Give the Nautic Star a look. Why, every time I see one I say nice boat.

 

SCB

Desperado Outlaw... it has the higher bow, higher sides, etc... but what's your budget?

 

Budget....

Well, I've seen the Blue Waves this past 8 months anywhere from 10K to $19K for an early to mid 2000's model....

So, I basically in that range...

Outlaws are nice, but not looking to spend that much...

 

Well, I've seen the Blue Waves this past 8 months anywhere from 10K to $19K for an early to mid 2000's model....

So, I basically in that range...

Outlaws are nice, but not looking to spend that much...

Okay, want to start with - I know there is not one best boat but am curious for opinions....

I got rid of my 21 Shoalwater Cat last summer and have been looking at various dual purpose boats as I live in Round Rock and just don't make it to the coast monthly and bi monthly like I used to..

I will most likely start fishing Buchanan, Granger, Austin, Travis, Whitney more frequently than the coast...However, I will still make 6 three-five day trips down to POC...

I have been considering the BlueWave 22 Tunnel, Gulf Coast 20ft High Side, Dargel's, Kenner, and older 21/23 Haynie's...

Trying to keep cost down but would spend more to get a four stroke this time around....

For Running the POC/Seadrift Area and for striper and freshwater fishing, even some Jetty Green light fishing, which boats do you think fit the bill the closest? and why?

All opinions excepted!!!!

The BW Tunnel is a great boat and rides really good. I say BW if you are fishing lakes, bays and back lakes occasinally. You cant go wrong with Blue Wave as they are great people to deal with. If you need a contact for BW send me a PM. I can probably find you a used one....

 

get the popcorn ready..outta be interesting.

 

Get yourself a Blue Wave, rigged to you needs, and don't look back....
You can always spend a lot more money, but you'll still have yourself a solid fishing machine with a Blue Wave, for a lot lot less money.

 

X2

 

The main point i would make

is to make sure it's built for saltwater, if you're going to use it in both fresh and salt. Otherwise, nobody can tell you what you want. Just go hire some guides running the ones you think will satisfy you, and see them in action. Your experience with your past rig is very valuable in your selection. Good luck.

 

I do lot lot of fishing out of my BIL 21' kenner. Good all around boat, not a skinny water machine though.

 

We have a Kenner and it's perfect for the bay or the lakes. Ours is 18' and the lined model..Vision series. Bluewaves are good too...

Don't let the BP purchase naysayers tell you anything bad about the boat.

 

Shoal water 22 legend is a good choice, also a south shore 22vrd is another good one.

 

I too, have been looking, would like an Outlaw for the versatility, but can't afford that, of all the boats mentioned so far, I don't see one that will go skinny except maybe the Shoalwater, what's my options for a boat that fits that criteria. Thanks in advance.

 

how skinny

 

Be able to get into pringle lake and waters of that ilk roughly, I know that most Kenner's, Pathfinders, etc's are not skinny enough most times of the year, unless I am mistaken. :biggrin:

 

220 super tunnel drafts 8 inches. Now reality 10..... I have ben on one in some stuff i did not think was possible

 

Thanks, didn't realize it could go that skinny, really don't need capability of something like a baby cat but also didn't want to run aground as much as some of my friends do on their boats (some of which are Blue Wave's, just not the Super Tunnel)

 

http://www.bluewaveboats.com/boats/2200-STL-41.cfm

I hear ya.

 

look at the line of key wests like the bay reef

 

Bluzman

Did you ever eat Art's BBQ when he was in Yorktown?
I used to change my route from Austin just to go through on the way down to POC when he was there!!! And usually on the way back too!!!! Nice that he is back in POC...

As far as my experience goes there are plenty of boats that are skinny enough for Pringle and Contee...but when you start talking about bass/striper/crappie/tubing, dry storage etc, that's when you are really getting to specific boats that can do most things well but not necessarily the best at anything....

I have been looking at boats very heavily and taking test rides in friends boats the last few months.

FOR THE MONEY, and for a versatile boat for my family and friends, I am going to go with a 22ft Blue Wave Tunnel as my first option. However, if a Haynie Big Foot or 21 ft Haynie Cat or Haynie 21ft Semi V Tunnel comes around, I will jump on that...Also, if I run across a Gulf Coast for a good price I would not hesitate on it either.

Since I am buying used I want to keep options open. Buying new, you need to decide who you want to do business with while you own the boat as well as the boat itself.

Also, I would have sent you a PM but it doesn't look like you are set up to receive Private Messages?

 

Did you ever eat Art's BBQ when he was in Yorktown?
I used to change my route from Austin just to go through on the way down to POC when he was there!!! And usually on the way back too!!!! Nice that he is back in POC...

As far as my experience goes there are plenty of boats that are skinny enough for Pringle and Contee...but when you start talking about bass/striper/crappie/tubing, dry storage etc, that's when you are really getting to specific boats that can do most things well but not necessarily the best at anything....

I have been looking at boats very heavily and taking test rides in friends boats the last few months.

FOR THE MONEY, and for a versatile boat for my family and friends, I am going to go with a 22ft Blue Wave Tunnel as my first option. However, if a Haynie Big Foot or 21 ft Haynie Cat or Haynie 21ft Semi V Tunnel comes around, I will jump on that...Also, if I run across a Gulf Coast for a good price I would not hesitate on it either.

Since I am buying used I want to keep options open. Buying new, you need to decide who you want to do business with while you own the boat as well as the boat itself.

Also, I would have sent you a PM but it doesn't look like you are set up to receive Private Messages?

Hell yeah, I used to eat at Art's all the time, wondered what the hell happened to him as I was out of pocket for awhile and then next thing I know he was gone and I saw the list of the food inspection service and he was listed as POC (he didn't get any dings!). Next time I am down that way I will stop in (once I find him). I looked in my profile and I can't seem to find anything I am supposed to do to turn on PM's, it appears they are enabled? Thanks for the boat options, I thought the Haynies would be too expensive compared to the Blue Wave's. It's tough trying to find the best boat for the best price and where do ya cut corners

 

We run a 22' Bay Stealth tunnel and have been pretty happy as an all around boat. We picked the boat up for less than $10k w/ a 200hp yamaha. It needed some TLC and a few minor repairs, but I was willing to do them. I see them around for $12-14k

With a jack plate, transom wedges, and a cav plate we can run/get it up shallower than you would think. Buddy of mine has the same boat with a TRP and it will surprise you as well.

It's a pretty heavy boat though, when you stick it, it's really hard to push off.

Just my .02