New Baot and Motor

[poolshark38759]

I have been placed on a comitte to buy a boat and or outboard motor for the Bolivar County Emergency Operations Unit. We do anything from rescuing stranded boaters to storm spotting to evidence collection for the sherriffs department. We also do recovery work for drowned victims. We currently have a old 18' Polarcraft Cab boat with a 120 hp Johnson (not sure of year). We have had good service out of both but the motor has taken its tole on the transome. WE have been awarded a grant to purchase a new rig.<br /><br />Do any of you have any suggestions, comments or opinions as to what we need or should get???<br /><br />thanks..

 

[Solittle]

Re: New Baot and Motor

poolshark38759 - To get good input from the folks here, can you give us a bit more info. For example what size boat are you thinking about? - What kind of budget do you have? New or used? What dealers (for service not sales) are available? What kind of water (lakes/rivers etc.) will the boat be used on?<br /><br />A couple of thoughts without any of this info - <br /><br />When budgeting/shopping make sure that you condider the requirements/costs for special radios/emergency equipment etc.<br /><br />I would think that you would want the largest center console that you can get considering the water you plan on using it in. For example if the water is generally shallow you will not want a 25' deep V hull. If you run a lot in rivers you might want a jet powered boat.<br /><br />A shot in the dark would be a 21-23' Boston Whaler (for quality/durability) or equal with a 4 cycle 200+ hp outboard. The brand would be more dependant on the quality and availability of service than manufacturer.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: New Baot and Motor

Not knowing what your water is, I am going to recommend an aluminum boat, center console, outboard powered, 18-21 feet in length. It will need to have low freeboard to facilitate recovery, will been to be very durable (aluminum) because a rescue operation is complicated enough, you need to know if you run into rocks or whatnot that you won't suddenly be needing rescue yourself. Our Sherrifs boats up here are as I describe, in addition to the larger deep V big water boats they have.<br /><br />Motor depends on budget. A 90-120 horse 2 stroke will get it done, or a 90-120 4 stroke if budget allows. Our Sheriffs boats have Johnson outboards, unsure of horsepower.

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Baot and Motor

Another Idea....<br /> Considering that you are the Bolivar County Emergency Operations Unit.<br />You Should be able to Buy/Get for the Asking, boats that are taken out of service by the various branches of the US government.......<br />A Coastie boat would be just the thing....

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: New Baot and Motor

No question about it... Boston Whaler!!

 

[cjones4@hvc.rr.com]

Re: New Baot and Motor

Check out the new boats used by NYS DEC.<br /><br /> http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/environmentdec/2003b/newboats.html <br /><br /> They had one at the NY Boat show.

 

[BoatCop]

Re: New Baot and Motor

The Old Jarhead has it right on. Boston Whaler is the best all around boat for Law Enforcement and Rescue.<br /><br />I'd recommend a 19' or 21' Justice Model, with dive cut out, T-top, and stainless cutwater.<br /><br />For Power, use a Mercury 225 OPTIMAX outboard. I would go direct to Mercury Goverment Sales (Mike Gurath is the contact) for the engine. I bought 2 in March 2002 at a little over 8 grand each. The price may be a little higher now, but still less than half of what you'd pay from a dealer, or even through Boston Whaler. (Even though they are both owned by Brunswick) Your State may even have a Govt. Contract with Mercury, which you could piggyback onto.<br /><br />You can have the engine shipped to Whaler, and they will rig it for you.<br /><br />If you need to go to competitive bid, I have a set of specs for the Whalers, which will increase they likelyhood that Whaler will get the contract. (Perfectly legal, BTW)<br /><br />Total for boat and engine should run just around $50,000. If funding is a problem, there is mucho money available from Federal DHS, specifically to outfit and equip Emergency Service Agencies.

 

[lastcall]

Re: New Baot and Motor

There is a new boat that has been added to the law Enforcement Marina. That is an ACB (Aluminum Chambered Boat) that is manufactured here in Bellingham, WA. It is a very stable boat in rough waters, unsinkable, and can turn on a dime at full throttle. Since 911 the Government has been buying alot of these. Take a look you might like what you see.<br /><br />FYI: I do not work for them. They are local and I have been following there success.

