a mistake or what else

[Blackfin26]

Maybe one of the newer 26 foot Seacrafts?? Longer and almost 1K lbs heavier. There are some deals on '09 leftovers. Ask me in a month and I'll let you know first hand. A charter captain on the Cape has one and loves it.

[strick]

It just depends on how much you fish and do you want to fish 80 miles more often. The bigger boat is going to be better no doubt about it for those far off shore trips esp if it gets snotty. The 23 is a great all around boat.

strick

[Capt Chuck]

The 23 is a great all around boat.

I can trailer it easily and operate it on a single motor and catch as big a fish as the top dogs

[Fr. Frank]

I can trailer it easily and operate it on a single motor and catch as big a fish as the top dogs

Well said, Chuck.

[bmajvi]

Most of my experience in “moving up” in size has been on sailboats (now have a 40 footer), and I’d offer that there’s probably no easy answer – it really depends on your idea of how/when/where you’re going to use the boat. Bigger boats generally seem to get used less than small boats, I think because it’s usually a bit more of a production to get the bigger ones ready to go + more to clean up afterwards = less spontaneous “Let’s go out for a few hours.” Single handing a larger boat can be a PITA around the dock (& trailering).

Boats grow geometrically, not just in length, so trailers, dockage, haulouts, paint, wax, canvas, hardware, cordage, ground tackle, fuel burn, etc., are all bigger/more expensive, so the up front and ongoing dollar commitment grows fast. All that said, if you have the time, money, desire, and it fits your expected use profile, a larger (quality) boat will probably be a lot more comfortable and safer when the weather turns cruddy.

If after thinking it through it feels right, I’d say go for it…you should be able to get a good/great deal in this market, if you’re careful you may be able to feed the “big boat bug” with limited downside $ potential. Good luck!

[jorgeinmiami]

"With a 31- 36 CC the bow is going to reach over to the next wave and you ride on top."

We have freinds that own a "sea tow" outfit and one day we were talking about boats and he said the same thing about a larger boat being able to reach the waves and have a better ride.

And here is a guy that makes his living on the water

[peterb]

I went through the same exact dilemma earleir this year. I loved my 23' and had both time and money invested in it.

However, the offshore bug bit me. In NJ, offshore fishing means going up to 100 miles offshore.

I wanted to stay with a cc because I am well versed with twin engine setups (my last two seacrafts were twin engine run).

I wanted to spend no more than $50k to $55k.

Here were the boat manufacturers that I looked at:

Favorites:
Contender - both the 27 & 31
Regulator - 26 (shorest boat that I looked at but a real tank)

Other good boats (IMO)
Intrepid
Jupiter
White Water
SeaVee
Hydra-sports

I ended going with a 26 Regulator. I took several of them for test spins in real snotty conditions and was very impressed.

I went with the Regulator becuase I could buy one with a good power pack (twin 200 HPDI's) that was within my price range.

Also, a 31' Contender would have been a very tight fit in the slip behind my house.


What kind of boat are you looking for? Sinc I spent months looking at large CC's, I know of some very good deals out there (and will share the specifics with you if you so choose)

Do I miss my 23' SeaCraft? Yes! I hope to buy either an 18' or 20' SeaCraft one day in the next several years.


Peter

[Seacraft84]

Lots of Contenders for sale out there for very good prices. They may have alot of hours on them but you have to think they do alot of slow trolling, well at least most do. 31 Contender with some 4s or some HPDIs would be my pick if you wanted a CC. Family friend has one and boat fishes very well. A bean bag seat and its like ridden on clouds

[thedog]

I have a guy interested in my 23 cc, I have had it for two years now and have worked out all of the bugs and it is perfect, this guy comes along and is willing to pay for a finished product. but now the dilemma , the 23 runs like the devil, and I have been looking to get into something bigger, in the 31 ft category
granted I don't think a bigger boat will run any smoother or in any tougher conditions than the seacraft, more room and making day trips 80 miles off is the reason for getting something bigger. now do I take the deal and expect to fish offshore more. or keep the 23 and fish offshore with it
how much better would a 31 run than the 23 in most conditions.
keep it simple and keep what I have, or open up a new can of worms with another boat
this is going to beat me up.

thank's for all the good advice, but as luck will have it's way, the other guy made up my mind for me, the buyer made me an offer.(thursday) I accepted his offer.( friday night). guy emails me over the weekend that he bought another boat.

so the bigger cc will have to wait,
till then I will be zippin offshore and around the coast on my 23
or out fishing with capt chuck LOL

tight lines to all

[Basspond]

thank's for all the good advice, but as luck will have it's way, the other guy made up my mind for me, the buyer made me an offer.(thursday) I accepted his offer.( friday night). guy emails me over the weekend that he bought another boat.

Wow...

Well the good news is in the inshore bite is turning on