21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

OK,

Sorry to interrupt the name calling and political discussions, but I
have an actual boating question.

What should I buy???

Hurricane Ike trashed my boat and now it's time to get a new one. Old
boat was:

1982 Mako 21' CC
1998 200hp Evinrude Ocean Pro

I really liked the old boat, even though it was a pretty heavy. Would
like something more fuel efficient if possible.

I will be using it mostly for fishing in West Galveston Bay so shallow
draft is important. Also, I have to go through West Bay to get to the
ICW. Most of the use will be around West Bay, with the occasional 20m
trip into Galveston, and sometimes into Clear Lake/Kemah ~40m. Took the
old one out to the 12m rigs a few times, but offshore capabilities
aren't a 100% requirement for the new boat.


What do you think folks, should I get another Mako 212 or is there
another option that would be better?

Also, should I try to pick one up at the end of the year, or will I get
a better deal if I wait until the boat show season hits here in Texas in
Jan/Feb.


Thanks in advance,

Sexton

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:53:30 -0500, Scott Sexton wrote:

I will be using it mostly for fishing in West Galveston Bay so shallow
draft is important. Also, I have to go through West Bay to get to the
ICW. Most of the use will be around West Bay, with the occasional 20m
trip into Galveston, and sometimes into Clear Lake/Kemah ~40m. Took the
old one out to the 12m rigs a few times, but offshore capabilities
aren't a 100% requirement for the new boat.

What do you think folks, should I get another Mako 212 or is there
another option that would be better?

Older boat? New? Used?

If your looking at new, I'd take a look at the larger bay boats -
Triton or Bay Ranger. Given your preferences for shallow water (I
assume you like fishing for specs and redfish), that would be a good
option. Triton uses Mercury engines, Ranger you have a choice between
Yamaha, Merc and Evinrude. The bigger bay boats have the reach to do
the occasional 12M rig trip on good days and can handle moderate seas
just fine.

Dollar-for-dollar, and based on my own investigations and testing for
local dealers, I'd probably opt for the Triton 220 LTS if I were in
the marker for a new bay boat (I have one now - 200C Sportfisherman
built by Ranger - the first bay boat built by any bass boat
manufacturer.) I am a big Ranger fan, but their recent styling
changes leave me cold - very disappointed.

Triton:

http://www.tritonboats.com/boat_detail_new.asp?bid=131

Ranger:

http://www.rangerboats.com/flash/gal...ries=sal****er

The neat thing about these style boats is that they are very versatile
- you can take them big lake bass fishing, river system fishing, they
trailer very nice and you can pretty much set them up as you want to
with T-Tops and such. They are roomy with good interior space and
storage. Mine is set up for sweet/salt water operation with trolling
motor, custom T-Top, I have a leaning post/seat up forward for bass
fishing with a sounder on the trolling motor, but the trolling motor
is useful for salt water fishing - I use it a lot on flats in
Narragansett Bay or in the Napatree Beach area over in Westerly, RI.

In any case, those are my two favorites if you are looking new.

I would not, under any circumstances, buy another Mako. To put it in
plain terms - they ain't what they used to be. The ones I've seen
might as well have been built by Bayliner in the bad days. Even the
new boats built after the transition to Johnny Morris and the Bass Pro
Shops Marine Group are crap. Unfortunate - Mako was a great boat back
in the day.

As to engines - meh, I'm tired of arguing with morons. I repowered my
Bay Ranger with a ETEC 200 Evinrude HO, 25" shaft on a jack plate.
Runs like a champ, extremely fuel efficient, quiet, starts first time,
easy to winterize, no muss or fuss. I wouldn't buy another boat
without an Evinrude outboard ETEC. There is something to be said for
Verado from Mercury which, as I have admitted in the past, would be a
good choice - I've tested a lot of them on bass and bay boats - they
are great engines and I would purchase a Verado if Evinrude wasn't an
option.

Wouldn't buy a Yamaha two or four stroke if you paid me to buy one.

