I have a question. It’s that time of year where the boats are cheap and the air is crisp. What better time than now to ponder a boat purchase?
I have a lot on my plate this upcoming summer or two, therefore fishing will be a once in a while thing unfortunately versus every chance I get as usual. I’m more than likely going to sell both of my boats. ‘09 Sailfish 21’ and an ‘86 Wellcraft 18’. I can’t go without a boat completely, though… don’t be crazy, so my question is this:
What type of boat will handle the flats and allow me to gig when the opportunity presents itself? I’m talking cheap. In a couple years after master’s degree pursuit round 2 is over with I will buy a big nice boat similar to the one I have, but right now I just want something cheap that will get me on the water. I’ve heard the jon boat discussion, and I’m sure if I searched this forum for hours on end I could find my answer, but hey… it’s winter. Thought it would be alright to just ask it outright.
It needs to get skinny. It needs to be cheap. It needs to be stable enough to gig with two people. Tiller is not out of the question.
Been to the Ross in a 19 footer, bunch of trips out of Fripp Inlet out to 6 HI in the same boat. Caught some monster Blue Fish in Feb on Cisco Kids. The lure should date the trips.
Reelnauti; I sent you a PM with my email. Under warranty until June 2014. Scratches and dings, nothing major. All electronics. 225 yamaha four stroke. T top. Aluminum trailer, Etc etc.
Funny! Yea, my first post was basically how far can you take a boat out into the wild blue, I’ve progressed since then
Interesting you guys said Jon Boat. That’s what I was thinking, but I’ve had people locally tell me that a Jon Boat isn’t stable enough to gig out of with two people (especially when one is a clumsy female who is easily excited and distracted lol) but I trust your judgement more than a random passer-by.
I saw where Black River Marine in Orangeburg has a 16’ bulls bay with Yamaha50 tiller setup. I would love to have it, but I’m not giving up my bigger boat. They were asking 6995. Its a 2012 model BTW.
You can go a ways out in a good jon boat, if it’s a good one, on a good day, and you know the difference between good boats and good days This is one I built, it’s a good one, catching Spanish Mackerel about 12 miles out.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
Glenn, we haven’t planned it yet! We’re kind of just enjoying the freedom and commitment.
Larry, when I was glancing at this post on my phone before I zoomed in to see that you were holding a fish; it looked like you were doing the Gangham Style dance whilst walking on water. Yea, don’t ask.
I looked at that Bulls Bay. Nice boat! I love the old 13 whaler, its a bonafide classic, but just too small for my taste (I think, but I could be wrong)
While I prefer 4 Strokes, I’ve never met an engine I couldn’t coerce into cooperating, so as long as it runs and the compression is decent, I can make any engine purr; so that doesn’t matter too much.
In terms of Carolina Skiffs and similar, how small do you guys think is too small? There are 14s all over the place for dirt cheap, but the 16s are significantly wider. I also see quite a few Montauk 17s for cheap.
Heres a basic John boat built by Hammerhead boats. Pretty wide boats and cheap. I built the front deck and poling platform. All I use it for is gigging and shallow water. A guy in Pawleys Island sells them. I think the 16’ is about 5.6’ wide and under a 1k
I’ll second Glen’s observation!!! Palmetto-you have any contact info for the boat builder? Glen knows what I’ve been using the last couple of years and it ain’t much!!!
On another note to Salt Weapon-I’ve got an OLD 14’er I’d trade you straight up for either of your boats
I have a Carolina Skiff j-16 center console. Gets pretty skinny, will float in a bathtub actually. Would be glad to put it in and take you for a ride so you can see what one rides/handles like if you’re interested in checking one out. It gets the job done and I have been all over the Broad in it.
