In Reply to: advice on buying fishing boat ~24' posted by Jules on August 08, 2001 at 10:22:56:
Hi Jules,Yeah, those Grady Whites... I worked for 9+ years in the Marine Wholesale/Retail Biz and for a while there we were fitting out 24' Grady walk around cabin boats with the electronics (Icom VHF w/ 15' Ireland antennas---this combo could reach 70 miles...), Royal Flush toilets (so the 'fair crew' felt at 'home' on the range), and with two 175+ outboards these 'fisher guys' would scream down the Strait of Juan de Fuca out to sea 50 miles or so to fish Tuna in September. They would stay out in the cold Pacific 3-4 days...(!) Oh, and these boats went over the top of six figures after the 'fit out'.
Now there are MANY boats of this type. The Sea Sport comes to mind, as does the Nexus Marine "Tyee". But my favorite might be John Atkin's "Ninigret"--22' LOA, 6'8" Beam, 40 to 50 hp outboard (3 cyl. Tohatsu), nice little cabin, head, long big cockpit. The whole vessel would come in under 1/2 of the Grady--and that would be cutom built! These boats travel at 20+ mph with a 'soft ride' in a chop using little fuel. There is a certian 'fun factor' in boating and it centers on getting on the water for less. Less money, less hassel (the boat sits at home on a trailer), using less fuel, and still get the job of fishing done with low stress.
Well, that's this opine. Hope it is somewhat helpful. You live in one of the premiere boating areas on the planet. Take a break from the glossey mags and the shiney boat showrooms and get out and take a look around the waterfront... You may surprise yourself at what you find that serves your needs.
Thom V
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