first boat opinion

[cougar]

Well, I did it! I went to the boat show to shop. My intent is to see what I like, then find used. Not quite sure what I'll end up with, though- new or used. However, I can use some help/opinions on what I am thinking...

I am looking for a center console bay boat that I can also take my wife and 2 kids in for mainly fishing. I can't tell you how hard it was just to find a CC boat with 4 seats. I was mainly looking in the 17-19 foot range as much larger and I'll have a storage issue. I saw a Polar 1810 Bay and a Kenner Vision 1800 (I think) that had 2 extra seats in addition to the bench drivers seat and the one on the front of the console.

What do y'all think about these 2 boats (or toher suggestions)? The only boats I have owned up to now have been bass boats. The Polar had extra large sides/edges (not sure the technical name) so much that I could walk on them. Looked like it would produce a dryer ride. Kenner I think was a bit cheaper.

I fish mostly in the bays and anticipate I would not take this boat much further than the jetties unless I had a buddy boat AND calm seas for a short offshore trip.

Opinions and experiences welcome!

[solaction]

Mako it's the only way to go. You have a bench in front of the consol that seats 2 and 2 more caption's seats behind the consol.

[NurseD-bait]

We're about in the same boat...lookin for something for the family...we currently have a 19' and find it abit tight with four rods being slung....thinking about a 23'..somethin for the family I'm lookin at the Gulf Coast or Shallow Sport Hubby wants to check out some of the new Bay boats out of aluminum (?) Any comments from this wonderful gallery of knowledge?????

[MT Stringer]

Cougar, I had an 18 foot Kenner for about 8 years. In 2003 I upgraded to the 21' Kenner K2102. It is all I will ever need. Plenty of power, storage and room to fish or play. The ride is considerably better than the 18.

Good luck in your search. Your fever sounds serious! :)

Note: Photo by Fishnut.
Mike

[Coach_Stew]

I suggest a Bay Stealth 2030..

[Capt Kat]

Sea Fox makes a great fish and ski. If I were so inclined to buy a "New" boat it would be this one. 19' walk thru with fishing package is very family friendly. Currently I have a Whaler. Its crowded when all five of us are on the boat but I know it won't sink. Check them out at the boat show.Good Luck!

[Fishdaze]

I can give you my opinion on a few of the boats that have been mentioned here. Personally, I have a 21' Sea Hunt, and it's been a great boat. We run it all over Galveston bay, and out around the Jetties. We have not had a single problem with it or the 200 Mercury. I've heard nothing but good things about Sea Hunt. They have a few different styles, that may fit your needs. I would also recemmend a Sea Pro. It's a similar manufacturer that we looked at prior to purchasing the Sea Hunt.

I'm not familiar with Polar.

Kenner is a great boat, though they have been bought out by Tracker. The Kenner brothers now manufacture a boat called Blackjack. I think the Kenner 1800 is too small for 4 to fish out of. I speak from experience there.

Mako is a great boat, but may be more than you're looking for.

Gulf Coast and Shallow Sport are great boats for serious fishing. I think you're looking for a family style boat.

Baystealth has a nice set-up. A co-worker of mine has the 18' and they fish 4 out of it all the time.

As for the Sea Fox, and I'm not bashing anyone's boat or opinion. I've have seen nothing but horror stories about the craftsmanship and manufacturing of these boats, and the poor customer service. You can check out websites at "The Hull Truth" and the Florida sportsman Boaters Forum. I can only say I would be very cautious before I looked into a Sea Fox. Where there's smoke there's usually fire.

Let us know what you decide.

[Capt Kat]

Didn't know that about the Sea Fox. I like it because of the style and the guy at the boat show said it was foam fill hull, unsinkable. I have never bought a new boat (on #7) so if your going new, go to the boat show and get some ideas. My boat philosophy is directly related to how much you love your family. Love them lots, get a 20ft cruiser with portapotty. Want to get away from them, buy a 14' Jon boat and stick to the flats.Good Luck!


I can give you my opinion on a few of the boats that have been mentioned here. Personally, I have a 21' Sea Hunt, and it's been a great boat. We run it all over Galveston bay, and out around the Jetties. We have not had a single problem with it or the 200 Mercury. I've heard nothing but good things about Sea Hunt. They have a few different styles, that may fit your needs. I would also recemmend a Sea Pro. It's a similar manufacturer that we looked at prior to purchasing the Sea Hunt.

I'm not familiar with Polar.

