Buying a 22-24 Hard Top Ext Alum Boat

[Sobie2]

Here are my boat choices I am looking to order or buy within 3 weeks...

22 Boulton pro-series 150 Honda
22 Boulton SeaMaster 225 Honda
22 NR Seahawk 175 Suzuki
23 Wooldridge SS Offshore Honda 150 or 225
22 Hewescraft SeaRunner 150 Honda
22 Hewescraft Ocean Pro 225 Honda

All have extended transoms, fully enclosed hard tops with walk through front doors. All in the 40-55K. 18 degree vee when given the choice. I live in AK.

It is the time to sound off and nit pick. Any thoughts.

Thanks,
Sobie2

[croation2]

I apologize in advance!!! (for not answering the question) I got a 21 and wished it was 24 as soon as I got it home. 24 of whichever and put 225 horses behind it (whichever brand). That 2 feet extra will store all the gear for all types of fishing - heater, rods, tackle, grundens, boots etc.

Everytime I go out, for a different species, I need to repack the boat (some stuff in, some stuff out) 24 would almost eliminate that and you won't know the diffference pulling it down the road.

[Sobie2]

I hear you on the 24' but that immediately pushes one into the $65k-ish and up category. I really like that 24' Hewescraft Alaskan.

Sobie2

[backlash442]

Do any of them come with a selfbailing deck?

[Vek]

The hewes don't self bail, for sure.

If I were you and was ready to plunk down 55K for a boat, I'd run some of the competitive specs and features of the hewes and boulton by one or more of the custom aluminum boat builders on Vancouver Island - Silverstreak in Sooke, Wolf in Courtnay, etc. and see if they couldn't match it. You'll end up with a tougher boat that will self-bail. JMO.

[wazzu2001]

We ordered a 24' Sea Skiff from Mike Boulton earlier this year and love the boat. I agree the extra two feets makes a huge difference, although the added price was fairly insignificant compared to the overal cost of the boat. Here are some of the features.....

Power - Yamaha 225, Yamah 9.9 HT
Yamaha Command Link with Fuel Usage
Hard Top Fully Enclosed with walkthrough front.
Second Helm including throttle and remote start.
Self Bailing Deck
Wash Down Station
Dual Batteries with ACR
In Floor Fish Box with drain to rear of the boat.
Transom fish Box
Transom Bait Box (including plumbing)
Extra Rocket Launchers
Two Rear Flood Lights
One Front Flood Light
Garmin 4612, Radar, XM Weather,

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the boats part of it is simply personal preference. One advantage I will say about going with a smaller guy like Mike Boulton is the sky is the limit when it comes to customization on the boat. He did a lot of small things as the boat was built. We had a great exerince working with Mike and I would highly recommend him.

I have attached a couple of pics....

[tomictime]

none of the boats you list are 24'..yet your title says 22-24....

so I will say it, get a stripped down 26' and add all the gee-gaws later..

Get the safety essentials, safe power with backup
GPS/FF/radar combo
VHF, handheld
2 X batts
spartan interior - you can add all that stuff later: carpet, cuddy cushions, shorepower, batt charger, refer, the list goes on and on.....

what you cant really add later is the 4' you wish you had.

my $.02

BTW, the Woolie with a 150 will be an incredible dog. the hull (that particular model, not everything the do) looks rough, but they build a servicable boat. i have..LOTS of time in a 25', so i know.