Nsbohn

Need a bay boat for use in Florida. Fishing the flats, and then taking out the kids and all of their friends on family day. I really like the NauticStar Coastal/Angler series layout, but I'm confused by the different used models and new ones.

Looking for the lowest draft, but still able to handle 4 foot seas when bad weather rolls in. Obviously the bigger boat with more draft will handle the tougher weather better, but at what cost?

Were their changes to the hull design when the 211 or 231 came out?

Are their any differences between the coastal and the angler other than options?

flatsfactory

Not sure if you're talking tht 4ft'rs or real, but if it's the later, none of those boats will "handle it". Next thing, there are a number of brands that will give you bay options in the 20-25ft range for very similar money that have a better reputation. I'd suggest a bit more research and getting a referral to a salesman that others have dealt with, and then pick their brain.

kwipp

Nsbohn

Open to suggestions, but most of the others I've seen are not setup well for flats fishing, or don't have the seating capacity.

For instance, the Key West 239 or 203 FS do not have a decent platform from which to throw a cast net. Most deck boats, even the CC's draft too much.

opinions are like you-know-whats. I'm not expecting a NauticStar to be of Grady White quality, but if it was good enough for Mastercradt to invest in, I trust the brand. Those guys know boats!

Open to other suggestions for flats fishing and family fun that my kids won't fall out of if a storm rolls up on us.

MarAgt

Sub'd. I have a 2014 NS 2110 Sport Bay Boat, which I use on the lakes around SC and take to the coast. I really like it, I have no problems with it, for the money it provides everything it needs to be effective, and I would definitely look at NS again. For as much as I do like this boat, particularly for fishing and keeping shallow, it does not tote around a lot of people or gear. So, at the urging of my wife, I have started looking for something that will better accommodate people, yet still provide many of the fishing capabilities I look for in a lake, shallow inshore and near shore fishing boat. I've considered two options myself, buying a boat that will do pretty well at all of those things. Or, buy a 23-25 CC for more people & nearshore and perhaps refurbish a reasonably priced flats boat for lake and inshore fishing.

I came across the NS 231 Coastal/Angler and have started considering it as well. From what I am seeing, it seems as though it could be a pretty good compromise. Based on my past experience and ownership (not what I read or other people have told me), if I decide that the 231 Coastal/Angler will suite our needs, I would not hesitate to buy another NauticStar. The internet is filled with complaints and problems about nearly every boat manufacturer and model produced. If you go to pages specifically for NS boats, the vast majority of posts are from folks happy w/their NS boats.

WLT4

I have a 2017 Coastal 231 with the F200 option. I have posted previously about the differences between these two models. The 211's are identical to each other except for certain equipment that standard on one and optional on the other. Same is true of the 231's. Marketing seems to be the rationale behind the differences. The 231 is a bigger boat.

Our boat handles the 2-3 ft wind driven chop we frequently get here on the St Lawrence nicely. It also rides well when it occasionally gets ugly. Having trim tabs is a must however. The are alternative for certain, but our experience has been completely positive. Its a very functional and good looking multi-use family/fishing platform.

Mayberry32

I looked quite heavily at the NauticStar bay boats, but the reviews I kept running across turned me off. I ended up buying a Carolina Skiff 24 Ultra Elite, and it's on order. Can't speak to the long term quality yet, as I don't have the boat. But, it rode extremely well in the test ride and the interior fit and finish seemed to be of much higher quality. If you are looking for a shallow drafting, nice riding, stable fishing capable family boat, this is the best I found after months and months of searching. Maybe check it out and see what you think.

Nsbohn

Where are you located? I'm having trouble finding a 21 or 24 Ultra Elite, and would love to take a test drive. Where did you do your wet test?

