[PAkev]

Reading a post below on a new boat, I am in a similar situation and considering similar manufacturers but not really sure of the type of boat that would be most functional for our family.Most of our boating is on fishing vacations in Clayton - Alexandria Bay NY region of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Another vacation area is around saltwater where we would do mostly bay fishing and crabbing. On the homefront I will be pulling the kids around on a tube at a local lake or fishing for bass, walleye, musky on a local river.I've had a small 16ft alluminum Lund powered by a 30hp merc. for the past 12 years but gets uncomfortable with more than 3 people. One family member we go with has a Cuddy and only uses it for storage which tends to turn into a big mess by the end of a weekend fishing trip. Since our uses are similar, the only use we would have for a cuddy walkaround would be for the porta potty. The other issue is I found is that boarding a cuddy or dual console boat has some limitations as many models have their windshields wrapping around the sides. Althouth the Center Console models are not as sporty looking I really like the extra room which they afford and therefore don't concentrate everyone to the stern area of the boat. Also the left drive situation seems it would be more familiar as driving a car than the other alternatives. It seems that many of the newer center console models are accomodating of multipurpose uses whereas the older models are geared mostly toward the fishing community. Add to this a bimini top and a seat cushion package and it seems like a logical way for us to go.I believe something in the 19 to 21 ft range with 125hp+ OB is a size that will accommodate our fishing and recreational boating needs best. I bought a truck Chevy / Duramax Diesel with pulling a boat of this size in mind and don't see towing to be a problem. I believe it will be from on of the following: Bayliner-Trophy, Seaswirl-Striper, Cobia, and Polar. One thing that surprises me is the fact that the center console boats are not less expensive than walkarounds as I thought they would be. Other than the issues I have indicated I am not sure If I may be sacrificing any performance otherwise recognized by another type of boat. Before I get my mindset/heartset on a specific type and or model and visit some dealers, it would be nice to hear what others have to say about the logic of my comparisons for our boating enjoyment.Any input or advice is greatly appreciated.Kevin

[DJ]

Kevin,Once you have a center console, you'll never go back. Walkarounds are nice too.The super high end of this market is Boston Whaler, Grady White, Triton. Nice boats.The high to mid range would be Scout, Mako, Aquasport.The low to mid range would be: Trophy, Seaswirl-Striper, Palm Beach, Hydra Sports.You can probably find a center with a console porta potty in a 21 foot boat.

[Beaux]

kevin-I had a 17.5 polar CC ,1996 model, that was a ROT MAGNET! I bought it w/o checking into it very much and paid the price in the long run even though it was a "good" deal. The floor and transom went and the boat was kept on trailer with plugs out and proper tilt of trailer to allow for draining. I know this is just one person with a bad exp. but I would beware. There are a lot of cobia's down here and I belive they are sister boats with century boats. I read somewhere that both are made by a subsidary of yamaha. Check into it and good luck!

[brent suzkui wyble j16]

take a look @ carolina skiff they have a great line of boats and you pick the hull and build it the way YOU want with what you want.

[DJ]

Kevin,Ditto brent on Carolina Skiff. Sorry, forgot that one. Their new v-hulls are interesting.

[Beaux]

Carolina skiffs are very popular down here, everyone was very high on them, but I have heard a couple of real bad stories about them lately with some kind of fiberglass separation. Can't remember the details, but I will check again and give you the scoop. Do know that the guy who was telling me about it said the boats were totalled instead of repaired. No, it didnt involve a collision or running aground either.

[JB]

Howdy, PAKev.A preowned top value boat is a much better bargain than a new mid- or low range boat.A 10 or 20 year old Whaler, GW, Scout 21' CC can be had for less than a new CS and will last, with care, for another 15 or 20 years.You might need to repower it, but you will save many thousands in depreciation.The boating world is full of stories about guys who bought a Whaler for X bux, used it for years and sold it for X+Y bux.Whalers have little or nothing to rot and can't sink.Good luck.

[mattttt25]

kev, i was in the same situation as you. wanted something the same size, mostly for fishing and just cruising around. wanted to be able to pull skiers and tubers occasionally. i settled on a 20' center console with 150hp engine. extremely happy with my decision. there are about 50 brands out there in this big market. high, middle, and low with associated price tags. the hardest part i found when looking was that although a center console is a center console, there are many different layouts for the rest of the boat. when i found one with fold down jumpseats in the rear, cooler seat and fishboxes in the bow (with cushion covers), i found what i needed. its all up to you. good luck and enjoy the new boat.

