Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

stangbanger

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Jul 14, 2012
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Can anyone point me in a good direction? Im looking for something to go 20 miles offshore in decent weather. Thanks!

-Randy B
 

NYBo

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Oct 23, 2008
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Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

Welcome to iboats!:cool:

A lot depends on off of which shore you want go, but I think you're going to want to go at least 25'. Bad weather can come up one you really quickly.

A huge part of the equation is the experience and skill of the skipper.
 

MikeB0307

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Jul 13, 2012
Messages
88
Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

I know here in Central Florida Craigslist is full of some low priced 22+ foot off shore fishing machines ready to go well within your price range. Shop smart and in this economy you can get a steal!
 

stangbanger

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Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

Well im pretty skilled.I hold a 1600 gt offshore as well as a Master of towing vessels license. Im in love with the proline 23sport which is 24 ft, and i really like this 22 ft wellcraft but it has a 2001 Evinrude 175 FICT that is scaring the crap out of me due to some research on the internet.
 

stangbanger

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Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

Im in Jax Fl. Ive been searching within 250 miles ive sent a lot of emails going to hit the phone tomorrow.
 

Home Cookin'

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Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

around here the 21' CC with a 150 is a popular rig for that but you have to pick your days. If you get caught in bad weather (of the type one is typically caught in) you will be safe. People take them out in the ocean but also in the Bay you are easily 10-20 miles from land. A 5-10 year old rig can be had for $15-18000; older ones less.

Look for an old hull of good quality with newer OB.

I can't tell from your question what you already know, what you have already narrowed down to, what you think your passenger capacity needs are. Or what your "boat condition" tolerance is. Also is this a trailer boat or slip boat? dry slip/rack? that makes a big difference.
You can get a 32' cabin boat for less than $8000.

Carolina Skiff is the safest most durable inexpensive high-passenger capacity popular boat going but it has a rougher ride. It's all a trade-off.

So can you give us a better idea of what you are considering besides price?
 

stangbanger

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Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

Im stuck on a 2003 pro line 23s with a yamaha 225 efi with 114 hours. Boat is really clean and motor low hours. No electronics is the only knock. Listed at 21500. With 2 axle trailer
 

stangbanger

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Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

As an above poster mentioned the fuel consumption on those motors, and after some research wow! I guess im starting at ground zero looking for an opti or 4 stroke! I cant seem to find many Pro lines with that setup. I thought i had it all figured out oh well.

If i went with a 21 ft proline with a 150 saltwarer efi. do you guys have any experience on fuel efficiency ?
Im open to any other suggestions on boats as well, im looking in a 300 mile spread.
 

Cowthief

Seaman
Joined
Apr 17, 2012
Messages
71
Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

Im in Jax Fl. Ive been searching within 250 miles ive sent a lot of emails going to hit the phone tomorrow.

Stang I am also from Jax Fl, if you have any questions let me know. We have been going offshore Jax for 15+ years now. Don't let people talk you into a larger boat than you can afford, when we see many 18ft+ boats go 20 miles out here.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
15,414
Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

If i went with a 21 ft proline with a 150 saltwarer efi. do you guys have any experience on fuel efficiency ?
Im open to any other suggestions on boats as well, im looking in a 300 mile spread.

Downsizing HP isn't the answer. It takes X amount of HP to push a given boat and it takes X BTU's to generate that HP. The only way to reduce fuel consumption is to increase the efficiency of the motor or go with a lighter, smaller boat.

To give you an idea of fuel usage, I’m running a 200HP and getting 1.97 MPG at 4,300 RPM-27 kts. The same boat, running a 250HP 4 stroke is getting 2.87 MPG and a 300HP 4 stroke is getting 2.9 MPG . Granted, I'm running carbed 2 stroke but a EFi 2 stroke doesn't buy you much more
 

stangbanger

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Jul 14, 2012
Messages
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Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

Im looking into a 2000 24 Proline with 225 Merc Optimax. 14,000 asking price 280 hours says its clean. Im waiting on pics and may go see it and book a mechanic to check everything out. Ive narrowed my search to DFI's and 4 strokes. Im ok with a smaller boat 21 ft with whatever engine if i could just find the right boat. My wife is driving the bigger boat train lol
 

Home Cookin'

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Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

grab it. I'm sure it's gone by now
 

stangbanger

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Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

grab it. I'm sure it's gone by now

Yeah i never got a reply, and he left no number. 11,000 was quite right ! Still got my eye on that 14,000 one. Waiting on the seller to send me some pictures. People dont want to sell as much as i want to buy lol
 

stangbanger

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Jul 14, 2012
Messages
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Re: Looking for a 20 plus ft fishing boat less than 20,000 USED

Im going tomorrow to look at a 2000 Pro Line 24Sport with 225 Mercury Opti with 280 hours. Boat appears to be real clean asking 14,000.00
I planned to call and have a mechanic out to look the boat over for me and make sure everything is up to par. The last boat i bought i was able to find a mobile mechanic that checked the motor, to the trailer for us. Being this is a bigger boat how should i go about doing this?
just looking for any recommendations Thanks.
-Randy
 
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