The best 23' boat

[BYRD]

I've been window shopping (daydreaming might be a better description) of what I would want in a boat. I fish the Bay most of the time with the ocassional trip to the CLT or an offshore wreck. I figure a 23' boat would be ideal. What type of options, set-ups, or styles do ya'll think is best? I think an outboard on a bracket with a full transom is the way to go. Also need a live well and a decent sized gas tank. Recomendations?

[Smooth Rider]

23 Scout sport fish

[J Lavender]

I'm sure you will get lots of opinions on this topic so here's mine.
I like a WA model for alot of reasons and I think the Grady 23 Gulfstream with twin F 150' is an awesome rig.

The problem for me is it's also hard to afford. [grin]

[Jake Bait]

Look at the cape horns. I have a 24 and love it, 215 gallons of gas. I think the 22 which measures out 22 10 has the same fuel tank. No frills just a fishiing boat.

[housecall]

Just went throught the same search with the same parameters 1 year ago. I ended up with my 2003 GW 228 Seafarer w/F225 Yamaha. It has a large cockpit (49 sq.ft.), decent enough cabin for storage and SWMBO potty, 92 gallon gas tank (I don't have the optional 56 gallon auxillary). It has a large circular livewell on the centerline at the transom and a full bracket with swim ladder.

The only bad things about the walkaround configuration is the obvious difficulty in fishing from the bow. Also, the ride of a modified deep-V WA in head seas is inferior to a deep-V CC.

I did a lot of research and kicked a lot of hulls for over a year of looking. The primary con of the GWs is the price. However, I view the cost of the boat as being the price you pay minus the price you sell it for (all boats get sold eventually!). Therefore the superior resale value of the GW plus the knowledge that the GW is set up exactly right made it a good choice for me.

I liked the Gulfstream, but did not want two engines. Twice as much maintenance was not appealing to me. Since I never fish outside of Seatow range, the safety facto of redundancy was not a major consideration.

Many people around here have Gulfstreams with a single 225. I rode some and found it underpowered for my desires (400 hp max = 56% compared to my boat's 300 hp max = 75%).

I have put 50 hours on my boat since April primarily in the bay and out to the CLT and CBJ line. It has performed flawlessly and I have been very satisfied. Drop me a bmail if you want to kick the hull or go fishing.

[fish-on]

Look at the hydra-sport 23 walk, has alot of fishing room for a 23 ft boat. It holds 109 gal of gas, and the motor is on a bracket. I am looking hard myself at this boat. Doug.

[LT01]

BYRD-

Check this one out.

http://www.palmettoboats.net/interface.html

LT

[BYRD]

Thanks for the response. Ya'll helped alot. That palmetto is nice. Thanks Again.

[Grady23]

I've had my '97 Grady Gulfstream wtwin 150's for 3 years now. Great Boat. It affords me a nice sized cabin to get out of the weather, plenty of cockpit space(56Sq Ft) for fishing and a great ride even in 4-5 footers. Only thing I'd like to do is sell my SW II carbed 150's and switch over to 4 strokes or HPDI setup.
Just my way of looking at it :).

[samnterry]

Byrd,

I have a 2004 Robalo R235 W/A (24'6" LOA) with Yam 225. Use the boat in the bay and love it. Robalo has stopped production of the R235 and started with a R245. The new Robalo's are well built and heavy duty. Check 'em out.

[frayedknot]

Biggest 23' you can get with a big (round ) livewell-namebrand ? Most boat boat for the money probably a 23 May Craft a no frill's fishin boat.








1974 23 mako

[Sandtiger]

Craig,

Considering that although it is called a 24 foot boat, yet it is only 23 feet and change (so it's in your 23 foot range), I would go with a 24 foot Albemarle. Love fishing it and it is stable very sea worthy boat.

[Grady23]

24' Albemarle is a GREAT boat also. Many guys use them to fish offshore. HD232 posts on the Chesapeake board and has one -- Ask him how he likes his.

[jrocket567]

Gotta put in another vote for the 23 Grady Gulfstream-- had ours for 3 years, and have put about 500 hours on it (single F225)-- it doesnt seem too underpowered, I can tell a difference when theres 2 people or 8 people on the boat, or if its full of gas (150 gals). Its everything you ever need/want in a 23' boat-- the cost is steep, but like housecall said, they have a very good resale value- the only problem that I see with it is the 9'3" beam if you want to trailer it; if not, its a heck of a bonus, and makes all of the difference in the world in the Bay- the beam is one of the main reasons I went to the 23 vs the 22, and very glad that I did.

JP
"KwikRelease"

[Grady23]

JROCKET --- You gotta get out on one with twin 150's. 2 props and the extra 50 HP make a big differnece. The one other good thing is that I cut 1 engine when trolling and alternate about every hr or so.