Over the years I've noticed on a number of forums that there are people with deep subject knowledge that don't seem to mind answering different flavours of the same question so I'd like to tap into that body of knowledge with the obligatory apology for asking a question that has already been asked a thousand times-- What boat should I buy?
I've fished a fair bit and run boats a fair bit but the two hobbies have never overlapped until this Sept when I went out for springs with a friend at Sandheads. It was a gorgeous sunny day and the fish were biting so it will surprise nobody that I caught the bug and am now looking for a boat. My wife is onside and I have funds available.
I understand that boats are an exercise in compromise so I've tried to be pretty specific in refining my mission and desired features--
Mission: Fishing, 2-4 people, occasionally solo and occasionally a bigger group. Day-use only, no overnights. Local waters in Howe Sound but sometimes Capilano, Bowen or Sandheads. A couple times a year I'd like to do a road trip to fish somewhere new like Prince Rupert or the Island. I drive a diesel F350 and am no stranger to towing. I'm not looking for an offshore boat but definitely something that can handle modest seas with a hamfisted helmsman. I'm not hardcore enough to leave dock when weather is poor and water is rough but I do understand that sometimes you leave on calm water and return home in a blow.
Must Have Features:
- First and most important, whatever I buy will have to be a reasonable gamble in terms of holding its value over time. I don't mind taking money from the investments pile and putting into the fun pile but I'd like some sense that when I'm done having fun I can put something back in the investment pile. In my mind, that rules out a new boat.
- Must be on a trailer and not be so big I hesitate to button on and go fishing. I saw an ad for a nice 280 but it was so beamy it would have been a chore to tow.
- Must be outboards, bonus points for two engines because I like the manoeuvrability and the sense that if I lose one engine I'm still getting home. I'm a Yamaha 4 stroke fan but am open to advice about other power.
- Must be a hardtop, bonus points for real glass between me and the spray.
Desired Features:
- a kicker to keep hours off the main engines, not sure if that should be on a remote, separate helm, or just tied to the mains.
- a heater would be nice. I'm not sure how much they cost to add.
- a proper head, not a portapotty but I don't know yet how the waste is disposed of. I used to just pump it out into the ocean but I wouldn't be surprised if that is no longer the fashion or the law.
- electronics in order of priority: VHF, plotter/fishfinder, radar, auto-helm, stereo
- all the usual stuff-- rocketlaunchers, downriggers, livewell, fish locker, fresh and salt water washdowns
My search thus far is leaning me toward a 23-26' Striper, Grady or Whaler but that is mostly because those are names I recognize. Max budget is around $100k but it would be a lot easier to justify something in the $65-70k range. I would appreciate any questions or criticisms of my desired features and any advice of boats/models/engines to avoid.
Thanks in advance, Allan
I've fished a fair bit and run boats a fair bit but the two hobbies have never overlapped until this Sept when I went out for springs with a friend at Sandheads. It was a gorgeous sunny day and the fish were biting so it will surprise nobody that I caught the bug and am now looking for a boat. My wife is onside and I have funds available.
I understand that boats are an exercise in compromise so I've tried to be pretty specific in refining my mission and desired features--
Mission: Fishing, 2-4 people, occasionally solo and occasionally a bigger group. Day-use only, no overnights. Local waters in Howe Sound but sometimes Capilano, Bowen or Sandheads. A couple times a year I'd like to do a road trip to fish somewhere new like Prince Rupert or the Island. I drive a diesel F350 and am no stranger to towing. I'm not looking for an offshore boat but definitely something that can handle modest seas with a hamfisted helmsman. I'm not hardcore enough to leave dock when weather is poor and water is rough but I do understand that sometimes you leave on calm water and return home in a blow.
Must Have Features:
- First and most important, whatever I buy will have to be a reasonable gamble in terms of holding its value over time. I don't mind taking money from the investments pile and putting into the fun pile but I'd like some sense that when I'm done having fun I can put something back in the investment pile. In my mind, that rules out a new boat.
- Must be on a trailer and not be so big I hesitate to button on and go fishing. I saw an ad for a nice 280 but it was so beamy it would have been a chore to tow.
- Must be outboards, bonus points for two engines because I like the manoeuvrability and the sense that if I lose one engine I'm still getting home. I'm a Yamaha 4 stroke fan but am open to advice about other power.
- Must be a hardtop, bonus points for real glass between me and the spray.
Desired Features:
- a kicker to keep hours off the main engines, not sure if that should be on a remote, separate helm, or just tied to the mains.
- a heater would be nice. I'm not sure how much they cost to add.
- a proper head, not a portapotty but I don't know yet how the waste is disposed of. I used to just pump it out into the ocean but I wouldn't be surprised if that is no longer the fashion or the law.
- electronics in order of priority: VHF, plotter/fishfinder, radar, auto-helm, stereo
- all the usual stuff-- rocketlaunchers, downriggers, livewell, fish locker, fresh and salt water washdowns
My search thus far is leaning me toward a 23-26' Striper, Grady or Whaler but that is mostly because those are names I recognize. Max budget is around $100k but it would be a lot easier to justify something in the $65-70k range. I would appreciate any questions or criticisms of my desired features and any advice of boats/models/engines to avoid.
Thanks in advance, Allan
