On 5/13/2012 7:27 AM, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 12 May 2012 21:01:27 -0400, wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 11 May 2012 22:05:09 -0400, wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 11 May 2012 12:26:45 -0400, paulaner wrote:

I'm planning to buy a boat soon, and I have been looking at Mako,
Edgewater, etc center console boats. That should work well for my
periodic need for fishing, crabbing, bar run, etc. What is doesn't do
is make a comfortable afternoon or sunset cruise for the wife,
mothers, and other non-boaters in the family (they want cushions,
throw pillows, cocktails, snacks).

So, what is the 20' (or so) equivalent boat that could meet those
needs? I don't want a pontoon boat, and I can't afford the Hinkley.
My pier slip could hold 24' or maybe a bit more I think, pilings are
about 10' wide.

The boat would be used on the Chesapeake bay, and mostly on the local
river. I'd love a quiet 4-stroke outboard, and maybe something a
little classic looking.

Thoughts?
Here, I love mine! And my wife and kids do also.

http://www.keywestboatsinc.com/boats/show/id/6

Notice all the seating and cushions. Scroll through the images. When the back seats are removed, you
have four more rod holders.
Good choice! The larger KW boats have a porta-pottie in the console, too.
My wife and I started with a little 15' Boston Whaler which we used in the Chesapeake Bay and the
Potomac River. Sometimes it got a little bumpy, but we always had a great time. We now go mostly in
the Potomac River and Lake Anna, but have taken it to the Chesapeake several times also. Great
riding boat - and lots of cushions!!

If that's the case, the Chesapeake isn't as rough as X-Man would have us
believe.

It has rough days and calm days and in-between days. It is not, as has been suggested, continuously
in turmoil. Besides which, there are plenty of very nice, scenic, and calm rivers dumping into the
Chesapeake, many with little islands and/or boaters beaches which provide great areas for simple
relaxing.

Being in the middle of the bay with a 25mph breeze and 3' chop would be no fun for a family outing
in anything less than about a 34'er.

Some folks are naysayers, no matter what.

I'll bet your boat can handle " 6" hard chop " without any difficulty. ;-)