Looking at a new boat---need comments/advice

skiffhunter · Mar-23-2007, 11:40 PM

The good news is the wife may open up the checkbook and allow me to buy a new boat. The bad news is it may have to be more "family" oriented and be a bowrider or similar sportboat.

I've been looking at the sea ray 175- saleman said he sold one to a guy who tricked it all out for fishing and uses it offshore- has a tower with outriggers, bait etc. I'm not so sure and I'd like to hear from someone who has fished one and/or owned one or similar design.

I was worried about taking water over the bow, but center console can do the same I guess. Does the ski locker work as a fish box? Anybody add bow railings or covers?

Thanks
Tom

Stanley · Mar-23-2007, 11:50 PM

Might work OK for near inshore and bays but I'd think twice about taking a 17 foot ski boat offshore. Sure, we all see guys in small boats on the outside, and it's no big deal...until it becomes a big deal.

I'd also be careful about giving too much credence to what a salesman claims about the capability of a small boat. I'm just sayin'...

inSTANt bendo · Mar-23-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiffhunter

saleman said

nuff said.

Ask yourself....and be painfully honest....how will I be using the boat the majority of the time? If you can't buy the boat that will get the job done the majority of the time then save your money. You'll end up frustrated and unhappy. If you can find a happy medium....go for it!

Lot's of guys have been able to serve both purposes, family and fishing, with either a center console or a dual console boat.

If you want to go offshore, do not buy a 17-18' boat! Although all captains capabilities differ, I would suggest a minimum of 20' if you want to go offshore with any kind of peace of mind.

HAROSTRAIT · Mar-24-2007, 12:25 AM

Buy it for what you are going to use it for the most. Take the safety angle when you are convincing the wife that a bit more boat may be wise if primary use is offshore, etc... Think about the how, when and where of use,and don'tmake any hasty choices. That said, IMO Sea Ray has a good rep. as far as the hull goes uphere in Washington. The only open bow types we see are on the lakes. Is this boat you are looking at self bailing?

Its A Keeper · Mar-24-2007, 01:20 AM

take a look below

speedgoat · Mar-24-2007, 03:00 AM

Go to the Fred Hall show in Del Mar and walk on board the boats there. There's plenty of better boats there for what you want to do. The show is going on through the weekend so you have some time to plan for it.

If you plan on taking your family out on it anyplace outstide the bay then the primary consideration is that it's seaworthy. Otherwise you should stick to the lakes and protected waters.

If your budget doesn't fit the price for the new boat that serves your intended purpose then look at something used. There's plenty of excellent used boats that have been cared for and have been upgraded with what you'd need selling for a fraction of the cost of what a new boat would cost you. A Skipjack 20' is the first thing that occurs to me but there are plenty of others as well.

That's my .02.

Gil Marlin · Mar-24-2007, 09:31 AM

Talk to Watoosee...

**Surfdoc** · Mar-24-2007, 10:28 AM

Your never gonna beat that Panga Waatoosee is selling! When I bought my boat, the wife understood, it's a fishing boat first.... wine on the bay second.

Good luck!

DA_Beaut · Mar-24-2007, 04:48 PM

go with a dual console... will cover what the wife/family wants and serious fishing. I did the Stiper Cuddy because of the write-off thing, but my second choice woulda been the dual console

zigzag · Mar-24-2007, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiffhunter

The good news is the wife may open up the checkbook and allow me to buy a new boat. The bad news is it may have to be more "family" oriented and be a bowrider or similar sportboat.

I've been looking at the sea ray 175- saleman said he sold one to a guy who tricked it all out for fishing and uses it offshore- has a tower with outriggers, bait etc. I'm not so sure and I'd like to hear from someone who has fished one and/or owned one or similar design.

I was worried about taking water over the bow, but center console can do the same I guess. Does the ski locker work as a fish box? Anybody add bow railings or covers?

Thanks
Tom

Go to web site YACHT WORLD .com 20thousand sea rays for sale take your pick.Ask youself why????17foot to 50 foot Why????

Duramax · Mar-24-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiffhunter

The good news is the wife may open up the checkbook and allow me to buy a new boat. The bad news is it may have to be more "family" oriented and be a bowrider or similar sportboat.

I've been looking at the sea ray 175- saleman said he sold one to a guy who tricked it all out for fishing and uses it offshore- has a tower with outriggers, bait etc. I'm not so sure and I'd like to hear from someone who has fished one and/or owned one or similar design.

I was worried about taking water over the bow, but center console can do the same I guess. Does the ski locker work as a fish box? Anybody add bow railings or covers?

Thanks
Tom

Check this out, it's in the classified section. it will work great for family and fishing. I got one and I take it ocean fishing and to the lake's and the river as well.

skiffhunter · Mar-24-2007, 09:35 PM

Thanks for the comments guys- I totally want a panaga--thats why I was at the FHS and saw the sea-ray- its was -plan B if she balked on the panga. Which she appears to be doing.

I'm curious how y'all would define seaworthy and what kind of charecteristics you think the boat lacks that other larger boats have. I often see people on the board saying don't take that boat out its too small, but length is not the main consideration of seaworthyness. What, if any, is the difference between a "dual console" boat and a "bowrider" except marketing? Yet a dual console wouldn't get called unseaworthy by most fisherman