Last weekend has me longing for a bigger boat. I had family over and I took my father in law out to a near shore reef. We tore them up…had a great time. As you could imagine, it became a white knuckle ride back home when the wind picked up. The next day I had 6 people in it to go to the beach. It was packed and hardly any room to move.
I love the economy of my boat and its capabilities but now I have the desire for a 22’+ boat I can hit the reefs and take the whole family out to tube or ski. I can’t afford to get a bigger boat without selling my McKee.
Has anyone sold their inshore boat and really regret it later?
I sold my bay boat and bought a 2220 Key West and have never looked back. I can still get as skinny as I want to. I’m no hard core fisherman though. I’d rather go to the reefs, when I go so it works in my favor. Kinda need to weigh the odds on what you enjoy most. Good luck
Sounds like for your situation a bigger boat makes sense. Go for it! I recently sold my 18.5’ flats boat and ordered a smaller one because I enjoy sight fishing and just don’t care much for offshore. Now I will be able get even shallower!
18.5 Baycraft Flats Edition
Johnson 150 Oceanrunner
Wood Driftboat
Sounds like you are a perfect candidate for a 21 to 24 ft bay boat. you would not believe how small the creeks are that i get into w my 21 sea pro. got to be careful though or you may not be able to turn around. I used to have a 17 ft alum boat. i sold it and got the 21 sea pro bay boat and i dont regret it one bit. you can always buy a jon boat or yak later to get real skinny if that is what you want to do.
I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
Sounds like you are a perfect candidate for a 21 to 24 ft bay boat. you would not believe how small the creeks are that i get into w my 21 sea pro. got to be careful though or you may not be able to turn around. I used to have a 17 ft alum boat. i sold it and got the 21 sea pro bay boat and i dont regret it one bit. you can always buy a jon boat or yak later to get real skinny if that is what you want to do.
I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
I have the line on a 21’ sea pro bay with a 200 or 225 Yamaha 2 stroke, I don’t remember the size but it was maxed out. My boss bought it new and only put 122 hrs on it. I was concerned with how it will handle some waves running to the reefs. I have no intentions of running in 6’+ seas but if I want to run in 4 footers, will it handle them? I want to be able to hit the 40 and 60 reefs and not be scared.
Keep in mind I take a 16 foot skiff to 4ki so I don’t scare easily.
It rides great. That boat is a pleasure to drive. Everyone that has driven it say so too. dont know about 4 ft seas. never had it out in them that big.
I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