Jack plate is something I would consider a MUST have along with a
larger shaft size that the design spec. I know that doesn't make
sense intuitively to put a 25" engine on a 20" transom, but trust me
on this - it works and if you get a full hydraulic jack plate, it
works even better. You can adjust your running according to sea state
and believe me - on a bay boat, having the ability to lower the shaft
further into the water makes the boat behave much better in high winds
and seas - been there, done that, proved the point.

Used boat? Proably the same advice, only I'd be picky about it.

Good luck. Sorry about losing your Mako.

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

Scott Sexton wrote:
OK,

Sorry to interrupt the name calling and political discussions, but I
have an actual boating question.

What should I buy???

Hurricane Ike trashed my boat and now it's time to get a new one. Old
boat was:

1982 Mako 21' CC
1998 200hp Evinrude Ocean Pro

I really liked the old boat, even though it was a pretty heavy. Would
like something more fuel efficient if possible.

I will be using it mostly for fishing in West Galveston Bay so shallow
draft is important. Also, I have to go through West Bay to get to the
ICW. Most of the use will be around West Bay, with the occasional 20m
trip into Galveston, and sometimes into Clear Lake/Kemah ~40m. Took the
old one out to the 12m rigs a few times, but offshore capabilities
aren't a 100% requirement for the new boat.


What do you think folks, should I get another Mako 212 or is there
another option that would be better?

Also, should I try to pick one up at the end of the year, or will I get
a better deal if I wait until the boat show season hits here in Texas in
Jan/Feb.


Thanks in advance,

Sexton

Mako's are overpriced and not even made at the old plant anymore so the
build is suspect for the price you pay.

Got any Key West or Polar dealers near you? They would be my top two
choices in that size.

That 21' with a 200hp must have been fast as hell!

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:23:55 -0400, DK wrote:

Scott Sexton wrote:
OK,

Sorry to interrupt the name calling and political discussions, but I
have an actual boating question.

What should I buy???

Hurricane Ike trashed my boat and now it's time to get a new one. Old
boat was:

1982 Mako 21' CC
1998 200hp Evinrude Ocean Pro

I really liked the old boat, even though it was a pretty heavy. Would
like something more fuel efficient if possible.

I will be using it mostly for fishing in West Galveston Bay so shallow
draft is important. Also, I have to go through West Bay to get to the
ICW. Most of the use will be around West Bay, with the occasional 20m
trip into Galveston, and sometimes into Clear Lake/Kemah ~40m. Took the
old one out to the 12m rigs a few times, but offshore capabilities
aren't a 100% requirement for the new boat.


What do you think folks, should I get another Mako 212 or is there
another option that would be better?

Also, should I try to pick one up at the end of the year, or will I get
a better deal if I wait until the boat show season hits here in Texas in
Jan/Feb.


Thanks in advance,

Sexton

Mako's are overpriced and not even made at the old plant anymore so the
build is suspect for the price you pay.

Got any Key West or Polar dealers near you? They would be my top two
choices in that size.

That 21' with a 200hp must have been fast as hell!

I love my Key West 18' CC with the 150 Yamaha.
--
A Harry Krause truism:

"It's not a *baby* kicking, beautiful bride, it's just a fetus!"
[A Narcissistic Hypocrite]

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:23:55 -0400, DK wrote:

Scott Sexton wrote:
OK,

Sorry to interrupt the name calling and political discussions, but I
have an actual boating question.

What should I buy???

Hurricane Ike trashed my boat and now it's time to get a new one. Old
boat was:

1982 Mako 21' CC
1998 200hp Evinrude Ocean Pro

I really liked the old boat, even though it was a pretty heavy. Would
like something more fuel efficient if possible.

I will be using it mostly for fishing in West Galveston Bay so shallow
draft is important. Also, I have to go through West Bay to get to the
ICW. Most of the use will be around West Bay, with the occasional 20m
trip into Galveston, and sometimes into Clear Lake/Kemah ~40m. Took the
old one out to the 12m rigs a few times, but offshore capabilities
aren't a 100% requirement for the new boat.


What do you think folks, should I get another Mako 212 or is there
another option that would be better?

