Boats

Looking to switch to a center console fishing boat. Can you post your pro’s and con’s with the boats y’all have. Also, the preference on the make and model. Best size motors. I live in West Texas and understand that I’m going to have to travel to get whatever I decide to buy. Would be nice to have insight on the different boats that are available. I have been looking and doing some research on different brands and sizes. Any information y’all can provide would be great!!

Boat show in Dallas this weekend. You can see them all! I know several of the Hubbard gang will be out there. You could pick their brain.

Yes I would recommend going to the Dallas Boat Expo this weekend if you can make it. It is not the best show for CC boats but there will be several brands there for you to look at. Houston is supposedly a great show for CC boats but it was in January. Where are you located?

I have a Blazer Bay 2400 and I love the boat. It is a great all around fishing boat (except for bass fishing). But with saying that, there is no such thing as the perfect boat. Yes there are things I would change about mine also. But mine is the best thing I could find for me.

There are lots of great boats out there. I would suggest figuring out what exactly you want in a boat first (big casting decks, lots of floor space, rod lockers, shallow draft or deeper, etc).

I live in lubbock. I will not be able to make the boat show. My weekend to work. I would like some deck space. I do troll and use downriggers on occasion. I do some bass fishing but not way up in the shallows. Would like a boat that can fish 4 people comfortably.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/286237018571654

I have a friends "Lund" that is a super fishing boat sitting at my house. He wants to sell it instead of moving it to Oklahoma City.
It has Tiller Steering and wide open layout since you are needing room for 4. Has the movable rod holders if you are trolling or bait fishing. 2 years old with 22 hours on the motor.

I have an aluminum bass boat, not really wanting another one. You get blown all over the lake at times with very little wind due to them being so light in weight. Thanks for the info though.

I think there is usually another boat show in Arlington or Ft Worth after the Dallas boat show closes.

A Lund is nothing like an aluminum bass boat. They ride like a Cadillac in rough water and it is a dry ride. That is why they are so popular up north. I was considering a Lund until I found a good deal on a CC.

I would find a used Falcon, Have it gone through. You would have basically a "new" boat for half the price. You would also have the best rough water boat bult. That's just my opinion though.

The only input I really feel comfortable giving since I've only owned a boat for a few months now is that if you think you will have more than 2 people at a time trying to casr off it then i dont reccomend getting onewith a t-top.

Might sound crazy but you may want to search for a buy in Florida.
I know several from Texas who bought their used boat in Florida.

I've been to the DFW boat shows. I can't recommend them. (I'll refrain from saying the same about DFW dealers because it's been a while since I've made those rounds)

When I got my boat I lived in Fort Worth and bought my boat in Beaumont. Even with the added travel, that's where I found the best deal and the most options.

I have a 2015 Epic 22SC with a 200 Yamaha. it's a great center console. I'm about to list it probably tomorrow. I've had a stroke is the only reason I'm planing on selling. All the details will be in the boats for sale thread hopefully tomorrow.

I have a 20 ft center console. Only thing I’d change is rod storage and a four stroke

Just a thought, but I have a fishing tri-toon pontoon and talk about room and speed. Don't laugh, fish all day in shade, gas grill and 40mph

If purchasing new a 22' CC with a 200 four stroke would be very good to keep costs down and provide a little easier towing.
Several brands to choose from. I have a Skeeter sx210 and have no complaints.

I've fished out of center consoles with friends and guides, and they're fishing machines. But I wouldn't have a single one of them over my Lund Tyee 1950. Plenty of room & comfortable seating for up to 6 people, dry ride, full windshield, sun or weather enclosure if we need it, lots of storage. The only thing I would change if I could would be to move up to a longer Lund Baron with a 4-stroke

Another pontoon fishing club member. Tons of room. Tons of shade. No trolling motor, but I tie on and have wonderful days out on the water fishing. Mine has a livewell, but I do C & R only now. Also helps that the wife can lounge around reading, eating and drinking to enjoy the day while I fish. 150 four stroke gets me places quickly and quietly. Tritoon layout keeps the boat very stable with low draft.

I have a Bluewave 19'. Owned a Boston Whaler 17' Montauk. Depending on your needs, I like the BlueWave for its ease of towing (single axle), stability (wide), and value (price vs performance). It has a 115 4-stroke Yamaha. I loved the Whaler for its resale, but fishability was more difficult because it was smaller.

I recommend you make a list of what's important to you, then do a matrix. There is not one perfect boat for all situations; thus there are thousands of boat manufacturers.

I definitely had preference for all fiberglass, 4-stroke motor, and Al trailer. I fish the coast and local lakes. it needed to be able to handle the salt corrosion for many years to come. But that is what's important to me.

Have fun choosing.

I went to the Dallas Boat Show this year and was in the market for a 150 hp class center console. It's not the cheapest but as far as bang for the buck I liked the Nautic Star 215 XTS. They also have a more basic but still nice "Sports" editions. It is also helpful for me that I have a dealer within 30 mins. No I don't work for NS

BTW - I have a son at Tech