Ideas on outboards Number solicited

[Tie-Dye-Fly-Guy]

thinking bout buying boat 20-23 feet. must be trailer friendly. predominently for stripers. but i also want to get to BFT water on mostly fair days. im a newbie to boat buying but not use. question I pose is this: Is it important to have twin outboards for offshore fishing for BFT if my main quarry is striper/ inshore fishing? reason i ask is that im not sure i can afford twins at this time. i know there are many factors to ponder, but i was hoping to solicit your opinions regarding this initially. thanks
TW

[Slamdance]

Where will you be going "offshore"? If it's south of the Vineyard you might want to rethink your boat size requirements if you plan to do it fairly often. If it's the Bay, you should be fine. Either way, get the most boat and engine you can afford and be happy with it. Twin engines do provide a margin of safety but they also have drawbacks like added cost, fuel consumption and maintenance.

[Quicksilver]

I would think one outboard would be enough. As the boat length gets longer, trailer friendly becomes a distant memory. You may want to take your question to the new, smokin, --126-3- ,happening place, so much where you wanna be, so great you are not gonna believe it, --127-3- , Offshore Forum !!!

[Markymark]

If I could have it my way...a 23ft " Parker"! sweet looking boat,with cabin to get out the sun,rain,etc. They seem to have a wide beam (width) I always wanted a center console,being so "sun sensitive",I burn , regardless of what I put on for sunblock. Something with a cabin would be the way to go. My .02cts. ;)

[riptide]

I've got a 22' Hydra Sports for sale that is set up for Fly Fishing and has great SBFT mojo included at no extra cost. :brow

[sage fly guy]

Bluefin tuna water can be as close as 2-10 miles off Chatham or the same distance off Plymouth. You'll be fine for the type of fishing your wanting to do.

[Markymark]

Bluefin tuna water can be as close as 2-10 miles off Chatham or the same distance off Plymouth. You'll be fine for the type of fishing your wanting to do. You really do not have to go all the way to Chatham to get tuna,my brother usually heads out to Gloucsester from Beverly Harbor, alot closer than Chatham!

[Pauper Piscator]

Todays Engines, especially late model ones, are pretty reliable. Starting/Running problems usually are a function of the fuel/fuel system than anything else (spun prop or impact damge are the other two gremlins)

I'd be confident with one engine. The added fuel economy alone is a good sell.

This is even more true if you are looking to fish mostly inshore for stripers.

Worried? Drop $100 at Boat US for unlimited towing insurance. Cheap insurance. A good Radio is cheaper than that second engine. Program the number into your cell just in case.

As far as SBFTs. Seen them 1 mile of Cape Ann. 20 mi offshore at Jeffries. Ya never know. Incidentally, on a fair day with a planing hull, 20 mi is a snap.

[JGH]

I agree with Pauper. Most engine problems on new or nearly new engines is due to fuel or fuel tank problems. (Don't ask me how I know.) If you've got bad fuel, it doesn't matter whether you've got one engine or ten, since they're all fed from the same trough. If you're going with older engines, which are more likely to have mechanical problems, twins may have some value. I would have no hesitation heading 20 miles out with one good engine, assuming the hull is built to handle the snot. Good luck.

[mansfieldsign]

Would a smaller 15-25hp kicker be an option? Might be nice for trolling & give you a "warm fuzzy" for the just in case. Especially, if you fish in the rips or near structure. Just a thought.

[Pauper Piscator]

Would a smaller 15-25hp kicker be an option? Might be nice for trolling & give you a "warm fuzzy" for the just in case. Especially, if you fish in the rips or near structure. Just a thought.


Kicker is GREAT for trolling esp if you have an older Two Stroke Outboard which will foul its plugs after trolling for a time. We used to troll for a awhile, then rip around a bit to blow out the gunk. Four Strokes will troll at low rpms all day (bless their mechanical hearts)

In a pinch, a kicker will allow you to maintain steerage in a sea and or avoid some dangerous inshore situations. As far as getting home, if you are offshore, that is a long long long steam at 5-10 knts.

However, a 25 HP is another $2-3k ish new, plus rigging up a functional, and aesthetically pleasing fuel system.

If the toys you are looking at have a late model four stroke, I would say save your money. Upgrade later as you please.

[mansfieldsign]

Hi Pauper Piscator,
I think what you've correctly pointed out to our boat buying mate, is that the process of buying & outfitting a boat will be a series of compromises. Your right, no one sollution will cover it all. That's why there are so many options. All I would suggest is, safety/survival preparedness, not expense, should always be the most important consideration when going offshore, especially alone. Care, Phil :cool:

[Tie-Dye-Fly-Guy]

thanks guys for the insight. like the kicker idea. thinking jones bros boat or other 20-23. thank you for the responses. any fly friendly makers come to mind. cant wait to go to my first boat show. when is the boston show? even had the dumb luck to do hernia repair on an a marine mechanic so may have him to consult on any of my pending purchases. love the idea about thinking bout buying first boat. naieve glee im sure, but hey its friggin freezin out and it truly warms my soul to dream....

[SageBoy]

I am not sure if you are aware but there is a Boat Show in Providence this weekend if you don't want to wait for the Boston show. Could be a good weekend for a indoor activity since it's going to quite cold.