You are going to want something with some vee in it for Galveston bay. My neighbor has exactly what you are asking for for sale in your budget. He has fished exactly as you describe for a decade out of this boat in the same systems. He just upgraded to a 23ft.

 

Agreed, definitely need some V action. Welcome to the Forum and good luck with your purchase! 🍻

 

A lot of it depends on the style of fishing and species you would like to target. Yes you can catch trout shallow in the spring and late fall but much of Galvestons fishing for trout is open bay oyster reefs. You've got a nice red in your avatar and they can be caught even shallower for many months of the year. If you really want to focus on reds more then it might require an even shallower craft, perhaps a small poling skiff.

Here's New Water Curlew... 18', they handle very well and have just enough V to cut some of the chop. No, we're not taking this boat out into 2-3' chop on the open bay but I've had it in 1-1.5' chop and it handles well. It floats in 4" and runs in 3" and can get on plane in about 4"-5" ... yes those numbers are factual.

For a boat that might do both pretty well (both open water and 12-18" redfish water like back lakes here's a Gulf Coast I had the boat that this hull was 'copied' from and it handled Galveston quite well. Would float in 10-12" and get up in about 16-18" It would handle some 2' chop.

That's a couple ideas, good luck. I've never regretted spending money on boats... only regret was when I didn't have one. LOL

 

A lot of it depends on the style of fishing and species you would like to target. Yes you can catch trout shallow in the spring and late fall but much of Galvestons fishing for trout is open bay oyster reefs. You've got a nice red in your avatar and they can be caught even shallower for many months of the year. If you really want to focus on reds more then it might require an even shallower craft, perhaps a small poling skiff.

Here's New Water Curlew... 18', they handle very well and have just enough V to cut some of the chop. No, we're not taking this boat out into 2-3' chop on the open bay but I've had it in 1-1.5' chop and it handles well. It floats in 4" and runs in 3" and can get on plane in about 4"-5" ... yes those numbers are factual.

For a boat that might do both pretty well (both open water and 12-18" redfish water like back lakes here's a Gulf Coast I had the boat that this hull was 'copied' from and it handled Galveston quite well. Would float in 10-12" and get up in about 16-18" It would handle some 2' chop.

That's a couple ideas, good luck. I've never regretted spending money on boats... only regret was when I didn't have one. LOL

Id that gullf coast the one George had?
I have to say that gulf coast is a tank and fishes great. My brother ran one for many years and we fished the pass to Galveston in that boat. Id opt for that boat for sure.

 

I have a Nauticstar 1810 Bay and have fished it all over Sabine lake, Jetties, ran the surf, short rigs and also fish Sam Rayburn. Awesome boat that does everything you’d need to do. Can find them in your price range all day long.

 

I like Troutsupport's suggestion on the Gulf Coast, be a perfect starter boat. Gets shallow enough, and handles the rough stuff very well for that size hull. Plus, there were alot made, and should be able to find one in your price range.

 

That Gulfcoast Hull is nice but they want a pretty good price for most of the ones I see listed.

I like the Carolina skiff too but with 15k you can get more boat for your money.

I really like my Classic 20' El Pescador. I repowered it with a brand new motor and fish it everywhere. I was originally going to sell it because I have too many boats but my wife stopped me. I do rent it out too so that was enough reason to hang on to it.

 

Center console 16.2 with brand new yamaha 60 - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

Kingstone grey 16.2 center console with brand new YAMAHA 60 (27hours 2023) hummingbird helix 5 , automatic bilge pump . Solid pristine conditions no wood in it . Storage cooler . Anchor storage ,...

houston.craigslist.org

Here's one might might fill the bill if it's still available. Worth a look. Just be wary of scams with Craigslist stuff....

 

I really appreciate all the comments! Very helpful and detailed info. Thanks again!

 

I used to fish out of a family friend's old model 17' Boston Whaler Montauk for years. It was a little small but it got the job done. In 2002, they redesigned it to be wider, longer and deeper. We bought that hull in 2005 with a 90hp on it. It is a solid for sure. For a 17' boat, I don't think you can beat a 2002 and newer Montauk. Either model will pop up for sale from time to time but the redesign is better in my opinion. There is an older one for sale in Kemah right now.

 

Buy a motor and boat used in freshwater all its life and then use for the bay.
Try to find something kept inside.
Agreed with the Vee as others have stated.
You will have alot less corrosion on the freshwater boat.

 

Tough to find a center console bay boat that hasn't seen salt. I'm sure there may be a few out there, but gotta get real lucky to find one. I looked at Facebook Marketplace, and found 3 different Gulf Coast Classics, all under $18,500. One completely redone in Pearland. That would be the route i would take, i ran one for a few years, and besides not being very fast, it was a very capable boat.

