My wife and I have decided to sell the lake house and buy a weekend
place on the bay (canal actually). Specifically, we are looking at
Matagorda Bay on the Texas coast and since I haven't fished salt water
much in the last
20 years I haven't kept up with boats suitable for that use.
Previously, I had a 19'6 Aquasport and a 21 Mako which I used in
Galveston Bay and offshore but Matagorda is a much shallower bay. I
would like to be able to fish somewhat shallow water (the Aquasport
only drew around 10" of water) but also want to be able to go offshore
(used to take it 40-60 miles out but it was not nearly as smooth and
dry as the Mako). Does Aquasport still make the high quality boat they
used to? I've just started looking and like the looks of SeaPro -
anybody know anything about these? How about Cajun? I think they're
out of business but I have a Cajun bass boat and have been pleased
with it. I'd like to hear about any other brands people prefer.
Basically, I'm interested in a center console - around 19-22
feet, composite transom (prefer all composite structure) that will run
in reasonably shallow water but still provide smooth dry ride (I know
compromises are necessary). I probably will not buy until later in the
year (still looking for property) and would prefer to buy late model
used but I'm starting to look and would appreciate opinions on
suitable boats. Besides - it would be nice to see something related to
boating for a change. Thanks in advance and I'm looking
forward to hearing your opinions.

On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 14:17:25 GMT, (TC)
wrote:

~~ snippity do da ~~

I've just started looking and like the looks of SeaPro -
anybody know anything about these?

Funny you should ask. I went with a friend of mine to look these over
as he's thinking of taking on a second salt water line of boats.

He likes them. I walked around one and climbed aboard - they seem to
be a decent boat - form, fit and function is very nice - they are
pretty much like any other high production boat - you can find little
flaws here and there. I see a lot of them around my area (CT and
environs) in about the same quanties as the Stripers, Trophy's, etc.

Basically, I'm interested in a center console - around 19-22
feet, composite transom (prefer all composite structure) that will run
in reasonably shallow water but still provide smooth dry ride (I know
compromises are necessary). I probably will not buy until later in the
year (still looking for property) and would prefer to buy late model
used but I'm starting to look and would appreciate opinions on
suitable boats.

Take a close look at the Polar line. I have been very impressed with
these boats. They are very well thought out and have some of the
little features that you never would have thought of. I have
retrofitted my 20 ft Ranger CC with a couple of these ideas - like the
floor lighting under and around the console. :) In particular look
at the bay boat line.

My only complaint about the Polar line is that they are wedded to
prerigs from the factory with Yamaha motor. I'm not a Yamaha fan, but
not for the reason you might think. Parts are a bitch to get around
here - if it breaks you are going to wait for a while.

http://www.godfreymarine.com/index_polar.cfm

Now, as to recommendations, for the kind of thing you are looking for,
I would recommend something like a Bay Ranger 2300.

http://www.rangerboats.com/pages/boats/2300.cfm

It's a bit pricey, but this is a great boat for running bays and
getting out a little farther than you might with a bay type boat. And
as it happens, I know a lot about these having owned one of the 20
footers (which Ranger doesn't make anymore) since 2000. I love it.
I have thought of upgrading to a 2300 - really, but I like my 20
footer too much - it fits my fishing style exactly - I'm something of
an eclectic when it comes to techniques - everything from fly to
casting to trolling to bottom. However, it is a little short and I'm
thinking seriously of a 2300 at some point - maybe this year, maybe
next.

Triton also makes a bay boat and a standard CC which I can't really
say much about other than one of the charter types over in RI runs one
each - one bay boat and one CC. I've climbed aboard one, looked
around and couldn't really find anything to complain about except for
one thing - they are VERY light. The bay boat has a tendency to
launch it'self in 2 foot short wind driven seas which makes me
nervous. My 20 foot Ranger doesn't do that.

http://www.tritonboats.com/frames.asp?cat=2

One other boat I would recommend you look at is Hydra-Sports and
in particular the Bay Bolt series. The only other boat for inshore
fishing that has tempted me to move from the Ranger line is the 2300
Bay Bolt. This is a tough boat. I was a little turned off by the
ride as it seemed a little stiff to me, but the boat handled well and
there is a freakin' ton of room to fish.

http://www.hydra-sports.com/Boats/Boats_Index.asp?cid=2

Hope this helps - good luck in your search.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

Hope this helps - good luck in your search.

Later,

Tom
Thanks Tom - I'll take a look at these. Take care.

Tom...........