Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

[wojo]

We are trying to decide on a walkaround in the 23-25' range with a bow seat and an outboard. We've looked at a new 2006 2550WA Sea Quest which looks nice, but I can't find any feedback anywhere about that boat. We're also looking at a new 2006 ProLine 2400WA but found some forums where people had problems with the gel coat/fiberglass stress cracks. Also looking at a Carolina Skiff Sea Chaser 2007 2400WA and have found mostly favorable feedback on that boat--trouble is the only dealer in our area is not very customer oriented. We're also looking at a 2007 230WA Caravelle but found multiple postings that state there are serious stress crack problems and gel coat problems. Can anybody out there help us sort this out. The Sea Quest seems to have everything we want and the price is right, but the dealer looks questionable. Thanks for any help you can give us. We're an older couple and haven't bought a new boat since 1983.

 

[KCook]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

Out of that particular list I would lean strongly toward the Pro-Line. No hope of Century, Key West, Sea Hunt, Seaswirl, Trophy, or Wellcraft in your area?

Kelly Cook

 

[wojo]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

Out of that particular list I would lean strongly toward the Pro-Line. No hope of Century, Key West, Sea Hunt, Seaswirl, Trophy, or Wellcraft in your area?

Kelly Cook

 

[wojo]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

Due to the fact I want a center console and my husband wants a walkaround, we've compromised to get a boat that has a seat for at least one person on the bow. I know this may seem senseless, but I absolutely love riding on the bow and it's my compromise to get a boat with a cabin that my husband may use only once or twice a year when they fish for rock in the late fall. A Seaswirl appear to have a bow seat and we're taking your suggestion to go look at it. Thanks--I'll keep you posted. and I'm investigating some of the others you mention. Do you think the Trophy is a good boat? We've heard that it's a rather low-end boat and we want something middle of the line. Frankly, though, we don't know too much about the Trophy.

 

[KCook]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

Strong "middle of the line" would be the Century, possibly Sea Hunt too. The others that I listed (and your Pro-Line) are "value" lines, which is not necessarily bad. Such a boat can still result in a very good experience for an owner, usually a good dealer makes a real difference here as well.

Kelly

PS - Here is another thread with Trophy owners -

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=1;gtid=749176

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

Wellcraft 220 Sportsman

Aft seats - port/stbd with bolsters
Baitwell with light (100 qt.)
Beverage holders (7)
Bow cushion, with forward port/stbd bolsters
Cockpit bolsters - port/stbd
Cockpit courtesy lights
Cockpit overboard scuppers
Enclosed head compartment with self-contained head
Forward console cushions - port/stbd with backrest
Glove box - lockable
Pedestal seat w/ cushion - stbd
Rod holders (4) - gunwale mounted w/ cap
Rod storage - port & stbd
Seat - back to back port side - converts to lounge
Side grab-rails - integrated
Ski/Wake board storage
Storage under console
Tackle storage box
Windshield - curved, tempered glass and walk-thru door

Man what a all around boat............

Just a opinion you mileage may vary.......

 

[arthat]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

I second checking the Seaswirl Striper boats. A fishing buddy of mine bought one last year and we put it through many sea conditions. Nice dry ride, it does roll a bit. Foredeck water is directed overboard instead of to the cockpit and out scuppers.
http://www.seaswirl.com/models_intro.cfm?mid=4873

I also have experience with Grady White, great seaworthy craft.
http://www.gradywhite.com/226/
I recommend a test drive before you buy. Good luck.

Successful Boating,

Art

 

[JRJ]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

Lots of choices in the size you want. Have you considered used? Lots of mid to upper tier boats for sale that would be a good value. Curious if you have shopped Ed's Superstore there in Va? Enjoy your search and good luck.

 

[KCook]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

Here is a thread on another site that thrashes through the brands -
http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=32001&start=1

 

[wojo]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

Lots of choices in the size you want. Have you considered used? Lots of mid to upper tier boats for sale that would be a good value. Curious if you have shopped Ed's Superstore there in Va? Enjoy your search and good luck.

 

[wojo]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

Yes, we went to Ed's Superstore :'(to look at boats and the salesman we dealt with was a real jerk! Didn't like us asking specific prices--just wanted to quote one price without breaking it down--then added another $130 and when asked what that was for, he reluctantly told us it was for $25 worth of gas (5-6 gal.), $70 worth or oil and $35 for rear tie down. Then added another almost $200 for processing fees. They would not deliver the boat or give any in-water trials. I think if we found a good sales person there we may have made the deal because they did have a boat that we liked.

 

[troypolla]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

Hydra-Sport has a WA in that range I think. I love my KeyWest CC.

 

[tommays]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

A sea trial is a must as its is your last chance before they have all your money if there are issues with the boat

Many sales people will promise things that just dont happpen

I have allready had the you accepted it at the sea trial speach when there was a problem with a new boat



Tommays

 

[wojo]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

Hydra-Sport has a WA in that range I think. I love my KeyWest CC.

Today we looked at Key West boats. We are interested in the Key West 2300 WA, but the dealer did not have one to show. I've searched all over VA and couldn't find a 2007 2300 WA. We looked at at 225 WA that had captain's chairs, but we found it difficult to judge how much room would be in the 2300 WA if we added the optional captain's chairs rather than the leaning post seat that had an adjacent baitwell. From pictures I've found on the internet it appears that there is very little room between that seat and the optional removal transom seat (which we want). Can anyone tell me how much room is between (a) the leaning post/bait well and the back of the boat? (b) the captain's chairs and the back of the boat? Thanks

 

[troypolla]

Re: Need help purchasing new walkaround boat!

hmm it is hard to tell. Looks like at leat 4-5 feet. I would assume that they would be similar.