Seeking boat, but which style/make??

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by hobopacket

So just putting it out there. There are days when the run to Bimini is dead calm I mean skip a rock calm. Jet skis do it often in summer months.

I will be taking my 25' wellcraft over.

That is true, just don't underestimate it. If you're not prepared for the worst you're not prepared. 2 boys learned that the hard way last year.

[tuffr2]

Not to muddy the water but have you considered a trawler? Take a look at larger Ranger Tugs. I kinda want to do the same kinda things you want to do and the Ranger Tug as well as the Regal pocket cruisers are boats I am considering.

I want to get the boat out of the water when not in use. Clean it and store it on the hard covered as much as possible. I have a diesel truck so my mind set is towable. I would tow the boat to the Keys for example or Fort Pierce on occasion.

I too would like to fish a few miles out and in occasion get to the edge. I would take my buddies out to fish.

[wakeboarder72]

tuff,
Yeah, I'm looking at the links provided by the other posters now, going through some of the Mainstream trawlers. They look pretty well suited for what I think I might be looking for. Lots more to look at, of course, but this is a great start. I'll look for some of the ones you mentioned as well.

I've also considered the idea of trailering the one I get as well. I like the idea of having it out of the saltwater as much as possible, and being in Orlando, I could easily get it over from the Atlantic to the Gulf side, and also down to the Keys for a week or so when the urge hits. All depends on the size I end up going with, obviously. Like you, the truck/power to tow isn't an issue for me either. Ugh...so many options to consider! A good problem, though, I suppose. ;-)

[wakeboarder72]

tuffr2,
When you mention 'pocket cruiser', are you referring to the Regal Express Cruisers?

Thanks,
William

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by wakeboarder72

Wow guys, what awesome input. Sorry, the site didn't give me any more notifications that there were replies - just read through them all now.

I appreciate all the insight, suggestions, and links. I will take them all into consideration.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! ;-)

William

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[tuffr2]

wakeborder - what a call a pocket cruiser is the smaller 26' - 28' Regal, Searay, Rinker, Glastron etc that can be towed w/o special permits. Regal Windows Express is the top of my list in this category.

I am thinking the Ranger Tug 29 if I go that route. I am in Palm Coast so I would have easy access to the ICW.

Obviously the beam is the issue if you want to trailer. 8.5' as a max.

I would prefer one engine and get this...I like outboard power. Ranger Tug makes an outboard powered model but I have not phyically seen it yet.

Lol...being in Orlando you need a bass boat to fish and a pontoon boat to relax.

[wakeboarder72]

Thanks tuffr2, I'll look into those makes you mentioned. I appreciate it... ;-)

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

You might have a glance at some of the Tiara express models; I think many of those can be (or have been) rigged for fishing. Lots more sportfish and convertible brands, although that market has fallen off a bit in the "affordable" range, and depending on whether you want to go that route.

When I said Tiara, I was really thinking about Pursuit... a sister brand with models aimed at the fishing market.

A couple more that come to mind just now are Albemarle and Carolina Classic...

-Chris

[Scout 30]

RF-246 | Rosborough Boats USA
Eastern
Seaway

[wakeboarder72]

ranger and scout,
Thanks, guys, for the additional. Ranger, I did look at all the models mentioned thus far in the thread - several that look like they'd fit the bill. Not many of the used Tiaras for sale on bt, that I was able to find.

I'll check out the Pursuit and others that you two put out there.

Went to a dealership here in Orlando yesterday, to start seeing a few in person.

Thanks again,
William

[wakeboarder72]

Oh my gosh, there are SOOOO many boats and options to consider/go through/think about....just spent ANOTHER 4 hours surfing the bt site looking at just TWO of the models (Amberjack and Sundancer)

Can I ask one more question of you guys, please? Most of the ones I'm looking at/considering are probably going to be around 2006-2008 models. Are there things that would be 'normally' coming up for replacement/repair at about the 10-year mark (major stuff, not small items), or is all just too dependent on how the previous owner took care of it. I'm thinking like here in Florida, the roof on a house has probably run its course by about the 15-year mark, the a/c unit after xx years, etc. So, just wondering if there are items on these age boats (~ 10 or so years) that I should not be alarmed about if whoever I have that checks out the boat says that it/they need to be replaced/repaired. Make sense?

Thanks again, all.....I appreciate it....back to the listings again.... ;-)

William

[tuffr2]

I am worried about water intrusion into the engine cylinder. That is more common than I first thought.
about a month ago a marine surveyor posted picks of spark plugs from a Volvo I/O of a late 2000's boat. There was water intrusion into the engine. So I googled 'Marine engine water intrusion'...yikes...scary stuff.

So that is one thing I would look for.

[wakeboarder72]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I am worried about water intrusion into the engine cylinder. That is more common than I first thought.
about a month ago a marine surveyor posted picks of spark plugs from a Volvo I/O of a late 2000's boat. There was water intrusion into the engine. So I googled 'Marine engine water intrusion'...yikes...scary stuff.

So that is one thing I would look for.

Gotcha, I'll keep that on the list of things. Thanks

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by wakeboarder72

...just spent ANOTHER 4 hours surfing the bt site looking at just TWO of the models (Amberjack and Sundancer)

Can I ask one more question of you guys, please? Most of the ones I'm looking at/considering are probably going to be around 2006-2008 models. Are there things that would be 'normally' coming up for replacement/repair at about the 10-year mark (major stuff, not small items), or is all just too dependent on how the previous owner took care of it.

Sundancers not so great for fishing -- hard to mount rod holders and such -- although they can maybe meet your needs otherwise. Seems to me SeaRay's Amberjack models, IIRC, were intended to provide fishing possibilities... Didn't know they were made into the 2000s...

Yes, lots is dependent on previous owner maintenance, but I'm told one major deal with gas engines is manifold/riser/elbow replacement... in salt water... every 5 years (7 max). Depends on engine model whether all three need replacement, but the short story is they're cast iron parts, there's salt water flowing through as part of the cooling system, and rot can happen from the inside out. Not necessarily visible from the outside. You could ask for service and maintenance records...

-Chris

[hobopacket]

Be religious about flushing with fresh water and the exhaust system can last far more than 5 years. Every time my boat goes in salt my clean up process is roughly a hour long.

Dip the boat and trailer in fresh water, a boat ramp at a lake on the way home works great. Fire up the engine, have to make sure the engine reaches operating temp and then rinse everything off real well in the drive way. No biggie.

Anyway my point is, on a older used boat that had been in salt, you may have to replace the manifolds, risers, and elbows but with proper care you won't have to worry about it for some time. Now if you keep the boat at the dock in salt, this becomes a bit harder.