Need Some Boat Advice!

[Two Fister]

Hey Dogs!

I know, I know, not another "What kind of boat should I buy" thread. I've exhausted the archives both here and at The Hull Truth and I still need help! This way I can also stop bugging Tomic Time and Nalu for their advice. Thanks again guys for all of the input so far!

I'm just totally stumped and I need your advice as to what to buy now that I've made the potentially fatal mistake of selling my boat to Beefcake. That would be the same Beefcake that let me know he was catching gators yesterday in the boat while I was doing yard work wondering about how the fishing was. That was oh so cruel Beefcake!

The ground rules as laid out by need and the Chief Executive Wife.

1. Must be at least 21' but less than 25';

2. Must be salty enough to handle life outside of the bays on a regular basis;

3. Must still be able to fish the CR, Willamette and the high lakes (even if it looks like the Titanic compared to the 12' Valco next to it)

4. Must have a cuddy cabin (the smaller the better)

5. Must have an outboard on an offshore bracket;

6. Beam of at least 8.5';

7. Prefer glass for saltwater applications, but would consider aluminum as long as I don't end up mooring;

8. Price is flexible but I would like to keep it below $40K

I keep finding Olympics that get gobbled up before I can even see them. The other boat that I've lusted after is a 24XL Sea Sport with a Yami on a bracket. Since they are about double my budget I'm hunting for something a bit more reasonably priced. I really like the layout of the Olympic and Sea Sport cabin as the cuddy is pushed far forward, there's an Alaska bulkhead with space enough for 4 to sit and move around, and there's still lots of deck space for fishing. The cuddy will be used exclusively for stowing gear, napping kids and the ladies room so it doesn't have to have tons of sleeping space. I've started looking at some Walk Arounds, but I don't like the way that they use space nearly as much as some of the Pilot House Designs.

Anybody have any suggestions for me? I've posted this on the main board as well to get a more general consensus. Any advice you Dogs can send my way would be most appreciated!

Thanks!
TF

[pijon]

I just bought a 22 arima. To be delivered in a week or so. Beam is 8'9". Small cuddy. Price is a little over your max new, but a used one would be right in there.
You might also look at the 21 arima with a hardtop. The Arima hull design is a trade off. Very economical on fuel as it planes at slow speeds. The trade is a rougher ride in the chop. Good luck. Boat shopping is fun and frustrating.

[Laguna29]

Well here is a boat I ran across cruising the net go to ebay and in the search window type in the number 4624992032 this looks like a very nice boat and real close to what you are looking for. Hope it helps. If for some reason the number in the search window does not get you there type in Grady White Boats.

[Onokai]

Try Yachtworld.-om
that will find a few for you. Mark

[San Anita]

Take a look at my 2300 Striper for sale in the classifieds. Your only criteria that it doesnt meet is its a 5.7 Vortec and Volvo SX I/O.It does have a 15hp kicker all new in 2005, not rebuilt.
Proven fish getter with local references. I even posted pictures.:grin:
Bill

[Reelentless]

You might be able to find a 22' Sea Sport for around 45k. It wont have an outboard though.

Maybe an older Grady or Whaler?

[Two Fister]

Thanks guys! I've spent way, way, way too much time pouring over 4 or 5 different boat classified websites so I've seen lots of Grady's (I've pestered Nalu about several, mostly Seafarers and Offshores), Pursuits, Whaler Conquests, Seaswirls, Makos, Albemarles, etc.

The only concern that I've had about all of those lines is that they are all Walk Arounds and I don't like layouts as much as a Pilot House. There lots of cuddy room, a small area under the canopy and a smaller deck space because of the big cuddy. Most folks that I've spoken with use their cuddy 90% of the time to store gear, coats, etc. Plus the walk around section is narrow to create a narrow space to try to walk around the cabin area. Seems like a really good place to go over the side when it gets snotty.

When I've looked at Parkers, C Hawks, and Steigercrafts they either seem to have a very short cabin (more commercial in design) or they've been out of my price range.

I'd give my left...um...kidney for the Almar listed in the classified. Unfortunately that's the only way that I'd get close price wise.

Thanks again for the advice!
TF

[Reelentless]

Heres a 22' Sea Sport. I/O though. You could buy it and purposely grenade the engine and transform it into an outboard. Just dont tell your wife all the details. :tongue:

http://yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatD...amp;searchtype=

[Two Fister]

The same dealer has an older (1986 I think) 22' Sportsman that was just reduced to around $16K. I had the same thoughts about doing the conversion and went so far as to price flotation brackets from both Armstrong and Pooderbuilt (makes a lot of Sea Sports current brackets). Unfortunately, when I had them send me some higher resolution pictures of the hullI could see that it was full of spider web cracks in the gel coat, a major repair in the port side transom corner, and general hard salty use. Seems like it's worth a bit less than their current asking price.

