What Boat to Buy??!!

[Hubreid]

Love to fish as does my wife, Buzzards Bay, Jersey Coast. 58 years old, want to move up to something I can trailer with a modicum of comfort for my wife. Fly fish a lot but not fussy, keep spinning and conventional tackle handy. Have a small Scout I really enjoy. Too small. Like a lot of boats but need to be able to handle alone (I am somewhat fit)) with a 2005 4.7 litre Tundra. Love the bigger Scouts(little light), Parkers(light on comfort for the Boss), Regulators, Norhtcoast?, Seacraft? Thinking 23-24 ft is about it. 50K ballpark. Probably have my 9 year old grandson often as well. Every time I make up my mind I see something else. Really kind of fun But???? Any ideas? Thanks and Happy New Year!

[riptide]

My buddy Dana is selling his 202DC Hydra Sports. Loaded to the gills with options. GREAT electronics (I installed them and they are flawless). 20' Vector hull. Small enclosed head. Todd helmseat that converts to a leaning post. EATS rough water as well as any boat in it's size range. On a trailer, and he's looking in the 30K range maybe even a tad bit less.

Tuna Mojo inculded at no extra cost.
http://riptidecharters.com/Danadctunaopti.jpg
http://riptidecharters.com/Danadctuna3opti.JPG
http://riptidecharters.com/Danadctuna4opti.JPG

[Roop]

Or for 1/2 the money...

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57559

Roop

[soundownsam]

Look at the Pathfinder 23DV. This is my favorite 23' on the market and covers all you bases. Great ride for Buzzard's Bay room in console for a head, great fishign layout etc..

Sam

[CMP]

Here's another one for you to consider-used in much the same fashion you describe, but offshore-proven if you want to do a few of those trips. Fresh diesel power and ridiculously fuel-efficient too...

CMP

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee243/CapeFish/B20-1.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee243/CapeFish/B20-2.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee243/CapeFish/B20-4.jpg

[Seacoast]

moved up to a 23 pathfinder at the end of the year-
from a 18 maritime skiff-
what a difference-
Call bayside in duxbury ma -
they have a new leftover with a single
that they are looking to move
best
Tim

[Codfisher]

Check out BlackLab Marine...Pm me if you have any questions.

[Brad G.]

I have to throw out a vote for this one. I upgraded to this boat this year, and what a difference it made from a solid 21' Alcar CC. For the money you could consider Regulator as well who also makes a nice 23'. I think 23' is a great size for NE fishing and boating, solid to take some rougher seas, plenty of freeboard for safety, and still trailerable to most ramps. Hydrasport aslo makes a nice boat in the vector series...lots of good options out there. Jones Bro is one to consider too.

[Capt. John]

As always- totally depends on what you like to do most. No one boat will cover all your bases. But I would really consider looking at Bay boats over your typical CC. in a 22-24ft range they are amazing boats. You can do "just" about anything with them. Shallow water bass and albies to offshore tuna. There are some great models out there to consider at good price points. And you can get away with a 150-175 HP on most models (with gas at $4/gal it's a huge factor these days for most of us). Super easy to load and offload on your own...just nice all around boats. I would never go back to a typical CC again unless i was offshore 99% of my time.....

[Hubreid]

Any models you particularly like? Thanks everybody for the feedback

[riptide]

This is the sister ship tothe boat I chartered for several years. New Power, Warranty, Fast and just a great fishing boat. I ran mine out past MV for tuna several times w/o issue.

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59803