Please Help! (about Boats)

[GAMDORE]

Please help! I am right now buying my very first boat to use around the waters of Massachusetts! I am looking at the 18' wellcraft........and was wondering if anybody has this model
and what they think about it. (like, does it guzzle up gas, is there allot of maintenence work.....etc.etc?) or is it a overall good/solid boat?

Thank you for reading this guys!

[GAMDORE]

now reading "jhurds" post......(about boat advice)......
can the boston whaler 13' handle 2-4' waves?
sniff. please, any boat advice! (for a noobie boater buying his first boat).
dont' have a wife to look after or kids. :) the boat will be only used for fishing!


wellcraft 18' vs boston whaler 13' vs hydrasport 16'.
hummmmmmmm...............
getting more confused!

[CygnusX-1]

Well I own an 17ft whaler and use it to fish all the time, my advice would be buy the biggest boat you can afford, because after you get it you will always want a bigger one. I would pass on hte 13ft whaler, its too small to get out in the harbor, good chance of getting swamped! (JMO)

CygnusX-1

By the way I have a Montauk with a 4 stroke 70 HP suzuki and man are those outboards quiet!

:-%

[GAMDORE]

Thanks Mr cygnus! really appreciated your input!
whew........buying the first boat. didn't know that it was
going to be this difficult!

wellcraft 18'......it seems! :) yae yae yae yae yae!
mr cygnus gonna let Gamdore follow his boat to where
the tunas/albies are when I get good enough at boating?
:D

[Bob Parsons]

The 18' Wellcraft being the larger of the boats will serve you well. As far as gas is concerned, if you can get a 4-stroke you will save on gas as well as oil. As far as finding fish, read the fishwires when they become active for your area. Check here for reports that will help located in a general way. Have charts of the areas you plan to fish to find structure where moving water will set up feeding stations for the fish. And most important put your time in on the water, explore.

[GAMDORE]

sniff. forgot about the trailoring part. (never trailed anything before on the car.)
wow, seems like I am really a noobie at allot of fishing&boating things. hey, gotta learn from someplace right? :)

anyways.............
"how big do the waves get around Boston though?"
would a 16-18' wellcraft be able to handle most of the fishing?
is it sturdy on water?

(have sympathy.......! remember when you guys first got your very first boat and remember that excitement!)

(comparable to......ummmmm, HS years when we first and then the girl and the boy, lived happily ever after?-untill they brokeup......but did something while they were together. *wink*)

[Praguire]

as for the whaler, i fished a whaler 13 last year in boston harbor, outside the harbor, plum island, and chatham (out to the rip off south monomoy). as with any boat, you have to pay attention to the weather. i never had any problems with the whaler, but, then again, i surely picked my days to be out there, too. the wellcraft 18 is ok boat, but you'll still have to pay attention to weather. choppin' along in 2-4 water is not exactly pleasant, no matter what boat size you're in. if the boat is strictly for fishin, and no kids or wife involved, i'd suggest looking into the center consoles, such as, yes, a whaler. if you can afford it, always go whaler. oh yeah, you need to remember such things as trailering the boat. before you go ahead and buy the boat, you should make sure your vehicle is capable of towing a boat. otherwise, you can always get a slip in boston for, oh say, about $100,000 or so, give or take a few bucks.

[striperman13]

Hey,

Are you looking at the wellcraft 18 center console? What do you intend to use it for (family, hard core fishing, skiing, crusing?) an 18 foot open boat would be great in nice weather. You could even go out 4-5 miles on a nice day.

How expensive is the wellcraft?

There are many boats to choose from so don't jump at the first one you look at.

[rockfisherman]

The 13 Whaler is a Pond boat. Yes, I know guys that have taken them to Block Island, but that is not wise. If you want to go "outside" get a 17 to 19.

[GAMDORE]

Hello! Thank you for the kind advices about the boat!
I am planning to use the boat just for fishing! no family, no kids! (I'm a student!) :)
The fact is that I never went saltwater fishing before and hey, gotta start learning somewhere right? And I really found out that having a boat is a "necessity" for fishing!

I am not getting wild ideas about going marlin fishing with the 16-18'. but would it be too hard to go fishing for blues/stripers/cod/albies/and the really pretty tunas? :)
(the 16' has a 50hp OB and the 18' has a 125HP mercury OB. thats what is making the 18' so appealing!!!!!!!! but I heard 17'+ers' were hard to put on the trailer if you are alone.)

thank you thank you!


