decks. Other people say they are great, and you could likely get an 18' model with a 2-stroke engine only a couple years old in your price range.

I'd consider the Maycrafts a step up from them. There are two 18' ones and a 19' one that would work, the 1900 is actually very nice, depending on the options you get. A 115 to 150 hp would work on them, again 2-stroke carb or EFI is cheaper than 4-stroke or DFI.

I would recommend the Triumph 170 CC for two fishermen, not four. It is the only Triumph I have owned so I cannot comment on the bigger ones.

Others to think about if you are staying in the lower price range and sound/inshore: Kencraft 180 or 190, Sea Hunt or Sea Pro 18' models, various skiffs (can get larger hulls with same engine as on an 18' V-hull and be fine). For a touch more money, used Key West boats are nice, esp. the 186.

Lots out there 5 years old or less that would make good starters, keep checking craigslist and boat trader for the area.

Probably not a small bay boat, they work better for two anglers and are pretty dedicated fish boats.

On your hyperlinked boat - price and hp look good, but it is a 17' boat. Good for 1-2 people to fish, maybe 4 to cruise - so a little small for what you wanted. Better boats in that size would be used Scout 175s, plus Sea Hunt and Sea Pro in their 17' versions.

squid kid · 10-23-2009, 09:13 PM

Definitely take a look at Maycraft!

lumberman · 10-23-2009, 09:42 PM

I would agree with your buddies. You will want to move up quickly if you buy too small. Sea Hunt for the money is, in my opinion, simply the best. Sea Pro is a good boat as well for the money. I may get bashed for this one, but I would stay away from a sea fox.. You may as well be looking down the road at resale value. In my opinion, your price range will dictate the manufacturer and size. I would reccommend starting with a 19'-20' center console of your choice. You will be able to fish inshore, and on a good day can slip out 20 miles or so. Your wife will be comfortible on the bow, or fighting a fish out of the back. Get a T-Top.. She will also want some shade. Again, just my opinion but if you get a skiff and the wife don't like the beating in a 2'-3' sea then you will be by yourself and it doesn't sound like that is what you are looking for. I would go for the deeper V..

Good luck and I will see you in the Gulf stream in a few years in your twin engine whatever you have by then..

Jim

itwonder · 10-23-2009, 10:25 PM

Good advice above. Sticking with a brand that is well regarded in Carolina like Maycraft, Carolina Skiff, Maycraft, C-Hawk, Sea Hunt, Key West, Privateer, Kencraft is a good idea. You'll get a good boat, and resale won't be a problem down the road. A Carolina Skiff will give you great stability and room, plus the ability to get into the small creeks for Trout. The DLV version gives a lot better ride than the flat bottom. 18' Carolina Skiff, Maycraft 1800 rolled edge skiff, 18-20' Sea Hunts are all good starters. I would stay away from Sea fox and Sea Pro. IMHO you need at least 18' of boat to navigate the sound when the wind kicks up. Keep an eye on www.commonwealthboatbrokers.com and something might pop up.

Aqua Loco · 10-24-2009, 09:44 AM

Kone,
I have a boat that is for sell that may be what you are looking for. It`s a 17` Cape Horn, loaded with all the bells and whistles. I fish out of little river, and it has served me well near shore and a little offshore. PM me if you would be interested. I really hate to sell her but it is time for me to move up to a larger ride.

nauti-life · 10-24-2009, 02:57 PM

if you would stay with a dual console a 19 grady white tournament is a good buy. there is one in washington,nc on the corner of hwy 17 and 264 for sale.

HighPressure · 10-24-2009, 05:44 PM

I've got a 235 Seapro 235CC that can handle the gulfstream, striper fishing, and the sound that's for sale pretty cheap these days. It's a fully bracketed boat with a 2006 DF225 Zuki on the back and 250 hours on it. It lives in Kill Devil Hills, and it's for sale and ready to sea trial. I'm in Nags Head now.

I used to go on here by the handle blueh20pc, but I had to move and cannot figure out my login and password, and THT is no help so I had to make a new handle and lose all my anchors.

It is a divorce short sale, so you could make out with my old boat very close to your budget. Search my old profile and you can see a picture, although now it has radar, 18' taco outriggers and the boat has been completely rewired from stern to bow.

kone · 10-26-2009, 05:54 PM

Lots of good info - thanks! I am not completely against a dc, I just *think* we prefer a cc. As I said, I co-own a small dc now and probably the #1 reason we are parting is that it's almost impossible fishing 4 off that boat.

For the vast majority of the time, it will be two people on board. Me fishing and my wife fishing till she gets bored and then she's reading. Seldom will there be 4 fishing. Above all, I'm really looking for something easy to start with, and deal with, that will not kill me $ if/when I move up.

kone · 10-28-2009, 06:46 AM

Manteo Marine has an 02 Sailfish 198 dc. From all I've read, Sailfish is a good boat?

lumberman · 10-28-2009, 03:33 PM

Sailfish is a great boat.. but Aqua-loco has a cape horn.. also a great boat. both of these boats will be a good investment as well as their reputation alone will move them when you get ready to sell and move up..

kone · 10-28-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberman

Sailfish is a great boat.. but Aqua-loco has a cape horn.. also a great boat. both of these boats will be a good investment as well as their reputation alone will move them when you get ready to sell and move up..

Thanks. I've gotten info from Aqua Loco and he has a great set-up. It's on my list for sure. That Sailfish in Manteo is $8000 so it caught my attention real quick.

For sure, I'm right there with you on getting a quality-brand boat that will hold it's value.

jay12clay · 10-28-2009, 07:34 PM

I would look to a true bay boat with a 150. 19-21' would be about right. Maybe Sea Pro, Sea Hunt, Pathfinder, etc...A friend of mine just sold an 04 Pathfinder 19 with 115 Zuk. 12500. Awesome set up with trolling motor and Garmin 498. That's what I would be looking at. Something stable, nice, and has good resale. Good Luck!