 

Do the "math". Consider putting $15K in bank drawing interest, include cost of insurance, maintenance, gas, storage versus cost of a guide. Split cost with friend. relative, etc. More economical & higher fish "catching" (vs "fishing"). Hire a guide unless you plan to fish AT LEAST 1-2 times per month. I am NOT a guide & mainly fish lakes (18' bass boat). I wade fish SW in summer months.
Guide - disadvantage - require booking in advance as good guide not available 1-2-? days notice)
Guide - advantage - generally know best places & lures to "catch" fish.
Own boat - disadvantage - insurance, maintenance, gas, storage, tow to/from
Own boat - advantage - go when & where you want to; no advance notice; personal satisfaction "find & catch" fish
I have a very close friend who refused to buy a boat and SW fish with guide ~8-10 times a year.
Remember - The 2 best times of boat owners life - 1) Day he buys boat; 2) Day he sell boat!!
Good luck with decision!!

 

Do the "math". Consider putting $15K in bank drawing interest, include cost of insurance, maintenance, gas, storage versus cost of a guide. Split cost with friend. relative, etc. More economical & higher fish "catching" (vs "fishing"). Hire a guide unless you plan to fish AT LEAST 1-2 times per month. I am NOT a guide & mainly fish lakes (18' bass boat). I wade fish SW in summer months.
Guide - disadvantage - require booking in advance as good guide not available 1-2-? days notice)
Guide - advantage - generally know best places & lures to "catch" fish.
Own boat - disadvantage - insurance, maintenance, gas, storage, tow to/from
Own boat - advantage - go when & where you want to; no advance notice; personal satisfaction "find & catch" fish
I have a very close friend who refused to buy a boat and SW fish with guide ~8-10 times a year.
Remember - The 2 best times of boat owners life - 1) Day he buys boat; 2) Day he sell boat!!
Good luck with decision!!

This is actually true if you only fish 8-10 times a year. However I really enjoy being out on my own boat, fishing however I want to fish, I also take the kids out tubing or ride out to watch the sunset with my wife. It can be a PIA some days but over all I would want a boat if I didn't have one or four. Also if you take care of your boat it will take care of you. Don't put stuff off and regularly check EVERYTHING.

I think I have had a boat since I was about 22 and still love that feeling pulling out of the dock and pushing the throttles down to head out where ever. That feeling still puts a smile on my face every time, turning out of the intercoastal into east bay or breaking the jetties also makes me feel pretty **** good.

I like fishing with guides and friends too but I don't get that same feeling.

 

I would consider a Soloskiff.
It is a hybrid between a kayak and a boat. With a 6 HP engine you will be moving along around 13-15 MPH. You cost will probably be around 6-7K.

 

I would consider a Soloskiff.
It is a hybrid between a kayak and a boat. With a 6 HP engine you will be moving along around 13-15 MPH. You cost will probably be around 6-7K.

Have you actually owned one? They are not nearly as capable as a 17 - 20 foot boat. There is a video on youtube of what happens if weather catches you on one and it's not something I would want. I would not go that route. In the 6-7k range I'd go aluminum or Carolina skiff with a new tiller steering 25hp motor before I would go with a solo skiff.

My wife I used to fish a vhull aluminum starcraft boat with a 15hp tiller steering motor for years down in the SLP and Mouth of the Brazos area. We had some great times back then and caught a ton of fish. I sold my first one and ended up buying another one later on, I still have the second one even though I hardly ever get it out other than once a year to fire it up, I think I paid 1200 for that boat, motor and trailer.

OP wants to fish the jetties on occasion and is looking the 15k range, I think 18 - 20 foot with reliable power should be possible. If I was looking to sell my 20' El Pescador with 2022 140 Suzuki, still under warranty, I'd probably be looking for about 20k (I'm not selling). That size boat does fish the Jetties just fine.

 

I tell people my boat is my motorcycle but a lot more fun !!!!!

 

That's funny because I sold my Harley in order to buy my boat.

 

Blue Wave is a very capable boat and you can easily find one in your price range. I had an 18’ with a 60 hp engine and it did great. No, it will not run in 4” of water and get up in 12”, but it will do what you described in your post. An 18’ with a 60-90 hp engine would be great for y to start in. I had a Carolina Skiff also, and while it’s a fine boat, I liked my Blue Wave much better. Just be careful on the water,and learn the rules of etiquette (or they will roast you here) and you will really enjoy your boat.