 

[DJ]

Re: New Baot and Motor

Boston Whaler, Edgewater, Scout, Carolina Skiff.

 

[imported_Mike_M2]

Re: New Baot and Motor

Here on the Chesapeake, there ain't a better biult boat that floats. This is the Parker 18, they come in all sizes. Check thier website out, it's as quality a boat ever made.<br /><br />

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: New Baot and Motor

I would say a Rigid Hull Inflatable like a Huricaine, Zodiac, Avon. They are fast, very stable, and maneuverable. In the Coast Guard we used 17 to 21 footers with twin 90's. You can get these boats with either the traditional center console or a motorcycle style seat.

 

[poolshark38759]

Re: New Baot and Motor

We do a lot of searches/rescues in hte Mississippi River (near Rosedale, MS about 2hours south of Memphis, TN) and oxbows with this boat... We have all the radios we will need... we also have a huge 120v/400 watt search light that is currently mounted on top of a boom pole and winch used for lifting a basket into the boat... We currently have a 120 Johny on our boat (which is slow for the size of the baot to me. Our 16' cab boat with a Johny 90 will leave it in its wake..) but thinking of going with twin 90's or 115's...Our grant is for 10k and out budget is for 15k... We would like a cab-style boat for weather... but they can be hard to see out of at night...thanks so far for your thoughs and opinions..

 

[mattttt25]

Re: New Baot and Motor

i'm surprised it took so long for someone to recommend a rhib. we use them exclusively in the navy for our small boats. the most stable, seaworthy boat i know of. fast, runs through rough water with little problem, and can handle large loads. if it's good enough for the u.s. navy, it should work for you.

 

[snohomishbaddawg]

Re: New Baot and Motor

acb in Bellingham WA makes some great rough water rescue boats. Wooldridge boats is Seattle WA make some great shallow water/jet powered boats. Tuffboat also makes some nice smaller rescue boats. <br /><br /> acb boats wooldridge boats tuff boat

 

[TPD211]

Re: New Baot and Motor

Poolshark,<br /><br />If I understand correctly, you are the Counties Emergency Operations Unit? Are you a government entity or a not for profit group?<br />You may qualify for the D.R.M.O. government program. D.R.M.O. is the program that allows you to purchase military surplus equipment at very low cost. It is not available to the public, but is available to local government and not for profit groups. Example, Homestead Naval Station just unloaded (4) 200 H.P. Yamaha 2 strokes for 50 bucks each. I understand most of the governmemt is switching over to 4 stroke engines in their outboard fleet. Find someone in the Sheriff's Office that is familier with the program, they may do all the searching for you. Be forewarned, sometimes ya get stuff that is unservicable, but if it is available close to you, you can inspect it prior to finalizing any purchase. I sent 2 guys to Maryland this past week to get a Mistubishi "Mighty Mits" utility truck, looks like a "mule" with a enclosed cab. Our cost.... 300 bucks, and it runs well. Needs to be cleaned up, serviced, and well throw a strobe light bar on it. It's the Chief's new parade toy. Good luck with your decision.

 

[fireship1]

Re: New Baot and Motor

Hello. We had to make this same decision a few years back on the volunteer fire department that I serve on where I live. We researched lots of brands. Used to have a small aluminum rescue boat with an outboard. We finally decided on a Boston Whaler. Best stability in rough water. Extremely durable. SUPER flotation. Not an easy boat to sink. (which is something you don't want to do when trying to help someone else who is)! Hope this helps!

 

[poolshark38759]

Re: New Baot and Motor

We are a not for profit org and we can get retired mil-service vehicles and boats... We are just doing our homework right now... i called whaler (which is what we really want) and can get a good discount but the smallest boat witha cabin is 25ft and its a little big for our trucks (old as in early 80's nonturbo desiel blazers that wont pull squat) and way out of our budget... We are heading to talk to SeaArk and FF Boats in Monticello, Ark in the morn...<br /><br />thanks for the help so far!!!