center console boat advice

[Joe Cadillac]

I am interested in a center console boat to use in Connecticuts Long Island Sound in the summer, and to trailer to Tampa Florida for winter. Would use in Tampa Bay, and sometimes in Gulf. Also would like to trailer to Florida keys for fishing.
looking at 19 or 20 foot CC Key West with 150 motor (4 stroke) aluminum trailer. Want T-top and leaning post seats. Want padded bolsters for fishing comfort.

most likely only two on board. Sometimes might fish solo. Keep boat on trailer. Is it possible to launch and retreive boat solo? How difficult to handle? Etc.


Since I want to use in Gulf and Florida keys, what minimum length of boat should I consider. Keep in mind, I want a T-top also.

I notice on Key West 2020CC boat ads Key West states for the angler who NOW and Then wants to go off shore in FAVORABLE WEATHER.

They do not use this language on the 21 footCC

Please advise, as I am getting confused. I do not plan of fishing 40 miles off shore, but would like to go blue water fishing.

 

[highN'dry]

Re: center console boat advice

The size range you are looking at is perfect. We own a Boston Whaler Outrage 190, a 19 foot boat. We trailer it all over. We fish and scuba dive and just ride around. We have taken it as far as 25 miles offshore and we are equipped with all of the equipment, 2 vhf, 2 gps etc plus safety equipment and PLB.

Genrally sub 20 foot and in fact sub 24 footers are not really considered "offshore" boats but with some experience you can run them offshore. Unlike typcal pointy nose "lake" boats a center console will have a self bailing design, it will be built more sturdliy and be far more seaworthy than your typical sporty looking lake boat.

Launching a 20 footer is easy and we tow with a 4X4 Toyota Tacoma. Move up in size and solo launching becomes more challenging and the size of the tow vehicles has to be increased and soon it all snowballs. If you were only towing locally things might be different but it seems you are like we are in that the horizon is your limit and long tows are the norm.

Look at BW Montauk 170/190, Boston Whaler Outrage 190, Grady White Sportman 18, Wellcraft 18, Proline 20 etc. Any of these and there are others can do what you want to do.

I don't like a tee top on boats under 22 feet and I don't like padded bolsters. A tee top makes a small boat diffucult to tow and can create a stabilty hazard in a storm IMO.

Do not fixate on boat length, the difference in seaworthiness between our BW 19 foot and many much larger boats is nil, however, all things equal, a larger boat will be safer far offshore. For offshore operations beyond sight of land as a routine you need a 24 footer with twin engines. For those days when the weather is great and all things are perfect, a 19/20 footer is perfectly adequate, just be careful.

Where boat size really comes into play with me is be able to run in heavy chop, a larger, longer, heavier boat can stay on plane and move out to run from a storm whereas we just have to hunker down and grit our teeth and get a pounding. Size and weight do matter, our 19 footer, hull weight of 2,100 pounds, vs a 24 footer that might have a hull weight of close to 4,000 pounds, which one will ride smoother?

 

[fishingdan]

Re: center console boat advice

"Seaworthy" is more a factor of the captain's experience and knowledge than the specific boat. That said, I think you are looking at the right size as noted by the previous poster. While the comments about the t-top's impact on the boat's overall handling per the above is true, I think you need to get out of the sun and that is a tradeoff that is worthwhile.

Solo launch/retrieval is no problem after a couple of practice attempts. Many do it all of the time (myself included). You'll define a procedure that works for you and you will be able to load/unload as efficiently as those with an extra hand.

One comment on the boat size in heavy chop paragraph above. Everything in boat design is a tradeoff. A deeper v (more deadrise) requires a bigger engine. More weight requires a bigger engine. A boat with a deeper v may be less stable at rest (depends on other aspects of the hull design). A heavier boat requires a heavier duty trailer and tow vehicle. Keep these types of things in mind. Every design feature has a tradeoff of some kind. Understand what those are and you can then make informed decisions.

Good luck,
Dan

 

[highN'dry]

Re: center console boat advice

The skipper is important but if the skipper chose a 24 foot Bayliner bowrider instead of a Grady 18 CC with self bailing deck and they are offshore in a storm, don't matter how good you are, a boat full of water is not going anywhere but down or over on it's back. Cliches only get you so far, you need a good boat and a good skipper, they are equally important parts of the equation.

