I've been lookin' at a few brands of boats and I've narrowed it down to Kenner, Blue Wave, Mako, and Carolina Skiff. If y'all got and pros/cons about any of these boats in comparison please list them. This will be a serious purchase for me. Thanks for yer input! God bless, D


P.S. What I will be using it for will be some bay fishing, jetty fishin', and on calm days 20 or so miles offshore. I prefer a 18'-21' boat. Thanks!

What size boat are you getting? Do you want casting platforms or a deep cockpit for rough water? Without knowing more details about how you fish, I'd be inclined to go with the Mako boats if you're going to head offshore very often.

between a 18'-21' boat. i want the draft to be shallow enough to run in the bay but deep enough to keep us safe offshore...

I have a 21.5 kenner w/150 it is basically same boat as inshore mako the are both bps boats. the kenner will do what want. it is a decent boat but i have had some problems with factory on a cosmetic issue on deck. also i have had parts ordered for a year they keep sending wrong parts. dealer blames factory back and forth you know how that goes. pm me if you have any other questions. bill

Kenner

High gunnel sides and takes the chop like a champ.


If you go Kenner you need to think which series want, Vision or VX.. I pref. the Vision 1901 w/150 or 2103 w/200.

Bluewave and the Carolina would not be my first choice for near shore excursions. Unless it's the deep bay and you are partial to Yamaha engines.

What's your price range? Other boats to look at are the Triton LTS series and Pathfinders. Frontier boats is also very similar to Kenner's as they shared the same hull designers.

Bluewaves biggest advantage is it's molded console while Kenner's is it's ride and high sides.

-z-

I would definitely try to stay away from the Carolina Skiff if you don't enjoy rough wet rides. Been there, done that.

Charlie

Thanks for the info guys. SPB, my price range is up to 12,000. i want a used boat, low hours, and I would prefer it had never seen saltwater. I missed out on that Kenner that was sold on here a few days ago. I also am a Yammy guy but if the price was right I MIGHT get a merc.

Kenner and Mako are the same boats now. You'll love either one.
$12K will buy a used Kenner 21VX or maybe an older Kenner Vision model. $22K will get a new Mako 19 with a 115 on it. Just remember that the VX models have wood in them, as most ( all) rolled edge boats do.

You might want to look at Bill Kenner's Frontier line too. Since he sold Kenner to Tracker boats, he now makes the Blackjack and the Frontier.

Well you can get a Yammie put on a Kenner but 95% of Kenner boats were and are sold with Mercs.

Also, Kenner and Mako's share the same hull technology but they are not the same model for model.

Kenner's are lighter especially so when comparing weight in the VX to Mako models which can be hunders of pounds in some cases.

I'll ask around and see what's what, I know there was guy in Arlington that had a 1902 w/ a 135 Opti for sale and he wanted 13k, look on boat trader but set you price range to 16k, because that's what he has it listed near. He will come down tho'.



-Z-

Last time I looked, the Mako hull's serial number began with "KEN"... on the models I inspected....which were the liner models.

Same hulls for both out of their SC factory but..

What is the problem is that the hulls were built to handle the Kenner layouts not the layouts of Mako's which are very different in both weight and appearance.

So that left the Mako's with lots of stress fractures and cracks because of the design flaws. Too much weight in certain spots and not enough reinforcement in others.

That's what I meant to say.


-Z-

But you might look into the v-hulls that their sister co.s offer. I know Bay runner is one but I can't remember the other.

A few of my friends have Bluewaves and love them. I would have one if I could afford more than a jon boat.

You might also check out Triumph formerly known as Logic with
their ropelene hull. Suppose to be indestructible. The hull that is.

thanks guys, please keep the opinions comin'!

Triton LTS series would be a good place to start. They have a total composite construction. I have a Triton 22foot SeaFight and I would not trade it for any other boat I have seen. It will run in a foot and half of water in the local lakes and will take the blue water at the coast with ease. Been there and done that!!!! It is tougher than you are. Mine does have a Jack plate. I saw one good priced used Triton Seaflight on the internet the other day in your price range. Check them out....... you will not be disappointed. There are other good boats out there too. But, I know what this one will do.