Larger boat discussion

[randlemanboater]

I value all of you gents opinions on boat matters, I am beginning to look for a larger boat for my future use (to be purchased in the next couple years) and would like to hear your ideas on what to look for, here are my general ideas:

I like the idea of a center console boat, especially the ones that have a one level floor (like a Contender for example). The main thing I didn't like about the Grady-White Sailfish I had BC (before children) was that half the boat was cabin and wasted fishing space.

I want a boat big enough to fish comfortable offshore with 3 or 4 people fishing (the V-20 is great for 2, ok for 3) but not burn 200 gallons of gas in a day. It also has to trailer well for Keys trips.

I know I cant afford anything new, but would like the boat to be 1994 or newer with modern power (you know I like 4 strokes), I am leaning toward a single outboard because with twins all costs seem to double. Ideally I would like to find a well cared for boat with original power and repower.

So boats on my radar so far are:

Contender 23 (mid 90's to early 2000's)
Contender 25 (pre built in bracket, not opposed to the euro transom, they just get too pricey)
1995 and up (no wood) Proline 240 Sport(or one of its other designations: 23 Sport, 25 Sport...the one with a bracket not the euro transom)
Pro line 23 sport (the Donzi hulled euro transom)
Grady White center console (like the 247)
Parker 2300 (hard to find)
Sea Pro 220
Sea Craft 23 (also hard to find)

So what do yall know about these and what other ones should I look at?

I am not 100% set on CC, I have always liked the GW 225-T Dually.

Thanks in advance.

[spareparts]

Sea Craft 23 is my personal first choice

Contender, Sea Vee, Albermarle, White Water, Formula etc are all basically the same hull, the longer you go, the better it gets. Gradys and Whalers are over priced. Scouts look good, but are way too much money and don't ride that good. Pro Lines are good boats, but they aren't in the same league as the previous ones(they are priced accordingly, so you may get much bigger for the $)

I hate to say this, its not my favorite, or classic, but look hard at the Sea Hunts and Key West. The odds of finding one of these that came with a four stroke is much higher than finding an older boat that was repowered (and valued) with a newer engine. Look at the larger McKee's also(not the traditional foamed filled tri hulls). They are nothing like the smaller boats, they are out of business now, but the bigger boats were pretty nice, and extremely over built. We had a 23 TE parked beside my friends 25 Sea Vee, the McKee was much bigger.

[bradford]

I agree about the Seacraft 23. Also you can find deals on older hulls that have been recently restored and add new power for a pretty good price sometimes if you would go pre 94. Contenders are nice, but I think they are sometimes like Whalers and your paying for the decal on the side sometimes. I like the older Prolines, if I was gonna run a Parker it would be for the pilot house. I also like the Sea Hunts, probably one of the better looking mass produced hulls made these days in my opinion. Again, find a sweet restored hull and hang new power and you'll come out ahead I think. I'll post up some I find on craigslist, with and without power.

[randlemanboater]

I am not set on 94 or newer, just trying to keep up my trend of 10 years newer each boat...'74 Starcraft, '84 V-20, '94 ????, but the year doesn't matter as long as its a good boat that fits my needs (wants).

I saw a couple real sweet looking Contender 23's that had been recently painted, one even had a 2010 ETEC on it, but they were at the top of my price range.

What do yall know about an Aquasport 225 or 245 Osprey?

There was a guy in BPK a couple weeks ago with an inboard diesel Seacraft that looked like a show boat...it was awesome, but I could not use a straight inboard with the ramp and docks I use at the coast.

[randlemanboater]

Even with its smelly 2 smoke motor, I really like this one.

http://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/boa/4555505478.html

[THEFERMANATOR]

DUSKY 233 if you want a bigger V-20 hull. DUSKY took the classic V-20 hull, and made it even bigger in there 233. Not the fastest of hulls, but it has the big bow flare, moderate deadrise, and good sea keeping abilities.

[randlemanboater]

I will do some searching on Sailfish, I have seen them around here.

Those Sea Hunt's look nice in pictures.

Searched for Hydrasports, they are all 20' or 33 ' it seems.

[randlemanboater]

Those Sailfish look real nice, but they are more pricey than Regulators.

[RidgeRunner]

Ouch! Must be the Carbon Fiber they add to the hull "Where Needed". Knew there was something I liked about it.

[spareparts]

here ya go Randleman, http://marker17marine.com/boat/2005-...nt-232-triton/

If you are interested, give me a call. I'v e got an in over there