If you Were to Buy a Center Console for Offshore Use...

[aloop]

No Sea Craft!

[juicyhook]

I think he ment people, Not much out there that can handle 6-8's

still laughin....I think you mean 3 to 5....I have fished on 60+ foot sportfishers and they get beat up in 6 to 8....but you dont....

like I said....still laughing...

[nautiduck]

JR34 he said 6-8 people not 6-8 footers.

[Capt. Lyndon]

One at that you never hear mentioned, since 99.9% of folks haven't heard of them is Privateer. These boats are built in Bellhaven, NC, and you can lay-out the boat yourself. Very simple, no frills fishing boats. I run a 28, and it is by far the best riding center console under 30 ft. out there. Contenders, etc. aren't even close. When we had twin 225 opti's on her, she'd top out at 51 knts, with a true 30 knt. cruise, burning 1.7-2.0 mpg, depending on how heavily she was loaded. They are very heavy boats that will run 30 knts. comfortably in 4 ft'ers. By the way I have NO ties to them whatsoever, I just run one 150-200 days a year.

[fishduck]

Regulator is a great boat.

Another great boat to check out is Sea Hunt. Sea Hunt makes alot better boat then some others listed here.

Good Luck,
Fishduck

[Gary F]

I agree and disagree with a few names out being mentioned in these posts. Since we have relationships with a lot of these names, we'll be politically correct and not make a recommendation.

However, with that kind of budget, you'll probably get a manufacturer's transferable hull warranty. Some of the mentioned names are in ch.11 and you should confirm in writing their commitment and how these remainders are to be honored.

Best of luck!

[N2theBlue]

Regulator is a great boat.

Another great boat to check out is Sea Hunt. Sea Hunt makes alot better boat then some others listed here.

Good Luck,
Fishduck

i've fished on a Sea Hunt, not bad for the price but nowhere near the rest of the boats being mentioned. the hardware is substandard and WILL start to rust even with regular cleaning.

[Marlin1805]

Anymore O/B engine recommendations?

Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, Mercury, Honda....

[DoubleA_FL]

First off, i cant believe Yellowfins have only been mentioned twice. Best boat out there, ive fished on most of these brands(the hardcore fishing ones at least:contender, sea vee, regulator...)

i have a Yellowfin 36 w/ trip 300s. if i were going to suggest a model with twins it would be their 32, that is one BAD A$$ CC!!!

Sea Vee would probably be my second choice for a cut and dry fishing boat. they are great boats, but not nearly as nice as the Yellowfins.

the southport boats look realy nice, i am actually going to go check out their 28EX next time im in Tampa... i am interested now

dont bother with Mercury Verados, they are trash, i blow one up every other trip out. Their lower units have issues and mercury has yet to fix them, they just keep replacing them with more of the same lower units.

I too am doing research on boats/engines right now. in 4 stroke engines i would buy suzuki. i know a bunch of charter captains(not freakin tournament teams that are sponsored by them) that say they are the best out there. and rely on their suzukis to put food on the table for their families.

I wont buy the 300/350 yamis because they are RIDICULOUSLY heavy! not worth it to me.

but if burning oil doesnt make you sick(sadly it does make me sick so i have to have 4 strokes) Evinrude ETecs are what i would put on my boat. good(not amazing) gas mileage, AMAZING POWER!!! and a lot less things to break.

hope this helps!

extra notes(edit):
there is nothing wrong with yamaha 4-stroke engines under 300hp. they are great engines.
Hondas are just too damn heavy and dont go up to 300

[bmac]

Just curious why no one has mentioned Grady White. I always thought they were a great boat. I'm a novice offshore fisherman just trying to learn some things., not trying to stir any controversy. I'm interested in something a little smaller, more in the 24' range.