Year after year as I’ve been dreaming about buying a new boat I’ve flip flopped between some of these newer bay boats and a true offshore CC type boat and most recently I’m back into the ‘offshore’ camp.
The last few boat shows I always look at the Key West 244CC, and its been my ‘inspiration’ sorta for paying off a bunch of other stuff so I can afford one. Now that I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel to where I can truly afford a new boat, I should probably get serious. Anyways, mention the 244 first because its my ‘baseline’ so to speak.
I wanted to get some local opinions about what I’ve been considering and hopefully some ideas for things I might be overlooking.
Boat Use: Probably no more than 30 miles out fishing wise on most days, but will also be used for your typical harbor cruising and beach/family days. I’m still debating on trailering vs dry stacking, and right now am leaning towards stacking it.
Boat size: 24-26ft. Like I said, I might still trailer on occasion and I don’t think my 1500 will do well with anything over 26ft. Also, price is a consideration here.
Budget: Up to $100k. A lot of the newer ones I’ve been seeing at the boat show have been pushing $80k, which is up like $10k from a few years past so maybe I can work a deal. Something used is obviously a great option as long as its not too old and beat. And if it turns out I really wanted a big bay boat in the future I’d like to be able to flip it relatively easy. Something in the $50k range I might be able to buy in cash if all the stars align (likely in 2018).
The Boats:
244 Key West - Like I said, this is my baseline. I’ve seen them at the show around $75k-$80k new, saw a few used (5ish years old) on craigslist in the $50k+ range.
25ft Tidewater - At the last boat show I think this had eclipsed the KW in price but I’m pretty sure that included electronics. There’s a 4 year old one on CL for ~$60k.
25ft Sportsman - These were a great deal like 3-4 years ago, now they’re pushing $90-$100
WIsh I was shopping for a new boat that size, full of envy… Its a drive but Eds marine in richmond usually has a great price on a Tidewater like 80 ish… You would still need to add all the fun stuff. My 2 cents. Bought a Sea Hunt there and was overall pleased. But I live in Va most the time
23 regulator or pioneer 222. Only boats built well enough not to fall apart after a couple dozen trips offshore. And honestly, there isn’t much advantage of 2 extra feet of some of those boats. Especially when the design (tidewater) lends the 2 extra feet in a completely unusable location. I’ve been in the keywest 24, tidewater 23 and 25, pioneer 222, and numerous regulators. The latter two stand out above the rest. And yes… they are expensive for a reason.
Times two on the Pioneer. And yes, I have one. For fishing, check out the fish boxes and in deck foamed up 320 qt box in the fwd deck of the Pioneer and compare to the other boats. Ice will hold for days and you don’t have to take any extra coolers. If you only want to impress the ladies, it really doesn’t matter which one you pick.
Yeah it is. I hadn’t really considered significantly older boats, like 10-15+ years old.
It could definitely put me in something bigger.
On the other hand, after having to fix/replace just about everything on my current Key West I question how much work I want to put in to the next boat. On the other, other hand, if it saves me $40-$50k that’s a lot of reasons to reconsider a little wrenching. And it puts me in the blue water a whole lot sooner.
Yeah it is. I hadn’t really considered significantly older boats, like 10-15+ years old.
It could definitely put me in something bigger.
On the other hand, after having to fix/replace just about everything on my current Key West I question how much work I want to put in to the next boat. On the other, other hand, if it saves me $40-$50k that’s a lot of reasons to reconsider a little wrenching. And it puts me in the blue water a whole lot sooner.
2002 Key West 1900CC
I got a 1965-68 Bertram 25 with 40+ years on it that cost 5K. Got a lot of blue water under it. If you buy a great used boat, you got to like working on them. Probably better to buy new and sell it to the next fool before things wear out. You'll get on the water sooner as well. The money you save "yard boating" is phenomenal...so is the gas mileage.
Yeah it is. I hadn’t really considered significantly older boats, like 10-15+ years old.
It could definitely put me in something bigger.
On the other hand, after having to fix/replace just about everything on my current Key West I question how much work I want to put in to the next boat. On the other, other hand, if it saves me $40-$50k that’s a lot of reasons to reconsider a little wrenching. And it puts me in the blue water a whole lot sooner.
2002 Key West 1900CC
the current owner of that Intrepid has already gone thru that boat, its turnkey
I can speak to the tidewater and cobia as I had a tidewater until a year ago and now have a 2016 cobia 277.
I liked the 23 tidewater a lot. Had a nice flare to the bow, a very wide beam for a 23 and rode pretty decent in resonable conditions. We’d fish the ledge in it quite a bit. I almost went to the 25 or 28 but really liked the cobia and decided to upgrade to that.
I currently have the 277 cobia which is almost 28ft loa. They now have a 261 model can rig w/ twin 150s standard or bump up to the 200s on it. I trailer my 277 easy with a Yukon Denali xl and launch it at a tricky ramp (edisto marina) usually by my self no harder than launching my 23 tidewater or old Carolina skiff…
the fit and finish on the cobia is significantly better than any boat I have owned. Love the way it fishes which is all we do in it it. It has a great walk in head I can stand up in at 6’4" and lots of options to be family friendly for your sandbar trips etc. if you’re interested I can pm more info or answer questions. Good luck with the search! Best day and worst day ever buying her…
One little test you need to do before you get your heart set on a boat. If you are going to FISH it, stand in the rear of the cockpit and see how much fishfighting space you have. Some of the boats you mentioned have T-tops that extend rearward to such a degree you’ll be limited. It’s pretty bad when your knees are against the transom and you raise your rod tip and slams into the T-top. Been there, done that, didn’t like it
Pioneer will have a boat with twins in the not so distant future, bank on it.
26’2" running twins. Going to be like nothing they offered before.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
There was a 26’Regulator at Tailwalker not long ago. Think it was a '06 with F250’s or 225’s on it.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
