I was just curious what the average size boat was for most of the guys on this site. My boat is a worn out old 17 foot proline (1979). Overall it is not a bad boat. Been in the fam. for years.

I fish a 19' Carolina Skiff w/90hp Evinrude. Fish inshore in the Sunbury/St. Catherine's Island area.

Sea Note is a 19' (actually 18.5) Sea Pro CC. I bought her for inshore, but have found that I'm leaning toward more near shore habitat. She's great for that also.

I have a 21' Sea Ray Bowrider with a 200hp V8 I/O that is my primary boat. I have a 19' Bayliner cuddy with a 125 Force that I bought as a project boat. Well, my Sea Ray is now my project (BIG project) boat, and my Bayliner will be my primary as soon as I get the motor painted and put back on.

B.O.A.T. - Break Out Another Thousand

19FT CC inshore/ near and off to about 25 miles.

19 ft Sea Pro Center Console, Inshore and near shore. Might follow Stan this year if I can figure out where to stack the gas cans........

Astewart, how big is your tank and what size engine ya running??

28 foot century c/c twin yamaha 150's 2000 model yamahas are 2001 models 200 gallon gas tank...TEAM REEL SOUTHERN..

I run a 19' cc Century Bay Boat with a 115 yammie. I do mostly inshore, but this season I will do some venturing out to the J when the sea is right. I have done some near shore fishing with this boat and it is a dry boat. Coastman

2003 27' Contender with twin 200hpdi Yamahas. The Gulfstream made me do it! Will claim boat as a dependant this year on taxes. Seriously though, The Strike Eagle Ride's great and it is also very fuel efficient for a true 30' boat (thank God). It Gets better fuel economy than last 23' (donzi) boat I had. 21gph at 42MPH and a top 54MPH bad weather speed. Ive Been in 5 foot seas at 20 knots with no problem but not intentionally. Things can change in a wink of an eye 50+ miles offshore. The extra 7' feet sure makes a difference! It was a sacrafice for me but I have NO regrets what so ever.

I'm running 3 boats.

My offshore boat is a custom built (1979) 23' scarab. She is ReelJustice, 23 feet long, 6 foot beam and a killer deadrise. She has a 120 gallon tank, 200 hp Johnson. She has NO FLOTATION yet. Randy Buck has her right now from her sinking last summer. She's supposed to get some floatation, some interior design changes and an additional 50 gallon fuel tank.

My current inshore boat is a 17' Twin Vee, 50 hp Tohatsu and 12 gallon tank. She is under-powered abit and doesn't have enough fuel. I'm hoping to getting around to making some changes before spring.

My little boat is a 14' Starcraft aluminum john boat with a 20 hp Mercury, 12 gallon tank. I ran this boat way back when I used to fish the freshwater rivers a lot. The carb jets are clogged right now but I'm hoping to get time to get them cleaned out so I can start using her again.

I still need a few more boats, and the time and money to use them

The bank's still letting me ride in their 23' CC Key Largo, 225 optimax. I wish they would fill it up from time to time. I fish nearshore reefs to offshore.

23' Carolina skiff with underpowered 90 Johnson 40 gallon mostly inshore but with pics want to go out some. Also have 18' Donzi with 4.3 in/outboard

The Drift Wood is an 89 Grady 24, walk-around, with a well-aged yamaha 250 on her. On a few occasions she has tried to imitate her name - which is why she also has a fairly new 9.9 honda kicker installed. I typically don't stray too far past the near shore artificial reefs - will venture further when the new engine is acquired (high on my priority list but low on the family list -- dang!)./ David

2000 Stingray runabout with a 3.0 L, not quite fishing machine that I want. Born and raised in the midwest and never seen a CC in my life, now I'm geting hooked on the ol' saltwater fishing. If I happen to make the E7 list this year, when I get back from the ol' ROK and get the wife in that 2003 Accord she wants. I'll be looking at the 2004 Boat Show for a CC, probably a Triumph 190 or 210.

SUDDEN CHAOS SPORTFISHING TEAM is a 93 sailfish with a 90 gallon tank, she came with a 60 gallon but the first owner knocked a hole in the hull and upgraded to a 90 gallon and a new hull She's only a 21 footer but can go as far and any 21 I know of...... I don't go any farther than 50 miles due to the fact weather is unpredictable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rob

20 Foot Hydra-Sport, 115 Gallons fuel and a 200 Johnson that loves to drink it. R-6 is my limit from St Catherines.

Proline 190 with a Johnson 115. I've had it in water from 6 inches deep (at the redfish in the surf gathering) to 80 feet or so on the Gulf side. Longest offshore trip was probably 30 miles out.