Also, should I try to pick one up at the end of the year, or will I get
a better deal if I wait until the boat show season hits here in Texas in
Jan/Feb.


Thanks in advance,

Sexton

Mako's are overpriced and not even made at the old plant anymore so the
build is suspect for the price you pay.

That is correct - the old plant has been shut down, the old molds
destroyed and the new boats are built somewhere in NC.

However, they are still junk - they ain't your daddy's Mako anymore.

Got any Key West or Polar dealers near you? They would be my top two
choices in that size.

I'd stay away from Polar for a few years - they've seriously gone
south in quality with their newer boats.

I know - I know I used to pimp Polar like money was no object, but
from what I've seen recently, their QC has gone straight to hell.

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:42:04 GMT, JohnH wrote:

I love my Key West 18' CC with the 150 Yamaha.

I was going to ask you how you liked it now that you've taken out a
few times.

I like the Key West brand a lot. Fairly well built boat.

I've been looking for new boats for a while now - still thinking about
a new Contender again, but after looking around on the innertubes,
I've been intrigued by their new 29' CC.

http://www.keywestboatsinc.com/boats/show/id/9

Haven't actually seen one yet - just thinking.

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Oct 29, 7:27*am, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:
On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:42:04 GMT, JohnH wrote:
I love my Key West 18' CC with the 150 Yamaha.

I was going to ask you how you liked it now that you've taken out a
few times.

I like the Key West brand a lot. *Fairly well built boat.

I've been looking for new boats for a while now - still thinking about
a new Contender again, but after looking around on the innertubes,
I've been intrigued by their new 29' CC.

http://www.keywestboatsinc.com/boats/show/id/9

Haven't actually seen one yet - just thinking.

One name that hasn't pop'd up is Grady White. Tom do they have
something worth while in that length class?

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:43:35 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

On Oct 29, 7:27*am, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:
On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:42:04 GMT, JohnH wrote:
I love my Key West 18' CC with the 150 Yamaha.

I was going to ask you how you liked it now that you've taken out a
few times.

I like the Key West brand a lot. *Fairly well built boat.

I've been looking for new boats for a while now - still thinking about
a new Contender again, but after looking around on the innertubes,
I've been intrigued by their new 29' CC.

http://www.keywestboatsinc.com/boats/show/id/9

Haven't actually seen one yet - just thinking.

One name that hasn't pop'd up is Grady White. Tom do they have
something worth while in that length class?

I'm not a big Grady fan. Never have been actually. Kind of like
Parker boats - seen one, seen 'em all.

However, yes they do.

http://www.gradywhite.com/222/

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:

Mako's are overpriced and not even made at the old plant anymore so the
build is suspect for the price you pay.

That is correct - the old plant has been shut down, the old molds
destroyed and the new boats are built somewhere in NC.

However, they are still junk - they ain't your daddy's Mako anymore.

Got any Key West or Polar dealers near you? They would be my top two
choices in that size.

I'd stay away from Polar for a few years - they've seriously gone
south in quality with their newer boats.

I know - I know I used to pimp Polar like money was no object, but
from what I've seen recently, their QC has gone straight to hell.

Sorry to hear that. Five years ago I looked over their line and they
were 1st class boats.

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:
On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:42:04 GMT, JohnH wrote:

I love my Key West 18' CC with the 150 Yamaha.

I was going to ask you how you liked it now that you've taken out a
few times.

I like the Key West brand a lot. Fairly well built boat.

I've been looking for new boats for a while now - still thinking about
a new Contender again, but after looking around on the innertubes,
I've been intrigued by their new 29' CC.

http://www.keywestboatsinc.com/boats/show/id/9

Haven't actually seen one yet - just thinking.

That's a beautiful boat. The dealer that sold me my new bass boat also
sells Key West. I had a chance to look them over and they seem to be as
solid as ever. Nice design and clean lines, too.

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:27:59 GMT, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

I like the Key West brand a lot. Fairly well built boat.

I've been looking for new boats for a while now - still thinking about
a new Contender again, but after looking around on the innertubes,
I've been intrigued by their new 29' CC.

http://www.keywestboatsinc.com/boats/show/id/9

Haven't actually seen one yet - just thinking.

