Decisions Decisions -- Help

[bassassman_1963]

Checked out the Houston Boat Show this afternoon....wow...lots of nice boats out there. Couple of questions for folks out there:

1. Evinrude Etec 250 -- anyone have experience with these motors (good...bad...how do they compare to Merc and Yamaha's)?

2. Seahunt Ultra 234 -- saw this boat for the first time...looks like a nice combination of fishing boat and boat suitable for family outings. Anybody run this boat and have opinions? Price on that boat with a 4 stroke yamaha 250 was $55,000...does that sound high, low, or about right.

3. Same question on the Seahunt Triton 240. That boad looked like it was designed more for the fisherman....don't know what the price was (some of the dealers weren't posting them)

Input would be appreciated. Thanks

[James@SeaKingBlue]

There are more reliable motors out there than the larger E-tecs, the smaller etecs less than 150 hp are not bad but with the larger ones its pretty much a coin flip if you're gonna get a reliable motor or a lemon. The new Yamaha 4 strokes are great as well as the Mercury Optimax's. As for the Seahunt boat being 55k that sounds about right. Most 23-24 foot center console v hulls are about that much nowadays. Seahunt builds a good boat and the ultra looks like a great boat for both fishing and family since it has lots of padded seating which is nice for the women folk. Blue wave builds a nice boat with ample seating like the seahunt. I like the Bluewave Pure Bays a lot and you can get a lot of seating on them as well. Make sure you take a test ride on all the boats you're interested in so you can pick the one that best fits your needs. In my opinion the Yamaha new 4 strokes are some of the best engines on the market now and are worth the extra money. They have the weight and torque of a 2 stroke with all the benefits of a 2 stroke, no other 4 stroke can say that.

[Redfishr]

What ever you get make sure you have them put Lenco trim tabs on it.
Most boats performs better with trim tabs.
At least the last 5 ,I had ,did.
Most bay boats are light weight and uneven loads (like family members) result in a boat runnign not level. Trim tabs once adjusted for the load fix that problem.
I cant stand unlevel riding boats, so trim tabs have always been a must for me.
They have other uses as well in shallow water take offs.
Dont get in a hurry.
Also some good boats to look at of that style are the
Tritons and Blackjacks

[bassassman_1963]

James and Redfishr, your input is much appreciated. Triton makes a very nice boat and they had yamaha's hanging from them. I may go back and take a closer look. My guess is that the missus would like the Ultra and that once I climb all over them that I'll lean toward the Triton. Go figure.....

If anyone runs these boats, I would appreciate any thoughts you have on them.

[Blue Fury]

IMO if your going to spend 55k look at the 24' pathfinder.

[bassassman_1963]

Pathfinder 24 is a beautiful boat but not sure that I can get it with T-top for $55k...my guess is it would be $60++ maybe $65k...which is more than I wanted to spend.

[Redfishr]

A buddy of mine has had both the Blackjack and the Triton. (he now owns a blackjack)
He said both were great boats but he liked the triton best.
Claimed it had a cleaner finish and ran faster.
I have no play in this game and am only going by his input to me.
He braggs on both boats though.

[Croaker slinger]

Get a tran xlr2480 , with a 250 e tec
20 inch shaft , you'll love it!

[fishntx62]

Look at the shearwater boats with a Yamaha 250 SHO, Friends don't let Friends buy etec's

[James@SeaKingBlue]

55k with a T-top is never going to happen happen on a Shearwater. Would be nice if it did though they are sweet boats.