I NEED a boat!
 

I have guided trips booked in October and November... but I really just need to get a boat!

I tried shopping for one a couple of years ago and eventually got fed up and well, my wife got pregnant. The baby turns 1 next week, I have lots of free time during the week and I am sick of seeing stacks of trout and flounder (eh, and some reds, I prefer to eat flatties and trout) posted all over the place.

So, Looking for 21'-22' boat, would stretch to 24' boat, I have seen some sub $50k with some brief browsing.

I am not in a hurry at all, probably would be first of 2016 to pick up the boat, maybe even wait for the boat shows in the area in January and February.

I can buy all my electronics, trolling motors and whatever doodads are needed wholesale on my business accounts, many of my gun distributors are also marine distributors.

Only thing I know I want for sure is the Ipilot that links to the humminbird GPS units. That system is sick!

If you sell boats, please, contact me! Give me some recommendations.

The biggest issue I had a couple years ago was bait and switch type tactics. I would confirm a boat was in stock, drive sometimes an hour or more to go look at some boats and the dealer would have $15k of crap added to it, and stuff I didn't want. I want some nice electronics, but I have decided what I want to go with, I don't want it picked out for me!

I might get spoiled riding in these 24' guide boats. The Bluewave I was in last was Sweet, but out of the desired priced range. I shall see what I am getting into on these next few guided trips.

So basically, I have no idea what boat I want, I want to spend between $30-$50k Obviously that depends on size, I am not buying a $50k 21' boat. A used boat that could get financed would be awesome too... saving that 9% off the top.

Thanks

Pm sent

Keep an eye out for low hrs rigs on 2cool. Might be one there you like from dealers and private sellers. Good luck.

So, as much as I would love a Bluewave 2400, it just isn't going to happen. I have narrowed down some interesting options I am going to try to check out in 1 day if I can do it!

Bullsbay 2200
Nautic Star 2200
Frontier 2104
Epic 22sc and 25sc (amazing the 25' is in the upper end of what I am willing to spend)

Also on my if the stars align wish list are the Bluewave 2400, and well any quality 24' bay boat with a few years on it. With the price of the entry level boats built by quality manufactures, these 6-8 year motor warranties being offered right now is swaying me towards a new rig.

Opinions, Hell no's, hell yeahs? I think I can visit all of these in a day, I thought the boat show was in January, but both seem to be in March, not waiting that long.

I have been looking at electronics, probably will go with Humminbird Onix with Ipilot link, I can get a set up dirt cheap through one of my distributors, they will apply my gun buying tier pricing to marine electronics as a favor/thank you of sorts. Wife is kind of on board... I already have booked guided trips through November, but after that game on. Of course I will be looking hard until then.

I have a 2010 Key West Bay Reef 24' 6" that I am going to sell. I will be asking around $35,000.

So today I looked at:

Frontier 2104 $34,500-$36,700 depending on options/dealer
Key west 210 $39,995 had electronics and trolling motor
Nauticstar 2XXX 34k and up. If I could pick the options I want on the NauticStar I might buy one, but these stupid packages are stupid.

In order of preference 22ft Nautic star, 2104 Frontier, 21 ft Nautic star, then the Key West. I just can't get the 22ft NauticStar optioned how I want.

I headed east today to look at boats, tomorrow I head west.

I can get u in a nice custom boat built how you want FCJ Boat for that price range and I will be selling my sponsor boat here shortly pretty cheap

Go check out the Sportsmans bay boats in Thibodeaux.

Details?

Not finding anything on the google machine...

I am going to check out Cajun Outboards and Thomas Marine tomorrow, they have boats in stock I want to look at.

I am all about used boats, especially fairly new used boats. The tax laws are in my favor, I would need a dealer to do an In and out for a reasonable fee to help with financing.

Keep recommendations coming, I am looking now, and the wife unit doesn't seem opposed so I will get while the getting is good.

www.sportsmanboatsmfg.com

Southern Outdoors & Marine
1308 Canal Blvd Thibodaux, LA 70301 985-447-4156

I have my Bluewave 2400 PB for 2 seasons now and I am very pleased with the ride in sloppy conditions as well as the layout. A few things I would have designed differently but hey...it's a boat...and I have only had one that did not need some design improvement. My pop and I bought it for $42K, 2year old guide boat (that was well maintained...really...it was!) that was a trade in for a new one, 250 Yammy4, base Garmin GPS/FF, new 101 MK riptide. Only added a PowerPole. As a side...the bait wells will keep 3+ inch poagie alive all day in the summer. Don't give up on a BW...keep your eyes open.

I bought ours from Boat Stuf in Slidell.

edit- Magic tilt alumi trailer included.

