So you wouldn’t feel necessary to upgrade a Helix 7 or Garmin 741xs if offered on boat? Not going to be used for offshore use more than a handful of times per year.
Don’t forget the vhf and a quality antenna. Don’t go cheap on the antenna. 8’ mounted on the highest point on the boat. I don’t use a spot. People like them, but it isn’t for me. EPIRB is necessary and will be worth its weight in gold if you ever do need it.
VHF/Antenna are a guarantee
So you narrowed down to Sea Fox, Tidewater, Nautic Star…why did you eliminate Pioneer? With your planning more family time, you might not like the large bait tank? I believe they are a good design, well built and a good value and popular, but hey, that is why they make different flavors. Good luck with your process.
Having owned nine boats over +40 years, I know from experience, it is difficult to figure out what will suit you best, for the next few years. And every one is a compromise. Good thread.
OM
Pioneer 222 Sportfish is a favorite of mine too, but the back seat set up doesn’t work for the family. Not for my family nonetheless.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish is a favorite of mine too, but the back seat set up doesn’t work for the family. Not for my family nonetheless.
Was in your same shoes 2 months ago. After dealing “wish e wash e al” on a sea hunt 235 and broken promises i visited justin at butler marine. Told him what i wanted. 23ft single engine that i could fish offshore and spend time with kids on a sandy beach. we bought a key west 239fs 300 yamaha loaded up pretty good. only fished it twice offshore so far great on gas and more room behind the lean post then any other boat i looked at. Dont know what your budget is but between butler marine and south carolina federal i got way more boat then i thought i could.
Did it cost you between 60-63k? That’s the cost I saw at local dealer on that boat. There were a couple things I wasn’t keen on for that boat and the local dealer here I think I’m done with. Too much BS on my Axis I recently sold.
Almost to the penny after I added hds 12 structure scan and marsh tacky riggers. They were less then the 3 other dealers I called. (Lake city wilmington and georgia). I have just learned that if you get half the attention after the sale as you received before the sale they are a decent dealer