Best center console for the chesapeake

[Regulator]

I don't find the lack of a small box to crawl into, i.e.: a head, to be a big deal. My friend's regulator has one, but it pitches so much in the smallest chop that I don't know how you would use it. You'd almost be better using the head while the boat is up on plane!

that is funny any boat whith a 24 degree dead rise at the transom will rock more than a 18-20 but it takes 2-3 footers to make it pitch the way you are discribing, but on the upside you can run WOT in those same conditions while drinking your favorite beverage VS wearing it.

[13Whaler]

I've owned a 20 ft Grady (Hatteras Overnighter), 13 ft Whaler (probably selling it this year), and now an 18 ft Parker CC. I also fish a lot out of a 19 ft Cobia CC and 25 ft Regal. All nice boats. I bought the 2000 Parker with the discontinued 130 yamaha this year used for $12,500 (excellent shape, not many hours). Look for a good deal, they are out there. Go with the bunk trailer.

I think the choice is either the 18/19 ft or move right up to the 23 ft. The 18 ft is fine for the bay and can go where the 21 can take you (maybe a little wetter though). If you want to fish the CBBT in the winter you should have the bigger 23 fter. The 18 Parker is easy to trailer and you can use a smaller tow vehicle, great gas mileage (3 to 3.3 mpg).

(Although if $$ wasn't an issue I would have gotten the Regulator!)

[paxfish]

as info - with a 4 stroke or HPDI, you'll get even better mileage.

My 21SE gets 4.5 mpg on average. Typical cruise is 30mph at 4000rpm.

Top speed 45 mph on MTBE gas and 40 degree temps.

[salty sam]

Another .02 FWIW. I had a Kencraft Challenger 206CC. Beefy boat that's undervalued in my opinion. Very good fit and finish with a large fuel capacity and a head in the console. Good seaboat with a 150 and easy to handle. With a tandem trailer it weighed around 4000 with full fuel so you need to consider the tow vehicle as well.

As others have said, go for a sea trial. Someone mentioned Gootees for Maycraft. I've dealt with them before and would highly recommend them. Good luck

John

[choptankcrabber]

that is funny any boat whith a 24 degree dead rise at the transom will rock more than a 18-20 but it takes 2-3 footers to make it pitch the way you are discribing, but on the upside you can run WOT in those same conditions while drinking your favorite beverage VS wearing it.

Fair enough, "smallest chop" was understating it, they probably were 2-3 foot waves that day, and it really wasn't meant to be an anti-Regulator comment- it's just that the pitch at idle speed was such a contrast to the incredibly smooth ride at WOT.

It was more meant to be a comment on the fact that a "console head" is not everything its cracked up to be. I looked at a lot of used boats before buying- many boasted a head that "had never been used" for anything besides storage. By all means, if anyone feels the need to share their fond memories of toilet use at sea, bring it on.

By the way, my favorite beverage comes in 10 oz. cans, so it's a little easier to handle..... but I try to keep them few and far between when I'm at the helm.

[5BUCKS]

anchor yacht basin in edgewater, md, just finished a 22' cc with a 190hp diesel in it. Here are some pictures:




cannot beat the ride.

help,

who has info on this boat???

[Capt.Nick]

Alright I am looking at 20ft CC's and keep narrowing it down to a few boats then change my mind. I keep going back to Maycraft and C-hawk because they are in my price range. I am looking for something I can do some drifting, trolling and also run trotline in the lower potomac. I normal go out by myself or with one or two others so over 20ft is gonna be hard for me to handle. Any suggestions?

I believe you've narrowed it down to 2 good choices for your needs.As mentioned,gunnel height will be important to you. While trotline crabbing,you don't want it too high.Custom Eastern shore crab boats are built with a low midship height with a raised bow to knock down seas before they splash in,but not too high that it makes it difficult to see ahead of you.While fishing,I like a gunnel height about knee height for feeling safe in heavy seas(you've got plenty of that down there) but low enough to reach down and grab a fish without having to net it.Sit in the boat you choose,and try to get a feel of how it will be while crabbing and fishing.Then,go for a Sea Trial before you buy,and on a day that is about as choppy as you'd expect to be out in,say 10-15 winds and see how it handles in all sea directions.Once you buy it,it's too late to get your money back.They all ride nice on a showroom floor.I've owned 30 something boats and I've made that mistake.No deal til you ride in rough waters.Good Luck

[paxfish]

Blast from the past....

[Chugger]

Maritime Skiff

[rem1224]

Blast from the past....

Yep - I hope Grizzdog bought a boat by now - 5 year old post is going pretty far back in the archives