[PAkev]

Thanks for the helpful input and suggestionsr.The boats listed are in the price range of what I am able to spend in the short term. However, I may have to save up a little longer to pay more for one of the premium manufacturers models unless a used creampuff becomes available. I have sold my business to spend more time with my family and feel there's a lot of catching up to do (Better late than never) as the kids are getting older. I was hoping to do something relatively soon. The other point is that being inland here in PA there are far less dealers of mid to upper end model boats. I would hope anything major wouldn't need attention but if so it would be inconvienent to travel over 250 miles round trip for their service. I guess this brings about another question about service to the motor. Although I may purchase a complete package from a distant dealer can a local dealer authorized to service the motor provide warranty service without imposing additional financial responsibility.Thanks againKevin

[DJ]

PAkev,Typically, boats have few warranty issues. Engines on the other hand may.A local dealer can warrant an engine purchased somewhere else, however he doesn't have to. He can't deny service, however he can make it very inconvenient.If you buy used, there is not much he can say, especially if you become a good customer.If you swing in with your shining new whatever and demand free service, well you get the point.

[Solittle]

Kevin - I agree with djohns big time on the cc - - I would have to since I own one. With a cc you can add canvas if you like to create almost any configuration that you can imagine yet fold it all up and get it out of the way.On your criteria - a 125 is sort of OK for a 19'er. I would prefer a 140-150. For a 21'er I would go for a V6 in the 150-175hp range. Remember when you have family aboard and especially kids they are going to want to invite their friends along.

[TROPHY]

Hi all.I currently own a 22ft. 01 trophy and love it.The only problem w/them is all of them come under powered.If you buy anything over 20ft go w/a 150.Sure i would like to own a new grady white but w/a family of 4 you hafta be sensible,even a real old grady white around here is very expensive.I fish lake michigan,take the kids tubbing,cruise chicagos lake front all from a boat that people consider a lower end boat and i dont understand it.My boat has brought me back 15mi. out on the lake in some pretty rough seas and hasnt sprung a leak or sank yet.God bless her!ps. if you have kids go w/the walk around....trust me expecially w/little girls...lol

[Arnold96]

Not to be disagreable, but I have had both CC and WA. I swore I would never own another CC in my life. The WA are much drier riding, which expands the season that they can be used. Sure they can clutter up with the guys, but with the family that shelter can be a vacation saver. I use mine very similar to what you are thinking of. The cabin has other uses than a shelter for the porta pottie........

[Jack Shellac]

If you don't have to have a head, I believe I would prefer the CC, too. They're very roomy and a Bimini top puts you in the shade or out of the rain [to some degree, anyway]. An added advantage is that the fuel tank is under the console and you can get to it without cutting the deck out, if you have to. You can store a lot of stuff under the console to keep it dry. BTW, I love the 1000 Islands area. It's a beautiful place to boat in. The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton is one of my favorites too.

[Dab]

Hey just went to a boat show and I know I want a WA. First boat and to be honest, my uneducated eye didn't see much difference between them. I know some of you veteran boaters are cringing right now but I'm still learning. So, any thoughts on how the following brands compare to each other: Put it into automoble metphors. This is a pinto, that is a buick, and this thing over here is a catty. TrophySailFishSea ProSeaSwirl-StriperAquasportWellCraftPro CraftLooking at the 21-23 size with a 200ob yamahas (not a four stroke) though. Be on the Bay in Md and I just don't know which manufacture to buy. I'd love a Mako or Grady or Boston but their cost prohibitive(sp). Why not buy a new one of these listed boats, at least I know what I'm getting, aAlso, won't I get better financing on a new boat vs used. Thoughts?Also, why weren't Boston, Grady or SeaRay at the fishing and boat show in Md this past weekend? I would have thought they would have been out with the rest.ThanksDab

[mattttt25]

dab- all listed have their pros/cons. your will find features you like on some, that you won't find on others. it's all up to you. but they're all in the same category in my opinion - midrange. check out www.boattest.com or www.fishingboattest.com. you'll find good reviews on some of these. good luck and hope to see you on the bay-

[masterp]

Have you mafe a final decision? I'm interested in how things worked out for you.

[studlymandingo]

Bringing this one out from the archives... Probably a good thread for some of the newbies who are considering the purchase of their first boat. Tis the season!!!!