I’d like to see if I could encourage this thread back to life. I’ve been reading old threads that had some great information, but I would like some updated thoughts.
I am beginning my search for a 22-25’ boat. Here’s some criteria…
let’s set max budget at around $50k
slight preference to used boats, but don’t rule out new
boat has to be able to fish deep out of SC inlets, so ride and range are important
characteristics in order of importance:
(1) Fishability (livewells, deck space, lack of foldaway and other protruding crap that kills your shins and knees)
(2) comfort (think seaworthy, not cushy)
(3) economy (for both cost and range)
(4) low maintenance (cushions, cup holders, and cabins make for lots of extra cleaning work)
(last) curb appeal
I’ve found a lot of opinion on the local boats (Key West, Sea Hunt, Pioneer, etc) and welcome any more that you might have. I’d also love to hear some of you guys speak up on some the lesser mentioned boats like Sailfish, Edgewater, Dusky, Grady’s and Pursuits. I’ve never been on a catamaran; do they have a place in this comparison? (Freemans don’t count)
Also would like a strong consideration of construction quality. I was just at the Charleston show and I felt a little frustrated/disappointed crawling over most of those boats. Tell me if I’m wrong, but I feel like hardware should be through bolted when possible, using at least a washer or backing plate for support; wiring should not be loosely hanging and heat shrink butt connectors should actually be heated.
Lastly, if you are not comfortable posting your opinions for everyone to see just shoot me a private message; I’ll be down at the Miami show and would really like to go with all the information that I can.
I have owned two 23’ Dusky’s and was impressed by the weight and ride. They weigh as much as a 23 Regulator. I sold both of them for more than I paid for them. Fit and finish is fair, but the ride and resale is great.
I never fail to be amazed at the knowledge to be gained by reading
the posts in these forums. I’ve had a boat of different sorts all
my life and can’t say I really knew anything different other than I liked it or didn’t. There in is my question!!! I now fish a cc 18ft
Key Largo , 90hp yammy 4 stroke , It does what I want ,near and inshore but at or near top end it wants to wander and I have to constantly correct my course, Is this normal and if not any suggestions as to what I might look at???
One more question!!! info on boat lists Palm Beach as mfg,is this the
same mgf that makes the Polar and the Key West;;;just wondering!!!
GW:smiley:
all gave some , some gave all–only two offered to die for you, christ for your sins , the soldier for your freedom!!!
Go with the 23’ Fountain with twin 220 or 225 Opti Pro XS. It’s actually closer to a 26" but listed as a 23’ to be able to fish the 23’ and under class in KMT’s. I’m a fan of the Grady’s, Regulators and Contenders, but there’s nothing like a Fountain. Fished them most of my life from NC to the Bahamas.
21’ Maverick Master Angler
“There’s a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning” -J. Buffett
I’ve been having these same questions for a good year and a half now. Also went by the Charleston Boat show and was wondering if anyone is familiar with Tidewater? They had a 23 and a 25 with pretty aggressive prices. I was also looking hard at the Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish, and my usually ■■■■■■■■, the Key West 244cc. Sportsman, which had been on my list, apparently lost their minds and jacked prices up about $30k, so they’re not really an option any more, which is sad.
I’ve seen a few 23-24 Regulators in this price range ($55-$70k), but they’re generally 8+ years old. I already went through fixing someone else’s problems with my current boat, not sure I wanted to get into that again with a ~$70k one, if you know what I mean.
What ever you choose, don’t rule out going out of state. Florida, Mississippi, and Texas has some pretty good deals on some slightly used high end boats. Might even get lucky and find one that’s only been on a fresh water lake.
before making the plunge, check out the taxes and insurance costs! think about a used boat with new power I have a 44 year old Bertram with new 330hp inboards that has no tax bill! You can buy one for less than $8000 and install new power for 20000 and a good tra for 5000, thats a 1/3 cost of a twin cc.
I’ve been having these same questions for a good year and a half now. Also went by the Charleston Boat show and was wondering if anyone is familiar with Tidewater? They had a 23 and a 25 with pretty aggressive prices. I was also looking hard at the Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish, and my usually ■■■■■■■■, the Key West 244cc. Sportsman, which had been on my list, apparently lost their minds and jacked prices up about $30k, so they’re not really an option any more, which is sad.
I’ve seen a few 23-24 Regulators in this price range ($55-$70k), but they’re generally 8+ years old. I already went through fixing someone else’s problems with my current boat, not sure I wanted to get into that again with a ~$70k one, if you know what I mean.
2002 Key West 1900CC
Just went down to boat show this weekend and crawled all over tons of boats. I don’t remember many specifics on the Tidewater boats, but I’m pretty sure I placed it in line with sportsmans and sea hunts, but not quite has appealing on family boating level. That was my assessment of overall build quality and hardware used.
