New to Saltwater Fishing-need help

[Kuja]

Hi,
I'd appreciate your help as I am new to saltwater fishing. I am thinking about purchasing a 23' 1990 Bayliner Trophy 2302. It has two 120 HP engines. I would like to know if this is a good boat for going out to the rock pile and the chicken ranch and can I fish for tuna with it. It has a 150 gallon fuel tank capacity and full electronics. Thank you very much for your help.

Ray

[rockn'reel]

Personally, I would not buy a bayliner anything, but I am sure there are many on ifishthat would disagree. First, you are going to need to post more info on this boat. what kind of motors? How many hours? moored in salt? what kind of trailer? any electronics (although this should not reflect in the purchase price)? How much?
If you are serious then you need to go to www.nada.com and find out the value of the boat and motors. You will need to call a trailer dealer that has whatever brand of trailer it is to find a resale price. Next, If everything up to this point checks out then get the boat into a mechanic to do a marine inspection on the boat and motors.

[Orca]

Good size, the right number of motors, and very nice fuel capacity. You could do everything but the up and coming sword-fishing off the Oregon coast. Sure wish I had that fuel capacity!

Get a marine survey, and if all checks out and the price is right, this would be a very fishy boat.

[ 09-21-2003, 05:29 PM: Message edited by: Orca ]

[SKSPAWNER]

Take their advice and have a survey done on the boat if its the one you want. Sounds like it can do the job. Ultimately though, its the skipper who is the most important peice of equipment on the boat. Without the knowledge, common sense, and understanding of what can go wrong, no boat is big enough to keep you safe. Best of luck finding the right fishing machine.

Sunny K

[corrirod]

Well I've got a 20' Trophy and it's a great boat. The hull design is great for offshore fishing. My only concern with your boat is the brand of the motors. The older Bayliners were equiped with FORCE motors in order to cut costs. Although I've not had any major issues with mine, FORCE motors in general are problem prone.

Don't let the "Bayliner" mojo worry you. Trophy boats are built tough and can handle just about any conditions the ocean can throw at them. In fact I would guess the only limiting factor is the skill of the skipper. Believe me when I say that I've "tested" the quality of construction of Trophy boats. I've had mine for 5 years and put it thru it's paces.

Good luck on the new boat and hope to see you out there!