Need boat Advise.

[photoguy]

I need a little advice from those who own a boat. We have finally decided to purchase a boat of our own. Now I am not totally new to boats since I had an Ultra open bow about 10 years ago. But I am now interested in something meant for fishing. So what do you recommend so I can start my research. I am interested in something:

• New or slightly used
• Cuddy cabin a possibility (for the ocasional overnight)
• Can be towed under (6000lbs) with trailer
• Reliable
• Safe to go out to the islands
• Up to 50k

Not sure what kind of engine is right for me so enlighten me.

Like I said before not new to boating but will be new to the salty stuff.

[FishersDad]

Dude, what......... did you win the lotto?
For a fishing boat in that price range I have 3 words for you
Parker, Parker, Parker...........

[phishy]

i disagree with kent..and he knows why..hes been on my boat...Parkers are an over priced piece of whatever....that depending what boat you get can have a shitty ride...people think HEAVY boats are great boat...Things have changed over the last say 5 years with boat designs, your seeing more on more lighter fuel efficient boats now. And with gas prices the way they are...you better think twice before you strap those dual outboards on and take a run to the islands...sure you going to get there fast...but wait till you stop for gas..

I think anyone who knows me well enough know how i feel about mine..but im not going to be bais towards them. You first have to think of the costs of a new boat...add on electronics 5-10K fully outfitted..then get that tuna tower or more rod holders, add the bait tank and anything else you might desire...your at a very steep price.

Then if you go slightly used..and there are more boats out there then you might realize..Someone cant make the payments or has 2footitis and goes up...That boat is fully rigged with everything on it ready to fish. The dood selling is not going to get his money back on a 2 year old boat..no way....but you on the other hand can swoop in...pick up that boat for a great price..fill it with gas and go fishing on Sat..that easy..

Now how much do you plan on fishing? few times a year? save you money and go out with Joe V...planning on actually using that thing..you need to go for just 50 mile or less..22-25" wanna actually have some eminities, and go overnighters..go 27-29'.
Also where do you plan on fishing..down south the weather is much milder and easier to predict..you dont need that big water boat so much..plan on fishing the channel islands...get something good for big water..we can get into hulls...might be best to call me lol..this can get long.

[photoguy]

Mitch I see you have a Trophy not to mention one that I was actually looking at. I am planning to stay under 23'. The 50k is on the high side but that is just the max that I will do and still have comfortable payments. I am sure that I can find something well equiped from someone who is in over thier heads and cant pay. But I dont want to go cheap either, I am a firm believer that you get what you paid for.

The duals are nice but not something that I need now or in the near future so I will stay away from those. The furthest I will honestly go are the channel islands, and catalina. But most of the time it will likely be out of MDR.

I would like to be able to say that I will use it once a week but that will never happen again. I used to do it all the time with my Ultra, but that was when I had no responsibilities. I would love to jump on the Mirage or other boats often but with my job and the wifes business keeping us busy its hard to plan and stick to a date. Buying one of our own will give us the flexibility that we need.
By the looks of it we are still about a year from buying but I would like as much info as I can get. I am not one to just jump into a major purchase without doing my research and talking to many people.

Also I noticed that you have a Trophy. How do you like it? I actually went to see a few and liked the Pilot House. But then again that was just by looks.

[photoguy]

No Kent I didnt win the lotto. The wife(starfish) was nice enough to want to buy me one. Man, I am one lucky fool.

[phishy]

Lets just say ive been in seas that i have no business in with a 22' boat...and have made it home safely with my boat. Alot of that has to do with the captain..more so then most of my passengers realize..but the boat handles it..and just keeps going...almost asking for more i feel at times..
I have the Cummings/Merc 1.7 in mine. Its the latest of that line, the earily models had alot of problems but Cummings did thier part to fix the 88 series of motors. Trophy did alot of work with the correct prop and fit for the boat and engine. I follow alot of different forums and talked to a few owners of the same set up. All have had no complaints with it.
My fuel with 3 people, gear, full tank of gas and a bait tank is usually at 4-5mpg at 20-23mph. Open it up with that load at 25-27mph it goes to about 3.5mpg.
If i run light i see a easy 5mph or better and top speed of 32mph. Its not the fastest boat on the water but its easy on the wallet so it allows me to fish every single weekend on it. If i had to drop a C note or better on gas every trip...rest assured i couldnt afford to fish so much.
For me the boat does the job very well and suits my needs as a perfect overnight, big water, go anyplace boat. With range of 500miles on a tank..the only thing stopping me from going anywhere is my own common sence. The boat can do it.