Set up
 

What ever rig you end up with, make sure it is set up correctly. Motor height and the right prop can make or break your performance. If you are in the area with your new rig, stop by and chat with us. www.acadianapropeller.com

Boat Dealerships are decades behind in the financing arena. I would have walked out with a deal today if the dealership didn't have only ONE bank they worked with. I am sitting here, run an app through XYZ bank and they will approve it and they say they don't do that... UGH.

Neighbors federal credit union

Cajun has a 25' epic demo with t-top for $47


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Cajun has quite a few Epic's. I do like the fish box step in the 25, but the 22 felt plenty big enough for me. It is 22-6" with the same 102" beam. Other than that step with extra box, I didn't see any differences on the boats, well other than $10k

This bay boat shopping thing is a lot of trouble.

So LAM was closed today. Cajun Outboards basically can't finance anything. Thomas Marine can get everything done for me on a Bulls Bay, but I am not sold on the layout. I am on the fence with Aqua Marine on the NauticStar... NauticStar makes a boat I would be happy with, but Aqua Marine doesn't "Order them like that". I might just buy a NauticStar from out of state. Has anyone ever purchased a boat from another state? How does the sales tax and registration work. I would hate to buy a boat and have to wait 2 months waiting on numbers.

Redmond's Marine in Lafayette sells NauticStar also.

LAM was closed today and will be closed tomorrow for inventory. Give them a call Monday.

Why did Cajun say they can't finance anything? I used to do Indirect Lending for a local credit union and we did quite a bit of business with Cajun.

The boat brand really does not matter, but a 24' + boat will ride better than the shorter boats. And plan better in shallow water.


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They can't use CUAC. If they run me through CUAC I will get an offer with no DOC's needed. Just makes life easier for me since I own my own business. The Credit union they use wants 3 years tax returns, I don't even have 2 full years in business yet. I was told by finance that I would need to find my own financing.

I am not running around with an 800+ score, but my credit was good enough to qualify for Fords 0% financing.

I have looked at a lot of boats this week... and my favorite so far are the 22' and 24' NauticStars... BullsBay is nice, but lacking jump seats might be a wife unit deal breaker, Frontier 2104 is nice but I am thinking going 24'. A 2400 sport special might be the ticket. Has anyone ever bought a boat out of state? How does the tax work? Oh, haven't ruled out the Epic's either, I think I would go with a base type 25sc if I got an Epic.

Well, I think I have it narrowed down to 2 boats...

NauticStar 244 XPS with a 250
Seapro 248 with a 250

They are essentially they same price and from what I can tell very similar in features.

I am not buying just yet, anyone suggest anything else to look at.

Blazer bay or a used triton or blackjack

This.


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I am not a fan of the Blazer Bay boats, I am keeping an eye out for used, but there is something about having a new boat, new warranty and picking out the electronics I want. I am going with a Humminbird Ilink unit with the Ipilot trolling motor.

I bought a lightly used 4 year old triton LTS 24 with a suzuki 250 for $33K with under 200 hours on it. With a little time searching you can find a deal and put what ever you want on it and still be way under the sticker price for a new lesser quality boat. All warranties are transferable btw. Let somebody else take that new boat price hit, just my .02

Don't worry, I am keeping an eye out on the used market. Fishing boats for sale don't last very long around here.

our friend has a 224 XTS and we loved it so much we ordered ourself one. He's seeing about 55 mph with 4 guys, full, tank, and 100 trout in the fish box. That's with a 225SHO. We ordered ours with a 250SHO. Also if you order them you can deck it out however you want. You can buy all your own electronics and stuff, and install it yourself or have dealer install.

I would add blackjack to that list. Did you see the one that baseballfisherman just posted up? One fine rig!! For me personally, if I was buying a new boat, it would be between a blackjack or a haynie.

If I double the budget...

Yeah, I hear you. I guess I should have said if I was buying a new boat and money didn't matter, it would be a blackjack or haynie. Good luck in your search.

I am adding the BullsBay 2200 back on the list. It seems roomier than the 22ft NauticStar. It is simple but solid. Also, I can get it with a 200 cheaper than the NauticStar or Seapro.

I would atleast go check out the new Skeeters.

get you a 2104 Frontier with 200 Suzuki= BEAST MODE. 55 PLUS MPH. I'm getting 53 WOT with suzuki 175.

and sippin gas while crusing 35-40

Not no but hell no to epic
 

LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE STORY.


I bought the first EPIC boat Cajun Outboards sold.


Cajun is a great company and Mike Oncal is a very good manager, but EPIC BOATS is a joke.


The company DOES NOT and I MEAN does not stand behind their product like they say they do.


