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RE: Offshore Boat

LAFROMLA1 — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 10:04:00 GMT

So far my search has taken me to the Contender 31' Fisharound ($175K+), the Boston Whaler 32' Outrage Cuddy ($180+) and the Hydra Sport 28' Vector Series Walkaround ($150+)... I think I may have to scale down a bit and go towards the next tier of boats....wife likes the idea of a bigger boat (I currently have an '06 21' Sea Pro bay boat which I love for the versatility of near shore and inshore fishing) but not those $$tags... so I currently have a eye on the Sea Pro 270WA, fully loaded with twin 225 Verados at $100K (same dealer I bought my '06 so I can get a few K's off the price). I am also going to look at the Pro-Line series and few others...keep those suggestions coming. Thanks all.....

RE: Offshore Boat

gsniffen — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 09:43:24 GMT

I have been completely satisfied with my 30' Grady White Marlin 300. With the generator and A/C, those that are heat or sun sensitive can hit the cabin. Bu-u-ut, the cabin is not the best place for those that have trouble with a rolling or choppy sea. In reality, the only time I cool the cabin while we're out is on a calm day when younger kids are aboard.

Grady is a bit pricey to say the least. I previously had a Parker 25' walk-around cuddy that was a great boat. It had twin 150 Evinrudes that provided more than adequate speed and fuel economy.

RE: Offshore Boat

chumhead — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 09:27:01 GMT

My experience with cabins in Florida is that unless there is a rainstorm, or you have A/C, most of the time you cannot stand to be inside of one due to the heat......just a thought.

As for which one is best, you will get as many answers as you get replies, but the best boat isn't always the most expensive.....figure out what you need, and what you want, what you will do with the boat, cost to operate (fuel costs for a large twin outboard CAN be very high if not E-tec or 4 stroke equipped), etc, etc.

Don't rush into any choice.....

chumhead

RE: Offshore Boat

nitro — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 21:06:57 GMT

Good post, Austin.

What it comes down to, everyone has their favorites, and for good reasons. You just have to make the rounds, make some sea trials, visit some boat shows, and make your own mind up as to what suits you and your situation best. Besides, it's fun looking.

RE: Offshore Boat

seatimeflip — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 19:39:09 GMT

As far as boats with cabins I don't know what would be your best bet but here is my 2 cents....

Hydra-Sports makes a great product and I know they make a boat with a cabin. Their boats tend to be on the heavy side, but I have noticed what they lose in draft they make up for in the ride as they handle the rough water very well. My uncle has a 2000 Bay Bolt and the boat is awesome. We have been in 5-7 ft seas off of Steinhatchee (not a regular occurance but hey sometimes you just got to suck it up) and I can honestly say that there is NO other bay boat I would have rather been in regardless of whether it was 20ft (his) or 24ft. The boats are also finished very well. By that I mean they don't cut corners trying to save weight and money by leaving hatches open to fiberglass and the such like many other companies do.

Sticking with the Genmar trend (the company that makes Hydra-Sports, Wellcraft , and many others) I believe, too, that you should check out the Wellcrafts. Basically everything I said about Hydra-sports goes for Wellcraft, too. You should check out both their websites and the Genmar website.

Sailfish makes another great product. We were fishing in the Dry Tortugas and had to make the 72 mile ride back to Key West in 6-7ft seas with an occassional 8-10ft swell in a sportfisher, while our buddies were in a 23 Sailfish. Other than their radio shorting out the boat did AWESOME. We were in sight of them the whole time because of the conditions and they looked like they were actually enjoyin the ride for some odd reason. They may not be the fastest boat on the water, but they would be a great choice.

Contender makes a great boat, but if you are going for the comfort of you and your WIFE I might not suggest them because they tend to be a little more rugged of a boat. They make a great product, but they are more geared toward serious fishing than the all around comfort.

Scout has an amazing looking boat. I have not personally been on one of their offshore boats, but I know that if it says Scout on the side its a great product. They had a couple different sizes at the past boat show in Jacksonville and I was very impressed with them.

I am not going to pretend like I know it all because I know good and well I don't (lol nice little cliche) these are just some of the nicer ones that I think you and your significant other might enjoy from my experience. As a last note, I have only heard good things about Seaswirl. I don't know anything about them, but do know they make an offshore boat with a cabin. Good luck with your search and make sure you sea trial whatever you look at.

Austin

RE: Offshore Boat

saltwater cowboy — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 17:02:38 GMT

You want somethin with a big deadrise in it for when it gets ruff,because that is where the boat rides on, the stern.So if you want a god riding in ruff water boat, that is very sea werthy i wouldnt buy any boat but ANGLER,REGULATER,OR WELCRAFT,i have ben offshore in all of these boats and i feel most safe and confortable in these boats because they ride very good and are very spacious.My granfather owns a angler 26ft center concel with twin 200 yamahas and we have been in 10ft seas in this boat running 17mph and it was a smooth ride.ALSO,check out anglerboats.com!

RE: Offshore Boat

nitro — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:38:08 GMT

Pro Line makes some really nice walk-arounds. Almost bought one myself once, but decided I wouldn't be going off-shore that much.

RE: Offshore Boat

swsnooker — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 19:13:20 GMT

I hate boston whalers, but if u get one get the outrage the only nice one they make. and rs, the contender does have a cabin, just not a big luxurious one like on some of the wa's

RE: Offshore Boat

RandyStinchcomb — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 14:49:15 GMT

[quote][b]swsnooker (7/12/2006)[/b][hr]Contender!!!! I love my friends it is awesome.... or a pro line I have heard they are nice[/quote]

I would agree wth that but no cabin on a Contender?, now Fountian has a walk-around that has a cabin as does Pro-Line, Boston Whaler and Triton:)

Im also in the market for a new boat, I've out grown my 19' c/c;)

RE: Offshore Boat

swsnooker — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 14:22:39 GMT

Contender!!!! I love my friends it is awesome.... or a pro line I have heard they are nice

RE: Offshore Boat

RandyStinchcomb — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 10:07:02 GMT

you looking at new or used? whats your price range? do you have dockage or would you be trailering it?

Offshore Boat

LAFROMLA1 — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 09:41:12 GMT

I am looking to buy a new boat that can go offshore, about 40-50 miles to the gulf stream out of Ponce Inlet, FL, that is safe and reasonably priced and has a small cabin so the wife can get out of the sun when needed, yet I can follow a fish with some easiness around the boat if needed. Twin engines is a must. I am curious to get some insight from other fellow fisherman, who can give me some sound ideas. Thanks in advance.....