We have some Key Wests here in our neighborhood - very nice looking
boats. Regarding that 29' CC however, I'm concerned about all of
those "optional" features that really should be standard. I suppose
that's their way of keeping the base price down but it could certainly
be misleading to the uninitiated.

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:46:06 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:27:59 GMT, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

I like the Key West brand a lot. Fairly well built boat.

I've been looking for new boats for a while now - still thinking about
a new Contender again, but after looking around on the innertubes,
I've been intrigued by their new 29' CC.

http://www.keywestboatsinc.com/boats/show/id/9

Haven't actually seen one yet - just thinking.

We have some Key Wests here in our neighborhood - very nice looking
boats. Regarding that 29' CC however, I'm concerned about all of
those "optional" features that really should be standard. I suppose
that's their way of keeping the base price down but it could certainly
be misleading to the uninitiated.

That's a good point - the base boat is pretty reasonable, but it's
pretty bare bones.

Compared to the Grady Canyon 33, as an example, it's fairly well
stripped down at the base boat.

I'm still a Contender fan. Much like 2001, when they get desperate to
sell me another CC, they'll build me one or give me a deal on a left
over just to keep the lines moving.

I'll tell you - that first Contender I had I practically stole from
them - seriously. They were desperate to get rid of it. Heh, heh,
heh.

Might keep my powder dry for another couple of months. :)

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:
On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:46:06 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:27:59 GMT, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

I like the Key West brand a lot. Fairly well built boat.

I've been looking for new boats for a while now - still thinking about
a new Contender again, but after looking around on the innertubes,
I've been intrigued by their new 29' CC.

http://www.keywestboatsinc.com/boats/show/id/9

Haven't actually seen one yet - just thinking.
We have some Key Wests here in our neighborhood - very nice looking
boats. Regarding that 29' CC however, I'm concerned about all of
those "optional" features that really should be standard. I suppose
that's their way of keeping the base price down but it could certainly
be misleading to the uninitiated.

That's a good point - the base boat is pretty reasonable, but it's
pretty bare bones.

Compared to the Grady Canyon 33, as an example, it's fairly well
stripped down at the base boat.

I'm still a Contender fan. Much like 2001, when they get desperate to
sell me another CC, they'll build me one or give me a deal on a left
over just to keep the lines moving.

I'll tell you - that first Contender I had I practically stole from
them - seriously. They were desperate to get rid of it. Heh, heh,
heh.

Might keep my powder dry for another couple of months. :)


If you're in the mood for a Contender or Grady, a "popularly priced"
production boat like a Key West ain't gonna do it for you. It's the
difference between a Chevrolet and a Lexus.

Have you considered any of the large semi-custom CCs from the Carolina
or Florida builders?

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:17:24 -0400, DK wrote:

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:

Mako's are overpriced and not even made at the old plant anymore so the
build is suspect for the price you pay.

That is correct - the old plant has been shut down, the old molds
destroyed and the new boats are built somewhere in NC.

However, they are still junk - they ain't your daddy's Mako anymore.

Got any Key West or Polar dealers near you? They would be my top two
choices in that size.

I'd stay away from Polar for a few years - they've seriously gone
south in quality with their newer boats.

I know - I know I used to pimp Polar like money was no object, but
from what I've seen recently, their QC has gone straight to hell.

Sorry to hear that. Five years ago I looked over their line and they
were 1st class boats.

There wasn't a bigger fan of Polar boats than me - seriously. I
thought they were the best built, best featured, dollar-for-dollar
value on the market - bow to stern a quality boat.

The last one I looked at on a showroom floor looked like it was built
by Bayliner - ripples along the sides, not a straight gunnel rail on
the boat, the hardware was obviously cheap and the components were not
top of the line.

And it wasn't a one off - there were two of them exactly alike.

I honestly don't know what I want to do at this point.

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:
On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:17:24 -0400, DK wrote:

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:

Mako's are overpriced and not even made at the old plant anymore so the
build is suspect for the price you pay.
That is correct - the old plant has been shut down, the old molds
destroyed and the new boats are built somewhere in NC.

