Re: Center Console help ???
The fact is that EVERY boat is a compromise! The trick is finding the manufacturer that makes the same compromises that you would if you were building the boat. Do you want a sharp V for a smooth ride in rough seas or a flatter bottom for stability and higher speeds in smooth water? How much seating capacity? Live wells or coolers? Some things you need to look for like all stainless steel fittings THROUGH BOLTED with backing plates, not simply screwed into the fiber glass. Look at the workmanship in areas that you normally can't see. like inside storage compartments. Are the edges finished and smooth or was the attitude that "if it don't show, it don't matter". Look at the wiring, is it neat and well supported or does it look like the wiring was run by a drunken mouse? The fact is that there are really no "bad boats". Most of the shoddy builders have been eliminated by hard economic times and strong competition. There are however many "bad dealers" and bad owners, and bad mechanics. Also remember that the dealer that you choose may be very important to your satisfaction with your boat and the "best" dealer may NOT be the one with the lowest prices! The fun is in finding the boat that is right for you from a dealer in whom you have confidence. That will probably be a different boat than one that is right for me, even though we both like center consoles. Don't buy a boat based on someone else's opinion, do your homework and find the one that is right for you. I spent a good deal of time and chose the 18' Grady White Center Console. It was the right boat for me based on many factors. It may not be right for you and is probably a little over your budget figure (and keeping within your budget is important). I kept my first boat for 22 years so I was willing to spend a little more in order to get what I really wanted - as I will probably have it for many years. You will need to decide what is important to you and buy accordingly.