(if you guys would like to give me any pointers in boats&fishing feel free to email me!)

(oh and, if buying the boat from a marina/dealership....is it wise to negotiate the price? that "NADA" boat appraisal service.)

[Sagebrush]

Gamdore,

Based on what you said for fishing you would most likely want a center console.

Based on you limited experience you would probably want a boat 19 ft or less with generous freeboard (the distance from the floor to the top of the sides of the boat for a little more safety. Not so high that you have difficulty reaching over to grab fish. Take a boating safety course and go out with someone who can teach you the ropes.

Being that you don't seem to have an 8 cylinder SUV, truck or a torquey 6 cylinder, you want something that is not overly heavy. See what your automobile will tow.

Don't buy from the first dealer you talk to. Determine what boat you want, who has it, and who will give you the best price.

Consider where you are going to keep the boat.

A boat is long term investment so take your time and give it thorough consideration.

[foulhook]

Howdy fellas,
Im a marine dealer on lake hopatcong in New jersey. Also guided on the chesapeake for a number of years. They nicknamed the wellcraft "wellcrap" down here. Not known for very good quality. Delam and blistering have been the main problem . Had a guy try to trade on to me last year with a cracked transom as well. My first choice would be the 17 or 19 ft twin vee power cat. the 19 will handle any water that a 26 ft whaler will. There inexpensive boats too. www.twinvee.net read the reviews on this boat . They dont get any better. The boat also only draws about 10 inches of water. real nice for lats fishing. But also capable of offshore use. Ran a 22 ftr to the canyon. Main thing is that this boat can handle the snottiest water you can find.Also doesnt take alot of power to move them . A 70hp 4stroke is ideal on a 19ftr. Second choice would be the Merritime skiff. Built at the old whaler factory by the original whaler designers without the whaler price. Third but never last would be Parker. Beautiful boats. the choice of most angler on the chesapeake. . . . Good luck and tight lines.....Bob

[GAMDORE]

--124-3

I am now majorly confused about boats. :(


in a nutshell.........what would you guys say?

(x marked the wellcraft awhile ago. after doing more research)

HydraSports 180CC(new) vs Carolina skiff semi-v(new)
vs a used mako 17' that was built at 1995 with a mercury 135HP engine that the motor warranty will be over in a few months?


(I dont' want to get soaking soaking wet as other boaters laugh at me pounding on 2-5' waves. *cries*)

[Bob Parsons]

soaking soaking wet as other boaters laugh at me pounding on 2-5' waves.

If your out in 5" waves it will not make any difference which of those boats you have, your going to get soaked. If not from the wind blowing the spray over the bow then from treading water after you get swamped. A center console in the 18' foot range will be a fine fishing boat for boston harbor. After that you get what you pay for in quality, durability and resale value. Kinda like buying a car. Once you buy it, as long as it works well and serves your purpose, you will think it is a great boat.

Now stop with the --124-3 Suck it up and buy your boat. It will be time to fish when the boat is ready to be picked up.

[Blackjack]

I think you should save your money this year and take a couple guided trips, instead. There are plenty of local guides that will show you the ropes, and you'll get a feeling for whether you like this kind of fishing before you spend a lot of money (I'm assuming, since your on this board, that you are a fly fisherman and not primarily interested in chunking). You could also take a guided shore trip withi someone like Dave Skok to see if you like that action.

For Boat guides try Bill Smith (he's featured on this site's cover page) or one of the other local guys - plan on spending between $300 - $400 per day for a boat guide, but it'll be worth it for you.

Also, forget about Tuna and Albies around here unless you get at least an 18' (for Tuna in August - Spetember). Albies and bonito are only caught south of the Cape - but you don't want to chase them unless you want to drive yourself nutty.

If you do insist on buying a boat, buy a used 3 - 4 year old boat, and let someone else pay the depreciation for you (just be careful on the motor).

[GAMDORE]

YAE YAE YAE YAE YAE!
Thank you everybody! Who took time to read my post. After doing allot of research and some yelling (thank you mike. and mark yelled at me to stop crying and choose a boat already. fishing season is at hand right now!)
I have finally chose the right first-noobie boat for me! :)
:::::D:::::
Happy fishing everybody! And please dont' make fun of people that are tugging and sweating trying to get their boats in the water at the public ramps! (*hint*.........probably be me)

[GAMDORE]

Oops. it wasn't mark. it was mr admin (bob with the strange looking white bearded thingie at his picture) that gave me a yelling! :) thank you all!



