Larger boat discussion

[THEFERMANATOR]

The blackwatch's will bring $$$$$. It's a VERY desireable hull built DIRECTLY off of BERTRAM molds from when BERTRAM sold the molds to there 20, 23, 25, 26, 28, and 30's(not sure if BLACKWATCH got a 31 mold or not, thought those stayed with a boat builder in Sarasota). And I know many dislike 2 strokes, but yes, there is STILL a market out there for them if they're not rotted. Theres still ALOT of people out there who like being able to work on there own outboards WITHOUT a laptop, like the simplicity of 2 strokes, and the weight savings is worth it to them to offset the difference in fuel economy running(It is no where near as big of a difference cruising as many like to think it is, the big difference is trolling and slow speed running where DFI's and 4 strokes shine, but DFI's still win in almost ALL scenarios for economy). GOOD 2 stroke outboards in the 200-250HP size can fetch $2-5K down here a piece, and surprisingly the prices just seem to keep climbing for them(most likely for people with older hulls where 4 strokes weight the transom down to the point the boat's ride goes to crap ruining the boat).

I don't know anything about the north coast. I do know the blackwatch is a deep V hull built off of the old BERTRAM molds, and is known to be a soft riding hull, but likes to rock and roll on the drift, and is a bit power hungry with the deep V(not a good starting point if you're concerned with MPG's). PROLINE has had some very hit or miss hulls. Later boats were a real tossup after the plant got bought out, and they started shifting production all over the place. I believe the buyout was around 04 or 05, and shortly there after the name was gone. I was never a fan of there later model euro styled hulls. Grady's fetch big money just because it's a Grady. I would be looking at a PARKER if you could swing the money, or even a HYDRA-SPORTS in that size range if range is a concern. Theres alot of good boats out there, just need a solid game plan in mind of what you want.

[inaforty]

We owned a 2120 Sport cabin Parker. Built very well. Linwood and Robin Parker are excellent folks. However that 2120 SC gave a terrible ride!

We were just looking at a 26' Blackwatch listed here in Westport MA for 22k.

[spareparts]

If you told me I had to pick a 23 ft boat, id say 23-24 SeaVee, Contender, white water, formula, Albermarle, and all their clones as they are the same hull. The 23 Sea Craft runs a close second along with the 25 Sea Craft if you want to run twins. The next step up would be the 26 Bertram, Ive been impressed with the hull over and over again. Granted, these hulls are based on not being able to afford current new boats. Once you get above 26 ft, there are many options available, but for all us poor folks, the hulls I listed are the best options I know of

[cfelton]

I love the old Bertrams too, Albemarle boats are built close to me in Edenton and are really nice too! I think my favorite is Carolina Classic, love the flare and lines! Almost like an overgrown V20!

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by cfelton

I love the old Bertrams too, Albemarle boats are built close to me in Edenton and are really nice too! I think my favorite is Carolina Classic, love the flare and lines! Almost like an overgrown V20!

Yes I've posted before that it is my dream boat. I could get a 25 with a jackshaft single i/o, even a deisel, in my price range but after long consideration I decided to look for twin OB boats with bigger fuel tanks and range. They make beautiful Carolinas now with bracket OBs but I won't afford one for 20 years...
Converting an old one isn't the same. The new ones moved a bigger fuel tank to the engine bay and puts in-deck fish boxes where the fuel tanks were.

[randlemanboater]

A friend of mine had one of those North Coast's back in the early 90's, he loved it. If you have any specific questions about them let me know and I can ask him.

Like Ferm said, 2-smokes sell like hotcakes around here too.

Proline made some boats that were based on Donzi hulls with sharper deadrises that I like the looks of, but it is a little tough figuring out which ones they are because Proline changed their model numbers so often.

[phatdaddy]

one more

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sa...ay-1996-a.html

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by inaforty

We owned a 2120 Sport cabin Parker. Built very well. Linwood and Robin Parker are excellent folks. However that 2120 SC gave a terrible ride!

We were just looking at a 26' Blackwatch listed here in Westport MA for 22k.

You can get Parker 25s with a deep v. That used to be one of my "stare too long" boats but once I got on one, or rather IN one, I didn't like it. Step down into cabin, too closed in... and lots of "carpet". Love all the deck space but freeboard way too low, practically knee height. Great boat for hauling crab pots in a bay but not quite right for offshore.

[randlemanboater]

Has Suzuki gotten any better with corrosion protection?

https://treasure.craigslist.org/boa/...347424191.html

I really like the Ranger 250C, and I like the idea of a newer single 300 4 stroke.

I hear a lot of talk about Suzuki's being prone to corrosion, although my 14 year experience with my Johnzuki 140 has been nothing but positive.

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by randlemanboater

Has Suzuki gotten any better with corrosion protection?

https://treasure.craigslist.org/boa/...347424191.html

I really like the Ranger 250C, and I like the idea of a newer single 300 4 stroke.

I hear a lot of talk about Suzuki's being prone to corrosion, although my 14 year experience with my Johnzuki 140 has been nothing but positive.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Suzuki. They are no more or less likely to have a problem than any other major brand. While looking at boats during my search, every 2003 Yamaha 4 stroke made the point of saying that the exhaust (corrosion) had been replaced. I can say that my 140zuki looks a lot better at 14 years than my Merc150 did at 11 years, Tstat holes were a corroded mess.
But Yamaha and Mercury make good motors too.