Looking for a 24 foot or larger center console have questions

[badbowtie]

I am trying to locate a 24' or larger center console fishing boat. Location is not a huge facter at all for the right boat. I have been told that 2000 and newer boats don't use wood in the stringers any more to worry about them rotting out. Is this true or what? I would prefer it to be a freshwater boat to use at lake erie all summer. Can anyone give me some suggestions on the stringers and anything else? I am also not having very good luck finding one that is what I am looking for. I really would like about 28' with twin's but am still open to look. Any advise that can be given would be great.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Looking for a 24 foot or larger center console have questions

I'd think you'll find most of them in saltwater, in warmer areas. At 28' most people want some kind of cabin. also at 25' a lot of outboard fans would move to inboards.

A boat that large justified a survey regardless of what it's )supposedly) made of. And a lot of "no wood" boats have wood anyway.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Looking for a 24 foot or larger center console have questions

Two top names in this category are Grady White and Boston Whaler. Top quality (but of course, top price, too).

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Looking for a 24 foot or larger center console have questions

there are tons of 28ft+ center consoles around- and all I have seen have 2+ OBs and saltwater.-keep checking around you'll find em mostly on the coast.
good luck-Joe

 

[ReelPlumber]

Re: Looking for a 24 foot or larger center console have questions

Lots of good boats out there.
1. Find a boat that is layed out like you want.(walking room, head, fishing room, storage, seating, etc.) Once you buy it its yours and you should be happy with the comforts of the boat.
2. Sea trial the boat and make sure it rides the way you want. Not all boats handle the same. If you get in some sloppy sea conditions some boats will have a softer ride and some will jar every bone in your body. I would imagine Lake Erie can get pretty rough at times.
3. Have any boat surveyed. It can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. (soft transom, soft floors, bad engines, ect.)
4. If you are married and want to stay that way, make sure the wife likes it too.

Wood is not always bad if the builder has a reputation of building quality boats. Up through 2006 Grady White still uses a wood stringer system in their boats, but they have a very good boat. There are lots of really good boats to choose from, Everglades, Edgewater, Boston Whaler, Robalo, Cape Horn, there are some high dollar boats like Yellowfin, Contender, SeaVee, Deep Impact, Intrepid, etc.
My wife and I choose our boat because of the ride in rough seas and the layout of the boat. I have been using it almost 3 years now and love it. We almost went with the Grady but once we sea trialed the 3 boats on our short list we picked the Robalo.
It's all about finding what fits you.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.