I can say that I have pretty well concluded that I will be in the market for a solid used older model that is geared towards fishing. I’m lucky that my wife prefers fishy boats to cushy boats, and that’s more what I’m looking for. Later model or new boats that fall in the $50-80k class are very much geared toward seating and cruising. Nearly all these boats have small livewells under a seat or in a corner of the transom, and while I’ve never fished one, I’m guessing this is not ideal. Another major thing that was a negative more me is that many of these boats have a similar folding bench seat in the rear that seems like a pretty massive piece of hardware. I’d be concerned for my knees and shins
I’ve been having these same questions for a good year and a half now. Also went by the Charleston Boat show and was wondering if anyone is familiar with Tidewater? They had a 23 and a 25 with pretty aggressive prices. I was also looking hard at the Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish, and my usually ■■■■■■■■, the Key West 244cc. Sportsman, which had been on my list, apparently lost their minds and jacked prices up about $30k, so they’re not really an option any more, which is sad.
I’ve seen a few 23-24 Regulators in this price range ($55-$70k), but they’re generally 8+ years old. I already went through fixing someone else’s problems with my current boat, not sure I wanted to get into that again with a ~$70k one, if you know what I mean.
2002 Key West 1900CC
Just went down to boat show this weekend and crawled all over tons of boats. I don’t remember many specifics on the Tidewater boats, but I’m pretty sure I placed it in line with sportsmans and sea hunts, but not quite has appealing on family boating level. That was my assessment of overall build quality and hardware used.
I can say that I have pretty well concluded that I will be in the market for a solid used older model that is geared towards fishing. I’m lucky that my wife prefers fishy boats to cushy boats, and that’s more what I’m looking for. Later model or new boats that fall in the $50-80k class are very much geared toward seating and cruising. Nearly all these boats have small livewells under a seat or in a corner of the transom, and while I’ve never fished one, I’m guessing this is not ideal. Another major thing that was a negative more me is
Here’s my question… You can buy a nice used 23’ regulator or contender for the same price as a used 25-26’ sailfish/Grady/cobia. Which would ride better in the ocean? Higher quality or more LOA? Have any of you more experienced captains been able to ride both and compare?
As for the Pioneer pricing, you can definitely find more reasonable numbers than $75k. One guy I spoke with claims he saved $20k by purchasing from a dealer in Florida as opposed to local. I really like supporting local, but that’s a savings I could not pass up.
quote:You know more about boats than I ever will; do you have any input on my question above?
Thanks for your confidence. I think this is the question you are asking?
quote: You can buy a nice used 23' regulator or contender for the same price as a used 25-26' sailfish/Grady/cobia. Which would ride better in the ocean? Higher quality or more LOA? Have any of you more experienced captains been able to ride both and compare?
That’s a difficult, or delicate question for me to answer. I’d always take quality over quantity. In a bad ocean I’d rather be in a good 18’ boat than a crappy 27’.
I build one of a kind custom boats so I have a higher quality standards than most production boats. I also do some rebuilds and have cut out rotten transoms and decks from most major brands. I’ve been on most major brands in the ocean and seen how they behave.
And I also do some marine surveying and have to remain impartial to brand name and judge each boat on it’s individual merit and condition. I won’t put down any builder in general, unless they are horrible. Sometimes a boat built on Wednesday is better than a boat built on Monday. It takes me a year to build a boat, so I hit all the days. They crank out a couple every day.
Sometimes 2 identical boats of the same model from the same builder will vary greatly in construction. I recommend a hull survey on any boat more than 20K, even if it’s brand new. I looked at a brand new boat a while back, 27’, that didn’t have any glass down the keel. None. Gel coat sprayed over foam. They didn’t get glass in the mold down the keel[:0] We sent it back to the factory.
I love my new tidewatwer 23 CC. Have a 250 yamaha on it and it is has been great. Have had it 25-35 miles off so far half a dozen times this winter and am very impressed by how well it rides. Got a good deal on it from a dealer in NC about 10k less than your budget loaded with electronics and a custom cover. It’s wide too with a 8’10" beam…one of the widest in its class. 21 degree deadrise at the trasnsom. Of the top of my head fuel burn at 3400 rpm is 3.72 gph -ish… Have only ate spray once coming in to the jetties with a hard outgoing tide and picking up SW wind. She’s fairly heavy too for its class at 3200 lbs. I’m a fan
Thank you for the very thorough reply. I can certainly understand your position to remain impartial given your business. Hopefully I can work my way over to you in the next few months. I have a little boat that I would like for you to take a look at, and I would love to pick your brain in person.
Again, thanks so much. I am always impressed by your knowledge and your gracious character.
Baracuda-
I am very intrigued by cat boats. I intend on either catching a ride or chartering one this summer. No matter how many people I have asked, I can’t seem to get a grasp on what is so “different” about cat boats. The idea that they can provide a comfortable and efficient ride makes me think I would be a candidate. From my experience on boats, many of the deep V’s out there can handle a lot more than my body wants to handle. I think it’s great that they can run 30 in a 5ft sea, but I am not a fan of that big swell that comes out of nowhere and slams the sense out of you.
Some people have told me there is an “unsafe” feeling with riding in a twin hull in certain conditions. Is there any merit to this?