Mayberry32

I'm in Athens, GA. I test drove at Grass Shack Marine near Lake Lanier. Great guys and seem very honest. They have two 24's in stock right now. Check them out. Where are you located? Looking at Boat Trader, there is also one in stock in St Augustine, FL And another one in Wilmington, NC.

eddie102870

i have a 2015 210 coastal love it for the lake and bay. have also had it 40 miles offshore but no way in 4 footers unless they are 15 seconds apart....lol

Mayberry32

I just glanced back at this and realized you are in Tampa. Looking at local Skiff dealers, Sunday Marine in Clearwater has both the 21 and 23 Ultra, but they don't have the 24. You can at least see the fit and finish. The 23 is almost the same boat, but more fishing oriented than the multipurpose family/fishing setup of the 24 ultra elite. I think the hull is just 9-10" shorter than the 24, but the same design.

Nsbohn

Actually went by there this week. Going to need to arrange a sea trial... from what I can see and what I've heard, they're probably pretty rough riding. Thinking the Nautic Star deck boat/bay boat hybrid hull design might ride a lot nicer in the chop.

Mayberry32

I took the 24 for a sea trial and it was not rough at all. Mine is on order and will be here in a month or so. I even picked a really busy day at the roughest lake in Georgia. Even on a Saturday morning, running across wakes of large cruisers, it was not a rough ride. I've ridden in true skiffs that beat you to death. This is a completely different boat. You say Carolina Skiff and people think of an actual skiff. This is a completely different boat.

Starplex

Keywest 230BR
Seahunt 22BX
Robalo Cayman
Cobia Bay
Pathfinder 22
Most all these will handle offshore in the right conditions and still draft shallow water. I don't think there is a boat that exists in a hybrid that would be comfortable in 4ft seas.
seas.
​​​​

bbrock601

Mayberry32

I also looked at the Tidewater 2200 Carolina Bay. Really nice boat. The fact that the casting deck was even with the gunnels with the bow cushions in are what turned me off, though. That is the same with most bay boats.. I wanted the front to be fishable, but comfortable for cruising, too. My wife and kids would not ride up front unless they are recessed a little below the rails That was the selling point of the Carolina Skiff for me. It's one of the few boats I've found that is set up like that for family days.

As for ride, I know an inshore guide who operates a 22ft Pathfinder. He had a few buddies that have the 24 Ultra Ellie as he said it will ride as well, if not better, than his boat, which is very comfortable.

Nsbohn

What does your boat ACTUALLY draft when ready to fish, and what motor do you have on it? Tidewater claims 9-10" and I've heard people say they're a lot more than that.

It's on my list to Sea Trial, that's for sure.

Nsbohn

I have the same concern, but after seeing some aftermarket grab rails, I'm thinking it might be OK. If it gets rough, the kids will be in the back jumpseats, and in calm weather, I'm not worried as long as they have a nice tall grab rail to keep them from sliding. I might even have a double rail made up custom.

Nsbohn

Sea Hunt 22BX claims to draft 13" but EMPTY in a slip, and a small motor, it was drafting 16"+. Doesn't sit well with me.

Key West Bay Reef is on the list of boats being considered, even though its draft is borderline. If they're accurate it would probably be OK.

Pathfinder = too much money for what you get. Not enough family friendly features. Friend of mine has a 2200 TE.

Not a big fan of Cobia/Robalo. I look at them the same way I look at Mako. Maybe they're worth looking at again. Will consider it. Thanks.

Mayberry32

I took the 24 Ultra Elite for a sea trial on a busy lake that is known for rough chop and rough water, with large cruisers and wakeboard boats everywhere...on a Saturday midday. It handled it very well. I was concerned with the ride quality and that calmed my worries. I ordered the boat 2 days later. I also talked to a guide I know in NW Florida and he is very familiar with the boat. He said it would ride just as good as the Tidewater in lakes and inshore and may be slightly wetter in rough open water, due to the Tidewater having a little more flare. His suggestion was to go with the Carolina Skiff and he thought it was better made. I am a novice and couldn't tell the difference, so I took his word for it.

As for the layout and seating, I found the 24 Ultra to have more usable room, a better rear casting deck, better layout and room in the helm area and more room in the dry boxes up front. I looked hard at the Tidewater, but I just liked the Carolina Skiff better. Look at both and see which you like the best. I was ready to accept the seating at rail level until I saw the 24 Ultra. That drop made a huge difference and the boat had everything I was looking for. Now I'm like an 8 yr old waiting for Christmas. I can't wait for it to get here.