If they drop it more I might think about it again, but I don't have the shop, time, or necessary skill set to take on that big of a project. At least not until I get really desparate, which should be in about 15 more minutes of not having a boat...

[Onokai]

You found your boat-Whaler Conquests-thats a sweet ride-get the 23 or 24 footer used around 40k. Has everything you need. Look for a honda or Yami on it. The offshore bracket you may have to add if your stuck on that. My 1998 23 outrage was a bit over 40K. Happy hunting-ps do not get the whaler inboard as they did not perfect that model I know this 100% from a friends conquest-stick with an outboard on this model. There is always some of these at the above yacthworld web site. Happy shopping Mark

[Reelentless]

Maybe they will drop the price to 14k or so. You might get 3 or 4k for the outdrive and engine. With 30k to spend, you might be able to get most of the work done and have a nice little boat.

I wonder why they didn't mount the aft steering station on the bulkhead? It seems like it would be awkward to steer a boat standing perpendicular to it.

[Two Fister]

Onokai,
I found a nice 23' Conquest on the hull truth that looks like it's it nice shape for $36K. Nice electronics package, nice trailer, combination of salt and fresh water use. The only drawback is the motor which is an older Merc 2 stroke. It looks like the owner may have used an older motor on a newer boat. It's not an ancient motor, but it would likely be a candidate for a repower which is fine with me. I'm going to work on the price with him a bit to see if I can get him down a bit. It's been posted for a couple of months so he should be ready to deal a bit.
Relentless,
I'm definitely tracking that Sea Sport. I can have planing flotation bracket installed by Sea Sport themselves for about $4K. A standard offshore bracket is more like $2,500 installed. Install includes glassing over the I/O hole. I've got to head to Bellingham next week for work so I'm going try to see the boat while I'm up there. I agree on the aft steering station. Seems like it would be more in the way on the side.
TF

[whaleraddict]

I'm with Onokai - look at the whaler. As you can tell by my user name I am a big fan of Whalers. I run a 22'8" revenge that has served me well for 12 years. I am looking to upgrade at some point to the 25' conquest. These are great boats and they will do every thing you want even full of water (Don't ask me how I know this :blush. Good luck on your search .

[Onokai]

TF-one idea is run the old moter a few years before repowering. What year is that Conquest??. There have been some sweet ones at yachtworld. One last thiing is Whaler was bought by the same company that owns Mecury engines in 2003 so all whalers since then will have merc's. It's bad news for me as I am not a merc fan. Just look for a hull about 5 years old. I doubt you will find a 4 stroke but maybe. Mark

[Two Fister]

Mark,
Those 98 and 99 Conquests are what I've been looking at. I've seen a few that look like they are in great shape and they seem to have a Yamaha 2 stroke as a powerplant. I'd be more than happy to run one of the saltwater series for a while and then eventually upgrade to a 4 stroke Yamaha. It would be nice to be able to see one in the flesh, but they all seem to be on the East Coast.
TF

[Onokai]

I have seen a few in so-cal on Yachtworld-I have fished on a friends 2002 and a 2004 model23 conquest.. My 23 outrage has the 250 yami saltwater series with 600 hours on it-. The only bad thing about them is they have a drinking habit.. These whalers seem to be in the areas of whaler dealers-I also have seen a few freshwater only ones in midwest areas. Keep looking.Tou will not go wrong with one. They redisigned the hulls in mid 90's to an acutrack design-smooth and dry in sloop. A hard top would be my choice.Mark

[flapbreaker]

God gave you two kindeys for a reason. Now go get that Almar

Ok, maybe not. How about c-dory?

[Two Fister]

Flapbreaker,
Now that right there is funny!
TF

[CAPT KUJO]

SAV II hands down

[Two Fister]

Capt K,
You let me know when I can pick up a SAV II for less than $40K. I'll be the first guy in line!
TF

[Something Good]

You might look into a used Seahawk O/S. It's an Almar Sounder built at the NR factory. I just ordered a new one and every time I have a technical question they have me call Almar. Even the 22' looks very seaworthy and I think the new one at the showroom was under 50K with a 225 Yami.

[Two Fister]

Believe me Big Liar, I've been looking for one. I take it as a good sign that used ones don't come up very often, if ever. I'd love to get what you've got on order, but I'm not all that thrilled about having to live in in after my wife boots me out of the house.

[namu mac]

Two Fister
Why not live in it? You can get a stove, head, sink, & frige. Keep it moored & when your wife leaves you wonn't have to depend on her to back your trailer at the ramp.
Big Liar is right that 22' would be perfect and it is an Almar in sheeps clothing. Great boat, you would not be sorry!

