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Boat Recommendation #14573939 12/24/22 04:35 AM
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manwithnoname Offline OP
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Hello guys,
I was wondering if you all could help me out with my first boat purchase? I will be mainly fishing Laguna Madre area Pt. Mansfield down to Padre Island. If I can't get too shallow, I would be willing to park and wade. Speed is not a factor, I just would like a boat that will get me around the area. I have 2 little nieces that like to fish with me which is the reasoning I have looked at walled boats. Max passengers would be 1-4 99% of the time. These are the boats I have looked at so far. Which is most recommended.

Carolina Skiff SWS 19' 140hp or 21' 150hp Suzukis both with jack plate
Blue Wave STL 19' 140hp or 22' 200hp Suzukis both with jack plate
Nautic Star 214XTS Shallow Bay 200hp Suzuki, jack plate, pp, gps, trolling motor.

Let me know if I need to answer any questions. Any knowledge is appreciated.
Thanks.

Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: manwithnoname] #14573982 12/24/22 11:12 AM
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Osbornfishing Online Content
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Go with at least a 21’. It is a much smoother ride. I would look at the Blazer Bay boats in at least a 22’. Overall I believe they are dryer and preform better than a Skiff or Blue Wave. I am not that familiar with a Nautical Star.

You may want to consider going with a 24’. The biggest mistake I made was to buy a 21’ bay boat then realize I loved to fish in the ocean. My 21’ Kenner was perfect for the bay, adequate for the jetties on calm days and worked in the ocean in calm seas. A 24’ Blazer Bay would have been perfect for me.

Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: Osbornfishing] #14574225 12/24/22 03:12 PM
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manwithnoname Offline OP
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Ok I'll look into those boats. Thanks for the advice.

-mwnn

Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: manwithnoname] #14574341 12/24/22 04:33 PM
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texasflycaster Online Content
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Interesting that Dargel is a no-show here. Why is that?

Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: manwithnoname] #14574367 12/24/22 04:51 PM
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Pat Goff Online Content
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I’d be a no-go on any of those.
Why?
None are proper flats rigs.
So what?

IT’s everything when you are navigating around. With a properly setup tunnel flats hull, it’s simple, if it’s a dark bottom you’re good, you only need to watch for white sand to avoid.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: Pat Goff] #14574381 12/24/22 05:00 PM
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hopalong Online Confused
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Originally Posted by Pat Goff
I’d be a no-go on any of those.
Why?
None are proper flats rigs.
So what?

IT’s everything when you are navigating around. With a properly setup tunnel flats hull, it’s simple, if it’s a dark bottom you’re good, you only need to watch for white sand to avoid.



listen to pat, he is a flats fisherman extraordinaire. thumb


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Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: manwithnoname] #14574502 12/24/22 06:52 PM
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WellCraft CC V Bottom and strong hull


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Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: manwithnoname] #14574556 12/24/22 07:35 PM
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Capt. Andrew Offline
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None of those boats would be anything I would run down here in the llm.


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Shallow Sport Latitude 27’ Suzuki 300hp
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Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: manwithnoname] #14574587 12/24/22 08:07 PM
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manwithnoname Offline OP
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Thank you everyone for your advice. I guess I should rent one to take my family out and buy something serious for the Laguna! Or buy 2 boats!grin

There is an old Dargel Skooter for sale I saw somewhere out there....I think craiglist. I can't seem to find it but if I remember correctly it was a 16ft skooter with a 90Johnson. How would something like that fair?

Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: manwithnoname] #14574936 12/25/22 12:48 AM
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What kinda budget are you trying to stay in.


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Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: manwithnoname] #14575018 12/25/22 01:57 AM
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Smart move would be to book Andrew for a day. The LLM is a different body of water that takes a different type boat. The boats you listed would limit you to about 20% of the water.

Shallow flats rigs with no sides look funny to the unknowing but they are built with a purpose.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: Capt. Andrew] #14575063 12/25/22 03:14 AM
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manwithnoname Offline OP
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Capt. Andrew if I could credit card it 20k range. Financing it probably 40-50k range.

Thanks Pat, I'll keep that in mind.

Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: manwithnoname] #14575086 12/25/22 03:44 AM
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If you just want to fish the flats then a skinny water boat is the way to go. If you want a good all around boat, then a good center console is the way to go. My 21 Kenner tunnel hull would run in 6” and I took it 60 miles offshore on really calm days.

The LMM can get really rough and a 16’ boat is really wet and crowded, but it will work.

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Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: Osbornfishing] #14575093 12/25/22 03:57 AM
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manwithnoname Offline OP
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I think that is what I'm going to gear towards more at least to start off with.....a good all around boat.
Thanks.

Re: Boat Recommendation [Re: manwithnoname] #14575096 12/25/22 04:04 AM
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Pat Goff Online Content
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There’s a thousand choices. Which makes for sheer confusion when you’re looking at boats. What makes it confusing is flats guys are just like bass guys, whatever they’re running is best. Lots of claims about what they’ll do.

Very few would run what I do because a 15’ aluminum jet is by no means a comfortable ride. Which I don’t care about but you might.

Here’s some facts that you should never forget.
What makes a boat run smooth also makes it run deep.
Everyone finds sand bars. When you look at that sled remember you’ll be pushing it some day.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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