Maycraft 19

[wdm]

OK ... I was on the track of a Jones Brother CF 20 .... but was beaten to the punch ... too bad, nice boat.

Now I'm looking at a 2005 Maycraft 19 with a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke.

I know NOTHING about this boat. Would very much appreciate anyones experiences.

The good, the bad and the ugly!!

Thanks ......

[wdm]

Nobody has any experience on a Maycraft???

That doesn't bode well!

[titleguy]

I've been interested in them as well. Made in Carolina, supposedly a very tough boat. I've seen a few at Harkers- from what I've been told, very smooth dry ride even in the smaller models. Less of a name than Parker or Jones, so the price is better.

You might post on one of the carolina sites and see what you get there

outbanksflyfishing dot com or ncwaterman dot com.:-%

[Go Fish]

Jeff Smith from Fin Addiction had one for a while. I was on it twice. Great lay out for fly fishing, very nicely built...heavy for a small boat. I can't remember how may ponies he had on the back but it wasn't much and the boat would scoot with two guys and gear.

The bow entry is very sharp but she is relatively flat astern. This hull configuration is great for going shallow and handling mild chop but she'll pound pretty good in more than a foot or so seas. I think trim tabs are a must and would greatly improve the ride in bigger slop.

They are hard to beat fot the $$$$

[wdm]

Go Fish,

I sent an email to finaddiction on the Feb 3rd and haven't gotten a reply. I am sure his experience would be really useful. Also wondering why he got rid of it.

The shallow dead rise worries me as my previous boat was 20 degrees.

Found a 19'er in PA, but hard to evaluate for NS, VS so figured I needed some first hand experience.

titleguy .... I'll do some more searching on the sites you referenced.

Thanks ..........

[Eddy Merckx]

There's a website out there with lots of specific boat information, you'd probably get some good replies there. Can't post a link to another board, but if you go there and ask (or search) about the hull you're interested in, you'll end up with something approximating the truth.

FWIW, I shopped boats pretty seriously over the last year. For a basic, tough fishing platform, Maycraft is hard to beat for the money. I had a very specific budget, and if I bought new Maycraft would have been the choice. (I ended up buying a year old McKee Craft.) Eagle Marine has a couple of leftover Maycrafts for good prices right now.

[wdm]

Eddy Merckx,

I'm been to the site you DIDN'T mention, but I was looking for intel of people running them around here.

Have been to Eagle ... may need to go back. Purchased my original HydraSport from them.

Which McKee did you end up with?? That is one that is also on my list, but for which I have no first hand experience.

[Gadabout Guinea]

I don't really have boat intel to add, but I know a place down south where people on my owner's club board buy motors and pay to have them shipped all the way out to CA and WA because the guys prices are so incredibly low. He also sells Maycraft boats and it might be worth it for you to give him a call. I have no connection to Eds marine (which is a ) superstore so just for jollies you may want to google and call them. It might give you a base for negotiating a local deal?

Good luck,
Chris

[wdm]

Chris,

Will check Ed's out ..........

Tx,

[gf2020]

wdm, I guess I replied to your post at that other boating web site; didn't realize you were the same guy.

Let me know if you have any McKee questions. I ran a 196 for 3 years and I turned Eddy (above) on to the 184 that he recently purchased.

Use the Search function, there are guys on this site who run the Jones Brothers 2000 and 1910.

[wdm]

gf,

You did reply on that other site and I spoke to Dana (and mentioned your name). Still looking ....

[Go Fish]

Smith got rid of the May Craft because he was doing most of his guiding out of his big boat and didn't want to support two boats.

I talked to him on the phone today and told him about this thread (he hadn't seen it yet). Hopefully he'll chime in and answer your questions.

[Fin Addiction]

Loved my Maycraft...Sure a Jones Brothers or Parker would be a nicer boat but I didnt feel like paying DOUBLE or more....I bought mine at Eds in VA. Mine had a 115 Yamaha 2 stroke and wouldnt even think about more power...It was puuuuurfect...First year I had it I didnt have tabs....It was tough in a chop. Second year I had tabs and with the sharp entry I would push the nose down and ride relatively smooth in a sharp 2' sea. I sold it due to the reason GoFish noted....I was just not using the boat near as much as my bigger boat to justify the cost of TWO boats....If your main concern is a smooth ride for a 19 or 20 foot boat I would go with a seacraft or some such vs a bay boat like the Maycraft....I did have my Maycraft out to the BC buoy and caught many tuna on it the first year when my big boat was laid up in the shop.....I miss it dearly but can only support one boat....
A member here *Doug Baz* bought my boat and uses it off montauk and he raves about it....He had a 17 Aquasport before my Maycraft....
Good Luck!!:-%

[wdm]

Jeff,

Many thanks for the input ...... there is nothing like first hand experience. I was looking at a used boat in PA that was for sale, but just got word that it sold. Good to know that 115 is enough and that tabs are essential.

Have talked to Ed's and they are certainly an option.

