woogie

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I'm considering buying my 1st boat and would like to hear anyone's thoughts on the subject (good or bad).

Wilken

I'm pretty interested as well. I just sold my motorcycle to buy a boat, and wanted to get something like a 16' Carolina Skiff or an older Boston Whaler with around 65hp motor. Just something to fish from, dive and snorkel, and island hop - it also has to be able to be towed behind a northstar deville.

Of course, I would love to get a brand new 22 ft Whaler with twin honda 150hp engines, but those can be hard to find for under 4 grand. I'm curious about people's opinion/experiences with these type of craft!

clt_capt

Either choice would be great depending on what you want to do, and where you want to go with it.

If you want to stay on smaller lakes, inshore waters then the Carolina skiff is a great boat. You can probably get a nearly new one for about the same price as a used whaler - The newer engines are MUCH more reliable than the older engines.

The older Whalers (the outrage line, Montauk, etc) are awesome boats if you want to venture into the ocean occasionally (on a calm day.

The number one thing I would recommend is the US Power Squadron Safe Boating course - If you don't have much boating experience, you will learn a lot of things that may save your life, or keep you out of trouble.

Good luck

Wilken

Thanks for the info, but for me, there will be no lakes involved - I live on an island in the ocean. So I know with a boat that small, you have to pick your days (and time of day), otherwise you'll get thrown around like you're inside a washing machine out on the ocean.

Any experience with different engine manufacturers?

clt_capt

You are right about having to pick your days. For that kind of boating a deep V or modified V of the whalers is a better bet than a flat bottom like the Carolina skiff. You'll bash your teeth in in 2 - 3 foot chop.

The old Outrage 22 is my all time favorite CC - with the Montauk 17 close behind. You can find used ones quite reasonably.

I used to be strictly Johnson/Evinrude, but with the troubles OMC has had, My 17 foot CC has a Yamaha 60 two stroke - great motor. I've been very pleased with it.

The bigger boat (36 footer) has twin Cats.

357MAG

My dad bought a 20 ft. aluminum semi V-hull flatboat with a 150 Yamaha about two years ago. We havent had no problems with it. The only problem has been the wiring hookup from the trailer to the truck went out, but that was cuz it got water inside of it.
With just the two of us in it with the fishing gear, we can get it up to around 55 mph. Its real good for moving around the canals and shallow water around here. Also its good for skiing, kneeboarding and stuff like that.
The only bad thing i can see, is that the boats so light, that in rough water you can get beat up pretty good. And when running wide open or close to wide open, the front of the boat comes up out the water and it bounces.

clt_capt

357,
When you are running the boat fast, do you trim your engine up? If you are not, try it next time you are out on the water. By trimming the motor up, you will drop the bow down and the boat will ride better.

woogie

So I went ahead and bought my 1st boat, here she is ...





A 1972 LUHRS 280 Sport. And here's the proud new owner on the 13 hour
trip bringing her from Deale, MD up to Wash DC...



If anyone is in the DC area and wants to take a trip up or down the river, drop me a line.

clt_capt

very cool - looks a lot like my first "bigger" boat - a Phoenix 29. Looks like you have something to keep you busy for a while.

My current boat is a Luhrs 360 Convertible.