I'm new to this for forum and offshore fishing too. I have done alot of offshore stuff with guides and friends, and now I'm ready to buy a boat. I need some opinions on a good offshore boat. I want between a 23 to 26 footer cc, but my budget limits me from the boston whalers and the grady whites. Looking at the mako, angler, pro- line, century, etc. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Get something with either (1) twin engines rigged, or (2) a kicker motor in addition to your main motor, and be sure they both run on the same fuel type (i.e. both four strokes, or both run on the same fuel/oil 2 cycle mix). Reason being that you absolutely do not want to be stuck 40-60 miles (or more) with a dead motor and no means of propulsion at all. A 9.9hp kicker motor may not move you very fast, but it WILL move you.

Get the boat inspected by an independent mechanic that you know and trust, even if it means paying for two hours to find out that you don't want the problems the boat has.

If you have lots of womenfolk in your family that will want to go with you, for the love of gawd, make sure you have SOME minimal creature comforts - say a cuddy cabin & flushing head.

I guess what I'm asking is what brands are the better boats and are there any to avoid and why

Here is a link to my boat. I just bought an Aquasport and need to sell this one. Hope link works.
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...er_#Post6731950

I took it out of South Padre/Port Isabel twice this last summer. It did awesome.

I would recommend a Marine survey which looks in to everything. If there are any problems a good marine surveyor will find it. It is peace of mind and also required by GOOD insurance companies.

Oh sorry, misunderstood you. The brands you mentioned are all decent boats. It's going to boil down to the condition of the individual boat and what you personally require in the way of function/features/amenities.

Key West. GREAT BOAT!

I fished a 26' Glacier Bay catamaran and it held high seas pretty well!

Unless you live at the coast and are retired, OR wealthy, stick to friends/guides. As ex owner of a 28' Grady, I will tell ya owning an offshore boat is a huge PITA, and expensive as hell. The cost of the boat isn't even half of it. But if ya gotta have one anyway, I have been really impressed with the Cats.

yep. Having a nice 20-22 footer that is safe and reliable for trips out to about 20 miles on GOOD days is a much cheaper invesment. wanna go long? get on a headboat,
hire a charter, or use the boat-pooling feature that most of these sites have.
all very effective w/out the headaches/wallet-aches!!!

BTW, this nice Hydra-Sports will be for sale soon if something doesn't change....

I'm thinking I am pretty set on the Robalo or Grady-white. Thanks for all the help

I have a robalo and love it! They have an older one on CL for 9k right now.

Have been in glacier bays-- very impressive. Gravois boats are also good. (aluminum offshore construction)

What is CL?

craigslist