[WillieT]

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.

 

[dk2429]

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

 

[ReefMonkee]

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.

Agreed! I own a 250 Variside, it's a battleship. But I often find myself lusting after an 18 Classic for my tighter freshwater spots....😁

 

[ReefMonkee]

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.

Agreed! There's a certain feeling of freedom that comes with owning your own boat, even on the bad days. And when you do crush it, well, there's just nothing like that feeling of accomplishment! Well worth any negatives involved, for me anyway. And then there's the occasional booze cruise with the Little Lady.....🍻

 

[texcajun]

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.

A freshwater center console isn't impossible to find. I'll admit it takes some work, but they're out there. A lot of north Texas fisherman use them to target stripers/hybrids/whites. You have to be willing to travel when you find them. I found this gem in Bossier City , LA and got a smoking deal on it.

 

[Gofish2day]

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

 

[Rhughes7633]

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.

 

[SSST]

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.

 

[TXanalogkd]

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.

 

[Sgrem]

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.

 

[Rhughes7633]

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

 

[cruss]

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

 

[ktdtx]

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/

 

[fishit]

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

 

[TxFig]

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.

 

[TxFig]

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.

 

[PetraTech]

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

 

[C.Hern5972]

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.

 

[C.Hern5972]

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!!

Disagree with the last statement.

 

[Birdslayer]

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