1989 17ft Bonito Center Console with a 90hp Johnson. A couple of years ago I had the "pleasure" of tearing out the floor and replacing it with along with 1 stringer. Came out nice. The year before that I broke a piston so I rebuilt my first 2 stroke engine. Still running (broke a driveshaft this year and Randy took care of me), knock on wood! Inshore out to the nearshore (CAT KTK) reefs, and lots of shrimping.

I should be teaching instead of playing on the net. How much did it cost to replace the stringers and who did it?

16' fisher marine (1970 )with 9 hp go devil,used mainly for shrimping.
21' carolina skiff with 35 hp honda

Kinda like Joel, I have what would appear to be too many boats...

"Outrageous" is a unique 18 foot Whaler; one of twelve ever built with a full transom. They hung a huge 2.5 litre SeaDrive on her at the factory. I've had the boat since it was built in 1984. I'll hang a Yamaha on her when the SeaDrive finally gives up.

"Outrageous Too" is a 26' Century with twin 200 HP Yamahas. If I "see you offshore", chances are I'll be in this one.

"Outrageous Three" is a little 15' Whaler "Striper". This is the inshore/surf fishing boat.

I'll never admit that there is a jet ski hidden in the garage.

Tight Lines!

David

A 1987 22' CC Angler w/ 175hp Evinrude, and a 1977 15' Speedbird w/ 70hp Johnson. Geez, I need some late model stuff!!!

Well, I will update. Sold the Angler, and purchased a new 2006 18' Rhino Frontier with a 115 Evinrude DI. So far so good.

Carman, it cost me about $325.00 for the floor and stringer, but I did all the work. Would have cost what the boat was worth to have it done. Never got anyone to give a solid price, but was told somewhere just under or over 2000. As to the engine. I was able to have the block bored oversize, went with 4 new pistons and various other new parts. Did the work myself and it cost around $700 all told. Would have been in excess of $1400 to have it done for me though.

I must go back and get a higher degree. I keep gettting green with envey. Some guys have awsome boats. I am glad to see that the lil pro is not that small. I have fished inshore near blackbeard for years, maybe this year I will venture out a little. The lil pro does OK off the bouy line at Mexico beach. I wonder how she will do off the Georgia coast?

Hey Carman, I lived in Mexico Beach in 1979 in a trailer right next to the wayside park that was on Hwy 98. I was stationed at Tyndall from '78-84. I imagine you make the short run to Cape San Blas for the awesome speck fishing every now and then.

Sav Dan
When I was about 13 we would go in the bay and skin dive for scallops. I thought that was the greatest thing ever. When we were not diving we would fish. We would catch some but not a lot. About 6 years ago we started going back down to MB with my wife and her fam. We have mainly trolled out toward the tip of the cape and cought small kings. I think it would be alot of fun to go in the bay some again. We hope to stay a few weeks this summer so I hope to fish some different places.

My grand father in law has been going down for years. He talks about knowing the original owners of Maraqu? marine. That was way before my time.

Mrs. Tyson is also a good friend, she refurbished a small house that use to be a school.

I have walked several miles down the beach at Tyndal AFB. That is some fantastic beach. I enjoy walking down it by my self and humming Jimmy Buffett songs.

Carman, I know what you mean. I started teaching this year. I am a former Army officer and then did other jobs but mostly contruction and renovations. Now I teach Algebra 1 to freshman and am loving it (granted I am writing this on Fri. after school and payday to boot ) I know what you mean about the higher degree. I am going to look at a masters after I get the rest of my certification done, will need that pay raise as well!

As to boats- I am looking for an old hull right now that is dirt cheap. I plan to strip it clean and build it up from the hull to what I want for a in and nearshore boat. Looking for about 20ft with a wide beam. Someday I will run across her and get her home to begin working on. I want to build it custom for shrimping, inshore, heading out to at least the J and beready to do some inshore guiding in the future. If anyone has seen an old hull sitting in a backyard, junkyard or patch of woods let me know.

Yeah Carman, Tyndall is/was the second best secret in the Air Force! I loved it there. When I lived on base, I could see my special speckled trout hole through the sliding glass door of my den! Taught three of my four kids to swim at Redfish Point. I plan to move back to that area before I'm too old to enjoy what it has to offer, and I'm not talking about spring break either!

