Saltwater fishing boat help?!

[mrdad990]

Hi again everyone, so I’m in the market for another boat, primarily used for fishing saltwater so naturally looking for CC gonna be around inshore about 9 miles out most of the time and might take it to the local island Santa Catalina if weather is good 27 miles if possible. Something in the 17-19 ft range as mine is a little 15.5 ft invader 81 with a 1978 Johnson 85 which I am now a boat mechanic with all the stuff I’ve had to do to keep it running smooth. (Badass OB in my opinion) anyway I’ve been looking at Boston’s 17 Montauk, Grady white 180 fisherman and 191 ce (which I cannot afford as there are many scams of cheap ones) also robalo r180 and trophy t20cc and the t18bay and lastly the Everglades boats…With so many choices does anyone out there have any wisdom to share with me about which boat is meant for fishing but can accommodate a family as well toddler and older kids? I need help my price is around 30k if it’s through a dealership as I’m playing off the monthly rate of about 300 a month or maybe a little more! Thank you guys you never disappoint!
matt

 

[Chris1956]

IMO CC boats are a bad choice for the ocean. You have no protection from sun, spray or wind. A DC or Bowrider with a walk thru windshield is much better.

CC boats are real popular, likely the most popular boat style, but I find them wet, cold and windy.

 

[Chris1956]

Try for a 21 footer or larger. 17-19 foot is real marginal for that far offshore.

We ran into 8 foot waves 15 mi off, on a nice day. Luckily I was in a 35 footer.

 

[dingbat]

While I’m a Grady owner and a big fan of the build quality, etc. but a 18’ boat is way too small to take a “family” out in the ocean.

How much open water experience do you have?

 

[mrdad990]

IMO CC boats are a bad choice for the ocean. You have no protection from sun, spray or wind. A DC or Bowrider with a walk thru windshield is much better.

CC boats are real popular, likely the most popular boat style, but I find them wet, cold and windy.

I agree with the coverage I have a DC at the moment that has been very nice for what it is, the only thing is the lack of movement space that I have for fishing so I thought maybe the cc would give me more of that but also I thought the stability would be nicer with that kind of setup when I’m in rough water?

 

[mrdad990]

While I’m a Grady owner and a big fan of the build quality, etc. but a 18’ boat is way too small to take a “family” out in the ocean.

How much open water experience do you have?

Oh yeah absolutely agree with family on open water with a 18’. I would be with other adult fisherman when going out far, basically the only family requirement is moderately high freeboard for my 2 year old and seating. Well I’ve put in about 35 or so days out in the water around 6-8 hours each time. I feel comfortable, confident but also smart enough to know when I need to turn back lol. Also props on the GW I really love what they are about. Do you have a CC as well? I never had one and thought that is kinda the way to go but I def don’t want to get soaked and cold EVERY time I’m out on the water

 

[mrdad990]

I agree with the coverage I have a DC at the moment that has been very nice for what it is, the only thing is the lack of movement space that I have for fishing so I thought maybe the cc would give me more of that but also I thought the stability would be nicer with that kind of setup when I’m in rough water?

I agree with the coverage I have a DC at the moment that has been very nice for what it is, the only thing is the lack of movement space that I have for fishing so I thought maybe the cc would give me more of that but also I thought the stability would be nicer with that kind of setup when I’m in rough water?

I def have to put more time in thinking about the cc I just assumed they are the best for the ocean and fishing but now it seems I need to do some research. I do however live in so cal where it doesn’t get to cold or hot with live and pay for paradise out here but that doesn’t mean I wanna get soaked, winded and or burnt to death

 

[poconojoe]

I wouldn't adventure out in the ocean with anything that small.

When I was in the market (9 years ago) for a power boat to use on an area lake that is 13 miles long, I was told not to get anything smaller than an 18 footer.

That was good advice and I'm glad I took it. Anything smaller and I don't think I would feel comfortable.
This lake can get a little rough at times due to boat traffic and the mountain winds.
Nothing near what you would get in a bay or out in the ocean.
So if you're going offshore, get something bigger.

 

[dingbat]

Also props on the GW I really love what they are about. Do you have a CC as well? I never had one and thought that is kinda the way to go but I def don’t want to get soaked and cold EVERY time I’m out on the water

No, I have a Walkaround but the next boat will more than likely be a Center Console.

The Walkaround is a great for two things, (inshore) fishing in inclement weather and they make a great family boat. Rinse the blood and guts from the cockpit after the morning fishing trip. Throw the seat cushions back on and take the wife to dinner that night.

The downside is the weight forward distribution makes for a long, rough ride offshore. The cabin and walk ways use up a lot of usable fishing space. Did I mention hot in the summer?

The weight distribution of the CC provides superior offshore performance (ride) and the 360 access to the rail is a huge advantage over all other boat designs.

To deal with colder months, guys are outfitting their CC with full enclosures like the one seen below. Same basic setup as the full enclosure on my boat.
No more cold and wet......

 

[mrdad990]

I wouldn't adventure out in the ocean with anything that small.

When I was in the market (9 years ago) for a power boat to use on an area lake that is 13 miles long, I was told not to get anything smaller than an 18 footer.

That was good advice and I'm glad I took it. Anything smaller and I don't think I would feel comfortable.
This lake can get a little rough at times due to boat traffic and the mountain winds.
Nothing near what you would get in a bay or out in the ocean.
So if you're going offshore, get something bigger.

