Family boat options for bay use

[Scb71]

I've always been a freshwater lake boat owner but am now in the market for a small boat (around 20') for bay use. Just purchased a canal home in Galveston and with two young children I'm looking for insight into best boat options. There will be trade offs but I look forward to your thoughts.

Anticipated usage is more along the edges, inlets, etc and not for heading offshore. Originally thought about a regular bay boat- but I don't see much usable real estate in a typical center console. Unless im missing something i usually see just the area for the captain and possiblly seating 1 or 2 directly in front of the console. I envision some fishing but lots of just cruising around with family and friends.

A medium size pontoon with a dect engine would be great except I'm concerned about the stability.

Hopefully this is enough text to get some thoughts from those who have been in this scenario before.
Thanks for your insight

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Family boat options for bay use

pontoons are generally not very good for tidal areas.

The true "bay boat" hull is relatively flat, so it is not too dry, and can be a little bumpy, in choppy water.

The 19' center console is the perfect boat for general recreational and family use. (technically most bay boats are CC but I'm referring to one with more V, higher freeboard and a higher bow for approaching waves). Because they can be outfitted a number of ways, the generalizations about seating and room are not applicable. Look on line at the set-ups in Sea Hunt to get an idea. They tend to have lots of open space, which is great for children.

A 17' Boston whaler is a good choice but they are hard to find cheap. Carolina Skiff makes a good copy in its DLX series and all of their boats are great family boats although they can be a little bumpy on the flat ones,. But flat boats are great for skinny water. No, they will not "knock your teeth out" if that old wives tale were true they wouldn't make them for 50 years.

of course, it must be an outboard.

you want a self-bailing design so you can leave it in the water and not worry about it.

Since you are living on the water you will want lots of boats. If you start with a fairly new 17' now, your children can take it over when they are teens and you can upgrade. Or go 19-21 and get them a jon boat when the time comes.

have fun shopping! Walk around the marina's and look at what people who seem to know what they are doing are using. Ask them about it.

 

[Scb71]

Re: Family boat options for bay use

Thanks for the info. I'll check those out.
Are there any boats that are like a open bow type ski boat or open deck type boat that are designed for salt water with an outboard?
Also curious what I need to look for regarding the hull - I know there are lots of areas on the bay that are very shallow so having flexibility will be good!
thanks again

 

[JEBar]

Re: Family boat options for bay use

the last time we were looking for a boat, we were looking for boat to use pretty much as you have outlined .... we chose to go with a one that has a offshore style hull often used for a CC design but with a dual console, bow rider floor plan .... unfortunately Sea Pro (the folks who made ours) is no longer in business but there have to be others out there .... ours will float in just under 9" of water... it can seat 2 adults up front and with the back bench seat, 4 adults in the back

Jim

 

[jestor68]

Re: Family boat options for bay use

You should check out Twin Vee Cat boats. You can't beat a cat for stability, smooth ride, and shallow draft.

Their web site has videos of their different boats from 14ft to over 30ft. They're built "wood free", so they'll out last you and me.

 

[Shabah 182]

Re: Family boat options for bay use

Based on what you are looking for, a nice dual console would be just the thing. They have an open bow for seating, high freeboarhandlingndling some chop and typically also have self bailing fiberglass floors. Try Sea Hunt, Sea Swirl and Wellcraftbdual consoles. Some of the larger ones even have heads in the port console.

 

[Scb71]

Re: Family boat options for bay use

Thanks - While that company is out of business the style looks like something we should look into. What would you call that style boat so I can find others? Also - how do I know what is good for marine vs freshwater?
Sorry for the basic questions but this is very helpful!

the last time we were looking for a boat, we were looking for boat to use pretty much as you have outlined .... we chose to go with a one that has a offshore style hull often used for a CC design but with a dual console, bow rider floor plan .... unfortunately Sea Pro (the folks who made ours) is no longer in business but there have to be others out there .... ours will float in just under 9" of water... it can seat 2 adults up front and with the back bench seat, 4 adults in the back

Jim

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Family boat options for bay use

as he said, it's a "dual console" which isn't exactly accurate since the basic bowrider is, too. What makes it different is the hull; it's seaworthy and self-bailing and doesn't have that dropped bow scoop. It also has rails that shed water instead of "stylish" ones that let it in.

All quality boats are made for salt water so don't let that distract you. As long as it's an outboard.

 

[mippel]

Re: Family boat options for bay use

Thanks - While that company is out of business the style looks like something we should look into. What would you call that style boat so I can find others? Also - how do I know what is good for marine vs freshwater?
Sorry for the basic questions but this is very helpful!

Just google for dual console boats. There are some out there that sound like you are looking for.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Family boat options for bay use

SC, highest congratulations on the bay house. I own a lot on a canal on the West End (Sunset Cove) and have wanted to build on it for years. What general location are you at? Pirates/Jamaica/Sea Isle? I know the bay waters fairly well, and have had a few different boats. West Bay is very shallow in many places. Invest in a good GPS and depth sounder. I have a Garmin 546S that has served us very well. No kidding, I highly suggest a good GPS and sounder - it will help to keep you out of trouble. Be careful and go slow through San Luis pass until you get your waypoints set, and remember that it changes every year.

I have a friend with a pontoon boat who enjoys it for fishing, but wishes it was a tri-toon. It's great for the canals, but he doesn't do so well when the bay gets choppy. His isn't particulary good on fuel economy either and certainly is not the best for cruising significant distances. Having said that, there are still some nice pontoon boats to be had.

I have a 17' deep V because I like to get out past the jetties every now and then. Home Cooking above has made some good recommendations. 19'+ is a good place to be and if I could I would go to 21' or more. There are many bay boats around here, but that's not my thing. I like the deep V when the wind picks up, but it does limit my access to several fishing spots. Also, I prefer a closed front deck to a center console just because I get out in the weather every now and then. I've buried the bow a few times in my little boat and done just fine, but can't imagine what that would be like in a center colsole. Nevertheless, the CC is by far the most popular style of boat around here.

Take your time, shop around, and don't make any impulsive decisions. If ever you start venturing offshore, be sure you have at least one personal locator beacon on board. Buy everyone in your family their own life jacket that is comfortable and that they will wear everytime they get on the boat. Hope you have a ton of family fun on the bay. Send me a PM if you want to talk more about West Bay. All the best. - Woodnaut

 

[Charlie in TX]

Re: Family boat options for bay use

I am interested to were you are at also.

I like the 20-21ft CC deep v 150-200hp for a one boat strategy. Sooner or later you will want to head out 15-25 miles and get some red snapper, grouper, king, durardo, etc. This class of boat will do it when it is smooth. still usable in the bay.

I have a canal lot down in Sargent. I have a '2 boat' strategy. I have a 17 ft Mckee Craft for the skinny water of East Matagorda. I just bought a 24ft Hydra-Sports with twins to head offshore. The 24 footer will not be fun in 4 ft seas but what is?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Family boat options for bay use

Most of our boating is on Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. Our boat is a 23' CC with one or two sitting in front of the helm. two in the forward bench seats and maybe one standing beside me at the helm. Great combination.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Family boat options for bay use

Here are some picks of my Dual Console. Wife loves it ... family friendly, handles chop well, easy clean-up and nice to fish out of, yet the family can still ski and tube. Only draw back is minimal storage in mine. I bought a couple of coolers from iboats with cushioned seats on them that have been placed in the back for adding seating and storage. Works great for us. As mentioned, keep looking around and be creative! You will find what you are looking for. And congrats on the canal house!