Minimum size boat for San Juans

[Bumperlt12]

Hi,

The wife and I are in the market for a new boat. I'm not sure what size I should aim for as a minimum. At the top of the list right now is a Bayliner 2252, and a Sea Ray 220 DA, very similar boats, fairly high off the water for their size. Out price point is around 6k so that really limits us. We aren't trying to live on the boat, just not be too scared if the weather picks up. We are moving up from a small 16' open bow, and don't have much experience in the salt except from when were were both kids. Also being considered are Bayliner 2455, and various other flavors of roughly the same size and shape.

*** I should add that we would like to do a weekend trip here or there, but no excursions. For now its just the wife and I, and our 7 yr old.

 

[Don S]

Re: Minimum size boat for San Juans

There is no boat big enough if the weather goes bad on you. I had a 41' sail boat and on a couple of occasions I wouldn't cross Rosario straight until the weather settled down, neither would the Wa. state ferry.
I also worked out of Anacortes WA. at a Yacht Charter and used a 17' center console with a 75hp outboard as my work truck in good weather. Also ended up staying overnight a few places when weather changed.
A 22 ft boat would be great for weekends and day trips to the SJ's, but it won't take much before you are looking for 24' as the 7 year old gets older.

 

[Bumperlt12]

Re: Minimum size boat for San Juans

Oh yea we're already planning our next boat too... but it's just not in the cards yet. Also, the kiddo is from a previous marriage and is only with us a couple months out of the year. I really like Bayliner's 2859, but its a little out of our 6k budget. ha.