This is my situation! I have owned a Kenner type bay boat (15foot) for fishing Aransas Bay. Sold it in 1995. I purchased a new 1995 Ranger Bass/Ski boat (16' 9"). I purchased it when my teenagers were around...now married with their kids... I miss fishing the coast !! I have several things that I would like in a boat. #1 I will be buying based on quality of boat.#2 I will be wanting to take my wife, parents and brother/sister-law with (3) small boys boat riding...So 9 people....#3 I would want a boat bigger than the one I have now...#4 Must come with galvanized trailer#5 Must not be under-powered.....Must have a foot controlled trolling motor!#6 I was intially looking a combination fishing and deck boat. Most of my fishing in lakes, are live bait fishing for Crappie, whites and striper..#7 Since owning a Ranger boat, I do appreciate quality of ride, performance, stable, and manufacture support..I have considered a center console boat, but I do not believe it has the seating of a deck boat...like Baystealth or SeaPro... I have considered a deck boat, like Hurricane GS-211, but it is so big! Or the NauticStar, Ebbtide or Keywest deck boats..The VIP Deckliner 183 looks like a perfest solution for my needs, but I cannot find any HAPPY VIP BOAT OWNERS!. I would like your opinion on the type of boat you think meets and/or exceeds my needs..IF ONE EXISTS...
Ranger - You got some research to do and I hope that you do it before you take your wallet out, turn it upside down and shake vigerously in buying a boat.First thing is to rent an 18 or 21'er and stuff 9 people in it with all their gear - don't forget the coolers, fishin stuff, skis, snorkel stuff and all the other junk folks want to take. My bet is you will realize that you need to downsize your expectations on what a boat that size will/can do before you get 50' from the dock or start thinking a lot bigger.I had a 19'er when my kids were small and we were falling all over ourselves - thats mom & I + 3 youngins. I now have a 23' CC and its max rated for 8 and I can't imagine anyone having any fun with 8 on board let alone 9. We are comfortable with 4.If you are set on 9 think 30' plus.
SoLittle, I agree....I had to sit back and think about what I will be using the boat for, most of the time....Not once or twice a summer, for family. That is when I realized I will buy the boat for my needs, not anyone else... I know in Central Texas where I live, you can rent a pontoon boat for a day. That might be the way to go, for taking visiting family out on the lake. I have decided to look at the difference of Liner and rolled edge boats now...Bluewave versus SeaPro or something like those boats... So I fish 80% of the time, on Lake Travis (60mile long river/lake) and 20% of the time along the Texas coastline (Bays/flats) I guess I will have to post another questions on these types of boats... Thanks for your replies!
i think you're all saying the same thing. you didn't say you were taking 9 people out for a day of fishing, cruising, diving, and watersports. i think you'll end up using a boat like most of us do. you and maybe a few will go out fishing most of the time, but you like to cruise around ocassionally with a group. buy the boat that fits your primary use. sounds like a nice 20' center would suit you well. that's what i own. i can fish up to 4 (depending on type of fishing), but can also cruise around with 8 (tight but doable for a sunday cruise to the island). good luck-
Matttt25 I think that a 21-23 foot, center console boat is my choice now... What do you know about Liner versus rolled=edge boats? What make and model of boat do you have? Thanks for your opinion!
Hi,You wrote that nr 1 priority was quality.Then have a look at Nimbus boats, very high quality. http://www.nimbus.se(There is a US Dealer. Contacts and Dealers, then Dealer countries United States).At the US Dealer http://www.swemarine.com/You can find more info also like movies and Catalogs of various models at their Gallery link.I belive they are actually located in Plano Texas (check the Contacts Us link).Center console boats like R Series Nova 230 R or 250 R are very fine boats (Inboard engine).They are expensive but You get what You pay for in this case.Personally I have a Finnish made boat (not sold outside Europe), a DC/Bowrider Yamarin 5820,http://www.yamarin.com/index.cfm?ChangeSetNow=5They make center consoles also like their 6230 but as I said You can not buy them in Your country. If I one day will win a lot of $ on lottery my next boat would for sure be a Nimbus, they are outstanding in quality and behave very good at sea.Good luck!
For what it is worth - My ride is a 1988 23' Wellcraft CC powered by a pair of 1987 1.6L OMC SeaDrives. I have had it for 12 years and it does everything I want to do in a boat. I have it on a galvanized tandem axle trailer with disk brakes and pull it with a 1993 Ford Explorer.
Roll edge models should be less expensive. Considered more utilitarian, easier to customize, splatter paint cockpit cleans up quick-and-easy.Linered look a lot better, may have more storage, may be rated for more power.Between the two is pretty much a budget / personal preference thing.A bay boat sounds like a natural for this. In Texas don't forget the local builders like Dargel and El Pescador. Here are some more threads that may help -Kenner BoatsTunnel Hull BoatsYou can also find a bunch of guys with bay boats over on www.RodnReel.comKelly Cook
i have a sunbird neptune 200cc. omc brand that is out of business. value boat that i really enjoy. there are plenty of options out there for 21-23' centers. i think it would be wise to decide on if you want a bay style boat, or off-shore type. if you're looking new, you could really spend anywhere from $25K (angler) to $70k (regulator).
with small kids, can't imagine anything other than a cuddy. I think there much safer in rougher water, got a 24', and I don't like more than 5 or 6 people on board.So good luck, Me thinks you'll be closer to the $70K area.
Need your opinion on a new boat purchase!
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