[MakoMike]

Paulie,
I tried ti wade through that humungous thread, but gave up when Scali & Megi got to insults. Lets try again. IMHO you don't want a phoenix 29, not that they aren't well made boats. But they only came in single station flybrige models and they have that absolutely terrible 3 inch step in the middle of the ****pit. I used to fish on a freind's 20 and I must have tripped on that step 50 times.

 

[B.Attitude]

Mike,
I noticed that step in some pictures.I also like the 28 and 31 Bertram and a 29 Topaz.Would like to go with twin diesels but I have 0 experiance with them however my best man was the top dog at Cummins in Whitestone before he left there 3 years ago for a city job.I figure he'd be able to help me out with the maintainance end when needed.My eyes are open for something with duel stations, because of alot of time fishing solo,pain in the butt up and down the fly bridge when docking or trolling.I don't have to have a flybridge. I really don't want to get anything else until I sell my boat.I don't want to have to get 2 slips in the yard.
paulie

 

[baywatch]

Fla Boats

Hey guys... if you are really interested in those type of boats you should look in Fla. The boats mentioned especially the Bertram is big $$$. They are quality boats that hold a hefty price tag. There are tons of Topaz boats down south. Lots of retired people by them and never really use them because of health or it is to much boat for them. I know 2 guys that got a 89 Topaz 37 ft for 60 k, that boat is usally about 100 k. I know that is more then yuou want to spend but I just used it as an example of what is around down there.

Bill

 

[cwjohnson]

the 31 bertrams down south are comanding a bigger price than the 31s up here. but it will only be a matter of time before the price catches up. you can still pick up a 31 with cummins for appox40 - 50 grand up here.paulie thres not to many bahia mars around but there out there. if you settle on that style ill help you find one.
charlie

 

[Capthookem]

Paulie,
I have fished the 31 Bertram, and I have also been fishing New England boats since 1980, I think the New England boats make a lot of sense for this part of the country. I especially like a boat with a wheel house. You may give up a little speed, but I think you will enjoy it the first time you come home in 3-6's or worse. A New England wheel house boat also offers your crew some reasonable comfort when you are in the rough stuff. They are also great late in the season when the temperatures are dropping. I know you like to do your striper fishing. They are also great on the drift due to there large keels. I know you like to do your shark fishing. If your interested, let me know. I'll keep my eyes and ears open. You can send me a PM to let me know about your budget. It's a big decision......good luck !

Capt. H

 

[Scalawag]

Theres a brand new " leftover" Blackfin on E bay

bidding starts at $ 200K with no bids as of yet .....
Others to consider Paulie are,
Albermarle, Carolina Classics, Shamrock, Parker, Stieger {deep v's} & if your into center consoles..... Regulator, Contender, Kencraft, Oceanmaster.
& the beat goes on

 

[MakoMike]

Paulie,
I also fish alone quite a bit, which is why I went for an express style boat with a tower. I can run the boat from the helm when I'm by myself and have problem docking etc. If I have a full crew on board and I'm offshore, I can climb the tower and run the boat from up there, with an even better view than from a flybridge. I have a pair of Cummins 250s that I very happy with. Maintinence on a diesel isn't nearly as bad as on gas engines.

 

[MeanBean]

The new 28'Parker Pilothouse, twin yammies ?

 

[MakoMatt]

MakoMike, watch what you say on that diesel maintenance business, you'll get Magalodon started again.

Paulie, FWIW, you're in a good position, it's a buyers market right now. Baywatch is correct about the Florida boats, you can get some really good deals down there, but, when one comes up you need to act fast, which can sometimes be difficult being from NY. There are PLENTY of people with PLENTY of dough, who come from the America's heartland, that have never wet a line in salt water, but dreamed of retiring in Florida to spend there "Golden Years" fishing. They then find out what it's all about and decide to spend whatever time they have left swinging the links instead. These boats are often VERY clean with VERY low hours on engines. A good % of these boats also have never even received a bottom coat of paint as they are kept on lifts out of the water.

Just my $.02

MakoMatt

 

[MakoMike]

Matt,
Not looking for a debate But it stands to reason that there is less maintinence on diesels than gas, since diesels don't have any ignition system.

 

[MakoMatt]

Mike, I agree 110% with you.

MakoMatt

 

[613647]

KENCRAFT BOATS

I agree with all the named boats but Im wondering about the Kencraft? Does anybody have one or at least have they fished in one? Thanks for any input,Davey...

 

[Scalawag]

Ive fished on them, Kencraft are great boats.

truly above average, the 23' er has a draft of 23" with a bracket , thats a HUGE 23' CC, maybe the largest on the market.
IMHO , I'd prefer a Kencraft over a Grady, Mako, many other decent boats with a good name, thats how good these boats are.
Kencraft boats site

 

[STRIKERTHREE]

if your looking to go between 28-30ft rampage makes a nice model a buddy of my dad has 1 with twin inboard diesel's and he loves it and its great on fuel the other boat in that size thats a top of the line is stamas they have a nice 28ft w/a and a 30ft w/a