What type/size of boat to get for the St. Lawerence river?

[SkaterRace]

I recently moved to the St. Lawerence river area and sold my boat (2018 Glastron GT 185 last fall to fund buying a house this spring. Well, now I have the house, I am looking at what to get for a boat come winter (if I order) or spring. I mainly want to be able to go out and cruise the river both by myself and with up to 5 other people though often only 1-2 extra people. I was thinking of a 25ft center console though the price is a bit higher than I was hoping for though could make it work. Looked at 20ft center consoles and they are more in my ideal budget though not sure if too small for the river on a semi-windy day. I'm looking to see what the more experienced guys on this forum thought would be a good choice for my requirements. I don't have a set budget so I can't speak to that but my absolute max would be about 150k CAD and that is pushing more than I'd like to but could if the right boat type/size/safety made sense.

That said what are your suggestions to look into?

 

[airshot]

In years back I had a 22' and had no issues in rough water. My definition of rough is 3 footers, much higher is better to stay home. The CC is great for fishing but not as a people carrier in my opinion. Seating is lacking to gain fishing area. Today there may be better layouts than what was availiable back then. Also in rough water your passengers may get wet from spray. If being used as a pleasure cruise, people mover, there might be better options

 

[SkaterRace]

In years back I had a 22' and had no issues in rough water. My definition of rough is 3 footers, much higher is better to stay home. The CC is great for fishing but not as a people carrier in my opinion. Seating is lacking to gain fishing area. Today there may be better layouts than what was availiable back then. Also in rough water your passengers may get wet from spray. If being used as a pleasure cruise, people mover, there might be better options

What other styles would you suggest other than a center console? I looked at performance ones like Baja/Fountain but am worried those will cost too much in fuel.

 

[airshot]

What other styles would you suggest other than a center console? I looked at performance ones like Baja/Fountain but am worried those will cost too much in fuel.

All depends what your gonna do with it....lots of options out there !! If you want to go fast, they are all going to cost ya in fuel usage. You mentioned having 5-6 people onboard....look for comfortable seating and....???? You have a lot of shopping to do !!!! Good luck...

 

[Texasmark]

What other styles would you suggest other than a center console? I looked at performance ones like Baja/Fountain but am worried those will cost too much in fuel.

Not being sarcastic but if you can drop 150k on a boat fuel isn't an issue.

 

[roscoe]

New to me 1976 starcraft 25 mk IV with 165 merc. Looks good, runs good for a 46 year old boat.

forums.iboats.com

 

[JimS123]

We have been plying the waters of the St. Lawrence since 1977. Many years we used the 14' Sea Nymph in my signature, with 2 adults and 2 pre-teens aboard. Graduated to a 16' tinny and then a 15' Boston Whaler Center Console. Used a jetski on and off in between.

IMHO, these are fairly calm waters, so even a small boat would do. If it gets to 3 footers you shouldn't be out there anyway.

Also IMHO, a bow rider, dual console OB version is what I would look at. The size will be governed by the number of people you need to carry.

I love my CC, but when we go out in it we usually only have 2 aboard, and never more than 4. The seating capacity and confort of seating just isn't there.

Performance boats are noisy and not suited to a "family" day on the water.

 

[SkaterRace]

Not being sarcastic but if you can drop 150k on a boat fuel isn't an issue.

I don't know how much fuel the performance boats use just know a few guys who said they sold theirs because of the fuel costs.

 

[SkaterRace]

We have been plying the waters of the St. Lawrence since 1977. Many years we used the 14' Sea Nymph in my signature, with 2 adults and 2 pre-teens aboard. Graduated to a 16' tinny and then a 15' Boston Whaler Center Console. Used a jetski on and off in between.

IMHO, these are fairly calm waters, so even a small boat would do. If it gets to 3 footers you shouldn't be out there anyway.

Also IMHO, a bow rider, dual console OB version is what I would look at. The size will be governed by the number of people you need to carry.

I love my CC, but when we go out in it we usually only have 2 aboard, and never more than 4. The seating capacity and confort of seating just isn't there.

Performance boats are noisy and not suited to a "family" day on the water.

Thanks for the input Jim, I don't intend to be out in 3ft'ers but thinking maybe 2ft before I'd want to come off the water. I do have to think about waves more than most because my parents who enjoy coming out really hate waves and are both scared of anything bigger than a foot. The same goes for a couple of others I take out.

I had a Glastron GT 185 which was a bowrider and that was terrible in anything more than 8-10 inch waves. It had bad hull slap and generally, a rougher ride than most people I took out was comfortable with.

Family days aren't so much what I care about in a boat - I'm 24 and single with no intentions of kids ever - but thinking more about making a 50-100 km trip up to Lake Ontario and back plus maybe some boating around the shores of Lake Ontario on the Canada side of things.

 

[harringtondav]

I've always favored bow rider glass runabouts. Shorter than 20' can beat you up in chop and boat wakes. BR seating and layout easily accommodates your plan with plenty of room for guests and their gear. A snap in bow/tonneau cover with the windshield closed keeps spray and wind out of the cockpit.
Your depth of pocket is a big factor on price vs. size. It is currently a manufacturers market. List price. Also fuel costs increase with size.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... In all my years of boatin' in the 1,000 islands, 'round Clayton, I found a 19"er is to small, 'n rides rough,.....
A 21'er or bigger is just right,....

 

[SkaterRace]

Ayuh,.... In all my years of boatin' in the 1,000 islands, 'round Clayton, I found a 19"er is to small, 'n rides rough,.....
A 21'er or bigger is just right,....

Thanks Bondo, do you think a 21ft bowrider is a big enough size/type combo or with bowriders being kinda bad in rough water I should go 23ft?

 

[Bondo]

Thanks Bondo, do you think a 21ft bowrider is a big enough size/type combo or with bowriders being kinda bad in rough water I should go 23ft?

Ayuh,.... The longer the boat, the better the ride,....