I’m pretty nuts I guess but I go out on my 15 ft boat about 7 miles out. Always head on a swivel and paying attention to the weather and radio but the rough water can be too much for my fam for me it’s literally me surfing on waves when I’m coming back in or riding up waves going out it really forces you to be smart about how and when to address the swells hitting you. But I’m regularly in 3-6 ft swells when I’m out it’s almost weird when the water only has little foot rollers

 

[mrdad990]

I’m pretty nuts I guess but I go out on my 15 ft boat about 7 miles out. Always head on a swivel and paying attention to the weather and radio but the rough water can be too much for my fam for me it’s literally me surfing on waves when I’m coming back in or riding up waves going out it really forces you to be smart about how and when to address the swells hitting you. But I’m regularly in 3-6 ft swells when I’m out it’s almost weird when the water only has little foot rollers

Also agree I think the 18ft is perfect the only problem I have is storage is maxed at 21 ft hoping someone had ideas for boats in my search parameters !

 

[mike_i]

I've taken 16' to 21' boats to Catalina many times. Sometimes not the smartest thing to do but it can be done, I would not do it with inexperienced ocean people or toddlers. You have to realize regardless of the morning weather and sea conditions it turns to victory at sea very fast around noon. If you launch from Long Beach you'll start getting beat up with wind from the north and white caps. You'll be taking on spray and water on your port side for the last 8 miles, it's still rough after you get in the harbor. I fish offshore and like my walk around cuddy cabin. You should be able to find a nice boat in your price range. Right now the blue fin tuna are biting and people are out there fishing for them in everything that floats. You may want to wait a few months and see what's available when fishing slows down and people get tired of their boats. Where are you located?

 

[mrdad990]

I've taken 16' to 21' boats to Catalina many times. Sometimes not the smartest thing to do but it can be done, I would not do it with inexperienced ocean people or toddlers. You have to realize regardless of the morning weather and sea conditions it turns to victory at sea very fast around noon. If you launch from Long Beach you'll start getting beat up with wind from the north and white caps. You'll be taking on spray and water on your port side for the last 8 miles, it's still rough after you get in the harbor. I fish offshore and like my walk around cuddy cabin. You should be able to find a nice boat in your price range. Right now the blue fin tuna are biting and people are out there fishing for them in everything that floats. You may want to wait a few months and see what's available when fishing slows down and people get tired of their boats. Where are you located?

I'm over in los Alamitos, i actually launch out of san pedro and long beach area regularly as well as Huntington. i agree the wind can be an issue and the caps are a little tough sometimes in my 15' although i have a pretty tall freeboard on my invader. As far as the boat prices it has been tough finding something suitable for my price range but mostly for my storage length as my driveway is only about 21 feet unless i pave some of my grass and make it a boat storage area which i would love to do lol my family and landlord probably wouldn't tho. I love the idea of a walk around cuddy for the family, however this boat is going to be used primarily by me and mostly for fishing, so something a little agile and also gas efficient as possible as i go all over the place when i fish. it would be nice to have some comforts on the boat for the fam when we all do go out though. i also really like the idea of at least a pilothouse boat as well but from what i saw alot of those boats are either way too much for me price wise or that they burn gas since they are generally alot heavier than CC and cuddys.

 

[dingbat]

my storage length as my driveway is only about 21 feet unless i pave some of my grass and make it a boat storage area which i would love to do

My 22’ boat is almost 30’ long sitting on the trailer.

If your worried about the difference in fuel economy between boat configurations of the same length your in for a ride awakening. Fuel is the cheap part of ownership

 

[mike_i]

Only you can decide to buy either a fishing friendly vs family friendly boat. As I suggested you may want to wait a few months to buy, prices MAY be better during our "off season". I can relate to your storage situation, I have a very tight parking spot or I'd have a larger boat but I really like having my boat parked at home. Instead of paving depending on what is in your potential parking spot expansion can you install fake grass or gravel to park on? The landlord can stipulate in the lease that you just have to replant sod or whatever is there prior to you moving. You can get a 'fishing boat" with minimum family needs and just take them out when the forecast is for super good conditions and stay near shore. Then when you just want to fish take a friend and go where you want. I love Katella Deli bakery?

 

[mrdad990]

My 22’ boat is almost 30’ long sitting on the trailer.

If your worried about the difference in fuel economy between boat configurations of the same length your in for a ride awakening. Fuel is the cheap part of ownership

My 22’ boat is almost 30’ long sitting on the trailer.

If your worried about the difference in fuel economy between boat configurations of the same length your in for a ride awakening. Fuel is the cheap part of ownership

So I partially agree with you for expenses, I have a small boat about 15.5ft with a gas drinking 1977 Johnson 85hp the boats im generally looking at are 19ft and with just under twice the hp. So the gas worry is there since im sending about 60 dollars every time I go fishing which is quite a lot. But as far as expenses if I didn’t do my own work I would say that the repairs would FAR out weigh the gas cost but luckily im fairly competent mechanically and electrically. So generally I agree with you just not as much in my situation lol

 

[Real_TripleB]

Of the options you listed I like the Grady White 191 CE the most. There are cushions that can be put on the front and you can add back rests for more seating options. I see people on small boats with the whole family quite often where I am. It may be small but at least everyone gets out on the water and if your going to a sandbar or swimming/snorkeling and etc then your not in the boat the whole time. If everyone has fun on an 18 footer then that’s all that counts. Fishing is always nice to have as much space as possible for live wells and coolers and a tackle station but you make it work. I didn’t see any small Everglades boats in my search but all the new ones are big. A 30K budget is also hard. Boats are ridiculous prices now. But good luck! Have fun researching and test driving some boats!