Best boat for saltwater fishing

Evanrm105

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Jul 8, 2020
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I’m looking to purchase a new boat for saltwater (only been a freshwater guy so far) and my budget is 4-8k. I know that’s not a lot, but I’m a college student so I don’t have much money! I was more looking along the lines of a 16-18 foot bay boat or center console and a 60-100hp. Just wanted everyone’s takes on the best boat and engine for the job. I’ll mostly likely stay in the bays and go 1-2 miles offshore at the most.
 

tpenfield

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:welcome: to iBoats . . .

With a budget of $4-8K you won't be looking at any of the best boats. You will be more looking at older economy boats. Trophy, Mako, Sea Pro . . . just to name a few and there are many brands of center console boats.

Given that you will also looking at older boats within that budget, the actual condition of the boat will be more meaningful than the brand.
 

Evanrm105

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Jul 8, 2020
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:welcome: to iBoats . . .

With a budget of $4-8K you won't be looking at any of the best boats. You will be more looking at older economy boats. Trophy, Mako, Sea Pro . . . just to name a few and there are many brands of center console boats.

Given that you will also looking at older boats within that budget, the actual condition of the boat will be more meaningful than the brand.

That’s true. To be looking at brands I’d have to have a much higher budget. Do you think any of the boats I can get in that price range would be trustworthy for any sort of offshore Fishing??
 

southkogs

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Like Ted said: it's not going to be about brand. It's going to be about condition.

You can probably find a decent center console, but it'll take some patience. If I found an old Bayliner/Trophy that was well cared for, I would take it over a Grady White that had been put through the ringer. Take some time and read the Boat Buyers Checklist stick in this forum. It'll give you some idea of what most of us would suggest to look over.

Also, take a walk around some of your local marinas and see what people have tied up. That'll give you an idea of what tends to work well in your area. Down where I fish and dive in Florida there is quite a mix. I've been out on the Gulf in Hurricanes, a Mako and a Sea Scout (I think is what is was). All were well taken care of, and I think all of them did well.

Make sure you know how you're trailering and storing it too. Out on the Gulf, I'd like to have at least a 20' boat on a calm day and more if it was bumpy. A center console at that size is a LOT of boat on a trailer.
 

emoney

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Jul 19, 2010
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2,551
Yeah, like others have mentioned; it's currently a Sellers Market, so the hard part is going to be finding a boat....period. But when it comes to "Salt water" the rules are all the same as "fresh water"....the 3 "Cs" apply; Condition, condition and condition. As an example, in a normal market, say..last year, I would sell my boat for $5k. Right now...wouldn't take a penny less than $6-6500 just because that's what the market demands. If you can wait, it will serve you well I assure you.

For an example; I use a 17'6" center console "Bay boat" that runs in 6-7" of water. Has a 90 hp outboard and I'm not scared to take it to the wrecks off Florida's west coast in the Tampa Bay area which are 3-5 miles offshore....but only when the weather and the sea are cooperating. There will be others who tell you they've taken a 16' flats boat from Miami to Bimini Bahamas. Good for them. Not for me, lol. If you really want to go "offshore", where you can't see any land the fish start to bite deeper, then look for a boat with high freeboard. Something below your knees like mine is too small. And even then, the weather places the biggest role. I will never forget a trip we took on a friends, 40' boat w/quad 300hp outboards. Big, fancy, high-dollar and new. We were going to the "Middle Grounds", roughly 70-75 miles off the coast of Clearwater. Left the harbor and the sea was glass, no real issues in the forecast. Got about 18 miles off the coast, and the Sea had a change a heart. That "huge boat" (to me at least) was thrown around like a 12' dinghy. We had waves crashing over the bow that were 4-5' OVER the front rail. Almost lost a friend overboard, but luckily someone caught him right before he went into the drink. The swells were so bad, there's ZERO chance we would've found him. Now this story is not intended to "Scare you", but to let you know that you MUST, 100%, respect saltwater. This isn't a lake. Things happen quick. So before you head out to the deep blue water, make sure you've learned as much as possible.
 

ahicks

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Sep 16, 2013
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Hard to be too badly hurt with an older Carolina Skiff.
 

cptbill

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Oct 6, 2012
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The best boat you can buy is the one that you can afford and that also fits your needs
 

dingbat

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Nov 20, 2001
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16,202
Your light on a budget for a boat I would call "seaworthy" but not out.

Don't be in a hurry. Give it sometime and you'll find something in that price range.

Most have already hit most the points, but will I go against the grain and tell you to choose hull design (brand) over condition every day, all day... hull design matters in big water. It makes all the difference in the world on how a boat handles when push comes to shove.

Look for an old (60's- 70's) Aqua Sport 17, a Seacraft 20 or something similar and put some blood and sweat into it over time. Find one with an older 2 stroke (90 or 115 HP) and go from there.

Beat up... still better than most of the "lake orientated" boats built today.
 
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Carl1783

Seaman
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Apr 6, 2018
Messages
73
See if you can find a Classic Boston Whaler 16'7". Should be able to get one in the 8k range. Where are you located?
 
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