Ok guys need a few opinions. I currently have a 16.5 foot Bass Tracker Pro, its an older boat but runs great. Problem I have is its just to narrow for my likes. I like fishing EVERYWHERE, lake, rivers, flats, and want to try the jetties. Fish, shrimp, gig, bow hunting…I been looking around and cant decide, bay boats handle the chop nicer, flats and bass boats have the awesome deck space, wanna stay center console though, and would like to be able to take more than two out if i decide to joy ride. I see the pros and cons of all the boats, but what are your opinions of an all around boat?
For me it’s all about compromise. The bigger your CC get’s, the deeper the draft, closing off more and more of the back water. The smaller it gets, the less hull you have to cut the waves off shore. I have a 22’ CC. It has a draft somewhere about 14" I believe. So I can take her up the deeper creeks and back water, but still run 60 miles off on 3 foot at 6 seconds or better kind of days. I felt it was a good “middle ground” boat. I can fit my whole family on it (me, my wife and four kids) plus a couple more if needs be for harbor cruising and such. Plus the price is great because it’s not a 30 foot hull, nor is it a sleek, custom flats boat. So it was the perfect fit for me to catch Red’s, Mahi, and some sun at Morris Island.
i went the same way when i was purchasing. i can still get may back in the marsh in my boat but pretty far offshore. The more I get to go offshore the less I want to spend offshore.
The more I get to go offshore the less I want to spend offshore.
2006 pioneer 197 SF 150 4s
went the other way for me! I’m already scheming on how to have a bigger boat and still be able to fish inshore (ie, how to convince the wife I need TWO boats…)
Bay boats are always a pretty good bet around here - not particularly great at any one thing, but good enough at a lot of things. Although it can be hard to draw a definite line between flats boat/bay boat/regular ole center console - it means different things to different manufacturers. There are tons of great “bay boats” out there, with a pretty big range of size, draft, features, performance, etc. Some are strictly fishing machines, some are more family friendly, some have a super shallow draft, some have a deeper vee, etc etc.
Sounds like you should be looking for a bay boat with a good front platform and shallower draft. Most will have two jump seats in the back and one in front of the console - I have that type of layout and it’s no problem to take my family plus another family of four to the beach. I have a couple of small bean bags for the kids to ride on, frees up some seating for the adults.
If you have the budget get something you can take offshore and to the jetties more. Down the road you can pick up a jon boat in good condition for under $3000.00 and fish the backwater, rivers, flats, creeks and shallow water lakes in.
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
sounds like you need a moderate V hull with low sides/bow and plenty of deck space. Pathfinder 22 & 22 Sportman Bay on the $$$ side, used Sea Pro SV19 or SV2100 for less $$ - Sea Hunt, Nautic Star, Sea Fox and everything else in between.
I think a used SV2100 is the best bang for your buck.
I have a sea pro 21 bay (sv2100) and i love it. I rides like a caddilac,has plenty of room to fish, and was not overly expensive. I looked at the sportsman the other day to kill time when i was getting a fuel line made at Hanckle and I like everything but the interrior layout. my sea pro has more room to move around while not on the casting deck. I saw a fighting lady yellow bay boat that looked like a kenner on coleman for sale. Could not tell because i was moving pretty fast but i think it was a kenner. No label on it so iam going by looks. May want to ride over that way and check it out. Its on the right if you are heading to sullivans. Kenner made some good boats. Now the kenners make bay boats under the name frontier. there are a ton of boat manufactors that make bay boats. Many of the owners sell the companies and then start a new one. Sometimes, when this happens the quality of the product changes too. So, boats can be tricky. Take your time,research and ask questions on here when you have them.
I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
Mines a 22’ CC Seminole marine with a 130 HP yamaha, with a 100 gallon fuel tank. takes me out deep when I want to go, but also a great creek boat and cruisin boat that I can load 8 people on, and have a great time.
Thanks for all the help. Still mowing it over and will be making a choice soon, more than likely a 18 foot cc. We will see what the fishing gods have in store
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