new boat considerations mostly vbay
 

I may be in the market for a new boat in the next year or 2 and I am pretty sure about the direction I want to go, but I have a few questions.

I am looking for minmum 20' flats/bay type boat. By that I mean 8-10" draft with forward and aft casting deck. Will need to fish 3 men comfortably. My biggest concern is the ability to cross the bay in the average chop, which tends to be 2 footers for the most part, without getting beat to death and without having to go 20mph. It needs to handle cruising at 35ish in a chop.

Can skinny water hulls handle crossing vBay without a beating? just wondering if I am wishing for something that isn't really out there.

Thanks for any input

I have a 20 express cc , would not suggest it for the bay. Its great for calm to light chop and great to fish out of, but not for the bay under those conditions.

You are asking for a lot. Any "flat" will be ruff in VB with a light chop.

Well depending on your budget...
Interesting that you are set on such a shallow draft. I'm guessing your targeting fish in Marsh Island or the reefs in the pass. When fishing that shallow if you want to move around your going to have to pole, something to keep in mind. Also when moving around that shallow in a glass boat you have to expect some gelcoat damage from oysters.

SCB


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Case closed...

If you're going fast enough it doesn't matter how big the waves are.


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something like an xpress certainly wouldn't work for corssing the bay, but I have seen some skinny water boats with some pretty aggressive entry points. they look like they would cut a wave pretty well...something like a Lake & Bay boca grande or action craft flatsmaster.

The "look" like they slice a chop but I was hoping to hear from people who have tried running the bay in these flats/hybrid type boats. I know a true 6" draft flats boat is going to get smashed in a 2 foot chop, guess im looking for the best of both worlds.

The only way you don't get beat to death is to get on top and run fast enough to bridge the chop, or have a boat heavy and with enough dead rise to cut and break the wave.

Honestly if you want to be able to do both of those things well its going to be expensive. SCB seems to be doing the best at it.

W says Haynie is the best

What is a SCB

ya...I was pretty much afraid of that. my current boat is heavy with a really aggressive deadrise at the bow and cuts the waves like a champ. I can troll/fish in 12"s which isn't bad for a boat this heavy, but it does restrict getting inside marsh island and right on top of reefs. plus its a 24 year old hull.

I have litterally upgraded everything accept the hull and was thinking about going hull only on an action craft or something similar and just transferring my 2011 verado and iPilot etc.. but I just don't know if a hull like can handle the chop.

I would hate to spend 25k on a blank hull + whatever costs I incur transferring my equipment and then get beat to death every time the wind blows across the bay (which is ALWAYS!)

Simmons Custom Boats out of Texas. Check em out.


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Just remember you cant really run a trolling motor in 8in without making alot of noise or killing the blade on the bottom. If you plan on going the polling option remember that it usually takes two people and both need to be able to do it well so each of you can take turns fishing.

Honestly if your able, just buy another smaller polling boat and take it out on choice days. If the wind is too stiff for the bay and you want to fish shallow just go to Cocodrie.

no idea what your budget is, but have you considered a ShallowSport? the sport line has somewhat of a v (if you call it that), and they run/draft, well shallow. they aren't fast by any means due to the tunnel hull.

https://www.shallowsportboats.com/sport-line/

really I am considering anything. I am interested in anyone who has had the experience of crossing vbay in what they would consider a skinny water boat. What the ride was like, in what chop, at what speeds. That kind of thing. With the exception of express as I already have knowledge of that(not a dig at Express boats...they are good boats at what they are meant for)

Anyone have experience with Lake and Bay Boca grande or action craft 2020 flatsmaster specifically, but definitely not limited to those makes

Action craft make a great flats boat.

Thanks Biggun.

have you fished/cruised one in a chop? If so, what are your thoughts on them?

I ask because I have talked to Action Craft about a hull only deal from factory direct and they are willing to work with me so they are high on the list of possibilities.

Rambo 27

As in 27' boat? Im sure it handles the chop well, but prolly wont get as skinny as I need :)

Get a paddleboard and put it in your boat u have now and anchor close to where u want to fish and done.

paddleboards are for Yankees BRUH!

My buddy has a Transcat, and crosses the bay, has to pick his days, he has mainly resorted to Cocodrie. I really like that boat and have been with him running through spit. His Gel-Coat, well lets say is rough looking on the hull.
I solely fish the bay and have crossed in days most would not. I fish shallow all the time, and yes I need a new trolling motor needs a new prop. I get in most places in Marsh Island, but I don't go places I don't know. My gel-coat scars are from the trailer bunk boards.

