Need Help Finding the Right Boat

[Halligan]

I am soon to be a new boat owner- my first. I have been looking around and I am having trouble finding the right boat for my needs. Maybe you can help?
I am interested in a 18'-22' CC that has a low draft yet higher gunwales for offshore plus all the fishing options that usaully comes with a CC. I have a family that wants to go tubing and island hopping, so comfort is a must. Seating for at least 6 with a good sun deck convert. Comfortable transom seating is necessary- not some fold down plank that looks like my wife would be more comfortable lying on nails. I am in the market for a few years old that is easy to be trailered, or a new boat with a total price tag under 20K.
Here is an idea of the type I'm looking...

I am having trouble finding CC with what I'm looking for. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Need Help Finding the Right Boat

that hull is closer to a "bay boat" design and would not be good offshore.
People don't sit on the transom much. They sit up front.
Look at Sea Hunt Ultra. 21' for off shore.
Low Draft/high gunwhles usually don't exist in the same boat due to displacement. An exception is the Carolina Skiff J series but they are not what you want for cruising and tubing; they are a great rough work boat though.
Don't know what a "sun deck convert" is.
Look at the Sea Hunt bow design--lots of "seating" on the front platform, with cushions you can remove for serious fishing.
Other "Sea" boats are similar.
You won't find a new boat with your specs for 20. Good used ones, though.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Need Help Finding the Right Boat

This is the classic mistake of placing too may requirements on too small of the boat.

Unless you get into the larger class boat, fishabily and family don't get along too well. Certainly not in a CC

In the end, you'll end up with a family that doesn't use the boat and a fishing boat that isn't setup well for fishing.

 

[Halligan]

Re: Need Help Finding the Right Boat

My wife and I are both avid anglers, however we have a young daughter that will want to tube with her friends. I say we would use the boat 75% for fishing though. Also, I have land in Maine and would want to put her in fresh water as well. (reason for a more shallow draft and smaller vessel) We have family on the ocean with available overnight moorings and a good launch so I see us in the ocean around Cape Cod more often. How does the Sea Hunt Ultra 210 do in your mind? The 196?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Need Help Finding the Right Boat

The Sea Hunt looks like a good fit for what you describe other than the "offshore" part.

Good luck shopping

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Need Help Finding the Right Boat

Like all boat use, "offshore" is relative. Around here experienced boaters (and lucky inexperienced ones) take 19's and especially 21's in the ocean. In additon to weather, obviously, there are factors of # of people in the boat and # of other boats around. Include in weather the temperature b/c a break-down in warm climates is inconvenient where it might be deadly in cold.
So I can't speak to Cape Cod and wouldn't blink if it was Florida. Also, inshore waters can be trickier than the ocean--Dingbat, I'm sure you've seen the bay kick up due to shallow water when the ocean would be rollers.

Both Sea Hunts will do fine in open water but the 19 is pushing it; even with the 21 you have to choose your days. Your experience is what counts.

I disagree entirely about "fishability and family" being incompatible in a CC (unless your "family" is a bunch of whiney weenies). OTOH I find fishability incompatible in "sofa boats" and this guy wants to fish 75%.

My wife and I love fishing in our 21' Sea Hunt (went 80 miles weekend before last) and I take my daughters, niece and their friends tubing behind it. Wife and I cruise in it as well (to waterfront restaurants, for example, or just exploring) and we volunteered for safety patrol at Harborfest in it.

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Need Help Finding the Right Boat

Take a look at the Wellcraft V-20's
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/