Tim, we'll keep our eyes open for a hull. I think I know where a few are. A fellow at work keeps his sailboat at a marina in Carolina that is closing. I think I remember him saying that there were some hulls there. There happens to be one on the side of my house right now. I started out putting an exhaust "Y" pipe on it, but I am now rebuilding it from the keel up! Here is the sad story if you haven't seen it already. Sad Sea Ray

I'm boat poor as well -

2Wishin is a 1995 21' Stratos center console (rolled edge style) with a 130 hp Johnson, 70 gallon fuel tank.

My other boat is a 16' flat bottom bateau with a 30 hp Johnson.

21' CC Sea Pro bay boat. Inshore, near shore, and Gulf flats.

13' Gheenoe w/ antique 4 HP Johnson for the river. Always an adventure in this boat !!!!!

Sav. Dan -- We used to fish Mexico Beach from mid '70s to early 80's. Stayed in a trailer park with a retired fellow who always fished with us. He had a 20' camper set up next to his trailer for us. Hard to beat those accomodations. You could see the water from the screened porch. Always put in at Mexico Beach Marina with Capt. Tom and then had to navigate the famous "cut", which was all of 30 ft. wide and straight into the breakers.

I fish a 23 ft Robalo. Powered by a '99 Yam 250, this boat needs the 90 gallon fuel tank. My travel limit is to the R7 Tower (I can return with around 33% of a full tank of gas).

As a side note, I am going to sell my boat and move up in size so that I can get to the true blue water.

I fish a 22'Grady-White Seafarrer.She has a 92 gallon gas tank and a 225 Johnson on it.Not sure what the range is,but probably more than my nerve is.We been to the Betsey Ross and Eagles nest in 1 day and burned 34 gallons.We plan on hitting the Stan reef this year.

Carman, hope you don't mind. I added a little to the title of your post in the hopes it will draw more response.

Joel

My wifes boat is a198 Carolina Skiff with a four stroke 100 yamamha who lets me ride with her only because she can't back the trailer--- Also would like everyone to know about a new boat manufacture in Baxley Ga. who is going to have a complete line of roll gunnels,bay boats and offshore up to35's. The boat lines name will be "RHINO". It will have a 7 year warranty and is all composite. And the price is reasonable of what I asked about. I've met the onwer and he is a straieght up person who knows what he's talking about.

Fishing a 22' Sea Swirl striper CC with a 200 Johnson.Small fuel capacity of 83 gals, but I am averaging about 2.5 miles to the gallon if I don't stand on it.

spwash, I remember "the cut." On a bad day it looked like the ditch to heck! I mostly waded for specks next to the Girl Scout Hut on base. Also fished for reds of of the old Tyndall bridge at night with blue crabs on a float. Did most of my spearfishing in the little cove next to Redfish Point and down at PC beach out in front of Pineapple Willie's. I sure miss that place!

Reefrunner is a 1994, 23'-3" walkaround cuddy made by Invader (long defunct) Boats, powered by a 2000 model Mercury 200. I have been running her since she was brand new. With 105 gallons of fuel I fish as far as R3 tower without extra fuel. She's seen a lot of rough water with no reel problems. My advice to you, Carman, if you plan to fish offshore get a bigger boat, and use the Proline for inshore.

David

Just to add another plug for school teachers. I am a school teacher. YEAH!!! Tiny is my husband. I keep trying to get him to teach me to back that trailor, but he never seems to find time. The Rhino boat that Tiny was talking about out of Baxley is made by a school teacher's husband and son. You guys go check them out. Us teachers need all the fishing money we can scrounge up! I love our 198 Carolina skiff; it is perfect for inshore fishing and shrimping. We do go off shore a little ways, but Tiny and I are looking for about a 23 ft boat with a deep V of some kind to venture any farther out. I get nervous as a cat when the wind starts picking up out there. The boat shows are starting and I know where we we be next weekend. Sea Ya, gagirl

2001 23' Proline Center Console with a 2002 250 Mercury EFI. Great boat that regularly takes The Who crew and I 40-50 miles out. 141 gallon fuel capacity is a big plus for us. Boat is red/white and easy to spot so most of you have probaby seen us out there from time to time. As a side note, this boat is for sale as I'm planning to move up 8-9 feet in length.

Ideal boat for someone who wants a very versatile, easy to handle boat to get off-shore in. If interested, e-mail at strumbgkng@aol.com.

Mike

I fish a 24 CC Proline, 225 Rude, 144 gals of fuel, inshore to the snapper banks.

