So I have about a month left here in Afghanistan, and i’m itching to come home and go fishing again. I live in Rock Hill right now, but go to school at CofC, so I do a lot of fishing down in Charleston when I can, and will hopefully find a place to live there after I get my degree. Anyways, I’ve been looking at boats on Craigslist for a few weeks. My dad and I were thinking about getting a walk-around cuddy cabin, but I thought it would be a better idea to start out with a smaller boat so that I can get used to driving a boat and so that I can learn my way around the water. I was thinking maybe a Carolina Skiff or another smaller center console. Something to get me around inshore. Not wanting to spend more than $10,000. I doubt i’d be able to go out and fish the jetties in something as small as what i’m looking for…but who knows. Anyone have any suggestions?
First off, thanks for your service. I have seen people out in the jetties in aluminum john boats, small flats boats, and everything in between. I have been out there plenty of times in a Triton TS17 aluminum bass boat with no issues. However, I usually picked my days because it can get rough in the habor if a storm comes up quickly. Others might disagree, but I think you would be fine at the jetties in a skiff on a good day. I would not venture outside of the jetties in something that small though–at least not very far anyway.
As far as suggestions…I sold that TS17 about nine months ago, and I do not know anyone selling a boat right now. My Dad bought a 1650 Alumacraft with a 50 Etec package brand new for a little over $10,000. It’s a great fishing boat, and I would take it to the jetties on a good day. Others on this forum might have a boat for sale on the forum though. Good luck.
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
My opinion,
Something like a 17 Key West or similar ought to give you enough on the water experience to help you realize where you want to focus most of your on the water activities. That size / style range is large enough to not beat you up in the chop, etc…but small enough to get you in the shallower stuff as well. There is no perfect size boat. You will have to figure out what you want to do the most often.
Also, a boat like I mentioned above can be found readily and sold pretty quickly in this area for the approximate price you mentioned.
Go fishing in some other boats to see if you like that style.
Hit me up if you want to try out a 19 bay boat. By the time you’re back, I’ll be going after reds in the flats. Hopefully trout too if they didn’t freeze. I’ll also be hitting the nearshore reefs on calmer days.
Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
x2 with emptypockets, i think a key west or something similar in that size range is a good first boat. Take your time, don’t rush into a boat. Plenty of good deals out there if you take your time, you can get a well maintained boat for a good price. I would try and stay away from boats with large bowrails, can be a real pain if you plan on throwing a net.
I’ve actually seen a good handful of Key Wests in the 16-18ft range that I like. I’m pretty picky when it comes to looking for a boat, even though it’s my first. I just thought I would do a lot of window shopping here so that by the time i’m back home and ready to buy a boat, i’ll know what’s a good deal and what isn’t. I’ve seen some nice bay boats also @SSFiero. I plan on looking into doing some fishing with a bunch of you guys on the site, and maybe getting on some different boats to see what I like. I was somewhat active on this forum a while back when I was in school before I left (mostly for surf fishing). Really can’t wait to come back and get back out on the water. Thanks of all of the input guys.
SPC Horney, Michael
251st ASMC SCARNG
Islander Caster 12.5’ Fishing Kayak
My Key West was the perfect starter boat for me. Not only did it help me learn the ‘rules of the road’ so to speak, it also taught me how to fix just about everything on a boat (the hard way).
FWIW I grabbed this one off Craigslist for $7500 about 4 years ago. I would actually second empty pocket’s suggestion and say you should look for a 1720 or something in that range. Basically the same thing as the 1900 but just a little less room all over. You can probably fit it in a garage though.
I believe the newer 17’ KW hulls come with at least an 18 degree deadrise, right? I know my brother in law’s actually rides better than my 1900 in rough water because they revised the design.
The key is to get something cheap to learn on because you might find out that its not exactly what you want and if you spent too much its harder to get rid of. I’m at the point now where I know what I want, and its not what I have. I still love my boat, but if I could buy a new one right now it wouldn’t be this boat. Since I didn’t spend too much I should be able to get back what I paid for this first one when I’m ready to sell and step up to the next.
2002 Key West 1900CC
I have a 20’ SeaHunt dual console for sale with a 130 honda (700hrs) that I am selling. Trimtabs, wrap around weather curtains, new lowrance elite 5, $1800 new cushions, great shape. I have fished this boat out 30 miles many times.
I won’t be purchasing a boat till at least this Summer. I’m kinda window shopping right now. Trying to get an idea of what I should get and how much I should spend.