WITH ONLY 7 Hrs on my boat, and having had trouble from the second trip in my boat to the last trip, it was discovered that someone from EPIC was using my gas tank as a trash can.


When Cajun put a scope down my tank they discovered the following:


Cigarette butts
leaves
sticks
fiberglass
paper towels
needle nose pliers
Mcdonalds hamburger wrapper


Once we notified EPIC, we were told they would have to rip the boat apart to replace the tank. I said I don't think so, that boat only has 7 hours on it and Im not going to own a repaired boat from Manufacturing problems with only 7 hours. I told them splitting the boat open goes against the whole engineering sales pitch that their boat is Resin Infused and the that once the top and bottom are married together they become One Piece Hull.


They repaired it Anyway and guess what??? First test drive with repaired hull, the gunwales split down both sides the entire length of the boat.


Well EPIC flat out refused to replace the boat even with CAJUN OUTBOARDS fighting them with me. This went on for over 7 months.


Finally, I had to get an Attorney to handle business and EPIC agreed to buy the BOAT back.


I also discovered in March of this year, they were in MIAMI looking for money or investors because they are in a bind.


EPIC is a pretty boat, it was a nice boat, but the COMPANY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS

Epic is pretty much off the list, I like cajun outboards, their finance department just won't work for my needs.

I am looking at a 2003 23' polar Bay boat tomorrow. I read they had some issues in 2004-2005 and eventually changed their name, but the early boats and late boats seem to get good reviews from actual owner. Basically from what I can tell, the gel coat failed early if it was bad and a boat from that era without problems should be good to go.

I spent all day on a Bluewave 2400... so much room...

A used Haynie 24HO would be on my short list if I was looking. Goooh has a very nice Triton in the classifieds

Goohs boat!

Yep. It's Purdy. I'd check out that Triton.

How to CHoose a boat
 

IF you don't mind a little advise??


But use a scale from 1-10 in category scales to decide.


I use the following


Looks =
Storage=
Ride=
Layout=
Options=
Resale=


Give each category a number 1-10 and then take the average. You can also use consumer ratings to go with it.


Now using this scale, I have learned a few things. With all the boat manufacturers in the country and being that Louisiana waters are not just so simple as some other states, it does require a boat to fit several different conditions for South Louisiana fishing.


That being said,


SKEETER has a ranking of 8. Its average per every category was 8 and its resale values are the strongest. Their customer service is second to none compared to all the others.


Just an opinion, but if you follow it, you will be surprised as to what you find out.

Curious how you graded out other boats?

That was good info on the Epic I went and looked at them but was concerned about the weight just seemed to lite?


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MREX (Other Boats)
 

Simple answer is, some graded higher in certain categories, some didn't. My point is to say, when you choose a boat, choose what is most important to you. The list those categories and start looking at all brands.


The most important for me is


Storage, Ride, Layout (safety ), Cost, Resale.


Example,


Blazer Bay- Nice boat, runs fast.


Blazer score Skeeter


Ride= 9 10
Storage = 3 8
Layout =9 8




See the difference. Skeeter had the best average, Im not saying Skeeter is the best boat, but for my needs, kids, fishing habits, and price, it was the best boat for me at the time

2104 Frontier

looks =9
storage=9
ride=9
layout=9
options=9
resale=N/A still have the boat. 😆

its fast, it sips gas, handles the chop well.
Great boat for the family

only complaint I've heard was, getting up on the front deck from the floor. it's a big step up

Looking to sell it Lawrence? I may just go get a brand new one in a few months.


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na... not selling my baby!
if you need a wet test let me know. I help out LAM If needed on this end.

Alpha man
 

Alpha man,


I agree with you on the Frontier on most of your points except for storage.


Frontier storage = 3




Compared to many many other brands the storage is on the frontier is less.


Not saying it doesn't have plenty of storage, but many other brands have more storage.

I'm on the plenty of storage side. but don't understand what you mean by more storage.

my front compartment alone has a shrimp basket, a bucket with a cast net inside, 4 life jackets and an small ice chest. and my cca red tackle box

back 2 compartment under the flip up seats ,

one has cranking battery under the seat 2 storage containers, orange water proof one
and another container the same size with miscellaneous items inside.

The other side has 2 soft plastic roll up bags and room for another 3 gallon bucket. with the water pump inside.

under the console has plenty of room too.
also the rod box's have storage too. both sides

Can you explain what you mean by more storage. and I'm not trying to prove anything just want to know 😆

I agree with alphaman, I have all kinda crap, that I don't need, in my 2104 and I still have compartments that are empty! wetfeathers00, you must have looked at the non-liner Frontier?

alphaman, the strut lengths are 15" center to center of ball joints. There's 5 on my boat: two on the big compartment in the front, one on each rod box and one on the rear live well.