[Two Fister]

Namu Mac,
Goodness knows I get to spend enough time snuggling with the dog in her house, so I guess it wouldn't be too different. Just make sure to drop in and visit me every once in a while. I'll be the unshaven, stinky, crazy guy at the end of the dock.

The 22 O/S would be sweet, but I think it's still a bit rich for my blood.

I've always wondered why I've never seen anybody mention Kofflers offshore models. Big, strong, wide aluminum pilothouse designs that seem to be really well constructed. Anybody have any experience with them? I know they sell tons of them to the guides/charter's in Alaska.
TF

[Vulpinus]

I got a 2120 Parker Sport Cabin... I love it. Perfect for Oregon. Its very close to your budget... as you can see its quite easy to walk-around the cabin... not technically a "walk-around" model though.

[Something Good]

Now you're thinking! Get rid of the wife...Keep the dog.

She'll never ask you if she looks fat and the later you come home at night the happier she will be to see you.

[namu mac]

Two Fister PM your number if you want info on NR O/S.

[Two Fister]

bigliar,
That's all true, but the dog really looks funny in a nighty. And she had bad breath from eating the salted nut rolls that the cat leaves in the yard. Other than that, she's a keeper!

Namu mac,
Sent you a PM.
TF

[tomictime]

Maybe they will drop the price to 14k or so. You might get 3 or 4k for the outdrive and engine. With 30k to spend, you might be able to get most of the work done and have a nice little boat.

I wonder why they didn't mount the aft steering station on the bulkhead? It seems like it would be awkward to steer a boat standing perpendicular to it.

Side wheels are great for trolling, had a 18' lyman islander w twin side wheels, fish killing machine.

good commerfcial rigging practice. :smile)

Jim

[My Limit]

My current boat is a Sea Sport 22'. It's the biggest 22' boat I've ever owned. More cabin space than most 26' foot boats I've seen. I've also owned many Arimas, they are great boats and would fit your needs very well in a 22 or 21 foot version. I would choose the 22' Arima since it is self bailing if I could do it over again. Economical and easy to tow. You can buy an almost new 22' Arima for around what you are wanting to spend if you keep your eyes open.

The other boat to look at would be the C-Dory 22-25 and or the Cape Cruiser.

Stay away from the Arima and C-dory if you want a smooth Deep V style ride and the poor gas mileage that goes along with it.

Arima and C-Dory = very little deadrise and weight (Economy)

Sea Sport, Whaler, Grady = deeper V 18+ degrees deadrise and tons of weight. (Poor fuel economy, but great ride.)

Arima, C-Dory, Sea Sport, Skagit Orca, Osprey, Olympic, Cape Cruiser, Parker and many others would be better suited to your needs with regard to cabin space.

In my shopping I noticed you have to get a very large Grady or Whaler if you want a real alaskan bulkhead style cabin instead of a flimsy canvas top and a cramped cuddy to call a cabin.

It's too bad Grady stopped making it's only small cuddy. Someone said it was called an "Atlantic" or something.

Enjoy the search! That's half the fun!

Oh, by the way I bought my Sea Sport in Wisconson also!

ML

[Two Fister]

My Limit,
Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking that while I'm not a speed freak, I like to get where I'm going at a decent rate. I'll just have to keep looking until I find one of the boats that you listed. Unfotunately, it seems like they come up for sale once every blue moon. I just have to be patient. There are a few things I'm patient about and this is not one of them!

The Grady Atlantic was actually a pretty big cabin. Unfortunately, it looks like they only made it as a Flybridge which is something that I have no interest in.

TF

[My Limit]

To get a good deal on a Sea Sport or Osprey you have to be willing to have it shipped unless you can wait a long time. They are too popular here and therefore sell fast and at a high price.

I saw lots of good deals on Ospreys in Nevada and many nice SeaSports in Wisconson.

The guy who trailered my boat out here was awesome. He is an old retired Marine who is as trustworthy as they come.

If you do need shipping I can find his name for you. I believe I refered him to other IFISHERS in the past and they were pleased.

Have fun and remember to be patient! Once you make the purchase it's all over. Make sure you made the right choice. Have a full Marine Survey done by a reputable surveyor and you could even check the website called boathistory for salvage information etc.

Peace out!

ML

[blueback17]

Two Fister,

Greenbuttskunk PM'd me today when I asked a question about the Olympic that I am going to have to, regretfully, sell. He said to PM you, and I did, so please check your PM's and get back to me if you are interested...it sounds as though it may be a boat that fits your needs....I looked for a long time for one like it, so I know your frustration. Take a look, you won't be disappointed.
Blueback17