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.

[macojoe]

23 is the best size to be trailered and large! Up here I know of 3 people with Seacraft and love them! two havw had contender and got rid of for the Seacraf.

[spareparts]

That Contender is a good hull, I'll keep my opinions about teh motor to myself. That hull will handle rough water better than the V, but you'd be surprised as how little room it has inside compared to teh V. As far as that goes, teh 23 Sea Craft center console is pretty small as well, especially when you compare it to a 23 Sea Craft Scepter/Tsunami. Best thing for you to do is go to a redneck boat show, otherwise known as cruising the marinas and the dry stacks, look at as many boats as you can. Get a feel of the size and amenities. If you come down this way, I'll show you around.

[phatdaddy]

ditto on the dusky. 23 with a dusky drive (bracket) is a great hull and still trailerable. i personally like ***8224;he ones with a small cuddy up front. it's just large enough to stow some gear that you want to stay dry.

[randlemanboater]

I like that Dusky too...not many around here to go look at though.

The lack of room in the rear of a CC is a concern, thats why I like the looks of the Proline 240 and the GW CC's, they have the console mounted more forward.

The Proline 23 sport around 2001-2003 looks good too, its a 25' Donzi hull called a 23 for the old SKA 23' and under class.

I am with you on the ETEC Spare, but it NADA's for like $13K used so I could sell it and get a new 4 stroke to replace it...but I wont do anything until winter when people need Christmas money.

All the Seacrafts I am finding are either basket cases or rebuilt and crazy priced.