I am looking to buy my first "real" boat (have owned Kayaks and Jon Boats) and have am trying to decide between a Center Console or a Deep V Multispecies Fishing Boat... The boat will be a fishing boat most of the time. I am looking to troll for striper, drift for catfish and will do a variety of fishing from the boat. The boat will also be used for family time (tubing, skiing an cruising) so needs to be comfortable. I would love to hear from others who have used these types of boats and what the pros and cons of each are? The lakes I will be on most of the time are large lakes like Hubbard and Texoma.

Here is what I like so far:

Center Console - This is likely what I really want. But, what I want is something around 22 ft with a 200hp motor and preferably a porta potty (for my daughter). They make CC that have more seating options and comfort features but they are still great fishing platforms. I like the look of the boats but they are also the more expensive option.

Deep V fishing boat - I like the seating options having 4 chairs available that can also be moved around to have fishing chairs both forward and aft once you get to your spot. They offer nice fishing decks and still can handle the bigger water. No T Top option is a real negative along with not looking as cool. However. I could get into one of these boats at a much friendlier price point.


Look forward to feedback and suggestions!

Really depends on what you want to spend. I'm heavily leaning towards a 24' CC myself with a 250HP engine because I have 4.5 kids along with my wife and I really need the room. I can pretty much do any fishing I want to do, it has room to walk around and not trip on each other. This is important because if you have a fish or 2 on and you need to get around, the deep vee requires you to move down the center to get back and forth and sometimes it can get congested. That's the way it is in my bass boat and I don't like fishing more than 2.5 people out of my boat because of that. Try a CC at the dealer, get everyone to stand around as if fishing and you can easily see that you can get around a lot easier in it.
CC boats are a lot more expensive but it is a nice boat and they are coming pretty well equipped. I'm looking at Bluewave Pure Bay boats but the Epic is also a nice boat that is more affordable. Yes they look cool with the T-top and that is also a selling point for me, onboard shade. Makes playing and all-day excursions a LOT more fun and bearable for everyone. My two cents.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt..._w#Post11374422

Check this one out, nice boat, good price. Not sure if he still has it or not......

Thanks Haulin. That is a pretty sweet boat... Most of the CC I have been looking at are in the $55 - 65K range and that one has some nice features. The ones that I have been looking at are a little deeper with higher sides and I do want the option for cushions up front (the family aspect of the boat).

I think that I am heavily leaning towards the CC but am still trying to convince myself its worth the extra money over the deep v. You can get a fully loaded deep v that does everything that I need it to for $20K less. I just worry that I wont be happy with it in the long run.

I will likely buy new... I am not the type of person who likes to fix things but I am the type that will take care of the things I buy, have them serviced when recommended and keep them for a long time. Having something that is under warranty and going to work every time I take it out is important to me.

Sometimes I wish I was the type of person who could buy used and be happy as there are great deals to be had.

Take a look at the Crevalle. North Texas Marine in Gainesville carries them. Not sure about their price but they fit the higher sides and cushions. It almost sounds like you have looked at them!! Don't know what they cost but they are pretty nice. I think they are a little more deep/blue water built so I am looking at more of a true bay style boat because I like to bass fish. The Purebay is a little easier to fish in that regard.
If you are careful you can pick up a good used one that still has warranty left, transferable. Just a thought.

Oh and deck cushions are easy, lots of companies make them custom at a reasonable cost. They are optional with Purebay as they are with a lot of CC boats now.

I'm the same way. I understand I lose 20% in value off the lot but I'm willing to live with that with a factory warranty and being able to control the maintenance that gets done. I've bought two big ticket items used, a Chevy Astro van and a G3 CC. Neither turned out to be a joy to own. I have just enough time to deal with my own problems, not anyone else's.

I am a center console guy, but I must admit that this boat looks pretty nice to me.

I am a deep v center console type. We have a had a Boston Whaler dauntless 22 and a 260 outrage now on Texoma. Both 2001-2002 models. Very happy with the creature comforts they offer and granted they are used but we picked the outrage up for less than $50k with 56-57 hours per motor and have had minimal issues. Just something to think about

That Lund is pretty sweet and is definitely one I have been looking at if I don't go CC.

Do your research on the Ranger multi species boats before you decide.

My next one will be center console most likely a Blue Wave

Take a look at Frontier by the Kenners and NauticStar.

Love our NauticStar.

Originally Posted By: horndale11

Take a look at Frontier by the Kenners and NauticStar.

Love our NauticStar.

We like ours too. I also was torn between the two, I just knew I wanted out of the bass boat. If I were to buy another one I wouldn't hesitate to get another Nautic Star, a Blazer Bay or a Pathfinder. They were the three I narrowed it down to.

BTW, that is a bad azz Lund pictured above.