Need boat Advise.

[Sinker]

EPIRB - DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. I hope you never have to use it but make sure you have it.

[DEFIANCE]

For 50k, you can have a 21-23 built, brand new, and powered with a single large outboard on a bracket, and custom built. Look to the East coast builders. Most of the better builders, build quality boats with very sound hull designs. The brands of boats being discussed here on this thread do not hold up well when compared to some of the East coast boats for the money, or the ride in rougher sea conditions. The catch is that you have to go over there to get it, but you will be getting more boat and a better boat in most cases. Do some research on builders from NC down to FL, you will find something, and you can have it built the way you want it. There are huge differences between cookie cutter boats and boats that are custom built. If you are a year out from buying one, most builders can go start to finish in 3-4 months. Do some research and see for yourself.

[Brad100]

I was thinking of a cuddy cabin but I'm 6'4" and didn't fit comfortably in any of them less than the 25' range, especially if my wife was in the cabin too. Point being, make sure that the cuddy meets your needs and those of your family before you commit. There are alot of great non-cuddy boats that are very seaworthy out there.

[edskii]

I have owned both center consoles and cuddy cabins. But I've got to tell you how impressed I was with the pilot house that Phishy has. It really makes a difference as to the comfort level when there is spray. Your wife and family will probably feel better on the boat with the extra protection. If I were to purchase a new boat the pilot house will be a sure thing. Especially the way the water is around here.

[phishy]

21' Proline Fishing Walkaround Boat

might be of interest...smell a deal..my buddy has the same exact boat...he loves it..

[photoguy]

Sounds like a good deal but I wont be ready until next spring. Just bought a new Yukon since my old truck was begining to die.

[Carnivore]

I just gave a bid on a 2005 Striper out of Portland OR but the guy declined it. Was a nice boat but oh well. I think you and I are in same boat Frank. Cool thing is you will have a boat about the time I do and buddy boat time !!!

[Sinker]

For what it is worth here is some info from when I was researching:

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This is the current J.D. Power Ratings for Coastal Fishing Boats:

Overall Rating 5 points
Quality & Reliability 5 points
Value for Money 5 points
Fishing 5 points
Design & Style 5 points
Ride & Handling 5 points

Overall Rating: This score is based on customers’ overall satisfaction with their new boat.

Quality & Reliability: This score is based on the number of problems that customers report experiencing with their new boat. A higher number of Power Circles indicates a higher level of quality (i.e., fewer problems experienced).

Value for Money: This score is based on the customers’ perception of the value received for their money.

Fishing: This score is based on customers’ satisfaction with the fishing boat’s rod/tackle storage; live well capacity/functionality; deck space for fishing; and available space to mount electronics.

Design & Style: This score is based on customers’ satisfaction with the boat’s exterior appearance; ease of accessing fuel fill; fuel capacity; ability of boat to drain water; effectiveness of non-skid surfaces; comfort of passenger seats; passenger seating configuration; and the ease of boarding the boat from the water.

Ride & Handling: This score is based on customers’ satisfaction with the boat’s smoothness of ride in rough water; speed; ease of moving the bow up and down; ease of steering/maintaining course in rough water; amount of horsepower relative to boat; ability to control boat at high speeds and maneuvering at low speeds; and the ability of the boat to accelerate rapidly.

Out of a possible 30 points:

Grady-White 30 points
Award Recipient

Angler 15 points

Aquasport 18 points

Boston Whaler 21 points

Century 21 points

Cobia 18 points

Hydra-Sports 18 points

Key West 20 points

Parker 23 points

Polar 19 points

Pro-Line 17 points

Sailfish 23 points

Scout 22 points

Sea Boss 12 points

Sea Fox 12 points

Sea Hunt 19 points

Seaswirl 17 points

Triton 25 points

Triumph 17 points

Trophy 14 points

Wellcraft 17 points

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Tier 4 - Pro-line, Sea Fox, Sea Hunt

Tier 3 - Angler, Key West, Pro Sports, Trophy

Tier 2 - Hydrasports, Sea Craft, Aquasport, Sailfish

Tier 1 - Cape Craft, Fountain, Edgewater, Everglades

Custom - Ocean Master, Palmetto

Old School (wood structure, not a bad thing in my book) - Parker, Robalo, Ken Craft, Grady White, Pursuit.

Depends on;

1. What for?
2. How often?
3. How long?

Good luck - I don't think you can go wrong, as long as your honest about the above.

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Now you also want to remember that the numbers above need to be taken with a grain of salt as more folks tend to buy what is affordable rather than smart. REMEMBER, what you are buying you are going to put your loved ones into and trust that it will get you home.

I will give up some creature comforts for proved dependability and reliability as I have no desire to go to the after life at this time and certainly do not want that for any friend or family member because I bought something that wasn't as sea worthy as it should have been.

Get all the advice you can from folks and take every bit of it with a grain of salt as well. Even the best intentioned person will be swayed by their own personal preference.

Bottom line, do your home work and be confident in your decision. Test ride as many types as possible. Take them out on bad weather days not nice flat sea days. Put them in the trough then bring them out of it both to port and starboard, ride the swells and then slide down them backward and forward and see if the boat broaches at all. You can do all the numbers, stats, customer service reviews etc., etc. at home but only being behind the wheel is going to tell you what you need to know.

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DISCLAIMER - Just my humble personal opinion and information I gathered and went with when I was shopping for a new boat

[MDS]

Think about a Radon, Wilson or Anderson. All started in Santa Barbara. Lots of used ones around. Those guy up there have been using them for 30-40 years. Lots of deck space but NO free board. Made for trips to the Channel Islands overnight. I had a 22 ft. Anderson for 10 years. 454 Chevy with a #2 outdrive. Burned 40 gals. for an overnighter to Santa Cruz. Bullet proof!! New Radon hull? Look to Davis boats in Paso Robles. Rigged, they can reach 100K real quick. Nothing beats one of these in an 8 foot following sea.

[bigeye2k]

Look for a used Parker 2120DVSC or 2320DVSC