Hi everybody,
I'm going to buy a boat this year!!! I'm looking for a crossover boat. I'll be fishing mostly in the flats and bays around Port Aransas,Rockport and Corpus Christi but would like to be able to run out to the oil rigs on CALM days.I've been to every boat dealer from Corpus to Rockport and they all tell me their boats are the best. I would like something between 19-22'. Is a tunnel hull a good idea? Jackplate? Most of the bay boats that I looked at had a draft from 10"-20". Are these realistic numbers? I will probably put a poling platform on whichever boat I buy. I also looked at flats boats but have decided against them as I want more freeboard than they offer. My price range is up $300000 for a new boat but I'm not adverse to a late model used boat. I also have a lot of questions about electronics but I'll post that on a later thread. Any advice is greatly appreciated

with 300,000 why not buy a smaller Skiff flatbottom, for te bay like 16'-18ft. Then also buy a nice larger offshore boat. Now you have both boats to do whatever you like. Then you will still have money left over fro everything else.

OOPS! I meant $30,000

You can pick up a nice bay flats boat for around 8,000 or even less. If you want something for offshore than you are opening a whole lot of doors. there are lots of things to think of when dealing with the Gulf. You can spend lots just in electronics. You can however pick up a boat that will take you out there of 10,000 and up. Just remember you get what you pay for just like everything else. To me boat are alot of personal preference. just let us know before you buy something and we will all try to give you are opinion.

No need for a tunnel hull or jack plate for going offshore.

Yeah I Figured llama, just throwing a lil humor in. I don't know enough about boats to try giving advice. I am learning with my first boat also.

I wish I had 300 grand to spend on a boat, I'd hire a guide every time I wanted to go fishing. When I was looking at the dealerships, I really liked the looks of the Kenner boats. Any opinions? The majority of my fishing will be the bays and flats. I just want the option to go out to the rigs if I want.

kenner are good boats, if you get a boat to go offshore than you decrease your chances to find skinny water. A good rule of thumb is the bigger the boat the deeper the draft.

I guess my question is, would something like a 21-22' Kenner with a tunnel hull be safe to take off shore on calm days? I'm more interested in bay fishing but like to have the option to fish the gulf once in a while

i would say yes the 22 foot would be safe to go offshore, but you gotta watch your *** while your out. basicaly use some commen sence, plenty of fuel, not too much weight, have a good gps, and take it slow and steady on the way out. ive been 5 miles out in an 18 foot bass boat, 20 miles out in a 18 foot flatbottom bay boat and 60 miles out in a 22 foot bay boat.

What's the pucker factor being 60 mile out in a 22 ft bay boat?
I was thinking more in the area of 5-10 miles out.

Just bought a new Blazer Bay boat and love it. I got the boat at cost due to dealer getting out of center console business. He has one remaining that is 22'2" for $27,900. It is the Blazer Bay 2220 Fisherman. Brand new 2006 with yahama 150, tandem axle trailer, trolling motor. Sweet boat and great price. I did alot of research on bay boats before choosing the Blazer Bay. Eagle Marine in Fort Worth has it. Here is the link http://www.eaglemarine.com/searchengine/Details.aspx?diid=545206&bvdid=14281&type=N&indid=1&sortCol=Length&sortDir=DESC&Make=Blazer+Bay+%2f+Bass+Boats

I have a Kenner 2102. Great boat for what you are describing. No tunnel hull or jack plate because I don't need to get that shallow. Either fish the reefs, wade fish or buzz offshore.

Thanks guys, that is a great deal on the Blazer Bay. I looked at them at Ron Hoovers Marine in Rockport and they were well over my 30,000.00 limit. I'll check it out.
I'm not ready to make the purchase yet(waiting on a real estate deal to finish up) Has anybody noticed that the really great deals always pop up when your not ready?

Those of you that said tunnel hull for offshore are crazy!!!! You want a deep V, tunnel hull runs VERY VERY rough in big water and does not handle for [censored]. They do run shallow but are not a great boat for inshore and off.
The pucker factor is not high if fishing out of the right boat. I have been up to 60 miles out on boats ranging from 18-23ft and i dont usually have a worry. I have been out in some 5+fters in a 23 a few times and while I was slightly worried, everything worked out ok.
Get a Deep V and you should be good to go. I fish out of one regularly and have no complaints and the draft is perfect for bay and offshore fishing. Parker makes one of the best all round boats that I can think of. My triton is also very nice and can get me about 60+ miles out. Good luck on your search and take your time finding the right boat.

Keith