Pathfinder V2200 w/ 200 VMAX

I love that blue wave.

Larry -

Does Boston Whaler have an exclusive agreement with Mercury where the motors are installed at the factory? I know some boat companies do (Witt Marine in Baytown carries some type of Everglades knock-off and Yams are put on at the factory, no exceptions).

Hard to believe that a company as large as Whaler would limit their potential market that way.

Even so, I wouldn't worry too much about the Mercury. My family has run Johnson/Evinrude forever, but I went ahead and ordered a boat with an Optimax on it at the show. I couldn't justify the extra $ they wanted for an ETEC, and they charged me the same as a 200 Vmax for the 200 Opti, which I thought was as good deal. I don't care for the low water pick-up on the new Vmax's. I figure all 3 major companies are pretty close to quality at this point in time.

BTW, I got the new 20' Blazer Bay. Their factory will put anything you want on it. I shopped around, and for the $ I think that boat is very competitive.

HighlandsChris, Is it the blazer professional or fisherman edition.I have looked a Blazer real hard along with Nautic Star(Love the 2110),Blue Wave(love the 220 Xtreme) and Bay Stealth.

Thanks TFF for your opinion on the best bay boat I now have some homework to do HAHAHAHA.Keep the info coming.

Joey,

BB came out with a new 20' boat, the 2020. It is basically the 2220 with 2' cut out of the middle. It has the same storage as the 2220 Fisherman. I didn't like they layout of their 1960 model. The 2020 is not even up on their website yet. My boat hasn't been built yet, and it should be here in late Feb.

I also liked the Nautic Star 2110, and I believe they are in the same price range which is below Triton. The Nautic Star is a nice boat and I considered it....a shop in Baytown carries them and rigs them with ETEC's. Also Triton, but costly....I love the 22 lts.

What got me thinking about BB was a buddy has one, and loves it. He has the 2220 and bought it in 03. They have a lifetime hull warranty, and are pretty light. Like I said, the factory rigs it with whatever motor you want, and ships it with the trailer as well. They rig the whole boat at the factory, unless you don't like the accessories; they use Minn Kota and Lowrance. If you want to vary from that, the dealer must install.

Good luck. You can't really go wrong with any of the boats you listed or what others have said IMO. If you want a really shallow boat, look at Gulf Coast or Carolina Skiff. If $ grew on trees, I would get a Triton.....

My vote goes for the Everglades boats also! These are well built boats with nice creature comforts too!

My granpa just bought a 24' kenner with a 225 merc and it is by far the best bay boat i have ever been in. A huge upgrade from his 22' Bay Hawk. I would definatley give Kenner a look!

jfoss22,
The Dallas Boat show is just around the corner. You need to take a look at Advantage Marines Champion Bay boat. I think you will be impressed. Like with any other boat purchase "Ride and Decide".

What's best depends entirely on what type of fishing you plan on doing. No one boat will do it all. I bought a tunnel hull Bay Stealth because I fish pretty shallow at the coast and take on some big water at the lakes. It doesn't ride the smoothest in the rough or run the shallowest on the flats, but it's turned out to be a pretty good compromise and handles both comfortably.

If I fished exclusively at the lake I would have a different boat. Of the ones mentioned above the looks of the K2 Blackjack really turn me on. I've spent some time in a Nautic Star 2200 and have been impressed with the fit, finish, and ride. The Champs have a great rep but I'd shy away from any used rig from LA/MS for a few years.

If I fished exclusively at the coast I would have another different boat. Shallowsport, Shoalwater, and Majek come to mind. These aren't what I would call 'bay boats' but rather shallow water specialists.

The choices are endless so be sure, no matter what you do, evaluate your needs and be sure and test ride before you buy.

Don't forget, test ride, G

I agree with MrG, He knows what he is talking about. It all depends on your goals. I fish the coast with 2200 Naut Star about 4-6 times a year. Not a real shallow runner but with take the rough water very well. Dont let them talk you into putting a 150 on it though. 200 performs very well. Most of my fishing is striper fishing. Plenty of seating, room for the bait tank and great rod storage. Other than that, Ditto what Mrg said.

When you ask a question like who's "best" you'll get many different answers. Mostly because all we know is what we've experienced.

Very few actually get an opportunity to really evaluate more than one or two boats in a reasonable time frame.

The first question to ask, where are you *mostly* going to use this rig? If it's on a deep lake with once a year ventures to a deep bay like Galveston, then that's going to cut out the shallow boats. If you plan on mostly flats and shallow bays, then boats like the whaler will be PAINFUL to run.

You need to carefully evaluatate your performance criteria, and then begin your research on the *best* boat for your needs.

What I like, you might hate.

Most of my fishing will be done on lakes.I fish lakes all over Texas.I'm from Port Arthur,TX home of Lake Sabine, but live outside of DFW.When I go home I fish Lake Sabine, in Dallas I fish for crappie,Sandies and Hybrids at lakes such as Cedar Creek,Ray Hubbard,Richland Chambers and etc,etc.

I went Sat. and looked at the 2007 Nautic Star 2110. Just on the look and layout it was sweet.I'm planning on taking a test ride in a few weeks.

I love bay boats because of there fish ability and versatility to different types of waters.

Joey, I have two BayStealths left in stock. Check our website at rockwallmarine.com and let me know if you have any questions.

Tommy Yetts
Rockwall Marine

Thanks Tommy, I will give it a look.Hey is Rockwall Marine participating in the Dallas Boat Show.If so please let me know.Thanks!

Pat Goff
has it right you have to research to find what is best for you.
where are you gonna fish? shallow or deep. are you going to have to cross rough open water to get there? how many will be fishing with you? what is your tow vehicle? what features are most important to you? live wells, tackle storage, gear storage.
what outboards are offered with the boat brand?

when i bought my tow vehicle was a ford crown vic, so weight was important and i want something that could handle a little rough water crossings.
went with the blue wave 18' v-bay with a 115 yamaha. it was the best fit for my needs and price.their are as good or better boats out there but they cost more or are heavier or both.