Boat advice needed.

[Corpsman]

Guys,
I have been lurking on this site for months. I enjoy the posts and appreciate the advice and knowledge you guys have shared. I have the fever for a boat. I am looking in the 50-60k range. I want a overall good dive/fishing boat. I know this is a broad request, but if you could pick a boat in that range, what would be your first choice?

[TGuthrie]

look at a Cat......a big one, then i can drive to p-cola and we go dive

[Nitroxshooter]

Parker 2520

[Southern Cross]

There is a perfect boat for every day, and every day is different.

Ride on as many boats as possible. It's all give and take.

We had Whalers for years, and became very displeased. Terrible customer service.
Went through 4 of them thinking they were the only boats out there. Rode on a Contender and realized there are lots of good boats out there.
Now in a 31' Contender and it is a great boat.

I would look at:

Contender
Twin Vee
Glacier Bay
Regulator
Oceanmaster

Take a few charters on different boats, great way to learn.

Tip...Quality boats hold their value well from year 2 or 3 to year 5 or 6. You can buy a 2 year old boat and run it for 3 years with little depreciation.

Also, in Louisiana you don't pay sales tax on a used boat. Just the trailer.

Good Luck

[Spearo_Fla]

Contender 26-31' C/C with twin outboards.T-Top

[Stealthdiver]

There are a few nice looking boats on the board here for sale, check them out !

[Big Pig]

Do you want a cabin or a CC? New or used? These decisions will help you narrow down your choices.

I know a forum member who has a nice older 26 Mako WA w/ Yamaha HDPIs for sale. The older Mako hulls are built like a brick $hit house

[Polystigma]

What do you want in a boat? Range, comfort,space?
I have a 26ft seaswirl striper with a volvo penta duo prop marine diesel D4 engine(225 hp). My fuel tank is 160 gallons and I can get between 600-700 nautical miles on one tank of fuel. The boat is plenty comfortable with a cabin for overnighters. And it has a very spacious deck with all aspects of fishing and fish storage included. The damn boat is all about storage, since it has like 100 places to store things. It is probably one of the most efficient boats on the water. Considering space, fuel economy, and riding comfort(sits on the water like a rock).

http://www.seaswirl.com/

[Corpsman]

To answer a few questions. Probably new... Probably something simple like a center console. I would love a cat, but they are so expensive. I was looking a brand new 05 Coastal 29, but I just can't see taking out a mortgage for a new boat. 60-70k max is what I am looking for... (The coastal was 118)

[Greg Feet]

Buy an outboard, fourstroke, Honda, on whatever boat you get. You'll never regret it, hardly ever fix it, and you'll save big bucks every time you go out. If size permits, have only one primary outboard and a kicker, not duals. Think about the great advantages of a trailerable craft 20-26 feet as opposed to one that stays in the water.

[Big Pig]

You might be able to get a new 25 Parker or a 26 Twin Vee for that price. I would also check Bluewater boats

[PatMyGreen]

For that size boat you will pay $100K or more for a new boat. Maybe a hair under for an 05 twin vee. I'd also look at Kevla Cats and forget about getting anything brand new for those prices, you won't get a quality boat. Buy one a year or two old that has already depreciated as mentioned above.

[PatMyGreen]

Check the 2000 parker in the boat section

[Divin' fool]

Check out the Bluewater..... I like the Parkers, but you won't get the speed or ride of a Contender or SeaVee...just my 2 cents

[Corpsman]

Anyone know anything about edgewater boats?