Im looking to purchasing a fishing boat this summer. I want one that is
large enough to take out in the sound/bays to fish for sal****er fish.
I would like any thoughts/opinions on how old of a boat I should be
looking at, what motors I should stay away from and what size would be
best for this and any advice you might have. This will be my first
sal****er boat, i have had a 16ft bass tracker before.

Thanks
Ed

You generally want something that's at home either being trailered or
left in a slip. Its got to be large enough to take a decent chop when
out on open waters.

If your on the sound, I suspect that you are either in
Conn. or somewhere on the north shore of LI.

I'd say a good 20' boat, if its for fishing/fun i'd recommend a
walkaround cuddy. You have protection from the elements and a litte
privacy if nature calls and you gotta go. Engine size for this kind of
boat should be between a 150 and 200hp outboard.

How much to spend is entirely up to you. Its all about the make, size,
age and maint. (condition) of the boat. Anywhere from 4,000 to
7,000.00 will get you a good used boat.

Tom

Ed wrote:
Im looking to purchasing a fishing boat this summer. I want one that
is
large enough to take out in the sound/bays to fish for sal****er
fish.
I would like any thoughts/opinions on how old of a boat I should be
looking at, what motors I should stay away from and what size would
be
best for this and any advice you might have. This will be my first
sal****er boat, i have had a 16ft bass tracker before.

Thanks
Ed

On 23 Feb 2005 05:12:28 -0800, "Ed" wrote:

Im looking to purchasing a fishing boat this summer. I want one that is
large enough to take out in the sound/bays to fish for sal****er fish.
I would like any thoughts/opinions on how old of a boat I should be
looking at, what motors I should stay away from and what size would be
best for this and any advice you might have. This will be my first
sal****er boat, i have had a 16ft bass tracker before.

Good question.

First of all, where do you live? If you are in the Northeast and/or
Northwest environs I wouldn't recommend a bay boat for your first
venture into salt water.

Second, are you after exotic species or just those who are popular to
chase in your area? Salt water fishing isn't like bass fishing. You
can specialize in certain species, but it's morer betterer fun if you
spread out your species list and chase a broad panoply of fish. It's
one thing to chase a fish three miles off shore than 10 miles off
shore.

Size is subjective. Can you trailer a fiberglass boat of 23 feet
comfortably? How much boat can you tow? Do you even want to tow or
perhaps slip the boat near where you want to fish.

Other considerations are I/O vs Outboards, diesel vs gas, range and
versatility - how many types of fish, what kind (trolling, casting,
both) downriggers - all are considerations.

Once you narrow all that down, then talking types, models and what not
is necessary.

As to used vs new, the used market is flooded at the moment and if you
are patient, you can pick a very nice boat for decent money. As an
example, I have a 2000 Ranger 200 C Sportfisherman (20 foot bay boat)
that I'm selling so I can purchase a Carolina styled 20 foot boat. I'm
selling a high retail boat ($22K) at low retail price ($18.5K).

So once you develop what it is you want to do, then you can define
what it is you wish to purchase.

As always, we're here to help.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom

Age isn't all that important, but condition is critical.
A 15 year old boat in exremely good shape would usually be a better
choice than a five or six year old boat that had been neglected or
abused.

If you consider outboard powered boats you may be able to get an older
boat without necessarily accepting a worn down or worn out engine as
part of the deal. With any luck, the seller may have replaced the
original engine within the last few years.

Unless trailering considerations are high on the list, opt for longer
and heavier vs. shorter and lighter. There are safety, as well as
comfort and convenience considerations. Many people who hope to "get
by" with a smaller boat begin wishing for something a little more
substantial the first time they run into serious weather.

After you think you have narrowed the field down to a finalist, hire a
surveyor to at least tap out the hull. Yes, that will cost perhaps a
couple of hundred dollars- but should he or she find anything serious
in nature the nasty surprise you'll be faced with curing will almost
certainly cost substantially more. There absolutely will be something
wrong with every used boat- (and some new ones). Might as well know
what the problems are and what the co$t$ for repair are likely to be at
the out$et. Hiring a surveyor is a lot less expensive than buying a bad
boat.

Any good shop should be able to evaluate your engine and/or drive
system as well. Don't expect perfection, and remember that these people
are all trying to drum up repair work.....(expect to have a very long
laundry list presented- although the items may be individually
insignificant- if the examination is done, supposedly, for
"free").......but if there's a big problem like low compression in a
cylinder, bad manifolds, or a screwed up outdrive it's better to find
out before you sign the check than five minutes after you leave the
dock for your maiden voyage.

"Ed" wrote in message
oups.com...
Im looking to purchasing a fishing boat this summer. I want one that is
large enough to take out in the sound/bays to fish for sal****er fish.
I would like any thoughts/opinions on how old of a boat I should be
looking at, what motors I should stay away from and what size would be
best for this and any advice you might have. This will be my first
sal****er boat, i have had a 16ft bass tracker before.

Thanks
Ed


You've gotten some good advice here so far, but I'll add one thing: If
possible, find something that allows for a non-fisherperson to be
comfortable while NOT fishing. Maybe a cushioned seat that reclines, or at
least a bit of flat area where you can place some cushions. Some boats (like
mine) don't have the space for this, and it can be a problem if you want
company stretched out in a bikini. It's not a problem for me because I'm too
sexy, and prohibited by law from showing my hot bod on public waters. But,
my GF isn't pleased with the comfort level.

On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 17:59:12 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

It's not a problem for me because I'm too sexy, and prohibited by
law from showing my hot bod on public waters.

BBBAAAWWWAAAHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

~~ cough - gag - hack - spitooie ~~

Oh - sorry, you were serious...

BBBAAAWWWWAAAAHHHHHHHAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

~~ wheeze - hack - cough ~~

Hot bod - public waters

BBBBAAAWWWAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAA!!!!!

Later,

Tom

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 17:59:12 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

It's not a problem for me because I'm too sexy, and prohibited by
law from showing my hot bod on public waters.

BBBAAAWWWAAAHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

~~ cough - gag - hack - spitooie ~~

Oh - sorry, you were serious...

BBBAAAWWWWAAAAHHHHHHHAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

~~ wheeze - hack - cough ~~

Hot bod - public waters

BBBBAAAWWWAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAA!!!!!

Later,

Tom



I'm too sexy for these bluegills these bluegills
EVERYBODY SING! :-)

On 23 Feb 2005 05:12:28 -0800, "Ed" wrote:

Im looking to purchasing a fishing boat this summer. I want one that is
large enough to take out in the sound/bays to fish for sal****er fish.
I would like any thoughts/opinions on how old of a boat I should be
looking at, what motors I should stay away from and what size would be
best for this and any advice you might have. This will be my first
sal****er boat, i have had a 16ft bass tracker before.

Drop me an email. I will fly the Lear up, and take you shopping.
Nobody has any more boating experience than me.