Choosing a boat

[marcothy]

Hey all,

I registered here to find a place where I could learn more about boating, and possibly find answers to my questions.

I, myself, would be a first-time boat owner. I have been on boats, I have friends with boats, but I would be a new owner. I feel semi competent to own one and know that I know the core of what I need, and what I don't know I have people that will be quick to tell me.

Here is my dilemma. I live in Atlanta, GA. I will spend most of my time boating the likes in freshwater lakes here, a majority of time spent riding about, some tubing and occassionally fishing.

The side track, is a week in October, we have a big trip scheduled every year to go down to the southern tip of FLA for some inshore saltwater fishing-but solid for 5-6 days straight.

I would like to find a boat that can handle that. I am not afraid to buy used, although I would like the years to be fairly new. My hard max on price is 30k. 20k or less would be ideal. I like the idea of a few years old on a boat that still has major warranties but lets me get more bang for my buck.

Brand new, what I have found so far that I believe fits my needs is the Tahoe 215xi I/O. My dad has had 1 knee replacement surgery, and 1 more on the way, so fishing chairs are a must. Also, because of the trip to FLA, where all day excursions are had, a livewell is necessary.

I am mainly looking for a boat model that gives me the versatility of a runabout/deckboat with the amenities to pose as a good fishing boat.

Any help on something is enormously appreciated. I was set hard on the 215xi I/O because brand new, it fits my budget and has what I think I am looking for. But I read all 22 pages of the post from BaineyG about Hull Failures, and that at the least has me wanting to shop.

Thanks,

Marco

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Choosing a boat

I/O is not ideal for fishing the flats in florida or any shallow type saltwater. How many people would you typically be boating with. Narrow down the use of the boat EX. 50% fishing 25% watersports 25% cruising.. this being the case i would look at a fish n ski with a high powered outboard >150hp. 20-30k is a completely open budget and would purchase one heck of a boat. But if im in your situation i would consider buying a well used older boat thats around 5k and use it for one season to get used to navigating and such because you will scratch it and learn from your first boat. Right now 5k will get you alot of boat and after you feel comfortable sell it and purchase a 20k boat.

 

[marcothy]

Re: Choosing a boat

The thing I like about deck boats is that most is 12 people certified, which gives me the better options for what I can carry.

Use would consist primarily as follows:

-60% cruising freshwater lakes
-25% water sports - freshwater
-hard 5-6 days of saltwater fishing.

Given what you said about I/O's, main reason I want an I/O is because of the 85% factor and the option to have and use a diving platform.

The areas where we fish I don't believe to be too shallow for an I/O as I know at least 2 others use an I/O - but they are certainly more experienced than me.

What depth would raise the red flags on using an I/O in that area? I am wanting to buy a boat that is best at what I want in the 85% part, but could also work for that trip, as its a big trip and family outting.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Choosing a boat

Its not the max depth or average I'm concerned about but when I'm fishing the "flats" I'm in ~2ft running in 3.. I would get a deck boat but I rarely use my boat with alot of people. But ask yourself how many people will be in the boat 80% of the time and decide if the fuel economy is worth the sacrifice of a bigger rig. BTW deckboats are great setups and i have nothing bad to say about them.


Ive ran my dads 23' cobalt with a I/O in around 4ft..

 

[marcothy]

Re: Choosing a boat

Do you know of any other deck boats that offer fishing chairs and a live well? It doesn't have to be fancy, and a live well can be creatively worked around, but fish chairs are a must...I can't really find much in the deck boat line other than that 215xi I/O that offer such things, and I have mainly browsed Tahoe and Sea Ray...just did a search on some Cobalts and cant find one either...

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: Choosing a boat

A deck boat in protected waters is a great boat. I wish I had one.

However most of my boating revolves around fishing. I have a 16ft flats boat for protected waters (bays, rivers and lakes) a 18ft cat for short trips offshore (20 miles or so) and a 26ft cat for OFF shore trips 25-60 miles out.

Each of these boats is suited to it's intended purpose but are limited in others. The flats boat is very uncomfortable in anything over 2ft seas and not comfortable in 2 footers... it's a calm water to light chop boat period.

The 18ft cat is comfortable in 3ft seas not so in 4ft and damned uncomfortable in anything larger. The 26ft is pretty comfortable in anything other than a gale.

Inshore the flats boat is always my go too boat, it's small, light and sips gas.

Could I use the 26 footer to do the other things? Yes but not near as efficiently or in some cases near as well. It's too big to manuever around in creeks and the twin engines consume volumes of gas even just putting around.

If you only do the FL thing once a year and the water cooperates then the deck boat would suit you fine. If you haul it all the way down there and it's 3-4ft seas it's going to pound you and your passengers to death.

 

[BigJ08]

Re: Choosing a boat

Look at Hurricane deck boats. I have a friend who's family has a 19ft with a 115 yamaha four stroke. They use it mostly on the lake they live on for skiing, fishing, etc., but it does go down to the keys 1-2 times a year for a fishing/pleasure trip. He seems to like it's dual purpose abilities. It has a lot of room and has fishing chairs and a livewell.

 

[marcothy]

Re: Choosing a boat

I took a look at the Hurricanes, I really liked the 231 OB with the center console. It's more boat that I want to pay brand new though, checked boattrader, and theres nothing used out there. Guessing thats a fairly new design.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Choosing a boat

Also along with boat trader check Craigslist. There are some great boats at great deals on there right now. Also every now and again you can find one along those lines on ebay. One of the guys I boat with found one on there for 10K at a 3 yr old boat. Beautiful boat and setup.
For what you want I think that a deck boat is the best option.
Good luck and happy boating.

 

[marcothy]

Re: Choosing a boat

Is there any good way or source to know what kind of shallow run a boat can handle? Being in the boat and knowing the boat is the best way I would imagine, but there's only so much I am really going to get out of a test run.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Choosing a boat

Also along with boat trader check Craigslist. There are some great boats at great deals on there right now. Also every now and again you can find one along those lines on ebay. One of the guys I boat with found one on there for 10K at a 3 yr old boat. Beautiful boat and setup.
For what you want I think that a deck boat is the best option.
Good luck and happy boating.

I'm in the atlanta and agree you should check craigs list. Absolutely loaded with great deals at the moment. That said, if it were me, I would buy the boat for use in the atlanta area and rent one when I went to south florida. Do a search on boat rentals and ft myers (or the area you plan to visit). Lot's of options, including private owners. When you factor in the cost of trailering all the way to fl and the potential hassle involved, a short term rental is really attractive.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Choosing a boat

Beat me to it, i was gonna say rent the boat down in fl for the week. Make sure you take out full insurance coverage, cause if you destroy the boat on the flats you just leave it and go home.

And buy a open front lake boat. Bow rider, out board, for the lakes around your house.

Now if i were you i would buy a old boat first and mess that one up cause your gonna.

Than down the road a piece sell it and buy a new one.

Just my 2 cents.

Good luck !