However, they are still junk - they ain't your daddy's Mako anymore.

Got any Key West or Polar dealers near you? They would be my top two
choices in that size.
I'd stay away from Polar for a few years - they've seriously gone
south in quality with their newer boats.

I know - I know I used to pimp Polar like money was no object, but
from what I've seen recently, their QC has gone straight to hell.
Sorry to hear that. Five years ago I looked over their line and they
were 1st class boats.

There wasn't a bigger fan of Polar boats than me - seriously. I
thought they were the best built, best featured, dollar-for-dollar
value on the market - bow to stern a quality boat.

The last one I looked at on a showroom floor looked like it was built
by Bayliner - ripples along the sides, not a straight gunnel rail on
the boat, the hardware was obviously cheap and the components were not
top of the line.

And it wasn't a one off - there were two of them exactly alike.

I honestly don't know what I want to do at this point.


Buy a condo on Amelia Island. It's the right thing to do.

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:49:35 GMT, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

I'm still a Contender fan. Much like 2001, when they get desperate to
sell me another CC, they'll build me one or give me a deal on a left
over just to keep the lines moving.

I'll tell you - that first Contender I had I practically stole from
them - seriously. They were desperate to get rid of it. Heh, heh,
heh.

They are very popular with the mega yacht crowd on the east coast
where money seems to be no object. They fit them out with a large
stainless steel towing strap just above the waterline at the bow and
pull them about 200 ft back. When they're ready to come into port a
crew member goes on board and brings the Contender in separately.

Some nice dinghy!

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:00:36 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:49:35 GMT, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

I'm still a Contender fan. Much like 2001, when they get desperate to
sell me another CC, they'll build me one or give me a deal on a left
over just to keep the lines moving.

I'll tell you - that first Contender I had I practically stole from
them - seriously. They were desperate to get rid of it. Heh, heh,
heh.

They are very popular with the mega yacht crowd on the east coast
where money seems to be no object. They fit them out with a large
stainless steel towing strap just above the waterline at the bow and
pull them about 200 ft back. When they're ready to come into port a
crew member goes on board and brings the Contender in separately.

Some nice dinghy!

I've seen that occasionally over near Newport Yacht Club and around
Mystic. Regulators too.

I saw one Jupiter once - that's a boat that intrigues me - I really
like the styling.

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 07:55:12 -0400, Boater
wrote:

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:
On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:46:06 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:27:59 GMT, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

I like the Key West brand a lot. Fairly well built boat.

I've been looking for new boats for a while now - still thinking about
a new Contender again, but after looking around on the innertubes,
I've been intrigued by their new 29' CC.

http://www.keywestboatsinc.com/boats/show/id/9

Haven't actually seen one yet - just thinking.
We have some Key Wests here in our neighborhood - very nice looking
boats. Regarding that 29' CC however, I'm concerned about all of
those "optional" features that really should be standard. I suppose
that's their way of keeping the base price down but it could certainly
be misleading to the uninitiated.

That's a good point - the base boat is pretty reasonable, but it's
pretty bare bones.

Compared to the Grady Canyon 33, as an example, it's fairly well
stripped down at the base boat.

I'm still a Contender fan. Much like 2001, when they get desperate to
sell me another CC, they'll build me one or give me a deal on a left
over just to keep the lines moving.

I'll tell you - that first Contender I had I practically stole from
them - seriously. They were desperate to get rid of it. Heh, heh,
heh.

Might keep my powder dry for another couple of months. :)

If you're in the mood for a Contender or Grady, a "popularly priced"
production boat like a Key West ain't gonna do it for you. It's the
difference between a Chevrolet and a Lexus.

Have you considered any of the large semi-custom CCs from the Carolina
or Florida builders?

Yep - In particular bigger carolina style.

All in all, if I were to do a custom, it would be a Bluefin from
Bristol, RI - like the Predator 30.

http://www.bluefinboats.com/boats.php?bbId=26


I think I'd still like a production Contender though. :)

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:
On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:17:24 -0400, DK wrote:

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:

Mako's are overpriced and not even made at the old plant anymore so the
build is suspect for the price you pay.
That is correct - the old plant has been shut down, the old molds
destroyed and the new boats are built somewhere in NC.

