What is the minimum size boat that should be taken offshore (up to 50 miles or so)??
I'd like to get a boat soon and want one that is small enough to fish in the bay area, but still be able to handle offshore stuff.
What boats (size,brand,etc) do y'all recomend that will do both??

Also, can a saltwater motor be used in freshwater lakes whne not down at the coast??

I would get something minimally 24 ft if you want to go 50 miles. Really 50 miles is not necessary for most fishermen. You can catch snapper, ling and kings along with the occasional dolphin inside thirty miles.

cbump, Yes a saltwater motor can be used in freshwater. Remember, even if you have a saltware motor, always flush it after a saltwater trip.

Size of boat, depends on the weather, drivers ability and how deep of a V the boat has. A lot of variables to answer that question fully.

Thanks so far!
bleach, drivers experience would be low offshore, would only go out during good weather, and how deep the V is depends on what y'all recomend that would be good for both applications (bay and offshore)

There are some good deals right now on used boats. When you say fishing in the bay do you mean way up in the flats or just fishing in the bay beacuse it is too rough offshore.

Just fishing in the bay. I plan on dragging a kayak if I wanna go up in the flats. I know if I was to get a flats boat, offshore would prolly be out of the question, and I'd rather sacrifice flats then offshore.

BTW, 30 miles is fine too, lol.

What kind of budget are you looking at?

I'd like to stay under 30 if possible. Not absolutely neccesary though.

That is easy. Take a look at craigslist. some really good deals there. With the economy the way it is you can find screaming deals on boats on there.

Thanks. Any recomendations on what brands would be a good in between for both bay and offshore?

Look for a used Bluewave 22 or 24 they should be able to fit bot your needs.

Thanks deerstrangler, I'll check them out.

Just my opinion i would go with something with a little deeper v than a blue wave. Only thing is you will be limited to the deeper channels in the bay. Mine is a 20' hydra sports that i take as far out as 40 miles and also down to the land cut, i just beach it on the edge of the channel and wade. You can't have the both of both worlds. But id rather be in a deeper v offshore than a bay boat.

Pathfinder hands down is the best flats/offshore boat you can get IMHO. That 18 footer we have down there allows us to run in pretty shallow water and run out if its calm. Lots of free board, takes big waves extremely well, and keeps you dry. I would highly recommend taking a test drive in one and see how you like it if you get a chance. We've had ours for 7 years with pretty constant use and its held up well. We wash it with freshwater at the carwash and flush the motor for at least 5 minutes after every use religously though.