-any cute 5.2' blond very slim 18-20 year old cheerleaders out there that likes their boyfriend to only spend 1 day per week
with them (+when their boyfriends are in the mood to *ah hem*) and goes fishing almost every single weekend and not spending time with them?-


-noooo. dont' yell at me- --124-3

there! I cried! :D its the tears of joy!

[whyfly]

Take it from an owner or a wellcraft 180 fisherman (CC) for the money it was the best boat I tested. I looked at the 18 bw and got soaked in 2 - 3 white caps, looked at the robalo and wasn't real happy with the ride. I looked at several boats including the meritime skiff and for the money the wellcraft was the best equiped, and riding boat. She has an 8 foot beam (7'11" to be exact) and is laid out well to fish from or to take the family out for a ride. I have been cought in 5 - 7 footers with her and aside from wind splash have remained relativly dry (except the day my father inlaw was driving while I was fighting a fish... but that is another story). Every person that has fished with me has been greatly impressed with the boats abilities. Including a friend who is a die hard bw owner.
I tow my boat with a 6 cylnder ford ranger and she handles it ok. Though i wouldn't go long distance with it on my pickup (thats why we have the big suv).
I have a 115 2 stroke on the back, and get great gas milage.

In all the boat sets up nice has good amount of room (as i have fished with 4 people at one time and no issues). The freeboard is great for the boat size, I have small kids, and don't need to worry about one going for a swim with out my knowledge.
Getting what you pay for.... there are a couple of minor finish touches i have changed to strengthen the hardware but all in all the boat has cost me a total of $90 in maint. cost over the last 3 plus years.

In my opinion.... you wont be making a mistake buying the wellcraft.

(Side note: the nada value on my boat is 3k less then what i paid for it.... 3 plus years ago.... I'll take it).

[foulhook]

Thats great advise!! Go out with a few local guides and pick there brains a little on what boats they like for what reasons. Definetley check out : Twin vee, Maritime skiff, and Parker before you buy the wellcraft too. As far as engines, thats real easy after now being in the powerboat buisness i know for a fact that the best engines out there are in order srarting with the best are :Suzuk(drive chain instead of belt)i, Yamaha, and Honda . Hate to say it but the japanese are still making the best engines around. Also all mercury 4 strokes are made now by yamaha and all johnson 4 strokes are made by suzuki. So if some dealer tells you the suzuki is more $ than the johnson take the johnson its the same engine with a different name on it. All i have left to say is get on a twin vee!!! I dont even deal them , Ive just been on about every boat out there and they have impressed me the most . Unbelievable in rough water, hardly draw any water , and the price is right. I saw a guy selling a 17ft with a 60hp honda on stripersonline or tidalfish not to long ago. Tight lines to ya.........Foulhook

[GAMDORE]

ummm guys, I am not getting a wellcraft.
haha.......its a different boat!

thanks everybody!

[Too Fly]

I know it's 4:40 in the morning... but this cold-like thing is kickin' the sh!t outta me and I can't sleep.

Good advice Satuit. You sound like a pretty smart guy with a good head on his shoulders. :confused: I was told the same thing, get some experience and a good perspective on boating/ownership through chartering with guides. Well, one trip and I was convinced that I wanted a boat.

GAMDORE, as others have previously said, take a boating safety course while you're researching. Also make sure your vehicle will more than handle towing the weight of the trailer, boat, gear, gas, etc.

[GAMDORE]

Thank you again everybody! 400+ people have read my post when I needed help on the advice on choosing a particular boat! There were just so many kinds and especially if ones "safety&life" is involved, I wanted to make sure and have that "peace of brain(that baseball movie I can't recall the title right now)" when I am out there in the ocean.
I do have respect for the ocean, so I won't ever think that we, "mankind" in general could ever control nature. =) so I will do "approx" that it takes to get that "peace of brain" taking safety boating courses, on-site courses and also a navigation course. I am also thinking about learning how to use a sextant! hahaha....funny isn't it? =) GPS's out there and all those things......
I have checked with the specifications of the car......what it can tow and everything and so far, everything comes in "solid."
Now I guess, all that is left is to pick up the boat......
and learn how to launch to boat on the ramp(and also to put the boat back on the trailer) without making many of you wait or giggle/laugh at me trying to launch my boat!

Thank you again everybody! And you guys enjoy this great weekend that is coming ahead right now. And many many more! ^^


:D

[Too Fly]

Congratulations... What did you get for a boat?