Thanks Thanks:  0
HaHa HaHa:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: True All Purpose Boat

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    165
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default True All Purpose Boat


    A little backstory. I live in NC and I love to both fresh and saltwater fish. I currently own a Lowe Roughneck 2070 that I use to crappie fish with, recreational and duck hunt with. Spending more time at the coast, I would like to find a more capable boat that can do a little bit of everything. So what I am asking is, does anyone here longline and tightline, but also fish inshore and very light offshore with? I would certainly look for the calmest of days to leave the inlet, but I would prefer to own one bit for all these items. I have looked at 20-23’ bay boats, such as a Sea Hunt BX22, Key West BR21 and pretty much every boat I can find that could possibly fit this bill. I know that no boat will be perfect, but wondering which could handle these tasks. Thoughts?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Rainbow City, AL
    Posts
    230
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Expensive, but look at the bigger Crestliner Hawks (Fish Hawk, Super Hawk).

  3. #3
    M R Dux's Avatar
    M R Dux is offline Crappie.com Legend , 2018 Crappie.com Man of the Year * Crappie.com Supporter * Member Sponsor
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Benton,KY / KY Lake
    Posts
    7,454
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Check out the Excel Bay Pro 220 and 230. Also the Storm Cat series. .160 gauge hulls. Built like tanks. The Bay Pros are great in reasonably rough water and have tons of storage. Storm Cat is same hull as Bay 230 but different interior.


    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
    www.crappie-gills-n-more.com
    Podunk Ideas Pro Staff /test platform
    PICO Lures Field Rep
    Excel Boats Pro Staff

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Dallas
    Posts
    450
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    In aluminum I would consider the excel bay for high quality or xpress and alumacraft bay models for value brand.

    In glass would look at rangers and nautic stars! What is the budget!? True All Purpose BoatTrue All Purpose Boatmercury just came out with their 600 hp model so.....

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    165
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by thaDudeAbides View Post
    In aluminum I would consider the excel bay for high quality or xpress and alumacraft bay models for value brand.

    In glass would look at rangers and nautic stars! What is the budget!? True All Purpose BoatTrue All Purpose Boatmercury just came out with their 600 hp model so.....
    I would like to stay below 40k, but exceptions can be made if a boat can do it all. I know most higher end bay boats start in the 50's, but I am looking used as well.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Dallas
    Posts
    450
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chevync20 View Post
    I would like to stay below 40k, but exceptions can be made if a boat can do it all. I know most higher end bay boats start in the 50's, but I am looking used as well.
    A brand new xpress 22 would be in your budget with some room for electronic upgrades. Plus it comes with a Yamaha!
    The Hyper-Lift Bay Boat by Xpress Boats
    Likes S10CHEVY LIKED above post

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    165
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by thaDudeAbides View Post
    A brand new xpress 22 would be in your budget with some room for electronic upgrades. Plus it comes with a Yamaha!
    The Hyper-Lift Bay Boat by Xpress Boats
    I guess my question is can I troll for Spanish just off the beach in the spring and fall? How well will it handle going in and out of the inlet some days? I guess that’s my real question with the Xpress and the Xcel.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    M R Dux's Avatar
    M R Dux is offline Crappie.com Legend , 2018 Crappie.com Man of the Year * Crappie.com Supporter * Member Sponsor
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Benton,KY / KY Lake
    Posts
    7,454
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I see lots of folks on Excel forums who go more miles off shore in a Bay Pro 203 than I would feel comfortable. Obviously they made it back. You just have to pick your days. I had both my Bay Pro 203s and my Bay Pro 230 in 5 foot rollers on Ky Lake. I would never choose to go out in those conditions but I had to get back in those conditions and the boats were up to the task.


    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
    www.crappie-gills-n-more.com
    Podunk Ideas Pro Staff /test platform
    PICO Lures Field Rep
    Excel Boats Pro Staff
    Likes Chevync20 LIKED above post

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Mount Pleasant, NC
    Posts
    209
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    What you just described is a fiberglass bay boat. I have a Sea Hunt BX22BR that is 1 year old this week. It's about as perfect as you're going to get for what you described. I longline and tightline out of it with success and it does both well. I fish inshore a few times a year. I've caught over 20 species of fish out of it in the time I've had it, from Fontana to the Yadkin chain to Ocean Isle. We've camped out of it twice. It rides smooth and dry, and does everything you could ask. I've skied behind it too, and it pulls as good as most boats.

    The only downside I have found is price.

  10. #10
    Cane Pole's Avatar
    Cane Pole is offline Crappie.com 2011 Man of the Year * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Pumphouse Tn.
    Posts
    24,000
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I have been trying to find an all purpose boat for decades. This is why I have 2-3 boats setting around most time.
    Member BS Pro-Staff and Billbob Pro-Staff
    Proud Member of Team Geezer... authorized by: billbob and "G"
    Likes kycreek, tcounty LIKED above post

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

BACK TO TOP