Bigger Boat Recommendations?

[Dschaffer]

I am looking to get a bigger boat soon. I love the V20 but am really limited when it comes to bringing my wife and daughter along on trips. I’d like to move up to something in the 24-27’ range that can sleep 2-3 on occasion yet is still manageable for solo fishing trips. My list so far includes late 80’s to mid 90’s Sea Ray Amberjack 270, Tiara 2700 (both on the bigger side of the spectrum), Amberjack 245, possibly a Weekender in the 245-270 range, Pursuit 2650 and other similar size offerings. Grady Whites are on the list too but there are not many in my neck of the woods (Northern Michigan). Same with Albermarle.
There are quite a few Well Craft Coastals for sale in the size range I’m looking for and all for pretty amazing prices. Any idea why they are considerably less expensive then the Tiaras and Grady Whites?
Anyway, I just saw that y’all were looking for some action on this forum so I thought I would share what I have been up to and hoped maybe to gather some recommendations. Thanks

[Destroyer]

I was going to recommend a Coastal, but you already have found them

[Dschaffer]

I was going to recommend a Coastal, but you already have found them

They look like a good layout for what I am after. Do you have any experience with them? Good/bad years/models? They are considerably less expensive then similarly sized/equipped boats in my area. There is currently a 95 Excell 23wa for $10,000. Here is the description:

***8220;I am putting my wellcraft walkabout up for sale. The motor was rebuilt 3 years ago and only has one season on it. It is a 200 hp Johnson ocean runner. Trimmed out it will do almost 40mph. I am the second owner of the boat. I was out in the water at least once a week from April through November 30th. Boat is water ready and is currently winterized. I never docked the boat. Trailering it and taking it in and out of the water was surprisingly easy with this big of a boat. Has a removable rear light system I made for trolling at night. Also has a Bimini top and I have a full enclosure for it but it was never used and the buttons and zippers have corroded from sitting in storage. Has an elite custom tandem axle drive on bunk trailer. I am asking 10,000 best offer. Let me know if you have any questions.
UPDATE: boat was looked at by a shop and determined there was some moisture in the transom. Transom may need to be done in the next couple years. Shoot me and offer. Worst I can say is no Read Less***8217;

[SkunkBoat]

you listed a lot of big inboard & I/O boats. The Searays are a nice family cruiser but nobody would mistake them for a fishing boat. The Tiara and pursuit expresses are sweet.
Once you get over 25' and/or 8'6" wide, trailering is another level.:bat:
You need twins over 25' too. Thats another level..$$$.

I went up to a Grady 265 express. Love it. :love:
Grady Gulfstream is a sweet WIDE 23'. Seafarer is in your range too.

I would suggest getting something that already has a hardtop and enclosure. Its a real bargain over adding one later...

23 & 25 Coastals fit the bill. Watch for soft decks and transoms.

when you are looking at 80's-90's boats they should be cheap. Probably overdue for a repower if they are nice enough to be worth a repower.

From a buyer's perspective, I would value an old 2 stroke at $0

[Dschaffer]

you listed a lot of big inboard & I/O boats. The Searays are a nice family cruiser but nobody would mistake them for a fishing boat. The Tiara and pursuit expresses are sweet.
Once you get over 25' and/or 8'6" wide, trailering is another level.:bat:
You need twins over 25' too. Thats another level..$$$.

I went up to a Grady 265 express. Love it. :love:
Grady Gulfstream is a sweet WIDE 23'. Seafarer is in your range too.

I would suggest getting something that already has a hardtop and enclosure. Its a real bargain over adding one later...

23 & 25 Coastals fit the bill. Watch for soft decks and transoms.

when you are looking at 80's-90's boats they should be cheap. Probably overdue for a repower if they are nice enough to be worth a repower.

From a buyer's perspective, I would value an old 2 stroke at $0

Thanks for the input. The 80’s to early 90’s Sea Ray Amberjacks are actually a pretty popular fishing boat on the Great Lakes. Their getting a bit too old now but for quite a while, many of the Charter Captains were using them. That being said, if I have the choice it will be a tiara 2700 or pursuit for sure. I’d love the Grady but they are so few and far between around here. Maybe I need to consider traveling to the coast but I’d rather have a boat that has had a salt free “diet”.
The pricing on the WellCrafts around here makes me wonder if they tend to rot a bit quicker then other similar makes/models. From what I understand, the salt water is better at “preserving” the wood then fresh?
Thanks again.