I don't venture outside NS and VS very often, but it can get pretty uncomfortable getting back to Falmouth from Horseshoe when it kicks up (as you well know) ... so ride is definitely a major factor for me.

When you speak of Seacraft, I assume you are referring to "vintage" Seacrafts, or are you also referring to the current SC20? A few years back, I head very bad things about the "new" Seacraft quality ... has that changed? I used to sell Seacrafts in the 70s and they were terrific, and I know the "old" classic hulls are still very much in demand, but I have zero experience with the newer Seacraft boats.

[maineguideman]

Im driving down to Eds Marine in Late feb. I was looking at the maycraft19 as well but it is bare bones by the time you add Guages and canvas and cusions and a leaning post (God I hate those flip flop cooler seats) it was up around $20,000 I looked at the Sea Hunt 186 at a dealer near my house and really liked the boat it comes stock with a bimini, cushions, seating, guages, stainless everything , raw water wash,and a way nicer console. It does have one of those god foresaken cooler flip flop seats but it is lockable so you can set the backrest as a leaning post, sort of. Eds has the boat for 18,500 out the door. The next best price I found was $22,500 in NH Im not super thrilled about driving to VA in Feb to trailer a boat 11 hours but 4 grand is 4 grand and that means a lot smaller payment for about two years less.

[wdm]

maineguideman,

As I read your post, you ended up going with the Sea Hunt Triton 186. What has your research indicated to you about the quality and ride of the Sea Hunt?

I hear you on the trip ..... good luck!

[tsheehy]

I know someone selling an 2005 18' Jones Bros LTE fully loaded with 115HP Suzuki four stroke, trailer, electronics, etc. for $20.5k.

Let me know if you are interested.

-- Tom

[WyeBlueStriper]

Im driving down to Eds Marine in Late feb. I was looking at the maycraft19 as well but it is bare bones by the time you add Guages and canvas and cusions and a leaning post (God I hate those flip flop cooler seats) it was up around $20,000 I looked at the Sea Hunt 186 at a dealer near my house and really liked the boat it comes stock with a bimini, cushions, seating, guages, stainless everything , raw water wash,and a way nicer console. It does have one of those god foresaken cooler flip flop seats but it is lockable so you can set the backrest as a leaning post, sort of. Eds has the boat for 18,500 out the door. The next best price I found was $22,500 in NH Im not super thrilled about driving to VA in Feb to trailer a boat 11 hours but 4 grand is 4 grand and that means a lot smaller payment for about two years less.

Make sure you do your research before you make the round trip to Virginia. You may find out that the deal you drove down for is not as advertised. I bought a motor there for a steal, ran like hell, and never looked back. Boat buyers have had much different experiences there. The 4k savings, minus your gas and time, may be worth buying local for piece of mind. Do a lot of dealership research before you commit, and the stories you will read are not exaggerated.

[maineguideman]

Unless Im missing something about sea Hunts ?? They have a good rep and have alot of nice fittings they are not a G-boat or a holby but there not a bayliner either I dont have alot of $$ to divert from my budget I need a good well built center console I can chase fish with and still take the Family out in. I really liked my Sea Pro and this boat seems like it has better rigging than the Sea pro. I really like the Mckee but there arent alot around. The boat is rigged with a Yamaha 115 four stroke. Tried and true motor with a six year warranty?? If the lights, switches guages etc are cheap Ill replace with better as they go. The Hull and construction seem better than average. I have bought a motor froms Eds before Killer price no problems It is an 11 / 12 hour drive I figure 500 for gas and tolls?? two maybe three days of Paid vacation time?? Is that not worth saving four grand.

For what its worth I have contacted several New england dealers for a couple of different brands of boats and I feel they are grossly overpriced and completely unwilling to bend So whats a fly fishing addict to do. I need a bigger boat but I really dont want to pay 1/3 of what my house cost. Im off to Virginia Ill let you Know how it goes

I have found a Mako 186 for 27K no trailer
A edgewater 18 for 32k
Parker 1801 leftover 07 for 23k no cushions no casting deck or bimini
a Polar 19 with trailer for 23k
a Sea Hunt with everything for 22.5k
a well craft with and etec and all the trim for 24k
a cobia 19 bay with no trailer for 19.9k
a well craft 21.5 ft bay with a 115 yamaha no trailer $20,900
a Sea pro Sv1900 with a verado for 32 k
Jones bros assorted models and sizes all in the high 20k low 30k no top no cusions minimul seating
a leftover 1801 century with a yamaha 115 no trailer $23900


I have been on the phone with all these guys no bending no dealing some even seem ****ed Im bothering them.
If any one has any suggestions Im all ears Like I said before the thought of trailering a boat for 11 hours in winter pretty much sucks but 4 grand is 4 grand

[Greenponded]

http://www.marinesource.com/boat_sales/may_craft_1900_cc_1061753458.html

Here is a 19' Maycraft in Newburyport. It has been listed for some time. I bet they would take a discounted offer.:brow