SPC Horney, Michael
251st ASMC SCARNG
Islander Caster 12.5’ Fishing Kayak
quote:
Originally posted by mphorneyI won’t be purchasing a boat till at least this Summer. I’m kinda window shopping right now. Trying to get an idea of what I should get and how much I should spend.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Nothing is as valuable as time spent on a boat. If you spent 3 years paying for gas on every boat that you went out on once you get back, you will have likely spent less money than if you bought a boat the day you got back. DON’T buy a boat until you get your boat time in.
quote:
Originally posted by BiggerthanYoursquote:
Originally posted by mphorneyI won’t be purchasing a boat till at least this Summer. I’m kinda window shopping right now. Trying to get an idea of what I should get and how much I should spend.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Nothing is as valuable as time spent on a boat. If you spent 3 years paying for gas on every boat that you went out on once you get back, you will have likely spent less money than if you bought a boat the day you got back. DON’T buy a boat until you get your boat time in.
That’s good marriage advice also…
quote:
Originally posted by Mixed Nutz
It’s in pretty good shape for the shape it’s in!
As soon as I saw your post I was thinking the Key West 1720. Then I saw almost everyone else suggest it too! That boat is a proven winner in this area and a great starter boat.Good for shrimping too. There are always some available too. Take your time though and find the right one.
Would a 1720 be big enough to safely fish the jetties, or would I be better off going for a 1900?
SPC Horney, Michael
251st ASMC SCARNG
Islander Caster 12.5’ Fishing Kayak
17 is big enough, but I have a feeling that eventually you will wish you had the 19. it is just more comfortable, as that extra 2 ft makes a big difference. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a 17ft boat. Especially, for a first boat. Folks fish the jetties in boats that small and smaller all the time, just may have to pick your days. My first boat was a 17ft and i thoroughly enjoyed it. I had it for three or four years and then got a 21ft bay boat, which i like much more. I work on boats everyday and really study hull shape,and layouts. I also look for pros and cons of each boat as well.Feel free to give me a call if you want to talk about boats. 843 718 5309
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
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If you don’t mind looking to the South, you will probably find better prices overall in Florida. I usually end up selling them for more than I paid. Wait till a deal comes along and be prepared to jump on the opportunity. For 10k I found a 23 Dusky that I enjoyed for 4 years and then sold for 16k. You will probably be happier with a little larger than 17 foot. Good luck. I will keep my eyes open for you.
kms
Sure, go for the 19 if you can swing it. I had the KW 1900 Sportsman as my first boat. It will handle the jetties fine but be a little more difficult to fish the rivers. It is significantly easier to anchor and re-anchor the 1720. If you ever want to fish the flats or put a trolling motor on it then I think you should be looking at the 1720. It can get you to the jetties on a good day, but the 1900 won’t get you on the flats.
Chasman, it’s funny you mention that because the other day I went on Craigslist and started looking in Florida areas thinking maybe I would have a better chance at finding a good boat there. I feel like Florida, overall, is more of a “fishing state.” If I can find a good enough deal on a 19ft, I’m definitely going for that. Just really want to get home and start trying different boats out so that I can start doing some serious shopping. I have another question. Is there a “rule of thumb” for buying older motors? Do people go off how many hours it has or what year it is? Or is it a combination of both? I’ve found some good deals on boats, but the motors are pretty old.
SPC Horney, Michael
251st ASMC SCARNG
Islander Caster 12.5’ Fishing Kayak
Plenty of good ideas for a boat name no matter what you buy…
A Carolina Skiff is a phenomenal beginner boat. Not much you can’t do with one. They are very safe, inexpensive, and fish flats, lakes, jetties, bays, etc. Sure they won’t ride as smooth as a v hull, but you will have lots of room, and can upgrade later. A 198 DLV with a 115 would be a good choice.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
quote:
Originally posted by mphorneyChasman, it’s funny you mention that because the other day I went on Craigslist and started looking in Florida areas thinking maybe I would have a better chance at finding a good boat there. I feel like Florida, overall, is more of a “fishing state.” If I can find a good enough deal on a 19ft, I’m definitely going for that. Just really want to get home and start trying different boats out so that I can start doing some serious shopping. I have another question. Is there a “rule of thumb” for buying older motors? Do people go off how many hours it has or what year it is? Or is it a combination of both? I’ve found some good deals on boats, but the motors are pretty old.
SPC Horney, Michael
251st ASMC SCARNGIslander Caster 12.5’ Fishing Kayak
Just to keep in mind, depending on how old a motor you’re looking at, it won’t have an hour meter. Mine did not. When you find something you think you’re ready to buy take it to a nearby dealer/service area and have them give it a once over. I think I paid $60 for a limited inspection and it ended up saving me $500 on price because they said the trim motor was about dead, which I used to negotiate.
2002 Key West 1900CC