never heard of them, looks promising

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Outdoor Directory

That's what I thought. And the 17 footer is $7500 dollars without the engine. or a 19 footer w/Suzuki 140, hydraulic jack plate and galvanized trailer is only $17,500. I think Iam sold. Just have to save a little cash.

If you are interested, call me with your email (361-573-7078)and I'll send you a picture of the boat on which this one is modeled that I am selling for $7,750. It is 18'9" Shoalwater Tunnel Vee, (1993) with 115 Evinrude (97), jackplate, too.

the hull style on the destiny page is the way to go. I have one just like it, and would not trade it for anything. I had a Cajun (the same hull as the kenner, blue wave, pro master and all the other wanna be bay boats). problem with the everyday bay boat is that the bow is to flat and to close to the waterline. Any good size wave will come over the bow and flood the boat, bringing the boat deeper in the water, which will let any smaller waves come aboard. (happened to me). Fished many boats and the "bow up, stern flat" type of boat is the way to go.
thats my two cents. I have a pocket full of change if anybody wants to talk about coast boats.

If you like that boat here are some others to try.

JHperformanceboats.com: These are great I know the guy who makes him and they are one of the highest quality boats out there as far as I'm concerned, pricey though.

Explorer Boats, Shoalwater boats, and Maudi Boats, they all have the cathedral hull like an El Pescador.

when I bought my boat new in '96, I shopped around for the El Pescador style hull. They all averaged about $thousand$ per foot. Hand made ones a little more, factory made a little less. My 19' was just over $20,000. but I had some bells and whistles added. The price also depends on the engine. go with the biggest engine you can afford, I went with a 115 oceanpro instead of a 120 (the max). Now I'm waiting for my 115 to go out so I have an excuse to get the max power my boat is rated for. 5hp is not much, but when you need to get back to the boat ramp in an emergancy, or get to the fishing hole before that sun starts shedding its light, every hp counts

[This message has been edited by troutboy (edited 02-17-2004).]

Troutboy what do know about carolina skiffs? I saw one at the san antonio boat show for 5,000. Of course that was show price, but it looks like it would be good for the flats. It was a J16.What do you think?

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Alex

Alex, Carolina Skiffs are a very fine boat, but they are limmited on what they can do. The price is great for a salt flats boat, and they are very well made. The shallow performance is very respectable.
The flat square bow will beat you to death even in moderate calm days. But the big square bow makes an great fishing stage. Can't beat a skiff if your budjet is small and u stay in the flats.
If you don't want to get fancy, or blow threw white caps with your soda can sitting on counsel without spilling, skiffs are great.

[This message has been edited by troutboy (edited 02-20-2004).]

Hey troutboy thanks for the info. So what you're saying is the boat is mainly good for bays and flats?

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Alex

Hey Sand...I have resisted adding my .02 cents here, but this is a subject I feel so strongly about that I'm gonna' do it anyway. I have often heard folks say, "Well, the waves on xyz lake can get just as bad as the ocean, and my bass boat can do just fine...." The truth is, Offshore (and close inshore) waves do not even remotely resemble lake water in how they are generally configured, IMHO; and a low, flat bow is just a disaster waiting to happen - except in very skinny water. Every time I see a flat hull heading out toward open water my heart skips a beat..it just isn't worth it. The Carolina is wonderful in the back bays.

Hey guys thanks for that info. You gave me just the answer I was looking for. I was looking for a boat just for fishing the bays and flats. Bobaloo...you mean I could go down the channel there between PortA and A.P. without a problem and fish that channel and fish all that area back in there? That's mainly the kind of fishing I wanted that boat for.

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Alex

Carolina's are great this side of the jetty's. But I'll bet you after awile you will want to run beyond the jetty's to catch the kingfish and tarpon in may. Spend a little more money and get a raised bow with a tunnel hull. It's the best of both worlds. Don't go by what guides are running, the top guides boats are donated or they they get some sort of kick back for using a "brand boat". I made the mistake years ago with the "cajun" boat. most guides had them, so I thought it was the s$%t. NOT. Where was the TTF when I was buying my first boat? Take advice from users and not advertizements. This forum is great cause there is many forms of fisher people and they know Texas waters.

Although I recently sold my motor boat, I'm getting the itch again. I'm leaning towards the Bay/Bass boats. I like the layout and I rarely used the seats when bass fishing, so I do not think I'll miss them. Here are a couple of models that I'm leaning towards... http://www.hydrofoilflatsboats.com/products.htm http://www.fastcatmarine.com/team.htm
Of course I have to take into account my budget, but I like this hull design.

For what it's worth...

Dave