 

I’d also suggest if you’re buying used, get a boat that’s been USED but taken care of. By that, I mean don’t buy one with a 2008 motor that has 150hrs on it. Buy one with a 2008 motor with 1000hrs on it and that’s been taken care of. Letting an outboard sit is what ruins them at the end of the day

 

That Excel is an incredible boat !!!
I have fished in it

 

I have an 18ft Triton V hull with a tunnel for sale. 1999. 115 Yamaha. Very clean. Runs great. Kept in covered area. Includes Bobs Machine jack plate, live well, Lowrance Hook 9” depth finder, Minn Kota Riptide 24V trolling motor, new batteries less than 1 yr, new upholstery less than 1 yr, Magictrail Aluminum trailer with new torsion axle, tires, safety chains, tongue and wench strap. Trailer bunks in good shape. Motor had water pump and thermostat replaced spring 2024. I run ethanol free gas in it exclusively. This boat is fish ready and clean. Has one chip in gelcoat at front top tip of boat. Runs skinny and dry. Very nice fishing boat.

Asking 15k OBO. Text me at 713/392-2698 to come check it out. I am on 517 between Dickinson and Alvin.

 

There you go, that Triton would be the perfect boat for what you're looking for, and those older 115 Yamahas were pretty well bulletproof.

 

That is a nice Triton and a hard find.

Take your time and purchase a used boat. You'll never find that perfect boat but get the one that makes you happy. I love my kayak and still fish out of my 96 18' Kenner that I will keep forever. Also, 98% of the time, I am fishing solo and this also makes my happy.

 

That Triton is my neighbors boat that i was describing. Perfect for what OP is describing for what he is looking for. I did the trailer work.

 

Thanks SGrem. Great job on the trailer. Appreciate the plug.

 

I doubt you’re gonna find a curlew under 20 grand. If buying used take someone with you who has years of boating experience to look the rig over and insist on a good test drive

 

Here are two boats in or near your price range that would work well.

https://www.2coolfishing.com/threads/el-pescador-classic-20-ft-200-hp-yamaha-2stroke.2733887/?post_id=24201498#post-24201498

https://www.2coolfishing.com/threads/el-pescador-boat-24-ft-model-year-2000.2731570/

 

Considering selling my 2006 20ft bluewave vbay with Suzuki 140 4 stroke. Barely over 400 hrs and always maintained. Has i-Pilot anchor lock trolling motor and power pole on back. Foam flooring. Gets shallow enough but rides the bay well. Aluminum trailer in good shape. New boat cover on it. Titles in my hand. $11k firm

 

Regardless of which specific boat you get, if you plan on getting into shallow water areas, you're almost certainly going to want it to have a GOOD trolling motor.

...something I did not think about when I bought my boat.

 

If you are interested I have a 2012 177 Triton Sea Hunt with a 90 HP Yamaha. Used mostly in Galveston's West Bay. It's a heavy, well-built boat with a deep vee that's ideal for the bay. In the intercostal you can get up to almost 40 mph and cruise easily at 30. The 4-stroke Yamaha is quiet and just sips gas. You can get up in about 2' water. It has some high gunwales so kids can't walk off the boat. Perfect for fishing around Karankawa reef and San Luis Pass. For wading, I usually put in until it stops and get out. I've taken it out jetty fishing from Tx City **** and beachfront out of SLP. Due to the length, I really pay attention to the height of waves and frequency when going outside the bay - not that the boat can't handle it I just usually had little kids with me. Lots of fishing spots in the GPS, cards goes from Sabine to South of Corpus.

Very low hours and I have the engine serviced and water pump replaced every year even though I never put that many hours on it. It's kept in covered storage and used only a few times a year. Now days $15k doesn't get you much but that's about what it's worth.

If you are interested, let me know and I can send you some pics or we could go fishing in it!

Robert

 

Hi! My name is Matias and I am new to the group. I have been living in Texas for 3 years (originally from Argentina). I started fishing the beach for reds, then moved to wade fishing and lastly to Kayak fishing. I would like to purchase a used boat to use in the bay (mainly Galveston). I have some experience with boats but I am not used to such shallow places. I want to buy a used boat to go fishing in the bay (occasionally to the jetty if the weather is nice). Which boat do you recommend? I will be fishing alone so I want something from 15-18 feet that I can handle by myself. I am bit worried about the boat ramp, but I guess it is just practice. My budget is 15k ish. I was thinking about a Carolina Skiff, but any recommendation/suggestion are welcomed.
Thanks a lot! Love the forum.

yes, you want some v in the hull, can find some back, calmer water in Trinity and east bay