BTW they make alot of these boats...try finding one used like mine is set up...good luck..people DONT sell them. They keep them for years.

ODH has first dibs on mine...i promised him i would sell it to him for 5k when i buy my Skagit. Good luck making me keep that promise

[Carnivore]

I have been researching boats in the 21 to 23' area and there are only 2 real choices for the money. The trophy or the striper. Parkers are nice but for get about sleeping in the cabins. My nephew couldn't even fit on the bed (if you want to call it that).

The Trophy is the better boat for fishing room with about 8 more inches rear deck room then the striper. It doesn't have a swim step so the over all length of the boat is more usable for sturdy fishing then the striper. It doesn't come with a wash down (can be added for more money) and has a smaller bait tank then the striper. The rear transom is higher to making bigger fish like sharks harder to pull in the boat but that is minimal. The cabin is smaller too but for 2 people it isn't a problem. The Trophy is heaver then the Striper and only rated to 175HP outboard with only Mercury outboards from the factory.

Striper well kind of covered above with bigger cabin with the 23 even 13 inches more room then the 21. The 23 has 6 inches more rear deck space over the 21 but 2 inches shorter then the 21 Trophy. Motor is up to 225 on the 21 and 250 on the 23, both you can get the Evenrude or the Yamaha outboard. Inboards are Volvopenta but much more heavy then the outboard. Trophy comes standard with raw and fresh water wash downs, 30 gallon bait tank with high speed pick up and aerators. Portopotty well you get the picture. The rear swim step is built in and makes landing bigger fish easier (no real biggie) but makes playing in the water easier. It is built in so it counts as the over all length, that is how the trophy has more inboard room at the same length.

Prices are about the same with extras making or braking the difference. I would push the outboard though with the weight difference being massive but with the Trophy they get from 3 to 6mpg on the 200hp outboard depending on load and speed. Cheaper then the Diesel and about 600 pounds lighter making the over all boat more balanced. Not that phishy is wrong it is just a personal choice no right or wrong. Some lakes (if you choose to go that route) won't let a diesel on them.

There are alot of boats out there Aquatica, sea fox, Welcraft, pro-line, Searay but for all around boats for fishing and cruising these two to me are the top of the heap. How you set it up is up to you.

[Joey805]

Check out the seaswirl stripers. Get one around 23 feet with a 4 stroke outboard. You wont go wrong with it.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

Sea Pro is also a good mid-entry level boat for the $$$$ and look at Scout boats too

[wils]

under 6000 pounds? with trailer and gear? that's gonna be hard to do in an ocean-able 23' boat that isn't aluminum.
ignoring that detail.....

23' walkaround with a large 4-stroke outboard on a bracket. This will give you maximum FLAT deckspace and will ride more like a 25' boat due to the extended position of the motor. The WA will allow easy access to the anchor and chasing fish. The bigger motor wont have to struggle with a full boat load of "stuff". Dont get a boat that has a minimal motor. It will have been "minimalized" everywhere else, too.

Cuddy cabin with a mini galley. porta-potty in a stand-up "closet". The closet offers privacy AND it gives you a place to store foul weather gear, life jackets, etc, etc, etc.

You aren't going to live in it so the only "space" requirement is for YOU to stretch out and catch a quality nap in the v-berth. Make sure you fit comfortably. (If you fit, starfish will fit, too)

Find a 1-2 year old boat with realtively low hours. The depreciation will already have taken place, and your electronics will be bought and installed. Electronics are only expensive if you are the one buying them new. QUALITY installation aint cheap.

Plan on another $5k CASH after you buy it...just 'because'. If you dont use it all, it will pay for fuel.

Better check on the loan situation/availability NOW. Find out what they will require from you and about the boat - especially on a used boat. A used boat will/SHOULD be professionally surveyed/appraised if you are going to be making payments on it. Thats $300-$500 thet you pay up front.

I'm not going to get involved into what brand. They ALL have pros and cons.

When you see something you like, go for a ride in the afternoon windy, bumpy conditions; NOT in the early morning glassy conditions. Minimum 20 minutes out of the harbor and 20 minutes back in. Pay for the fuel.

Good luck!

Maybe you can find a cat-type boat in a divorce sale.