Thoughts on good "rough water small hull..

[Duffman]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

I dunno, so far I have to disagree.. The 17 -18 foot glass center consoles are certainly capable of more than just fishing the bay.. Are you guys saying a 15 minute ride from Shark River up to the rocks off Deal and then a mile or 2 off is too dangerous for a well designed CC hull of 17-18 feet??b

I'm not saying that at all. Just rather buy larger from the get go than go with a 17 and wish I had more room.

Btw, you run 2 kickers? So you have 3 outboards hanging off the transom of an 18 footer?

[Capt. Lou]

Older style 21 Whaler ! That 21 is extremely stable , however doesn't like short stiff chop , but that being said it will run it fairly decent . Used boat for all inshore & tuna in MH . Great sea boat just slow down in heavy seas .
Great fishing platform no rock n roll , unsinkable well built if u can find one in good shape bears a look ! If I remember correctlly not that heavy !
If ur primary fishing is in shore then decent boat . Owned one of originals in 72 three years 72 to 75, with twin 90 Mercs

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Duffman

I'm not saying that at all. Just rather buy larger from the get go than go with a 17 and wish I had more room.

Btw, you run 2 kickers? So you have 3 outboards hanging off the transom of an 18 footer?

No. my current configuration is 100 main power, 6 HP on a retractable bracket, and a little 2 HP stowed.. If the main engine should fail, then the kicker fails, I take the 6 HP off the bracket and stick the 2 HP on.. It doesn't go fast, but moves the boat ok, and is a LOT better than rowing.. I test these backups continually throughout the season.. I am a retired mechanic and tend to be anal about the way gasoline engines run.
I suppose I could go as bigs as 19 but as i said, that Aquasport Osprey 175 was a beefy boat, all glass no wood, and handled rough water easily, and for me would be more than enough for bay and inshore fluke/blues/seabass/tog.. they just aren't that easy to find... It would be all the boat I would need for inshore, but anything similar would be fine as well.. More flattened planing hulls like the older Whaler Montauk are stable but pound like hell in a chop.. I would prefer a semi V thats solidly built.. I am prone towards Aquasports because I owned one and know its capabilities but as said, I am open to others , and thats why I am asking opinions hoping maybe a few members here know the hulls first hand, by owning or fishing in them.. I am always looking out for an Osprey 175 as its beefy and beamy, and i am familiar with it.. just can't find one... bob

[Striper80]

I tow my 99 22WA wellcraft with my 05 GMC Sierra 1500 without issue. I keep it down at AH on the trailer for more convenience though. If you can find one in good shape a V20 wellcraft is a good handling boat that you should be able to tow no problem.

[Maritime Matt]

I would sell all 3 and find yourself a used Maritime Skiff. An 18 will work for you, maybe even the 16. Simple, easy to maintain, tow and run. Super stable. Float in very little water. I have a 01 Maritime skiff Pioneer Pilot House 20 with a Honda 90. Like a whaler, as it was designed and built from someone at Whaler's commercial division when they were built in Mass, they can/do pound in a short chop. With trim tabs and judicious use of the throttle, it can be over come for the most part. Great for the bays and rivers but yet I've had this boat wreck fishing to the AC Reefs and Garden State North wrecks from LEI and Sandy Hook Reef from Shark River Inlet and have gotten caught in some nasty stuff for the return trip. Never once did I not think this hull would get me back safely. And fuel economy, unreal. Yes 20'7" hull with 90hp. I love the boat so much I bough a 14'er. That one has been out Murrell's Inlet SC and towed down to Sebastian FL. If you want to see it or a sea trial, I'd be happy to take you out. Capt.Matt