Considering a 22-25ft cabin cruiser. thoughts?

[gman546]

Short story - I have a 18ft bowrider that is a hybrid fishing machine that i like, but it doesnt promote the family to engage in boating as we are on lake erie or lake ontario (we trailer to both). the swells can be big etc. But i don't care to drive up north to use the trolling motor anymore, the toronto traffic is stupid and the lakes are overfished. im fully on board with trolling for walleye or salmon

My boat is worth about 8500-12k depending on if i include the 2025 terrova trolling motor, but im looking at mid-late 80s sun ray seadancers or other equivilent boats that are 22'-25', around $4500-7500, plus a wet slip for 2026. I have the costs pretty much figured at 5-6k operational per year not including fuel, but im wondering the following:

- How are those late sundancer models for fishing out the back ? The sundancer models look like they have the nice open space you can make
- How do they handle? I hear they are kind of narrow so dont ride waves properly
- How hard is it to keep the boats straight when trolling? the sundancers have this big bench that i worry about having to constantly run around to get to the throttles on.

Any other reasons why this is a bad investment for fishing? I imagine its a good investment for family stuff, entertaining, just partying in a wet slip. i get that. but i wont sacrifice fishing.

 

[redneck joe]

Do you know ow what you are up againt on a 45ish year old boat? That comes first before a year other considerations.

 

[StewartL]

Short story - I have a 18ft bowrider that is a hybrid fishing machine that i like, but it doesnt promote the family to engage in boating as we are on lake erie or lake ontario (we trailer to both). the swells can be big etc. But i don't care to drive up north to use the trolling motor anymore, the toronto traffic is stupid and the lakes are overfished. im fully on board with trolling for walleye or salmon

My boat is worth about 8500-12k depending on if i include the 2025 terrova trolling motor, but im looking at mid-late 80s sun ray seadancers or other equivilent boats that are 22'-25', around $4500-7500, plus a wet slip for 2026. I have the costs pretty much figured at 5-6k operational per year not including fuel, but im wondering the following:

- How are those late sundancer models for fishing out the back ? The sundancer models look like they have the nice open space you can make
- How do they handle? I hear they are kind of narrow so dont ride waves properly
- How hard is it to keep the boats straight when trolling? the sundancers have this big bench that i worry about having to constantly run around to get to the throttles on.

Any other reasons why this is a bad investment for fishing? I imagine its a good investment for family stuff, entertaining, just partying in a wet slip. i get that. but i wont sacrifice fishing.

Those Sun Dancers are poor for fishing. The rear sun pad blocks access to the water. They are hard to keep straight when trolling. You'll be constantly fighting the helm.

They also handle poorly in waves compared to a dedicated fishing hull. For your budget, an older cuddy cabin from a fishing brand is a much better choice. You get open deck space and a better ride. Don't sacrifice fishing for the party boat.

 

[Lou C]

Grady White Walkaround

 

[matt167]

SC Chieftan 25’ would be my choice. $10-15k buys a nice one.
21’ Chieftain makes a good pocket cruiser.

A Grady white or even a C-Dory could make a nice dual purpose cruiser

 

[mr 88]

Grady Whites are over rated , seems like every one built into the mid to early 2000's has bad stringers/ transom and or fuel tank . None of that is cheap to fix . I/Os are terrible for trolling and more importantly they are the weak link in the drive system , always needing attention $$. A straight inboard is the way to go if fishing . Lower center of gravity , weight is more balanced out with engine towards the center of boat , not all in the stern . No work required on transmission, troll slower and track perfectly straight . They will use a bit more fuel as you cannot really trim the hull like a I/O or a outboard engine . If you live in WNY , small boat choices -, start looking in the Cleveland- Toledo area on Marketplace for a boat . Aquasport- Carolina Classic -Albermarle , Rampage - Black Fin - Luhrs - Boston Whaler would be what I would be looking for . Your budget needs to be upped , or settle for a boat that isn't going to be enjoyable in the long run . If you get a I/O your going to need a kicker or trolling bags to slow it down and help it track straight . I'll never buy I/O after owning a bunch of them , 3 of my boats are inboards and two are outboards .

 

[Pmt133]

I fished my buddies grady... 22 something. It was alright but I felt I got the sh** kicked out of me for a relatively calm day. On the flip side it had a ton of room for the size (more than the 25 he replaced it with because of the lack of the bracket) and the fishing itself was great. That era Yammy more often than not didn't make it home either but that is what it is and is no fault of the boat.

I've been on that era sundancer... I'd pass for what you're looking to do.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Mid 90s crest hawk. Aluminum hull, cuddy, 4.3V6, 2 tanks, fish all day on one fill-up

 

[airshot]

Any glass boat over 25 years of age will have structure issues and it isn't cheap to repair them! Starcraft Chieften or look at Mareinet aluminum boats, aluminum boat are much easier and cheaper to repair and carry a higher resale value, at least here around Lake Erie. I always have a kicker motor, for trolling and as an emergency return, in case the main doesn't fireup. Had a 22' Islander for 10 years, I/O, never an issue trolling, but used a kicker for trolling. Unless your bow rider is fairly new, they are a dime a dozen and loose value quickly unless they are aluminum. Your estimate on value sounds high. Good luck on your search, now might be a good time to buy with sales so slow. Just be extremely careful if looking at glassers, especially any over 20 years of age !!