Kenner is a great boat, though they have been bought out by Tracker. The Kenner brothers now manufacture a boat called Blackjack. I think the Kenner 1800 is too small for 4 to fish out of. I speak from experience there.

Mako is a great boat, but may be more than you're looking for.

Gulf Coast and Shallow Sport are great boats for serious fishing. I think you're looking for a family style boat.

Baystealth has a nice set-up. A co-worker of mine has the 18' and they fish 4 out of it all the time.

As for the Sea Fox, and I'm not bashing anyone's boat or opinion. I've have seen nothing but horror stories about the craftsmanship and manufacturing of these boats, and the poor customer service. You can check out websites at "The Hull Truth" and the Florida sportsman Boaters Forum. I can only say I would be very cautious before I looked into a Sea Fox. Where there's smoke there's usually fire.

Let us know what you decide.

[Redfishr]

Heres my choice. Transport 20They also come in 22

[Cru]

A used Whaler makes a great bay boat, plus you can get your money back (very low depreciation) when you are ready to upgrade.

[ANGEL]

im drulling over that transport seen them at the boat show MR.REDFISHR i like your boat alot my next one is a transport

[Sick Leave]

Before I bought my first CC boat, last July, I looked for about 2 years and studied about 30 different kinds. I too was not only looking for a mean lean fishing machine, but for a family fishing/skiing boat. In your quest, you need to look past the outward appearance and look at the heart of the boat. Service, repair history, high sides, low sides, dry when underway, self-bailing (your kids and wife won't like standing in water while they're fishing), motor size, long term reliability (both motor and boat), additional electronics and accessories you will want to add later, location of the seats besides the center console seat (which is almost standard in CC boats), how much power you want in a motor to get where you want to go and how much you will need to get out of a quick thuderboomer, storage fees for the length of boat you buy and of course, there are other considerations too numerous to mention including how much you want to put out in $ for a 4 stroke vs. a 2 stroke. How much do you want to spend and then see what you can buy. Do you need a new boat? There are a lot of great "pre-owned" boats out there that have been maintained extremely well. If you interested in some of the finer points of interest from my 2 years of study, send me a PM and I will be glad to clue you in. For example, how high does the self-bailing outflow hole in the transom need to be in order for the water to drain? You would think the obvious answer would be - above the water line outside. However, some or the more brand name boats did not know this when they built theirs and therefore, the water doesn't drain properly, if at all. Where does the bilge pump discharge the water, out the back or out the side? Maybe, I'll hear from you.
I decided on a 2000 - 2230 Bay Stealth w/ a 250 2-stroke Yamaha which came with a 105 lb/thrust Motor Guide trolling motor, 15 mile ship to shore radio, Lowrance X85 depth finder, Yamaha fuel management system, oversized pump for both baitwells, and many other accessories. The water pump had been changed every year and the motor starts at the flick of the key - everytime, and purrs like a kitty cat. It shoots out of the hole in less than 10 seconds and cruises at 45 mph before you realize you're even moving. Top speed is 65 and carries 65 gal. of gas. It came with 2 additional very comfortable seats that are in the back and sit high and dry while traversing the bay. Price $22,000. It fits very well behind my garage - no storage fees every month. And the best part, my family feels SAFE in 22' 3" by 102" of boat on the open bay or out at the jettys. That is inportant to them and to me.

[BIG Flat Skiff]

If I were you I'd buy this one. 10,500.00 :)

http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/showthread.php?t=12148

[kenny]

Sick Leave,
Why would you replace the water pump every year?

[WHITE CAP]

I have a Gulf Coast 20 with high sides. Cushion seat in front and back. Works great for up to four people.

Will not own another bote!

And so it goes...........

[Redfishr]

im drulling over that transport seen them at the boat show MR.REDFISHR i like your boat alot my next one is a transportThanks Angel, If I did it again I wouldnt chang a thing. I in love all over again with this boat.
Its one of the asolute most spacious 20 fters I have ever seen.
I can get the whole family in it with room to spare.
That was the reason for the upgrade.
My boys are 7 and 9 now and like to fish but cant handle the wading yet.
The shallow water performance is great for a boat of its style.
And the ride is right.

[Fishdaze]

Heres my choice. Transport 20They also come in 22
Those are NICE boats Red. Doesn't TPWD use those also??

[Copzilla]

For the price of the 18" Kenner Vision, you can hop into a 21 footer with gelcoat and a nice 150 Merc EFI. Size is everything on the water, and you will outgrow an 18 footer.

[Redfishr]

They bought seven...

Those are NICE boats Red. Doesn't TPWD use those also??