my boat was recently stolen out of our dry storage unit. It wasnt anything fancy…that being said, im looking to buy another flats boat.
looking for something in the
-16’-17’ range
-poling platform
-good stable boat
-new/used
-“moderate” storage
-trolling motor
-oversized front deck
-40hp-60hp motor…tiller/steering wheel
im kind of one a budget…looking to stay under $12,000.00
im open to anything. i have never owned a dedicated flats boat so im kind of excited but at the same time…i dont know where to start as far as manufacturers/brands/builds
i mostly fish the cooper, wando, ICW, bulls bay, the boat will also be used for shrimping. I rarely venture into the harbor
Check out the used boats on this website. You will be drooling. I searched for a long time before I bought my flats boat. Its an older boat but the guy that had it before me took good care of it. I have fun just looking at the boats for sale.
In my opinion htere are 2 types of flats boats, the big water flats boats wich are good to travel across bays and harbours and the micro skiffs for getting way up the creeks. I found a '97 Key West Stealth on Ebay and bought it for 5k w/ a Johnson 115. Put another 1k into it and I’m loving it. Hull is 1000 lbs and really handles the river chop and ICW wakes well.
I see the micro skiffs and they have their place as well, but I’ll run a long way so prefer the big-water type. My advice is to be patient, watch this site, Craigslist and Ebay. The right boat will come especialy in the 12k price range.
Personally I’m sold on the micros after fishing a gheenoe micro a few times… such shallow water and because of weight so many possibilities and polling doesn’t wear you out.
Cracker built custom! If I had the money, the wait would be worth it.
But most people can’t wait and you’ve got some good advice already. Like the others have said, craigslist, on here and don’t forget boattrader. Someone out there is wanting to sell you a good boat.
quote:I'ma bribe cracker larry, go to the front of the line, build mine custom
I can be bought, but the line is still at least a year long, I’m bought and paid for at least until then I’m a one man boat shop, no molds, no undocumented democrats spraying chopped glass here, I build them one at a time by hand, build them right, build them exactly how you want it, but I’m slow. When the fish are biting I quit work and go fishing, so don’t get in a hurry for one If you’re in a hurry, get a production boat, they crank out 100 hulls a week using the cheapest materials and labor possible, I build about 2 a year using the best
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Is that a pretty fair price? From what I’ve found over the last several weeks it seems to be a pretty good deal…without laying eyes on it in person. Owner says everything is fully operational and problem-free. Wonder what a “fair” offer would be…don’t want to drive 10hrs and insult the guy
The above advice is good too.