[steplift20]

I will buy your boat, then I will hold on to it for a year or so then sell her back to you for a profit cause after you get your bigger better boat you will be begging me to sell her back to you , the art of the deal ( bigger is not always better) so let me understand , you,your wife and your daughter ,that's 3 people, that's plenty of room on a 20,6 wellcraft ,and you have a small cabin too.

[Dschaffer]

I will buy your boat, then I will hold on to it for a year or so then sell her back to you for a profit cause after you get your bigger better boat you will be begging me to sell her back to you , the art of the deal ( bigger is not always better) so let me understand , you,your wife and your daughter ,that's 3 people, that's plenty of room on a 20,6 wellcraft ,and you have a small cabin too.

Ha! I wish it were that simple. We are wanting to spend weekends overnighting on the boat. Not happening with the V20, at least not comfortably. I’m also hoping that by adding a more usable cabin, it will give my daughter a place to hang out when she is done with the “on deck” action. Another consideration is that the boat works great fishing for myself and one other buddy but bringing a 3rd friend on board gets real tight. The two other guys that I fish with are bigger then me and I’m 6’2 -240.
I’m in no hurry to move on from the V20 but if the right boat comes along, I’ll have to pull the trigger. In the meantime, I’ve got my boat pretty nicely set up for salmon fishing the Great Lakes. 9.9 honda kicker with a wireless troll master throttle control, 3 downriggers, 4 rachetting rod holders and 2, 3-rod, rod trees.
I’m considering adding trim tabs and autopilot this spring. The boat tracks so well, while trolling, that the autopilot is pretty low on the list. Trim tabs would be great to help cut through a tight chop but I don’t usually fish to far from port so its not been a pressing issue.

[bgreene]

Jump to Viking 61’ Sportfish .....wife and kids will love it and you’ll spend like my weekends on the boat

[inaforty]

I own a 23' Wellcraft Excel. Not a bad riding boat for it's size. Honestly I think the Excel/Wellcraft are better built then some of the other Wellcrafts. I think Gemar bought Excel and combined them will Wellcraft. We have spent the night on it but it's really like camping. For 3 people spending the night I would look at a 26' to 29' boat.

I've looked at the larger 27' thru 29' Wellcraft Coastal. Love the layout of the coastal's but access to the bilge and thru hulls is not good. We finally bought a 29' Stamas Express. Like Skunk said once you go that big the expense with twins etc gets to be much more $$$.

We stick with OB powered boats because we are in salt water. Sea Ray's and other boats with outdrives don't make sense for us.

[SkunkBoat]

I could buy a V20 every year for what I pay to dock my 265.:nut:

[steplift20]

My son owns a 25 Parker and uses it for charters , it's a very nice boat but I think to tow it around might be a problem, it's pretty big and heavy but if that's not a issue with you than I would check out the 25 Parker, he has a 250 Yamaha and it pushes it pretty good.

[Dschaffer]

My son owns a 25 Parker and uses it for charters , it's a very nice boat but I think to tow it around might be a problem, it's pretty big and heavy but if that's not a issue with you than I would check out the 25 Parker, he has a 250 Yamaha and it pushes it pretty good.

I’ve heard good things about those boats. Few and far between in this area though. Maybe I need to start looking on the coast. I can pretty easily/safely tow around 12,000lbs so that is not an issue.

[Dschaffer]

I could buy a V20 every year for what I pay to dock my 265.:nut:

With any luck, I’ll be renting or possibly even purchasing a slip in the next year or so. I still want something trailerable though as I’ll fish distant ports on occasion.

[steplift20]

My sons 25 Parker has a very nice cabin and a forward cabin for sleeping but he uses it for his fishing rods plenty of room now to Be honest I heard that it's not a good riding boat,but I have been on it a bunch of times and find it to be a very nice riding boat, maybe they are comparing it to a much larger boat but I think it's a very nice riding vessel, (I would buy one ) he has a 250 4 stroke Yamaha and it moves along pretty fast I feel it's a perfect match but I would rather have a Mercury ( I'm a Mercury guy can you tell lol ) if I was you I would definitely look into a 25 Parker only cause I have been on one. Keep the wellcraft just my opinion lol p.s I was on a charter on a 40 footer and find the Parker just as good , the captain of the larger vessel knows my son and tells me how hard riding the Parker is and he should sell it , I think it rides just as good as his longer boat, ( go figure ) I would like to see what others are saying and you should too.are you in New Jersey?

