First off, thanks to everyone on this site. I’ve been reading the fishing tips and dreaming of skinny water and tailing reds since I moved here a couple years ago.
Recently, I’ve been sniffing around CL and some of the other listing sites trying to determine what boat to chase (and find that amazing deal). It finally occurred to me that you fellas, with your knowledge of the waters and fishing in the area know everything I’m trying to figure out. If you’re willing and interested, here’s the challenge. I suspect it’s a common one.
Budget:
I think I can get away with a $5k spend and still keep the wife. A recurring finance payment is out of the question.
Storage:
22’ deep garage
Aspirations:
Mostly for a couple guys fishing. Mosly in calm and shallow water.
Exceptions:
I’d like to pull up some of the big fish schooling at the nearby bouys and wrecks occasionally without risking loss of boat, teeth, life, and pride. Then there’s the wife and kids. They will want to be shuttled to the best shells on occasion. In a year or two, there will be tubing. The good news is that they are not interested in hanging out on the boat except maybe when there’s fireworks.
Really crazy desire:
Every now and then it would be great to cram 2 families on with 4 adults and 4 small kids. More often, 2 adults and up to 4 kids. Again, more likely for shuttling than cruizing.
Is it possible? With only $5k, am I buying more liability than I can imagine? I know no boat can do it all, but which boats are best at handling some chop while excelling in skinny water and fitting in my garage?
Thanks all for helping another new guy. I’ll try not to catch all your fish.
Get an old old montauk 17 or similar, can hold a good number of people, go skinny enough to gig and handle the harbor slop with no problem. I know a guy that’ selling one also. I had to sell mine a few years back, still regret doing it. I paid 5500 for mine and she was a fine boat. If I had 5k to toss around I’d buy another one.
The 5k isn’t necessarily your problem. Lots and lots of used boats on the market right now. Your problem is 22’ garage. Considering the trailer tongue, that is not going to hold a very large boat. I’m thinking 16ft might be pushing it. My 21 needs at least 30’ worth of garage. Good news is you could hinge the trailer tongue and get a few more feet out of it. That said, a 16 - 18 ft. skiff might serve you well. They are wide, stable, and can hold a lot of weight/people. A Carolina Skiff 1765 semi-v would be a good choice, if you could find one.
The garage is a tricky constraint, but will keep me from buying a bigger piece of junk for the same money. I have to figure a 22’ craft at $5k is going to be pretty rough.
Looking at 17’ and smaller (I’m thinking I can squeeze a 17’ in at the right angle, maybe with the closet door open in the back for the engine to stick through) it seems most are speced for not more than 6 people. Weight-wise the 2 families I mentioned come in at under 1000 lbs. Would I be breaking regs and good boating sense to go with weight instead of headcount for a shuttle ride up the back of IOP?
The whaler is always on the list, but 15.5 is a little smaller than I think I need for the family requirement. Do they make up for it in deck capacity and load carrying? Anyone know the montauk’s capacity range? McGee craft has also caught my eye. I’ve seen a rare McGee in my range once or twice, but never a whaler 17. I’m going to keep looking for a bargain on one of those. FlatCaster, where can I see more info on the one you know about?
The flats boats with those low gunnels seem too specialized for my needs. Especially with a croud on board, they seem too swampable. Am I just uneducated?
I want a kayak too. Catching reds on a kayak sounds like a hoot, and you can’t beat them for the sneak-factor. My fleet will include one or two before I’m satisfied. But, as mentioned, they do not address all that I am looking to do.
A buddy in another town came across a Key West Sportsman 17’ with 90 Yamaha today in my range. Sound too good to be true? They draft 8-10 and have decent gunnels and quality reputation, right? Anyone have one? Educated opinions?
I’m going to go measure the odd angles in my garage now. Geometry may be my savior.
I don’t think you are going to be able to find a boat that will fit in your garage that is capable of handling 4 adults and 4 kids. I was in the same situation and sold my 17 Mitchell, it was nowhere near big enough. My V20 Wellcraft is big enough, but its too big for your garage. 17 mantauk is probably the best choice for what you are trying to do,you’re going to have to pass on carrying 8 people.
The 5k isn’t necessarily your problem. Lots and lots of used boats on the market right now. Your problem is 22’ garage. Considering the trailer tongue, that is not going to hold a very large boat. I’m thinking 16ft might be pushing it. My 21 needs at least 30’ worth of garage. Good news is you could hinge the trailer tongue and get a few more feet out of it. That said, a 16 - 18 ft. skiff might serve you well. They are wide, stable, and can hold a lot of weight/people. A Carolina Skiff 1765 semi-v would be a good choice, if you could find one.
