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Gulfcoast 21 vs Explorer TV 21

7K views 18 replies 11 participants last post by  Hawglife  
#1 ·
Hi,

I am looking into getting something like these two boats, they fit my 8-12k budget, and am wondering with all things considered being equal, which one would you pick, and why? If both boats have similar motors, and setups, and price, which would you chose and why?

I like the fact that they can get fairly shallow, and also handle some chop.
I know they are not the fastest hulls out there, but have great hole shot, which is what I am after anyway.
I would like something that handles some chop, and also can get you out of a sticky situation if needed.

Any major differences between them, or issues I should be aware of?

The ones I have been looking at are in the early 2000's basically.

Any other boats in that price range that I should know about?

Thanks for any and all advice!
 
#7 ·
We bought a 2001 GC 22 Low Side with 150 Vmax when moving from freshwater to bays. Planned to run it and learn the ropes then upgrade after some dues were paid. Still fishing it 2 years later. I'll go with a cat hull most likely when I make a change, but the GC does everything "pretty good". We used to make some mud cut runs with a guy who had an explorer about the same size. Both were fine when you kept water in the tunnel, but set either down in spit and you'll need a tow. If I remember, that guy said he always got a low water pressure alarm when running jackplate up and trimmed out. He had a cav plate. I never had that problem and don't run a plate.

That's the closest comparison I can give you.
 
#8 ·
I have heard that the older explorer tv models have issues, and are hard to fish out of because of the front V that the deck goes to, is this true?
What issues do they have, if any, that I need to know about?

Any older Explorer TV owners out there?
I bought a 96 Explorer new and ran it for almost 10 years with no issues.

There is nothing wrong with the deck, it's not that steep and can be fished with no problems.

As has been said the GC has a Whaler type hull while the 21 Explorer TV has a V hull.

I really liked the Explorer. Glen made a great boat and all I did was upgrade to a larger boat with the same type hull of a different maker.

Either are good boats, just depends on which one you like better.

TH
 
#9 ·
I ran a 21ft Explorer for about 4 years and really liked the boat. It realistically ran in 10-12 inches no problem and could get up in les than 1.5ft. Only reason I sold the boat was due to it having a 140hp Suzuki and being underpowered. The 21tv definitely needs a 150. Besides that it was a slow ride the boat was a great all around rig. Took the bay chop well, ran fairly shallow, and I had even taken it 15+ miles offshore on good days. The only comparison I have with the TV to the GC is that a body of mine has a GC and we definitely could go anywhere he goes.


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#10 ·
I have owned and run both boats. Went fron a 21' Explorer to a 20 Gulf Coast and now a Tran Cat. Kind of a natual progression. Both are good boats but I would take the Gulf Coast over the Explorer. Fit, finish and ride would be why. Both do most things well and somewhat the same. The Gulf Coast seems to have more room to fish. You can't go wrong with either as both have been all over the upper coast for many years. Condition and equipment should be your deciding factors.
 
#12 ·
For what it's worth - Knew a guy that owned a 21ft explorer. He just wasn't happy with the ride, fuel mileage, storage, finish, so he traded it in on a 20ft GC low side and swapped his engine over. Said the difference was night and day, bragged on that boat all the time.

I've owned a 23 explorer and had no issues, just make sure the fuel tank isn't below deck.
 
#14 ·
I just moved to a 22 Trancat last year and I love it. Gulf coast will be a drier running boat then the Explorer. Good luck with your choice. Not sure if you would be interested in a smaller cat boat, Transport makes the 16ft Baby Cat that is in your price range. Since I switched to a cat style boat, its night and day difference in performance and draft.
 
#15 ·
Both are good boats. A neighbor has the gulf coast and I have a lot of time on it. I don't like the helm as it feels too far forward for me and the bow feels short on fishing room.

I have a23 Explorer and it's been a good ride. 2001 model. Both run about the same depth at cruise and hole shot. Not sure what fit and finish issues some speak of. Mines been a winner.

Both are good dry rides.
 
#18 ·
I own a 2005 Explorer 21TV and love the boat. Its not crazy skinny but boats that are will usually beat you up pretty good in the chop. Mine handles chop very well!! Gets up plenty skinny for me. If I'm too shallow, Ill idle out a bit and off I go. I never understood why people think its necessary to get up in 8" of water. To me, thats hard on any boat because you are burying your lower unit to do it. Maybe its just me, I'm not in a hurry out there. All in all, you spend more time in open water getting to your spots so, for me, I want something that is smooth and my Explorer is smooth!! Like someone else said, not the fastest hull design. Mine tops out at 39 with a Yamaha 150 but I do have a T-Top and usually at least 4 people riding.