[Dschaffer]

My sons 25 Parker has a very nice cabin and a forward cabin for sleeping but he uses it for his fishing rods plenty of room now to Be honest I heard that it's not a good riding boat,but I have been on it a bunch of times and find it to be a very nice riding boat, maybe they are comparing it to a much larger boat but I think it's a very nice riding vessel, (I would buy one ) he has a 250 4 stroke Yamaha and it moves along pretty fast I feel it's a perfect match but I would rather have a Mercury ( I'm a Mercury guy can you tell lol ) if I was you I would definitely look into a 25 Parker only cause I have been on one. Keep the wellcraft just my opinion lol p.s I was on a charter on a 40 footer and find the Parker just as good , the captain of the larger vessel knows my son and tells me how hard riding the Parker is and he should sell it , I think it rides just as good as his longer boat, ( go figure ) I would like to see what others are saying and you should too.are you in New Jersey?

Thank you for the information. I’m in Northwest Michigan. I’ve yet to see a Parker in person, at least that I’m aware of. What year/model is your sons boat? I’ll search around and see what’s out there.

[inaforty]

Parker makes a good quality boat (or they use to as Linwood and Robin have sold the company I believe). We had a 2120 sportcabin with a 200 yamaha hpdi. The thing with Parkers is the cabin is set so far forward that they ride like crap (in my opinion). Ride in a 21' Parker then ride in your V 20. Everything is a matter of opinion but if I was going out on a rough day and I had the choice between a 21 Parker and V 20 I'd take the V 20 everytime.

[steplift20]

I think it's a 1991 but I'm not 100 percent sure , one thing I can say is that the hull is solid, the thing that impressed me is all the deck space and very nice cabin area , a really nice boat

[phatdaddy]

Kind of off topic, but if u want to see a tricked out 21 ft Parker, look at My Crooked Pilot House on YouTube. If you want to overnight, he s set up for it.

[Dschaffer]

Parker makes a good quality boat (or they use to as Linwood and Robin have sold the company I believe). We had a 2120 sportcabin with a 200 yamaha hpdi. The thing with Parkers is the cabin is set so far forward that they ride like crap (in my opinion). Ride in a 21' Parker then ride in your V 20. Everything is a matter of opinion but if I was going out on a rough day and I had the choice between a 21 Parker and V 20 I'd take the V 20 everytime.

I think it's a 1991 but I'm not 100 percent sure , one thing I can say is that the hull is solid, the thing that impressed me is all the deck space and very nice cabin area , a really nice boat

Kind of off topic, but if u want to see a tricked out 21 ft Parker, look at My Crooked Pilot House on YouTube. If you want to overnight, he s set up for it.

Thank you for the insights. After some consideration, I don’t think I want a pilot house. It looks like it would feel to “enclosed”. Whatever type of cabin/enclosure I end up with, it will be the least used spot on the boat. Really just a place to sleep and for my daughter to hang out on occasion. I’m starting to think a mid 20’s size WA would be a good fit. There is a 1994 Pursuit 2560 WA for sale not too far away that I might take a closer look at. Thanks again for the replies.

[Pipe_Dream]

This looks pretty nice

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1987/wellcraft-sportsman-250-3728580/

[Dschaffer]

This looks pretty nice

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1987/wellcraft-sportsman-250-3728580/

:love:
This is the first I’ve seen one of those. That might be the best layout of any boat I’ve looked at so far in that size range. If that thing had a single 4 stroke on it I would be very tempted.
Thank you for sharing! I have a new boat/model to search for!! Awesome

[steplift20]

I love wellcrafts but if I was looking at a 25 foot boat ,the wellcraft is a very nice boat but I think the Parker has a better set up If I was you I would try to find a 25 Parker and compared it . To me it has more deck room and a nice cabin , but I think you should keep your wellcraft ,look at gas prices going up,unless you have a very good job or have money than I would deal with the 20,6 me personally I couldn't afford to go bigger not now anyway.

[Dschaffer]

I love wellcrafts but if I was looking at a 25 foot boat ,the wellcraft is a very nice boat but I think the Parker has a better set up If I was you I would try to find a 25 Parker and compared it . To me it has more deck room and a nice cabin , but I think you should keep your wellcraft ,look at gas prices going up,unless you have a very good job or have money than I would deal with the 20,6 me personally I couldn't afford to go bigger not now anyway.

I’m not a fan of the pilot house on the parkers. I like a more “open air” feel. That Wellcraft 250 sportsman has an excellent layout but I suspect it will be tricky to find one of that vintage that isn’t all rotted out. Boats with minimal to no wood construction are high on the list but often too high on the price. I definitely will not be selling the steplift until I’m 100% certain the “new” boat is what I want. I am in no hurry for the “new” boat but I want to be ready when it comes along. Thanks for the insight

[bgreene]

60' + Viking........