The "DUE SOUTH" 23 CC Key West, 140 gal's fuel, 200 hp EFI Suzuki, with a ton of hours & trips out to the deep holes and towers. If I hold it down to 4200 rpm's/30mph loaded with wife and I, it'll knock out a smooth 11 gal per hr. per the fuel management sys. It's a 96 model rig I bought new. The main selling point I remember then was the step dwn console dept. for the
porta- pottie as the wife said the poncho and 5 gal. bucket days are over, if we spend this kind of money. The boat has been bullet proof, the motor , I have had to stay on top of the corosion thing, very timely with changing out of the anodes, but runs super.

Ron N.

"Sapelo Cat" is a ProKat 2860SC with T F225s ,2002. The bank and I have enjoyed the new boat, they like getting the money and I like how far that thing will travel on 238 gal of gas.
Joe

What a wide range of boats I would like to add my .02cents worth for anyone looking for a "offshore" boat..... I first started out fishing with a friend out of a 24' proline CC with a 225 ocean pro, very very nice boat, we fished it out of Dovers Bluff and ran to the stream 80 miles several time and to all of the towers in between, this is in my mind the perfect size boat (cause anything larger from where I live is too big to trailer very far)(for a poor man)...... then he stepped up to a 28' proline with twin 200s this boat seems twice the size of the old "pro" with 200gallons of gas...............he is now looking for a 21-23' boat since I bought my boat 21 sailfish, I tought the boat would be great up to 20 nm, but when I met Stan and his 19' key largo I changed my thinking I wish I could pull a quote he said in a earlier thread.... " I can run as far as my gas will let me, if its ruff in my 19 footer it will be ruff in a 23 footer" and that sums it up.. go with the bigger gas tank and keep that 18-23'ers.... now that goes for the 85% of people on this board, the other tournament fishers got the money to burn in a 100,000.00 boat

I run an OLD (1974) 22.5' Sea Ray with a 351 CI 233 HP mercrusier IO. I only have 70 gal. of gas but I get approx. 3.5 to 4 GPH at 25 MPH at about 3000 RPM. It's not real fast with a top end of around 45, but it's REAL heavy, 3700 lbs dry according to sea ray. With a 24 degree deadrise at the stern, it cuts through waves fairly well.

Okay, my turn.

I run a 2002 Grady White 273 Chase with twin Yam F225 4-strokes and a 204 gallon tank. Just got it a couple of months ago but use 19 gph at 36 mph. Folks, if you are wondering about 4-strokes, all you have to do is listen....I can not describe how much quieter those motors are and as much trolling as we all do, it makes a diff....plenty of power...I could probably run a different prop for more top end but will probably not do that as I very seldom run wide open...not worth it. 51 mph.

The inshore boat is a 18' Dauntless. Great boat, stable....would not buy one now that Sea Ray manages them though.

I do believe there is a BIG difference in handling between a 23 and 27-28, provided the hull design is up to snuff and such...such as the Regulator, Grady and all...much easier on the big water....run faster without having to drive the boat with the throttle.

r

I just purchased a partnership in a 22.5 Aquasport center console w/ Merc optimax after being boatless last summer for the first time since I can remember. Before that in order it was a 23 Contender, 27 Contender, 29 Fountain CC, 23 Grady, 21 Grady, and a 16' no name "marsh boat" over the last 15 years. I had more fun and caught more fish on the "marsh boat" and Fountain than any others. Pushing the throttles down and feeling the power on the Fountain was a rush but that thing would get you back at the pump. That boat had a great livewell and could raise the fish. Probably shoulda never sold it. Some of the best days of my life were spent in the marsh boat. Hooking up on a trout and handing the rod to my 5 year old buddy to reel in and watching his joy and determination in getting the fish to the boat is good living. He's 11 now and if his baseball will let us get out on the weekends, we'll be chasing the cobia come April. I look forward to seeing you guys on the water.

The Fishful Thinkin' is a 21' Century Bay w/ yamaha 150 hpdi just sips on my 65 gallon push-o-lean tank. I sure am glad it is easy on gas with the price at $1.50 a gallon. Plenty of storeage and I have been to KTK and CAT without any problem. I need to hook up with someone to visit Grays and beyond.

Jeff

Okay, I know I'm REALLY far behind on this thread...

Mine is a 17' Carolina Skiff (2001) with the 50 hp Honda 4-stroke. Last year was my first year with it, and it performed great. I love how quiet it is. It won't exactly beat any of your bigger boats for speed on open water (25 mph tops on flat water), but it gets me into the shallows very nicely. And that really worked to my advantage at the Reds In The Surf outing last year.

Just got this used boat. Havn't even put it in the water yet. It's at 202 Scout Sportfish with 200 Yamaha OX-66.
This is the guy I bought the boat from and his fiance and
friend.
Here's another.