Newbie here with first post. I live in the Upstate and have $18k to spend on a new boat. This will be my first boat purchase and am looking for some advice. I will be fishing the majority of the time in lakes, but I want the flexibility to fish the marsh in the low country and possibly nearshore if conditions are ok. I am looking at either a skiff, a bay boat, or perhaps another style (ideas?). In addition, my wife and daughter will want a boat comfortable enough to go riding/tubing periodically. Length? I’m thinking 18-22 ft. Power? I haven’t a clue. Any advice from you experienced boaters would be great!
And no, I’m not interested in a Tidal Rail. 
max, do a search on this topic. There have been maybe a dozen threads with this same question asked and very good inputs. General consensus is that a bay boat is the perfect all round machine for Charleston. Your budget should get you a decent one.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
Thanks Optiker. Research it is!
I agree - an 18-21’ Bay Boat is a great all around boat - and might even fit in your garage!
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats
http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats</font id=“size1”>
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
Check with MichiganBen! He has a post in this Forum for a Carolina Skiff that he just MAY be willing to sell. He was asking about storing it long term but may be changing his mind! Seems to be the right size, for what you want? If he wants to store it for 3 years, must not be any thing wrong with it!!! That’s a lot of dough to put out to keep a junker! You might get a deal where everyone wins?
It depends on what you want, If i had 18K for a boat I would by a nice flats boat with the platform,push pole, power pole and a nice depth finder. I currently own a bay boat 17ft Keywest to be exact, which I love but my next boat will be a flats boat. I would definitely go ride in a C skiff before you buy one, they beat you to death and you get wet. My boat has a slight V and cuts through most waves fine. Bay boats are nice in between boats to have, they have a shallow draft for shallow water fishing, and are capable to go offshore, but not to far. I don’t care for the skiers, or walk throughs, good for family not fishing unless you wanna step all over your cushions. I really like the scout Bay boats, they are wider than mine so you have more wiggle room. If you want to fish lakes with the option of marsh I say flats boat. They have a big deck front and back, gunnel rod storage, platform for flats fishing, and wide cross beams for more room to walk around. just my opinion though but if you go flats look at Hewes, Actioncraft, and Keywest they make some good ones
1996 Key West Sportsman
112 Johnson
quote:
Originally posted by FishinFerRedsIt depends on what you want, If i had 18K for a boat I would by a nice flats boat with the platform,push pole, power pole and a nice depth finder. I currently own a bay boat 17ft Keywest to be exact, which I love but my next boat will be a flats boat. I would definitely go ride in a C skiff before you buy one, they beat you to death and you get wet. My boat has a slight V and cuts through most waves fine. Bay boats are nice in between boats to have, they have a shallow draft for shallow water fishing, and are capable to go offshore, but not to far. I don’t care for the skiers, or walk throughs, good for family not fishing unless you wanna step all over your cushions. I really like the scout Bay boats, they are wider than mine so you have more wiggle room.
Bay Boat is probably the SUV of the water. I have a 22’ bay that I can comfortably take my family of 5 out tubing and fishing while still running out by myself to fish. Take the $18k and find you a good newly used bay. While I love a flats boat, for the wife and child, I wouldn’t recommend it. No gunnel height; your wife will feel safer with the child in a boat with more side height.
1996 Key West Sportsman
112 Johnson
How do you fish?
If you like to go after tailing reds with the Fly or Spin rod, the Flats Boat may the ticket.
On the other hand - if you like to anchor and fish behind the boat, the Flats Boat can be tough, as you sit at the helm looking forward.
Take kids tubing?
NearShore Reef?
all questions you must ask …
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats
http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats</font id=“size1”>
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
Good stuff, Gents. Thanks for the replies. ALot of questions I need to ask for sure. How do I fish?..Currently I have been trolling (friends boat) for striper on Lake Hartwell and some anchored for catfish. Plan to take the kids tubing?..Yes! I suspect that I will saltwater fish in the marsh almost exclusively (when saltwater fishing) maybe venturing nearshore when I get my sea legs and more experience, but 90% of the time will be lakes. I agree that I need to take a few test rides before I decide to take the leap. I will be down to the Charleston area in a few weeks and again in October, plan to get a guide to do some inshore fishing or just take some test rides. Anyone need an additional fisherman or two? Please keep me in mind. I’ll gladly pay my share of gas/bait etc., and certainly help wash the gear and boat afterward…and of course supply the ice cold beverages to boot!
Great website, Man! Thanks in advance!
Bay boats are great for fishing, but the family may not like them. Little kids? Think of higher freeboard/safety. The harbor gets snotty with boat wakes, wind/tide chop. Offshore from time to time - all this led me to a true CC. Plenty of models out there that fit the family/fishing equation. Sea Hunt, Sea Pro, Key West just to name a few - all make family fishing models that can easily be found used. We went with a 08’ Sea Pro 18’6. Boat is perfect for mulitple uses - fishing/family/cruising/beaching, and it provides some level of comfort in the chop.
I’ve been looking at Butler Marine, they have a couple of CC Trophy 1903’s, a 2006 & 2009 both within my price range. Looks like a nice boat, nicely loaded, but I do’t know much about them.
If I was going to spend several tens of thousands of dollars on a piece of recreational equipment, I’d figure out what makes a good one and what doesn’t. First things that come to mind…
No structural wood, at all. Not in the console. Not anywhere. Wood accents are pretty.
Fully hand laid hull.
If you’re going to ever use it outside the jetties, a self-baling floor.
After recent experience, I’d never buy a boat that does not allow for removing the fuel tank. I just had to replace the tank in my HenryO. It has a removable screwed-in floor panel over the fuel tank hold. If that panel had not been there, the old girl may have been done.
More deadrise (how flat or not-flat the hull is) gives a smoother ride and eats more fuel. The older I get, the more willing I am to pay for fuel. But, this eats into range.
Any manufacturer worth considering will tell you how they build the outer hull including the fiberglass lay up schedule.
A high quality hull will last a very long time. A lower quality hull may be cheaper to buy. But, you will be buying another eventually making the initial ‘low’ cost, somewhat more expensive. A high quality hull will give you more back if/when you sell.
What kind of tow vehicle do you have/plan to buy?
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott
“What kind of tow vehicle do you have/plan to buy?”
I have a 2011 Ford F150 Lariot 4x4
197 Pioneer would be a good boat for you, just by listening to your wants. May have to search for one, but they could be had for $18k or there about.
A Pioneer is a tough find for $18k. But the fun is in the hunt! Anyone have experience with a Triumph 195 CC, '06, with Honda 115?
Let me give you my .02, anything made by trophy is made by bayliner which may be the biggest piece of junk on the water. I’ve rigged a few of them and you can see light shining through the sides on some of the older ones. Not something I’d want to be in when the water gets rough!!! Plus I don’t think they could use cheaper switches, hardware and electronics if they could.
Yep, Tigerfin I’m finding many opinions and reviews through my research. But I’m not finding alot about certain makes. For example, Triumph (reference my prior post). Not sure if it has the quality and toughness I’m looking for.
I’ve got a 2006 McKee Craft 184 Marathon. It is perfect for what I do (exactly what you want to do). I was wanting a bay boat, but I had a brand new baby girl when I bought mine, so I opted for the higher sides. I really like it with the 140 Suzuki four stroke. I got a great deal from a guy that took immaculate care of it. They are unsinkable but also heavy. It floats high in the water but is extremely stable and dry. Also handles rough water well. I saw a few 19’ marathons on boattrader last week. They were both in fl. Though, but both were in your price range.
maddmax, check your PM
Sea Hunt 260