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]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

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.
You need twins over 25' too. Thats another level..$$$.

I went up to a Grady 265 express. Love it.
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]

Originally Posted by 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.
You need twins over 25' too. Thats another level..$$$.

I went up to a Grady 265 express. Love it.
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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.