It ain’t no mystery…this beer’s history!
I put my 18 foot boat in a 19 foot garage...just sayin:wink:
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
You can make the trailer shorter by removing the tongue bolts and add pins the can be removed.I cut my old trailer and lost about 3 feet of length and that let me get the rig into the garage.Had a friend that hinged the bar.Pull pin raise the tow bar straight up.
8 people is too many in a 17 foot boat. That size boat you need to have like 2 adults and 2 kids at the most. Or 2 men for fishing. 17’ is too small for off shore. You need a 21 footer and it will not go in the garage. Here is a photo of mine. I only put 2 to 3 men in my boat at a time. I have had 5 3 adults and 2 children but its not comfy.
This boat is well over $5,000 its not a Whaler, a Whaler will be 20 % more for the same size boat. Both serve well as an inshore 2 man fishing flats boat. You might re-think a little. Get a boat cover.
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16’ McKee-Craft 90-hp Johnson. Fast dry and un-sinkable
Unfortunately, the neighborhood does not allow visible boats. The size is a fixed constraint; the number of people is a nice-to-have.
That said, from what I’ve seen, the Montauk is rated for 7 people. It won’t be comfy, but it will be legal at 7. I’d read somewhere that capacity is rated in both headcount and weight, and that, while you should never exceed the weight, the headcount can be pushed (provided the PFCs are sufficient). Anyone know for sure what the law is?
It will be a rare-if-ever event when I’d have to put the extended family of 8 on board, and would be a slow shuttle to a destination. Lack of comfort will just guarantee that I get my fishing boat back sooner .
I’ve been on a Scout 17, and agree it’s a great boat. Anyone have an opinion on the Key West 17s? TheHullTruth folks don’t tear it up too badly, which says a lot for a non-whaler. It is only rated for 5, but I’ve found one well within budget that was made this century.
Cpt Curt, I like the Mckee story, except that they went bankrupt. Sounds like a solid boat at a slight discount to whalers. I’ve never been on one though. As far as the used market, you might be surprised what is out there. I recently saw one for $2900 out by Augusta. Generally I think they’ve been in the $6-8 range though. Not too far off to negotiate. Do you mind sharing what your capacity plate reads?
Folks, I debate a little to learn, but I really appreciate your educated input. I know only a little, and want to make sure I understand my options in this market before making the decision. $5k is not much, but it’s more than I want to throw away on an uninformed purchase.
I have a Key West 1720cc with a 115hp motor. 3 adults can fish comfortably. 4 adults ride comfortably. I think you could ride with 2 adults and 3 kids…but I wouldnt take 5 adults. This is for the Center Console…3 adults and I top out at 47mph. I usually cruise at 35mph. I like my boat…but wish I had the Dual Console Key West instead. I dont think this will meet your needs.
i am not expert by any mode or means, my top three favorite boat makers are grady white, scout, and pioneer. i have the same issuse with my neighborhood, no boats allowed in driveway (a ridiculous rule in the lowcountry). my 17.5 cc grady will not fit in my garage. the trailer is 2 inches too wide (i have single garage doors). even if it fit width wise the leaning post on the cc is too tall to fit. i would think that any t top boat will not fit in any garage. the trailer tongue is also an issue. check total trailer length, width and height of boat as it sits on trailer
Second Stonoman’s recommendation on the trailer modification. I have a 22ft deep garage with a 18ft Polar Skiff backed straight into it. You can have the trailer modified to where you remove the tounge and actuallt still be able to walk around the front of the boat with the garage door closed. (Assuming it’s a galvanized trailer)
Basically:
>I had the dealer cut the tounge just beyond the winch mounting post
>Drill a hole in the trailer remaining trailer toung to accept a standard hitch lock
>On the hitch end of the tounge,had a piece of 3" square galanized tubing cut down, inserted and welded with @ 1ft sticking out.
> At this point the cut tounge can now be inserted into the trailer tounge and locked.
>I thought this approach far superior to the “hinged” option.
I do want pictures, or better, if you’re in or near Mt. Pleas, can I take a look? You guys have about sold me on the Montauk for capacity and all-around versatility. There are some out there in my price range, especially if I’m willing to drive a bit.
What are your thoughts on getting a boat in this range surveyed? What do you think it might cost? Any recommendations for who? Again, it’s not a lot of money, but more than I want to waste.
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