However, they are still junk - they ain't your daddy's Mako anymore.

Got any Key West or Polar dealers near you? They would be my top two
choices in that size.
I'd stay away from Polar for a few years - they've seriously gone
south in quality with their newer boats.

I know - I know I used to pimp Polar like money was no object, but
from what I've seen recently, their QC has gone straight to hell.
Sorry to hear that. Five years ago I looked over their line and they
were 1st class boats.

There wasn't a bigger fan of Polar boats than me - seriously. I
thought they were the best built, best featured, dollar-for-dollar
value on the market - bow to stern a quality boat.

The last one I looked at on a showroom floor looked like it was built
by Bayliner - ripples along the sides, not a straight gunnel rail on
the boat, the hardware was obviously cheap and the components were not
top of the line.

And it wasn't a one off - there were two of them exactly alike.

I honestly don't know what I want to do at this point.

It's been a few years, but is Hydrasports still building a decent product?

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:
On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:00:36 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:49:35 GMT, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

I'm still a Contender fan. Much like 2001, when they get desperate to
sell me another CC, they'll build me one or give me a deal on a left
over just to keep the lines moving.

I'll tell you - that first Contender I had I practically stole from
them - seriously. They were desperate to get rid of it. Heh, heh,
heh.
They are very popular with the mega yacht crowd on the east coast
where money seems to be no object. They fit them out with a large
stainless steel towing strap just above the waterline at the bow and
pull them about 200 ft back. When they're ready to come into port a
crew member goes on board and brings the Contender in separately.

Some nice dinghy!

I've seen that occasionally over near Newport Yacht Club and around
Mystic. Regulators too.

I saw one Jupiter once - that's a boat that intrigues me - I really
like the styling.

Any thoughts about Bluewater or Pursuit in that size?

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:32:41 -0400, DK wrote:

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:
On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:00:36 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:49:35 GMT, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

I'm still a Contender fan. Much like 2001, when they get desperate to
sell me another CC, they'll build me one or give me a deal on a left
over just to keep the lines moving.

I'll tell you - that first Contender I had I practically stole from
them - seriously. They were desperate to get rid of it. Heh, heh,
heh.
They are very popular with the mega yacht crowd on the east coast
where money seems to be no object. They fit them out with a large
stainless steel towing strap just above the waterline at the bow and
pull them about 200 ft back. When they're ready to come into port a
crew member goes on board and brings the Contender in separately.

Some nice dinghy!

I've seen that occasionally over near Newport Yacht Club and around
Mystic. Regulators too.

I saw one Jupiter once - that's a boat that intrigues me - I really
like the styling.

Any thoughts about Bluewater or Pursuit in that size?

Pursuit? Oh yeah - always have had a "thing" about Pursuit boats. In
particular this one.

http://www.pursuitboats.com/C340.htm

I have a couple of friends with Pursuits and they are built like
tanks- very heavy for their size. Side-by-side with Contender, they
are very similar in terms of quality. I just prefer Contender because
I'm a brand loyalist - I've always owned Fords for instance - and the
Contenders I've owned have always held their value - then again, I
tend to really take care of my stuff and when something gets dinged or
donged, I have it fixed immediately. You would never know my 2000
Ranger, for example, is eight years old - its in showroom condition.

Bluewater I'm not that familiar with - you don't see a lot of them up
around this area. The ones I have seen seem really well built -
strong, but I've never had one out for a run.

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:28:23 -0400, DK wrote:

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:
On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:17:24 -0400, DK wrote:

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:

Mako's are overpriced and not even made at the old plant anymore so the
build is suspect for the price you pay.
That is correct - the old plant has been shut down, the old molds
destroyed and the new boats are built somewhere in NC.

However, they are still junk - they ain't your daddy's Mako anymore.

Got any Key West or Polar dealers near you? They would be my top two
choices in that size.
I'd stay away from Polar for a few years - they've seriously gone
south in quality with their newer boats.

