Sooo…we just sold the 22’ Center Console and now just have the '00 1720 Key West that I purchased in Sept ‘10 to replace the 15’ Scout we had.
The 22’er was too big for much of what we did other than 2-3 offshore trips a year and the Key West gets small with 4 people on board. I also had to pay to keep the 22’er at a storage lot, but the KW fits nicely beside the house and leaves some room for other “toys”.
I’m looking at the mid-2000’s Sea Pro SV1900 and Sea Fox Bay Fisher 19 as a “middle-of-the-road” boat that will allow me to be a one boat owner again.
I know Sea Pro and Sea Fox aren’t in the same class as Scout, Pathfinder and Shearwater. However, it’s usually just me and the wife and maybe another couple on board for trips to a sandbar or one of the local beaches. Then there is my inshore/nearshore fishing (or attempts at it) and shrimping.
So, I’m interested in what y’all have to say about the 19’ Sea Pro and Sea Fox for our purposes. Quality of construction, ride, performance, etc. included.
If these are the two choices that you are left with, then you need to save your money a little longer. I wouldn’t waste my time or money or either brand. Just my .02
If these are the two choices that you are left with, then you need to save your money a little longer. I wouldn’t waste my time or money or either brand. Just my .02
That’s real helpful. And don’t concern yourself with my need to save more money. I can afford MUCH more boat…I don’t have KIDS.
SeaPro is out of business. I would guess that there is a reason for this. SeaFox is just a dressed up Renken. Its still $^&*! Sure, there are a lot of SeaPro boats still on the water, but they were a price point boat that got a lot of new boaters on the water when any idiot with a 300+ beacon score could finance a boat for 15yrs. Does not mean that it is a good boat.
I could go on and on about how crappy SeaFox boats are, and we all know the truth. You get what you pay for. I don’t care how good a warranty is. If it is in the shop more for repairs or recalls than on the water, there is an issue. Like I said, choose another brand and put some more money towards it. There are some really great used boat deals out there right now. You do not have to settle.
Been on my friend’s 19 Sea Pro many times. It is one of the best laid out boats on the market in that size range. If you are looking for a good comfortable boat that you can cruise and fish, it is a good choice. The quality is fair, but you can probably get one for a good price. Scuppers are not well designed and let water in if you have two people in the back. I think most people have plugged them.
All in all I like the boat. Certainly there are better quality boats but I like the layout and fishability of the Sea Pro 19. I think Tidewater purchased the mold for the 19 Sea Pro if you are looking for a newer model. Tidewater’s quality is on par with Sea Pro. I wouldn’t let the fact that they are out of business dissuade you - in this market a lot of manufacturers, some good, some bad are out of business.
I have a 2000 Sea Pro 180CC, its not the bay boat, but I love it and its paid for. Sure there are better boats out there, but I am very happy with mine and I will probably use it till it sinks. Then patch it and use it some more. There are scads of the same boat as mine out on the water. It was a very popular boat.
My neighbor has the same vintage SP 19 bay, and its a good solid boat. Cuts chop better than mine. Good amount of room. I think it would be a good choice.
Got another neighbor with a Sea Fox 19 (older model, not the same as what you are looking at) and its a great boat for inshore, IMO. Not all of us have the budget for a Pathfinder.
quote:SeaPro is out of business. I would guess that there is a reason for this.
The reason had nothing to do with the quality of boat they built.
Simply a corporate move by Brunswick to gain market share in the Mid-teir boat business.
SeaPro made good quality Mid-teir boats. Probably a better quality boat than SeaFox as far as hardware and fit/finish. If you find one that hasn’t been abused it should give many years of service.
I had a 21’ 05 SeaPro bay. Great boat IMO. Ran the devil out of for 4 years and no problems. Very similar to the 19’. I could have spent more but for most inshore stuff and running around the harbor or ICW and out to the close reefs it was all you need. I’d look hard at the 19’ SeaPro if it has been cared for really well. Good Luck!
SeaPro 23 WA Yam 225
Key West 17’ Stealth Yam 115
High Tide 15’ Yam 50
If these are your options I would definitely go with the Sea Pro. They were built to be mid level boats and did a good job of filling the price point. I used to be a dealer so I frequented the Sea Pro plant and witnessed their production. While not on the level of Triton or some of the others it was still a decent boat. I also toured the Sea Fox plant as a prelude to becoming a dealer for them as well. It didn’t take long to see we didn’t want to carry their line. The construction methods I saw were enough to keep me from ever leaving the dock on one of their boats. Let me qualify this by saying this was ~2007 and their QC could have changed since then.
