If all you’re wanting to do is nearshore reefs, jetties, shipping channel, etc. you can certainly get away with a 20+ ft bay boat. I have an 18 Tidewater Baymax and I’ve done it on calm days. There are a couple larger sea pro bays on craigslist right now for under
$25k, and they have a ton of moving around room. Checklist of options I would not skip on a newer boat… Hydraulic steering, trim tabs, t-top, low profile bow rail. On the other hand i have a pal with a 20ft 2002 Sea Hunt Triton that has been rock solid and we’ve always had 4+ on it comfortably. Not everyone gets a cushy seat but it never bothered us to much. He bought it new, hasn’t taken great care of it, but it’s still going.
go see Jamie or drew over at Rouge motion on folly road
they sell used boats, but most of them are almost new and may still have factory warranty
based on what you are needing a 21 seapro bay boat or something similar would best fit your needs and budget
quote:
Originally posted by chris Vgo see Jamie or drew over at Rouge motion on folly road
they sell used boats, but most of them are almost new and may still have factory warranty
based on what you are needing a 21 seapro bay boat or something similar would best fit your needs and budgetwww.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
Thanks for the information. I have seen them on BoatTrader a few times and haven’t stopped by. I will have to try to make a trip over to their shop soon. I checked out their website and saw a 2008 186 Key West that looked pretty nice. http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp?&units=Feet&id=2644986&lang=en&slim=broker&&hosturl=roguemotion&&ywo=roguemotion&
Maybe I’ll try to get by there to take a look at this one…
quote:
Originally posted by SeaShakerquote:
Originally posted by chris Vgo see Jamie or drew over at Rouge motion on folly road
they sell used boats, but most of them are almost new and may still have factory warranty
based on what you are needing a 21 seapro bay boat or something similar would best fit your needs and budgetwww.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
Great looking boat - but it looks to me like they mis labeled the engine as a 4 stroke. I could be wrong, but it looks like a HPDI 2 stroke.
Thanks for the information. I have seen them on BoatTrader a few times and haven’t stopped by. I will have to try to make a trip over to their shop soon. I checked out their website and saw a 2008 186 Key West that looked pretty nice. http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp?&units=Feet&id=2644986&lang=en&slim=broker&&hosturl=roguemotion&&ywo=roguemotion&Maybe I’ll try to get by there to take a look at this one…
quote:
Originally posted by jughedGreat looking boat - but it looks to me like they mis labeled the engine as a 4 stroke. I could be wrong, but it looks like a HPDI 2 stroke.
That might be true. I’m not that incredibly familiar with the motors, but that one did definitely have a different look to it. From what I understand, a 4-stroke is the way to go…
Edit: upon further research, there appears to be a great debate between which one is better. It appears it might just be a matter of preference.
I think the 22 foot cc is a real sweet spot. Stay away from bay style boats and try and get a 225 or 250 Yamaha. All the boat you’ll ever need…until you want a bigger one, which will be after the first time you use it lol!
not a bad boat either, not ideal for shallow, but good all around… http://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/4260581737.html
SeaShaker, I was in the EXACT same position as you! Looking for the same things in a boat. I settled on a XP 19 Sea Hunt bay boat. There are many brands out there, but from what I saw most of the bay boats had a 6-person limit on them until you stepped up to a 21 ft boat if that matters to you. Something think about with size is trailering it and putting in/taking out. My wife doesn’t do any of the above, but she is hot so that’s ok. A 19 ft boat is enough for me. I know a lot of folks will also say to buy used and let someone else take the depreciation. I personally wanted a newer model boat with a warrantied engine since it was going to be my first boat. I couldn’t find a used one that someone didn’t want an arm and a leg for. I bought a brand new one (with 6 year engine warranty) for less than many people wanted for the same model/engine but 2 or 3 years old! I got better financing with a new boat as well. If you have any questions, shoot me a PM. Be glad to help answer any questions if I can.
quote:That's a nice looking boat!
Originally posted by Mac509not a bad boat either, not ideal for shallow, but good all around… http://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/4260581737.html
I headed to the boat show this morning and I took a look at a 180 / 197 Pioneer Islander and a 196 Tidewater. I like them both but it looked like the Pioneer was built a little better. The Tidewater had a little more room though.
I really liked the size of the tidewater and the look of the Pioneer. Any opinions?
Pioneer
If you ain’t hooked, you ain’t doing it right.
14’ Duracraft w/twin 25 Johnsons
http://www.myspace.com/myduesouth
As a tidewater owner (1800 bay max) I would say that the pioneer is going to have a better reputation. Nothing wrong with the TW, but Pioneer, I think, is viewed as a notch above TW. I also think Pioneer will retain it’s value better as well. Good write up below for the TW from an average joe.
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/455313-1-year-tidewater-196-dc.html
edit, sorry thats the dc!
quote:
Originally posted by Mac509As a tidewater owner (1800 bay max) I would say that the pioneer is going to have a better reputation. Nothing wrong with the TW, but Pioneer, I think, is viewed as a notch above TW. I also think Pioneer will retain it’s value better as well. Good write up below for the TW from an average joe.
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/455313-1-year-tidewater-196-dc.html
edit, sorry thats the dc!
Awesome! Thanks Mac! I think we are going to roll with the Pioneer. The boat looked awesome and seems to have a great reputation. I have done some research and it appears that they have very good customer service as well.
Only two boats at the show caught your eye? I was there all day Sunday and wish I had another few hours once it was over.
I was in your situation back in 2010, but I was living in Beaufort (now we’re back in CHS). I went used. I got the Key West 1900CC off craigslist for $7500 and paid it off in about a year and a half. I did inherit the last owner’s problems, lots of them. Now though, I sit here fully confident that if anything else were to ever break on this boat (besides maybe catastrophic internal engine damage) I could fix it on my own. This also gives me confidence that for whatever boat I seek in the future I will be ready for its problems as well.
As someone else pointed out earlier in this thread, it was/is an excellent starter boat and size. What it taught me more than anything is a)the responsibility/maintenance a boat really requires, and b) what I really want in a boat NOW.
In other words, if I wasn’t still trying to pay off my truck, I’d be ready to move up to a 23-26ft boat. If I bought a new Key West 186 back in 2010 for $30k (which we had looked at), I’d still be paying for it now and I couldn’t even consider a new boat for a much longer time.
2002 Key West 1900CC