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Best Inshore / Offshore boat #11350064 01/16/16 05:30 PM
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ramac Offline OP
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Looking for feedback on best Inshore boat that also handles Offshore water well. I don't plan to make long distance trips, but would like to feel comfortable heading out 15-20 miles offshore when weather allows. At this point, I've been looking at Pathfinder and Blue Wave in the 22-24'. Any advice and/or experience with these? Any other suggestions? I've been in an Explorer for years and it's been a good boat for the bay, but I don't feel comfortable going to the rigs 7 miles offshore unless it's very calm. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11350158 01/16/16 06:39 PM
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TCK73 Offline
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I have been 40 miles out on a few 24' bay boats on fair days with no problems. I was however with seasoned fisherman that did that often. Look for a steep dead rise entry and 14 or more degrees dead rise at the transom and you will improve your ride in the rough stuff. I would also prefer 24" or so of height of freeboard, it will make you more comfortable and you will feel like you are inside the boat opposed to feeling like you are on a bass boat. Large fuel tank, good electronics, and lots of storage will be some other items of importance. I looked hard at the Blue Wave 2400 Pure Bay last year when I traded boats. I also looked at Most all other brands as well. For me, the setup and features of the Blue Wave and the Nautic Star fit my needs. In the end, I went with the Nautic Star XTS. I liked the wood free construction, layout and the hardware seemed to be better than others. Most all boats are good these days, find one that you like and fits your needs I don't get the salt often, but fish a lot on Texoma, Twok, and Possum Kingdom. Fishing those large lakes when the wind exceeds 20 Knots produces some pretty good waves, and i can say the boat is dry and rides well. I would also get the max HP for the hull.

Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11351047 01/17/16 04:15 AM
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J.P. Greeson Offline
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I would go 24 or even consider 26. The Pathfinder 2600 looks pretty awesome. I'm running a Skeeter SX 240 right now and the boat I had before this one was a SX 220. There is a big difference between the 22 and 24 foot Skeeters. The 240 handles offshore no problem and is way smoother running in choppy water. As for fishing inshore, the new more powerful trolling motors with auto pilot features and Power Poles have made handling bigger boats much easier. I can fish my 24' Skeeter as easy as a bass boat.

There are a bunch of great bay boats in the 24-26 foot range. It's one of the hot boat niches right now.

That being said, I lived in the Florida Keys for a year and ran a 22' Kenner. I took that boat 15-20 miles out once a week or so and never had a problem, but I planned my trips around the weather.


The solution to any problem - work, love, money, whatever - is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach

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Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11351555 01/17/16 04:00 PM
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Capt. Andrew Offline
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Take a look at the Shallow Sport X3. It is a true do all boat. Been in 12" of water drift fishing and two hours later 9miles offshore fishing for snapper.

Want to edit. The X3 will hole shot in 12". Ifs floating you can get it on plane. Try that with a bluewave

Last edited by Capt. Andrew; 01/18/16 12:28 AM.

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Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11352105 01/17/16 10:58 PM
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I would suggest you take a look at the crevalle 26' its drafts still in the 12" of water range and great looking boat with everything to do both kinds of fishing good. Good luck

I also like the 24 Bluewave would be my second choice

Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11353044 01/18/16 02:03 PM
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Pat Goff Offline
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Offshore is consistent, it is not your variable.

"BAY" is your wildcard, because what you need in Galveston is completely different than what you need further south, that big tub that works in that deep bay restricts you to 20% of the water down south. So the first question and most important, where are you planning on floating this toy?


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Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11353355 01/18/16 04:41 PM
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Hail Boy Offline
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Pathfinder or Yellowfin.. Personally I am partial to the Yellowfin...

Honestly, I would just say get a Center Console offshore boat in the 25' range with dual 150's. Everyone starts out saying, oh I'm only going X miles out and then a little later, well maybe I'll go XX miles out and then suddenly you want to go XXX miles out.

Then again if you live on the Lower Coast I would look at Haynie...


Wooo!
Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11362779 01/22/16 03:38 PM
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TroutSupport.com Offline
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The X3 and the Dargel KDX 25 are impressive on both bay and offshore. Might add a kicker if you are going offshore a lot or far.


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Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11363316 01/22/16 06:55 PM
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OldFrog Offline
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JP and Pat have both made good points.
The old Kenner 23VX tunnel was a beast when it came to doing a bit of both. But you cant buy it anymore unless you find a good used one. However, it was not perfect for either application.

Here's my take on it:
If you PRIMARILY fish inshore, particularly shallow flats, then buy something more suited for that type of fishing. You can usually also use it on CALM days to go to the close rigs if you're smart about it.

But there is no way you are taking a 28 foot Outrage with twin engines in a foot or less of water.

If it's too rough for a 19 foot bay boat to go to the rigs, then it's too rough for a 22. So.....dont go !

My preference would be a Zodiac. They will do it all....but not very practical and I promise you, the offshore ride wont be pleasant.


Now, Donald...please pick John Bolton for your running mate.
Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11372320 01/27/16 12:13 AM
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I've been fishing out of Triton 2200 lts offshore, near shore and bay out of Port O'Connor since 2006. I originally picked that boat because Triton had a reputation for being well built and it had a 24" transom. I've been around 30 miles out in it but it didn't matter that day since it was calm as a swimming pool. I usually run 16 miles during snapper season and then about 9 to 12 miles to the near rigs once fed season closes. Some days are just too rough and likely not safe for any bay boat but there are a lot of days were you can go out but making speed will beat you up. On a bad day, I just fish the bay or jetty. On a tough day, I can head out into the south east breeze and make 7-9 mph but I can usually ride it back in at 25 mph. I wont bounce for two hours to catch two snapper though.

Personally, given the current offshore seasons, I wouldn't consider a small offshore boat. I would go with a largish bay boat with tunnel and jack plate then plan my trips ahead. You will learn pretty quick what wind conditions are acceptable but keep in mind that the weather guys cant predict wind very well. I've shown up many times with a group of fisherman expecting 5 mph winds and found 15.

Last edited by A draper; 01/28/16 10:52 PM.
Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11373765 01/27/16 04:47 PM
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Toby Corgi Offline
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Consider a US-built panga from Panga Marine or Andros. They make excellent inshore/offshore hybrids. They're popular in Florida and making inroads into Texas due to their versatility.

Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11373921 01/27/16 05:38 PM
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Txmedic033 Offline
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I would look at catamarans.

Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11382496 01/31/16 11:34 PM
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sherpa dog Offline
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Majek Extreme!

Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11385430 02/02/16 05:06 AM
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j_mit Offline
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Happy with 24' seahunt, been over 20 miles out, and can float many of the flats.


Re: Best Inshore / Offshore boat [Re: ramac] #11386063 02/02/16 03:44 PM
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capt grumpy Offline
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I second the Majek Extreme, I have the 22' 7" and love it anything from near shore rigs to bass fishing. Also it will out run a lot of the bass boats.

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