Hi, I’m new to the area and never owned a boat. I’m in the early stages of changing all that. I live near Limehouse bridge, John’s Island and would put in there.
I have 5 children and a wife and we’d all like to enjoy the boat. I’m a novice fisherman at best and my goal is to do a lot of fishing. But this is a family purchase so it needs to accomodate my family. I’m thinking a pontoon would be the best option for all of us, but how would a pontoon perform on the Stono and other waterways? I know the currents move pretty good.
Can anyone offer me some advice or make a recommendation for a boat I may want to consider. I’m looking in the $8k to $12k range.
I would plan to take some classes to learn how to operate a boat in these waters and learn as much as I can about the area. Safety and proper etiquette are of high importance.
Thanks for you help.
Salt Life Travis
“The Son is the radiance of God?s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Hebrews 1:3
Don’t see many saltwater pontoons around here. If there are 7 of you and your budget is $8 to $12k, you are going to be looking at an older boat I’m afraid. Best of luck to you though. As a father of two, I can say you already have your hands full without adding a boat to the mix!
I think you missed the local boat shows which is too bad. We had one here in Charleston in January and I believe there was one in Savannah last weekend. It would have been great for you and your family to get in and really look at the different types of boats out there. As Occams mentioned, you will be looking for something a bit older at that price range, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
I don?t think I have seen any pontoons out and about in coastal creeks, but I?m not really sure why. We had a lot of them in the lake and river where I grew up and they were nice relaxing boats with a lot of room.
If you?re looking at buying a boat to do a lot of fishing, I don?t think you can beat a center console. Fitting 7 people on one comfortable for fishing might be tough depending on the ages of your kids and the layout of the boat. Good luck!
Pontoons are all over the place in Marylands salt water bays and rivers. Any weekend behing OCMD you will see 100’s of them fishing the cuts and ditches. The rivers and bays you will be fine with one. The harbor may be a bit much for your basic toon… If you get a toon, make sure it has enough HP, many only come with 50HP or so to keep the cost down - and they can’t get out of their own way.
I have friends with a 21’ Hurricane Deck boat, 150 yammi HPDI (decent motor), plenty of room for 7 - OK for fishing, price was in your range. Look for a early/mid 2000’s model. The boat is fine for the harbor and even the jetties on the right days.
If I were to find something like this, what kind of money you think it might take to get it going? What’s the cost to rebuild a motor or purhcase a new one? I think a deckboat like this would be ideal and I’d love to have that extra HP. Do you guys know any reputable boat guys who can help restore a boat if I find a fixer upper?
Boats of that generation? Crap shoot on how much to spend. The decks may be made of wood & rotten, the fuel tanks may be shot, the motor could cost a few grand to get going - or it could be in good shape and give you a few good years. Hard to tell.
I agree with the above poster. It’s all about condition and what the boat is constructed of. I recently purchased a 96 model boat but the only wood is in the console but it all depends on the manufacturer
