Not sure about everyone else, but if I am going to spend $400,000 and up for a 30 plus foot off shore fishing machine, I expect more than 14 rod holders. That is one of the first things I check out. My little 22 foot Pioneer has 21 without counting the under gunnel ones. Don’t get me wrong, very pretty and lots of bells and whistles but big name brands somewhat lacking in the bare essentials. Big center consoles that were more party/cruising barges than fishing boats.
Is’t the Pioneer pretty (**() near $100k now? Edit: built one with a 300, hard top, and a few of the common options I’m looking for and its $85k. 
2002 Key West 1900CC
Mine was $64K in 2014 with all the electronics I added , but I had the 250 Yamaha and canvas T Top. With what you have that is probably about right. The 26 footer was $143,000 last year. I didn’t check its price this year, but it had plenty of rod holders, 27 I think with several around the bow area.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
Boat process are ridiculous. Unless I win the lottery, I can’t see myself ever buying a new one.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
Buy a used top tier 3pc boat and don’t look back. You get a whole lot more boat for the money. I loved my 222sf but it doesn’t hold a candle to my current boat in quality. Not much difference in the price when it boils down to it.
Mark
Southport 28TE
2X Yamaha F250
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
I’ve attended the show every year and am just starting to test the waters on a new boat, so we went again this year. The one thing that strikes me odd is how people will drop $100k+ on a boat they haven’t even test driven. There was one boat in particular that we looked at, kind of liked and I wanted to get some info on, but right before we could speak to the rep (a friend of mine), someone walked up to him. I waved and told him I’d come back. Not 15 mins later, he goes running by and told me he’d sold the boat we were kind of eyeing. These people are spending over $100k after a 5-10 minute conversation without ever really stepping foot on the boat. Crazy.
quote:
Originally posted by wisertimeI’ve attended the show every year and am just starting to test the waters on a new boat, so we went again this year. The one thing that strikes me odd is how people will drop $100k+ on a boat they haven’t even test driven. There was one boat in particular that we looked at, kind of liked and I wanted to get some info on, but right before we could speak to the rep (a friend of mine), someone walked up to him. I waved and told him I’d come back. Not 15 mins later, he goes running by and told me he’d sold the boat we were kind of eyeing. These people are spending over $100k after a 5-10 minute conversation without ever really stepping foot on the boat. Crazy.
Typically, the sell is “pending” the test drive. So, you always have a way out of the sell.
I agree with all of the above. And after seeing new boat prices, and some of what’s possible restoring an older boat, I’d rather dump the money into building my own version of a boat from an older hull.
The black '72 SeaCraft “Cruise Control” that Nick Christ and Holy City Boatworks built (same peeps who helped me) is a picture perfect example of this. I hope you all got a chance to check it out at the show.
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
Unless you have the coin and hankering for buying new, it’s a waste of money to do so. Too many good deals out there on late-model and refitted older boats for much less than that bright shiny new boat-show deal.
“Never argue with an idiot…he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”
quote:When a 26ft bayboat with a 300 has a price tag of 140K it makes a 10 year old 26ft regulator look like a steal at 80k
Originally posted by leadenwahboyI agree with all of the above. And after seeing new boat prices, and some of what’s possible restoring an older boat, I’d rather dump the money into building my own version of a boat from an older hull.
The black '72 SeaCraft “Cruise Control” that Nick Christ and Holy City Boatworks built (same peeps who helped me) is a picture perfect example of this. I hope you all got a chance to check it out at the show.
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
After being released, a lot of fish die, but a lot of them live also.
Finally Fritz and I agree on something.
Mark
Southport 28TE
2X Yamaha F250
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