Hey Tin
 

A little info if you would,actually for any of you guys, one of my best friends is looking for a bay boat (new) he wants to use it for getting into skinny water in Barnegat Bay to fly and spin fish sod banks etc. He has a nice fishery down there but his big Grady drafts to much. Sometimes and some areas a foot deep or even less.
The Bay there can get nasty in a blow and he would like to have a boat that would be fairly dry and handle the inlets on a nice day. Wondered if during all that checking you were doing last year anything stuck out for you. He is an orthodontist so he has the money to buy something decent but is not an extravagant kind of guy. He would like to be able to launch it himself too when he wants to go out for an afternoon himself. Fish two maybe three guys, hopefully me one of them frequently 8)

Re: Hey Tin
 

Hey Willy, if money isn't an object, have hin look at a Pathfinder. Nice boat, but a little above my pay grade

Re: Hey Tin
 

I'd say Franco's McKee Craft 196 Marathon would be a good choice

Pathfinder is a good choice, pricey, but sounds like he can afford it. I'm not too crazy about the low freeboard though.

I'd also have him check out Maritime Skiff. IMO it would handle the snotty stuff better than a Pathfinder, supposed to be fairly dry too. They are used by a lot of guides in the NE. MS would be at the top of my short list.

Also, Andros Boat works Panga (formerly Tortuga boats) or Pangamarine.com Pangas. I'd stay away form Panga.com boats.

Parker and Steigercraft make some possibilities too.

Jones Brothers also.

Re: Hey Tin
 

Willy, send him this link to a flyfishing forum, lots of guides and discusssions on this topic there.

http://reel-time.com/forum/

Re: Hey Tin
 

Thanks Tin and Franco, I told him about your CC Franco and that would definetly be on my short list.
Tin did you ever get out in one of those Pangs's, I had mentioned that to him but we don't know anyone who has one or fishes one around here. Don't think he wants to spend big bucks, like I said he is not an extravagant kind of guy.

Re: Hey Tin
 

Never been on a Panga yet but here's where he can sea trial right in New Jersey!

From Pangamarine.coms website:

Sea Trials in Jersey

Want to check out the New Boca Grande, but live too far away from Florida? Now you can take a Sea Trial in New Jersey. Contact Harry Lewis at 609-276-2672 or Capt. Bill Tallman at 609-693-0100 to set up your Sea Trial today!

They just had a special on leftover 06' 22' Marquesa's, Boat, 90hp Suzie 4s and alum. trailer for $23,900. The new 07 model has changed a bit, little longer, wider, more fuel, more money. These boats float in 8" of water and will get 6 mpg! The ride is supposed be awesome too. I wish there was a place to sea trial closer to me.

I'm 2 hours east of NYC bit I'd really like to check one out. I may have to take a road trip to Joisey some day!:)

pretty good info here where he can talk to Panga owners:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/panga_style_boats/

Re: Hey Tin
 

Thanks for all the info Tin I'll get it to him
Been one of my best friends for a long time, could own any boat he wants but keeps it simple, goes crabbing clamming fishing bird turkey deer elk hunting. On his own no guides except me ::). He bought an 87 25ft Grady used three years ago, motor went, bought a rebuilt went to pick it up from marina where stored and found they had not closed it up right, crack along bottom of transom where water had frozen in there and the transom has some flex to it. He does not trust the repair they did and wants to get rid of it and wants something simple for fishing the big Barnegat Bay away from the crowds in the channels

Re: Hey Tin
 

Willy, the McKee that Franco's got is probably as gooda choice for him as you'll find...good friend of mine just sold his 20' Pathfinder...light as a feather...F115 pushed it over 40 and SIPPED fuel...good, solid hull, handled chop well, but wasn't a personal favorite of mine...

Buy him a bus ticket to Sebastian and let him go down and swim ''Reel Crabby'' around some...he's sure to fall in love w/ it... :-* ;D :-* ;D ...

Re: Hey Tin
 

I like that idea, maybe as part of my recovery I can get the doctor to write me a scipt for it ;D
Reel Crabby was a sweet ride, would be a lot easier on me now that he got himself one of those new fangled electric trolling motors. I can leave my fins in the truck ::)
I can show my friend the site of the Wup A$$ monument on the way ;D