This has probably been discussed before so if you know of any threads please point me to them.

I'm looking to get a different boat. What I have now does well in the bays, but I want something I can also go offshore in. Is there anything with the offshore capability of a 24' Mako or such that can take off in 2' of water or so? Seems a 25-27' Panga would work well but I'm looking for something used and those are not very common. Possibly a 22' would work, they're just an inch short of 23.

I'm hoping some of you can provide me with some more brands of boats to search for. I've been looking on boattrader, ebay, and craigslist, as well as a couple forums. Are there any other sites I should be checking?

Panaga's are super fuel effecient however, their beam width is not as wide as I like for the types of wave action we see here in the Gulf.

I would look into a Pathfinder, Blazer Bay, Frontier, Nautic Star, and Kenner.

I, myself, am thinking about going with a 22' Pathfinder with a 150 Yammie this year.

Kenner's are good, nice deep v, better than blue wave for offshore. Mako's are fine.

Summer days you can take a 1902 Kenner out 30 miles will no problems and they handle well.

All the boats I have listed can take 4's and 5's with medium intervals pretty well.

Other good boats are the Triton 24 and Ranger nearshore. Never fished on them, but I heard great things from owners.

Best bet is a Pathfinder or it's clones..



-Z-

What kind of coin are you looking to spend?

Hey eight, the deals are out there. I looked for 5 years before I finally found exactly what you're looking for
in Nov. I found a '96 Hydra-Sports 22' "Ocean Skiff" cc.
deep-V hull T-top, brand-new 2000 model 175 Evinrude, 90g tank. needed cleaned-up, guy was getting screwed in a divorce, and
I felt really good after getting it for $7k under value.
havent had it in the gulf yet, but the previous owner said it
handles 5' seas well, & I have had it as shallow as 2'
w/ out hitting....
keep looking. you'll need about 10-15k and a lot of patience
& self-control.
tight lines
-Brian

10-15K is no problem. I don't want to go over 20K but will for a good deal on the right boat.

eight,

For the money you are willing to spend I would look real hard at Pathfinder 2200V.

No offense to South Padre Bum, but I would not go with the 150 Yammie. I would go with the 200 Yammie. Those 50 extra horses make a difference and fuel burn is still good, 3-4 mpg.

I run this boat and do everything from bays, flats, to 45 miles offshore.

I couldn't ask for a better boat. It handles chop well and is solid offshore.

There are a few things that would be neccessary for me though: VHF radio, GPS, Trim Tabs and jackplate.

If the boat doesn't have those things, be prepared to add them quickly. The jackplate and trim tabs help shallow water performance. The trim tabs will also help the ride in rougher water. I wouldn't ever go offshore without VHF radio and a GPS. I would also have back up equipment like a handheld GPS and VHF radio.

Good luck in your search!

no offense taken..

I chose the 150 because of range and fuel economy.


We make long long hauls and we need all the range we can get especially if we are trolling all down 30 miles out of port.

Now if you run flats and make 20-30 mile trips then I am for the 200+hp motors. Mainly if you have a heavier load then the bigger engine is better in the flats. If we plan to fish skinny water and we can't find anyone with a skiff we have to put a 4 blade prop on the boat with our 150 for better hole shots or torque.

I just need range and a mild cruise speed on my boat so I stay with the 150. F-150, not the Vmax.

Also, like RossF said it can be costly to get the items he suggested but you can get them for under $1200. Lenco's, Bob's Jack Plate or CMC, ebay the electronics.

So far we average a new motor every 16 months soo, you have to take that into effect as well.


-Z-

SPB,

Just curious...are y'all running a Pathfinder 2200V with the F150? What is your fuel mileage?

I'm running a 4 blade prop and the 200 Vmax getting around 3-4 mpg. I've had the boat 48 miles offshore of Port M and had fuel to spare at the docks.

I have been hearing some folks say they are getting about the same fuel mileage as the 4 strokes with the EFI 2 strokes.

Also, the motors you are going through every 16 months...are those the Lenco trim tab actuators you are talking about? If so, have you tried calling Lenco directly? I've had one go bad in 2 years. Lenco replaced it for free.

Almost 5mpg at cruise.

No no no, motors as in the O/B.

Last year the pathfinder had 500 hours on the F150 so we sold it and bought a newer one with 20 hours.

We troll a lot and at high speeds so we burn a lot of fuel and I am paranoid so I try not to ever let the tank get past 90% empty.


-Z-

What cruising speed do you get with the 150? Engine choice isn't really an option I can be too picky about on a used boat.

I have a line on a 96 Blazer Bay 22' with a blown Suzuki 200. I'm working on getting a price for it and then I'll have to see what it would cost to power it. The guy was quoted about 20K to replace the suzuki, but I should be able to find a used or rebuilt one for much less. Or I could switch to a lower cost engine like a Tohatsu or such.

Is the F150 an efi 2-stroke? I've never really liked the 4 strokes. Too big and heavy for the power they make.

eight, the yamaha F150 is a 4 stroke.

You are putting a lot more hours on your boat than I do. I average around 100-120hrs a year. What's your cruise speed? I cruise about 40-45 mph getting around 3.5-4mpg.

I have been thinking about a 4 stroke for my next engine in a year or two.

I know the 4 strokes make a big difference on the bigger offshore boats.

I would look at the Haynie H.O. You can give Chris's Marine in Aransas Pass a call, and they will be able to fix you right up. They might even have a good deal on a used one on their lot. Haynies are the smoothest riding boat I've been in.

eight, you also might chek out the SeaPro boats. i bought mine used for less than 10k. Its a 1999 Sv2100.. and It's 21'6" It deos ok in the 24" of water. I can get on plane in 20" with a full load. I have had her out in some bad weather too at POC. We were out in 12 foot seas. Not for long mind you, but long enough to see she could handle it. No water ever came in the boat. The 2 guys with me were as sick as I have ever seen anyone! :-D If i had to buy another boat I would defenatly look for another SeaPro.