I know - I know I used to pimp Polar like money was no object, but
from what I've seen recently, their QC has gone straight to hell.
Sorry to hear that. Five years ago I looked over their line and they
were 1st class boats.

There wasn't a bigger fan of Polar boats than me - seriously. I
thought they were the best built, best featured, dollar-for-dollar
value on the market - bow to stern a quality boat.

The last one I looked at on a showroom floor looked like it was built
by Bayliner - ripples along the sides, not a straight gunnel rail on
the boat, the hardware was obviously cheap and the components were not
top of the line.

And it wasn't a one off - there were two of them exactly alike.

I honestly don't know what I want to do at this point.

It's been a few years, but is Hydrasports still building a decent product?

Yeah - it's a good product no doubt about it, but they went away from
being somewhat unique styling to a more generic look.

Still a good boat. One of the charter guys over in RI has a 3300C
which he trailers believe it or not. Very nice boat. I've been out
with him a couple of times over the past few years sword fishing and
it does the offshore bit nicely. We did a cod fishing trip to
Stellwagon Bank two years ago in January and I was surprized at how
well it handled fishing the seaward side of the bank. Very stable
boat.

http://www.hydrasports.com/mInfo.cfm?mid=5278

I really like the looks of that particular boat, but the problem for
me is that with the white hull, it's kind of ugly.

And I like white hulls - boats should have white hulls. :)

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
message ...
On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:28:23 -0400, DK wrote:

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:
On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:17:24 -0400, DK wrote:

Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:

Mako's are overpriced and not even made at the old plant anymore so
the
build is suspect for the price you pay.
That is correct - the old plant has been shut down, the old molds
destroyed and the new boats are built somewhere in NC.

However, they are still junk - they ain't your daddy's Mako anymore.

Got any Key West or Polar dealers near you? They would be my top two
choices in that size.
I'd stay away from Polar for a few years - they've seriously gone
south in quality with their newer boats.

I know - I know I used to pimp Polar like money was no object, but
from what I've seen recently, their QC has gone straight to hell.
Sorry to hear that. Five years ago I looked over their line and they
were 1st class boats.

There wasn't a bigger fan of Polar boats than me - seriously. I
thought they were the best built, best featured, dollar-for-dollar
value on the market - bow to stern a quality boat.

The last one I looked at on a showroom floor looked like it was built
by Bayliner - ripples along the sides, not a straight gunnel rail on
the boat, the hardware was obviously cheap and the components were not
top of the line.

And it wasn't a one off - there were two of them exactly alike.

I honestly don't know what I want to do at this point.

It's been a few years, but is Hydrasports still building a decent product?

Yeah - it's a good product no doubt about it, but they went away from
being somewhat unique styling to a more generic look.

Still a good boat. One of the charter guys over in RI has a 3300C
which he trailers believe it or not. Very nice boat. I've been out
with him a couple of times over the past few years sword fishing and
it does the offshore bit nicely. We did a cod fishing trip to
Stellwagon Bank two years ago in January and I was surprized at how
well it handled fishing the seaward side of the bank. Very stable
boat.

http://www.hydrasports.com/mInfo.cfm?mid=5278

I really like the looks of that particular boat, but the problem for
me is that with the white hull, it's kind of ugly.

And I like white hulls - boats should have white hulls. :)

On the West Coast north of Los Angeles, CC suck. Too many days of nasty,
cold water and wind and fog. Need a boat you can get inside, out of the
weather.

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:59:24 -0800, "Calif Bill"
wrote:

On the West Coast north of Los Angeles, CC suck. Too many days of nasty,
cold water and wind and fog. Need a boat you can get inside, out of the
weather.

Pansies...

21' Center Console Suggestions?
 

"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
message ...
On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:59:24 -0800, "Calif Bill"
wrote:

On the West Coast north of Los Angeles, CC suck. Too many days of nasty,
cold water and wind and fog. Need a boat you can get inside, out of the
weather.

Pansies...

Pansies? We boat all year, just not during the 2-3 weeks of real nice
weather.