I know a lot of folks like to bash Brunswick but they definitely made huge improvements to the Sea Pro’s level of quality.
As far as Sea Pro going out of business it was a business decision by Brunswick in a time where you had a LOT of manufacturers going under. Sea Pro’s molds were all shipped to the Trophy plant and that’s what you get when you buy a Trophy now.
I think both boats are good for what you described you need. I like the sea fox but havent been on the model you are talking about. I have been on 236 CC however and really liked the set up storage, rod holders, cup holders, and seating. The 19 is probably pretty good as well. Sea Pro is a great boat. Similar to the Tidewater they are built well. I have been on both the 19 bay tidewater and sea pro and I really like them. They can take a beating and are dry. Ive been looking at flats boats a lot and find that peoples opinions are wonderful to an extent. You really just need to get on there and ride them. I do think you have good choices.
As Warren Buffett said Dont buy more than what you really need and teach your children the same.
“My fish served a whole lunchon. Your fish look like a munchkin”
i have a 2005 sea pro 19 bay boat with a 2 stroke carbed yamaha 150
it has done everything you could want a boat to do with no problems or complaints.
with TRIM TABS it is a great riding boat- even in rough water.
i have been too far offshore in it catching dolphin, grouper and snapper, have fished for kings at all of the normal offshore places, have won freshwater bass tourneys in it, pulled tubes and pile driving rigs with it, and caught reds on the flats. real world draft is about 20 inches.
get a 24 volt trolling motor with the long shaft.
wapoo cut to beaufort broad river bridge and back for cobia fishing on 35 gallons of gas
the only real issues is that the wiring is just fair and the top of the rear livewell is not sealed to the bottom of the rear deck.
half hitched is going off half cocked, don’t listen to that monkey.
Thanks everyone for the input. I found an '06 SeaPro near ATL that was freshwater only, had a 115 4-stroke Merc (not a fan of Merc) and a 24-volt Saltwater T/M for $12K but couldn’t get there in time. At least I know to keep looking based on MOST responses. I’ve owned Low to Mid tier boats all my life and never been stranded by a single one and never felt unsafe in one. I only buy used and usually sell within 3-5 years…that’s just how I am.
Merc for a time was purchasing entire 225’s from Yamaha until they produced the Verado at Fon du Lac. Some of the 115 Merc’s are a Merc block with a Yamaha powerhead. Mercury did all their own fuel injection, midsection, lower unit and cowling work. I don’t know of any manufacturer that produces 100% of their product. Hitachi and Mitsubishi assemblies can be found on many end products. The deal is whose name appears on the outside and who provides the warranty.
the seapro is definately better build quality
both of the boats wiring is slightly better than awful, but not much.
the merc forustroke 115 is almost all yamaha, to the point, you hookup the yamaha computer to read engine hours. great motor.
I just recently bought a 2007 221 bay scout in excellent condition. Yamaha 150 4 stroke with 400 hrs on it. It’s seafoam green which of course means more $$$. The trailer is in great shape. After all was said and done taxes and all I paid $15,800. I guess my point is there are great deals out there on boats right now. You just have to be patient.
I’m with Bad Habit on this one.I bought a 98 19’ Sea Pro Bay Boat. Put a new 150 4 stroke Yamaha on it and new Yamaha digital guages. The boat is like a tank. Very sturdy and in great shape. Great boat in rough conditions. I fish the flats, jetties, near offshore, bream fish, bass fish and pull the kids tubing. I can’t get in as skinny water as I would like but can get in about 16 inches. The only problem I have had, is with what others mentioned,the wiring. This boat has a Captain who is a hard and dedicated fisherman. The one thing that is missing…one who can consistently catch fish lol.
I have a 06 sv1900cc bay and love it. It has done everything I’ve asked and I am rough on boats. I’ll definitely agree with Chris V about the poor wiring, but for the cost, I’ll rewire what I need to and leave the rest. Another issue I have is that the Verado 150 seems to weigh too much for this boat and porpoises with out the assistance of trim tabs. All in all, a great boat though.
