It's not the length of the boat

[slonezp]

It's the motion in the ocean...

 

Seriously though...

 

Winter boredom setting in. I'm in research mode for a boat purchase in the next 12-24 months. Center console bay or bay/hybrid. Got a few brands I'm interested in. Leaning toward 22-23 foot but, entertaining ideas of 24-25 foot. Either choice would be rigged with a single outboard, and used for fishing and family. Boat would be trailered more than likely but I'm entertaining mooring it as well and storing the trailer just for road trips.

 

What would I be gaining with an extra 2 feet besides 2 feet? What would I be losing?

 

When I went from 17ft aluminum to 20ft aluminum, the gains were huge as far as ride. Will there be that much difference in 2ft extra length of 'glass? Beam is 8'6" on all the models I'm entertaining.

 

What about solo launching? Not a problem in my current rig. Jumping up 2ft maybe not a big deal, but is launching a 25ft boat solo doable relatively easy? My ramp experience, watching pleasure boaters, says no, but I'm fishing every weekend and have launch/load down to a science.

 

Huge difference in maneuvering in tight spots with the extra 2ft? on both the big motor and the TM? 

 

Waters I'm fishing: Lake Michigan in IL, Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, Fox Chain of Lakes in Northern IL which is the busiest inland waterway, per acre, in the U.S. and numerous other lakes in Northern IL and Southern WI.  

 

There is a considerable price difference in adding 2ft to a boat. Wondering if it's worth it. 

[12poundbass]

3 minutes ago, slonezp said:

It's the motion in the ocean

You can’t get across the English Channel in a rowboat. 
 

“I should’ve gotten a smaller boat” said, no one ever

 

 

[roadwarrior]

 

[slonezp]

12 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

You can’t get across the English Channel in a rowboat. 
 

“I should’ve gotten a smaller boat” said, no one ever

 

 

While I agree with your sentiment, 20 grand for 2 feet is a lot of money.

8 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

 

I've gone thru the Ranger bay boat up close and personal. I can't say I was overly impressed. No boat shows this year. I'm currently debating between a 22' and 25' Robalo and a 25' Grady White. I've mulled around a few others, but as of now, these are the 2 brands I'm considering.

[12poundbass]

13 minutes ago, slonezp said:

27 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

 

While I agree with your sentiment, 20 grand for 2 feet is a lot of money

Holy ?20k for 2’! There’s no way I could justify spending that much for only 2’. 

[Jigfishn10]

I went back and forth between the Robalo and the the one I settled on and was literally a toss up. I got the Edgewater b/c I found a dealer willing to give me more boat for less money as well as a better trade in. Mine will be moored in the bay, so no worries there. 

I really liked the Robalo tho, what model you looking at? 

[WRB]

Lot of factors to consider. Space is needed to store things the layout is important. Maximum HP, fuel capacity, amities for family comfort, ride comfort, storage or docking cost per foot, gross towing weight, cost of ownership.

Tom  

[slonezp]

1 hour ago, Jigfishn10 said:

I went back and forth between the Robalo and the the one I settled on and was literally a toss up. I got the Edgewater b/c I found a dealer willing to give me more boat for less money as well as a better trade in. Mine will be moored in the bay, so no worries there. 

I really liked the Robalo tho, what model you looking at? 

The Cayman. 

[Jigfishn10]

12 minutes ago, slonezp said:

The Cayman. 

I thought so. 

So in my search for a new boat I was told that the boat you’re looking at and the boat I bought didn’t lose a lot of value and were popular boats. 

I went smaller because I moor mine in the bay. If a hurricane comes up the coast I can get a max 17’er down the river and tie off to my biddies dock or I can throw a transient mooring out there and not worry about the storm or pulling the boat.

If I didn’t have my home In Maine, I would by all means buy the bigger boat.

Contradictory I know. But, if I could afford to slip at a marina, I would. Definitely would have went bigger, no doubt. 

[slonezp]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Lot of factors to consider. Space is needed to store things the layout is important. Maximum HP, fuel capacity, amities for family comfort, ride comfort, storage or docking cost per foot, gross towing weight, cost of ownership.

Tom  

I can do outdoor storage for cheap. My Lund and the previous 2 boats have been stored outside for 25 years. Already have a truck that can handle towing.  

Between the Grady White Coastal Explorer and the Robalo Cayman, the GW has a stellar reputation and a stellar price tag as well and based on youtube alone, the Robalo, IMO, is the perfect center console bay boat for my wants/needs.

 

I'm leaning towards the Robalo 23 footer. Were I to set my sights on the 25 footer, I'd probably go all out with the GW rather than the Robalo based on reputation alone. 

 

Again, it's winter and I'm researching for a year from now.  

[12poundbass]

5 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Already have a truck that can handle towing.  

When did you get rid of the Super Duty? ?

[slonezp]

15 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

When did you get rid of the Super Duty? ?

Says Joe Isuzu

 

 

[WRB]

I remember our 1st ocean boat a Bertram 33’, it was a fishing machine for local islands and some off shore tuna and marlin.

Wasn’t family freindly so upgraded to Uniflight 38’. Now we have a fishing and comforts of a condo. 

We wanted to fish Baja, the Uniflight 38 range was marginal and need fuel bags to extend the range, pain in the arsh.

We bought the Pacifica 52, now we everything, tournament fishing off tuna and marlin, state rooms and salon like a condo for 2 couples and a few kids or 5 men on long range trips.

Perfect boat until my partners started passing away and being retired.

Bottom line should of started with the 52’ and save all those years enjoying it.

 If the 25’ Grady is your dream boat buy it now!

Tom 

[slonezp]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

I remember our 1st ocean boat a Bertram 33’, it was a fishing machine for local islands and some off shore tuna and marlin.

Wasn’t family freindly so upgraded to Uniflight 38’. Now we have a fishing and comforts of a condo. 

We wanted to fish Baja, the Uniflight 38 range was marginal and need fuel bags to extend the range, pain in the arsh.

We bought the Pacifica 52, now we everything, tournament fishing off tuna and marlin, state rooms and salon like a condo for 2 couples and a few kids or 5 men on long range trips.

Perfect boat until my partners started passing away and being retired.

Bottom line should of started with the 52’ and save all those years enjoying it.

 If the 25’ Grady is your dream boat buy it now!

Tom 

I don't know that it's my dream boat, but compared to the 25' Cayman, (based on youtube alone) it's considerably more boat. I'm a bit disappointed the boat shows were cancelled this year. The annual show in Chicago would probably be happening next week. I missed last years show but looked at a 20' Robalo the year before and was impressed.   

[Jigfishn10]

Grady’s are great boats! Waaay out of my price range at the moment. 
Once the house in Maine is paid there may be a Grady or Key West in my future. In fact I almost pulled the trigger on a used Key West this year.