I had a cheaper boat and it pounded and was very wet, I have since put all my eggs in one basket and went to see Kyle at LAM, sure glad I did.

Sorry what is LAM?

EDIT: oh lake area marine! what boat did you get?

Tx Hammer !

I just got rid of a 1820 Action Craft. Great, well made boat but no good for crossing the bay. I had it for 5+ years and had a blast with it in Dularge but I seldom go there anymore. Other than Lake and Bay I couldn't recommend a flats boat for the bay.

Sorry Camp the TX Hammer can only be used in Big Lake where they consistently catch trout limits on a daily basis. Unlike Sabine where they have had 100% fish kill due to the BP oil Spill for 4 straight years.

You might want to look at texas made boats, gulf coast, majek, shallow sport, etc.

Majek 25 extreme p


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I would check out the following boats which should get you across safely and possibly float shallow enough for you

www.pangamarine.com
www.androsboats.com
www.sabaloboats.com
www.duradocustomboats.com
www.aeonmarine.com

Rambo
 

27' 6"
8ft beam
Draft 14"
Pretty sure you can put a Ipilot on the front and fish vbay any day you please.

Not much info online but worth a look. Made in Georgia

Good luck in those boats if you get across the bay and things turn ****ty.

I've fought it in a transcat, got my teeth redone.

Get a true bay boat and mothership a kayak when you want to get skinny - you'll be selling a flats boat before you know it if you want to cross the bay with any regularity...

Any idea how hard it is to have the right fishing conditions out there AND the right wave action for crossing in a boat like that?

#CoveBound
#FlatsBoatsToDularge

x2 the bay can and will beat you and your boat to death!! 13 miles off rediculious swells and waves!!!!

Are kyaks for yankes also???

best open water center con. is a triton 240lts

the bay gets rough and nasty fast.. I think this guy needs to look at bigger bay boats if he wants 35mph across what the bay constantly throws at you on a normal trip

I've ridden in one, and they ride gorgeously. I wonder how the 22 would do, ever rode in one? That 24 is just too heavy to pull comfortably in a reg full size truck.

No doubt

I pull mine with a 1500 5.7 with no issues.

I've rode in a f250 with one behind it and it was rough.. Toyota must be doing it right!


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I pull one with a v6 tacoma all over the state

F250 takes a lot of weight to make it float, I had one and that boat is just enough to make it ride snappy. Got a ram

I'm thinkin u need to go to Piearre Part, La and go make you a 22' crawfish skiff with a proxs 115 tiller. then just add fuzzy nuts and it should go anywhere. lol

seriously, if u want a cadillac for the bay, break out the money and get u a 24' boat so it will ride the chop well. there is really no way around it.

best of luck chasin the unicorn!!!!

alright yall convinced me!!....The old tank I have now is a Cadillac in the bay to be honest. I can cross at 35mph while sitting down most days and I can troll/fish in 12" of water in a 21' boat. I guess that is about as good as it gets. I could spend 1/3rd of the money I would throw at a new hull and get some fiberglass work done and add the casting decks I am lacking right now.

I guess I just wanted new and shiney :)

The type of chop VBay kicks up is the nastiest I have come across with the exception of White Lake. I was so fed up of fishing there in boats that were ill-equipped to handle the beating the bay puts on a hull, I researched just about every type of bay/flats/hybrid on the market. Sea tested every one on my short list and ended up going with a Cape Bay. For where and how I fish, I don't think I could found a better boat without spending another 30 or 40K. But its not a flats boat. It doesn't draw a ton, but I am limited in some areas I used to fish without a problem. I really wanted a boat that was a hybrid but the more I looked into it, it seemed that hybrid bay/flats boats end up being pretty mediocre. I will say the one that sparked my interest the most was this boat I came across in Texas. They are built by a guy who owns a dealership in Victoria. They build one a month and when I was boat shopping a year ago there was a 4 or 5 month wait. Talked to a owner of one and he swore up and down that it cut the chop with the best of them. I would have liked to have ridden in one but found the boat I have now before I got really interested. Here are some pics and a link to their site.

http://www.berniesboats.com/deperado_22.htm

You my want to consider a Nautic Star. I have a 1900 for 12 years now. With adjustments I can cross the bay on most days. Would like to have the 22', but have two in college at this time.

You may think about looking at the "for sale" boat adds. Payments get hard to make and some good deals are available.

2104 frontier

Boat
 

Don't know how much you are willing to spend but I have a 24' Nuatic Star posted in the classified section under baots veryvery clean 121 hrs on the engine ya'll check it out

boat
 

Sorry engine has 12 hrs