A bimini top provides more shade and can be set down in a blow and when trailering.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: center console boat advice

I have to agree... it really comes down to the design of the boat rather than the size so much...

I am from clearwater, been boating here all my life (just recently moved), and had a 17' Aquasport CC... I used to take into the gulf all the time, even in some rough stuff (6ft seas )... the deep V and bow design basically kept the boat dry... along with the self bailing hull (if i did happen to take on any water).

I think you would be fine with a 19-20'... the only thing about the key west is their hull design is more of a semi v than a deep v.... which is great for shallow water, but may be a little rough out in open water as far as the ride...

I dont know if Mako is still in business, but Aquasport is, and I stand by their boats, so you may want to check them out as well. Mako was basically an AS knockoff that did pretty well too for a little less money..

Good luck

 

[dmccaffrey]

Re: center console boat advice

I guess I get to be the desenting vote. If your primary interest is offshore rather than inshore in Tampa Bay, I'd look at bigger boats.

It's really a matter of timing. The 18-20 ft Key West boats will handle 3-5 ft waves at the most. But it won't be fun. After a day of that, you will feel like you just went 15 rounds with Mike Tyson. I wouldn't take one offshore unless the forecast called for at least 2 days of 1-2 ft seas.

And there's your problem. In winter, forecasts like that are few and far between. Last year in LA and MS where I fish, I think there were about 5 or 6 days all winter where I could take my boat (which is very similar to the boats you're looking at) offshore ... at least without being very stupid and putting my life in danger. The weather patterns just aren't stable enough. Every time the winds start to die down, another cold front is bearing down on the area. Trying to sneak out and catch that small window in a boat that won't give you a good safety margin is suicidal IMO. Just look at what happened to the the football players last year if you have any questions.

Now if you were talking about using a boat year-round in Tampa ... inshore in the winter, offshore in the summer, a 19-21 ft boat would be perfect. I have one and that's how I use it.

If offshore fishing is your primary interest, I'd look at 24-26 ft boats at a minimum. You will still have to carefully pick your days to go fishing but you will at least have some additional margin for safety if the forecast isn't exactly perfect.

 

[JB]

Re: center console boat advice

I am with Hi 'n' Dry.

I have fished Boston Whaler Sports, Stripers, Sakonnets and Montauks in just about any water you want to name and Outrage 18 as far offshore as the Bahamas.

Seaworthy means Boston Whaler. Yes, it is possible to be stupid enough to get in trouble with a Whaler, but you will survive many episodes that you wouldn't with any other boat except maybe an Everglades or other Bob Dougherty design.

 

[lprizman]

Re: center console boat advice

Whaler outrage 18 with 150 or a Dusky203 with 175, you will save more with the Dusky and In my opinion get equal to better hull quality,,my buddie has an outrage 18 with 140 zuke, and it screams and is a great boat,,I'm just little biased-
duskymarine.com

 

[highN'dry]

Re: center console boat advice

While it is true that I am a true blue Whaler guy I did not mean to propose he buy a Whaler, there are many good boats in the size range to choose from, including Whalers that would serve the OP well. Whalers are not perfect, mine does ride rougher than some other boats of it's size but when the s--- t hits the fan it will not sink out from under my feet, it will keep the engine up above the water even filled with green water and scared people, it will resist capsizing (but nonetheless it can if you insist on being stupid), it is as solid as a chunk of concrete and it inspires confidence--but--be careful there--there is a fine line between confidence and over confidence. Big water in little boats, be careful.

 

[Les Robb]

Re: center console boat advice

I have to agree with dmccaffrey on tampa bay in winter. I guess it all depends on how far you launch from the actual gulf. Anyway that isn't a lake and could get real tricky with all the freighter traffic. Might suggest you trailer down to Sarasota or Venice. If your retired you can pick your days which is a whole lot better than being regulated to Sat & Sun come %@# or high water. Agree with all the posts on skill and knowledge which makes up for lack of length or seaworthiness. Oh and I have stated before Watch your weather, watch your weather etc.

Safe boating ya'll