What the best 16’+ inshore boat that you can get for less than $28000?
Keith McPherson
a gheenoo
If I’m posting, its because I’m sitting here at work, dreaming about fishing.
Hewes Redfisher. Simply the best Inshore flats boat. It’s light, but heavy enough to handle intracostal waves. A maverick is just as good but it just can’t handle chop like a Hewes since it is so much lighter. I had a Redfisher for 5 years and it did everything I needed. Took it from IOP marina to Wando River pretty easily (got a little wet but it was a windy day). I could take it anywhere I wanted too, Draft was like 8" I think. Even if you don’t end up buying one, I think you should definitely take a look at a Hewes.
When you test ride in the boat you are looking at, don’t just drive it…stop it. Then walk around a little bit, have the other guy in the boat move from one side to the other. If it’s stable and doesn’t toss you overboard, put that boat in the plus column. If the boat is unstable and you almost fall out, it goes in the negative column. Even some well named boats fail this.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
2007 Grady White 222 Fisherman / 250 Yamaha
Simrad NSS evo2 and G4
1- 22 boy that won’t move out)
1 - 18 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
ECFC
Are you looking for a boat just to fish out of or are you looking for a good fishing boat that you can take friends and family out on. If you’re looking for a fishing boat check out a used east cape, hells bay, or beavertail. there’s a hells bay guide 18 for sale on craigslist right now.
https://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/6085799159.html
If you are looking for a more comfortable family boat to fish off of look at bay boats.
I have and east cape evox that I fish off of most of the time but do take my wife and some friends to the sandbar as well. Floats really shallow, poles really well, and doesn’t get you wet with big spray rails.
East Cape EVOx
I should have mentioned that I don’t have cash in hand so what ever I get will have to be financed. Preferably new but used isn’t out of the question as long as I can get it financed. My sweet spot would be a 17-18 foot flats boat with a motor and trailer in that low $30,000 range.
Keith McPherson
Check out the bulls bay line of bay boats. You could most likely get in a new boat for that money.
Been looking at the 17 footer from bulls bay but it drafts like 10". I feel like that’s a little too deep to be fishing creeks at low tide.
Keith McPherson
In the creeks where I fish that are shallow draft required you also want short and narrow. Draft isn’t everything. It is a pain to operate a big boat in backwater. Idk about new but my old key west could do it all around here. It drafted less than half a crab pot because id cruise by and the middle layer would be sticking out the water. In my experience a 17ft cc was awesome in charleston.
One you can afford.
Been looking at the 17 footer from bulls bay but it drafts like 10". I feel like that’s a little too deep to be fishing creeks at low tide.
Keith McPherson
I second the Hughes.
He must Increase,but I must decrease. John 3:30
Has anyone ever had any experience with the bomb island 160 flats boats? Those are really well priced. I’m just worried about having another angler in the boat with me since I’m a big boy at 300lbs.
Keith McPherson
Check out Ankona/Salt Marsh Skiffs in Florida . I bought a 16 foot Heron with a 40 Yamaha 4 stroke . Best flats boat ever . Holds 4 people , dry ride , stable , wide gunwales - and - with an aluminum Float -On trailer , a mini console , and a 55 lb thrust remote control MinnKota trolling motor - Less than 20k. I’d post a photo but I;m a low tech guy in a high tech world.
Is it possible to get into a decent used flats boat for $10,000 or less? Boat, motor and trailer.
Keith McPherson
$10,000 you can, but it’s going to be really old or have a motor with A TON of hours or something like that… You could get a nice Jon Boat for that but if you want a nice flats boat you’re looking at a $13-18K Hewes, Action craft, Scout, etc.
Does anyone have any experience with the gheenoe lt25? Is it tippy? Can it handle 500+lbs of people? How will it handle boat wakes when running?
Keith McPherson
Is Kast King going to cover the Pro Staff wrap on the boat or what?
Check out the Panga Marine 18’ Skiff
@rapchizzle probably not bro, But I may throw a little decal action on it so you know me when you see me!
Keith McPherson
Have you ever fished from one of the panga boats? The hull style is very intriguing!
Keith McPherson