I have noticed that alot of guys here run 20-21-22 footers like myself. There are a lot of posts about going out to stellwagon or offshore for cod, tuna, ect.. I was curious about everones oppions, and experinces about offshore fishing in boats this size. You big guys please feel free to chime in too.

I had a 23' Neptune W/A before the present 24' Hydra Sports Vector W/A the Neptune is the same hull as the Hydra Sports 23' W/A sold now I think Sea Horse is the model, in any event I fished around the islands and Buzzards Bay with the 23 and it was fair, did not have the deadrise of the Vector and you can sure tell when the water picks up! If you pick your day you can go in a smaller boat, however if you get caught out there and the sea's pickup say to 3-4' your ride home will suck so bad you will wish you hadn't gone out!! You can never trust the weather man just ask Raider Ron about this past weekend, so you are playing the devil's fiddle everytime you go out in a smaller boat. On the other hand if you had a 20' it would be a breeze to tow it down to P-town and launch somewhere putting yourself pretty close to land at the South end of the bank. It is almost impossible to pick the ideal boat for all scenario's, heck somedays I wish I had a 40 footer in Buzzards Bay with a 20-25 South West and an outgoing tide!!

I can remember a couple of times coming back and the winds pick up to 25-30. Can make a hell of a ride back, like you said. I have a path set on my gps from Thief's ledge(N42* 16.56' W070* 46.97') which is between Boston Light and Pt. Allerton(Hull) to the NW edge of Stellwagon(N42*25.00 W070' 28.00') the depth finder goes from 278 to 104. This is a 19.6 mile run that can be done in under an hour. I can remember a few times taking two hours to get back in some nasty S@!T. This is in a 1988 20 thompson. Once I turned around just to see a 5 footer almost crash over my transom. After a half an hour of throttling up one wave and backing down another I got home. There are a hell of a lot better boats in the 20 foot class which would do better. I was thinking a longer boat would not fit in between the troughs and ride up the other wave. The price also jumps a hell of a lot from 21 to 25+. A heavier boat will punch through, but thats not always the best fishing boat for stripers. I dont do a lot of offshore fishing, but I do like to explore the offshore. I am looking for a new boat. I am almost done with a deal for a 1996?. I don't want to jinx myself so that's all I will say right now. I given my new boat a lot of thought. Its hard to tell what these 20-23 footers limitations are. Does anybody have any more experiences they would like to share?

QD, since you boat in the same area I do, you know that it always gets snotty after 12-1pm. Even on good days. I have ventured out there (stellwagon) in my 21 WA a few times, but only on a well picked day, and get out early and back early. What we see around the outer islands after noontime is real nasty 20 miles out. Did a trip last year to the H-bouy, long 2 hour ride that suked, but we were not far off shore, but it beat the crap out of us.
Lately, mostly I like to stick around closer, its just not worth the fuel, banging and danger in a 20-21 ftr. Especially when I got my son with me.
To the B-bouy and several more miles out is fine for me, and usually we get all the fish we want.

So if your going, I don't have to tell you to be careful.
See you on the water.
V.

I run out to SW from Gloucester in a 20 ft DC. You need to pick your days well. I think if the #^&#^&#^&#^& hits the fan you'll get back but you'll also pay the price. We have come back in some nasty stuff and been sore for days. not fun.....

What do you think the cutoff is between weight, beam, power, and fishability? The difference between being sore the next day or not.

I wouldn't even know where to begin to answer that one!

If it beats the heck out of you and it is not fun to me its not worth it. After all most are out there to fish , relax and enjoy ourselves right???:smash:

On the question for the perfect set up- I realy like the sea craft hulls. I am not a cc fan. How is the ride in your boat? What is the length, weight, and beam?

I've not owned another boaqt on the ocean but I must say that the Hydra Sports Vector hull even in a 22 foot boat is very seaworthy as boats go within this size range. I've also had time to do a lot of tinkering and install some accessories and through that process I've learned that the boat is very high quality. If I step up in size I will look at Hydra Sports first. I've heard and I agree totally that Hydra Sports are a higher quality than Grady White at a significantly lower price. Anyone care to comment on that last statement? Sincere agreement and disagreement welcome.

All I can say is that when I first bought my boat I made it a point to ask a Hydra Sports dealer about transferring the 10 year hull warranty on my 24 vector the guy looked at me and plain out said " don't waste your money" ! I guess by the expression I gave him not realizing he felt he had to add to it, he then stated you couldnt hurt that hull if you ran it into a piling!! I gotta say you bang on the hull of my boat and it hurts!! I priced Grady's probably 8 years ago and I was only looking at 20' W/A and buy the time I bought a trailer for it I was around 40 K if my memory serves me right I dont think it had a hard top. At the time it turned me off of boating, I bought a travel trailer and went that route for a few years. If you ever want to go out and ride in my boat your more than welcome, I would highly recommend my boat to anyone looking for a solid W/A and a decent price.

I will add a second good word for Hydra Sports

I just got a 212/WA in the fall 21'7" with a 8'9" beam

It rides beautifully.

I have been out this spring in 6' sea's
You just go a little slower, no pounding, and the water breaks nicely off the Deep V

I would not want to go 30 miles like that, so I agree I pick my days.

I would trade my boat for nothing! And the price was very good compared to Grady White/Whaler (they are good, but you pay for the name)

Same goes for my Proline. with its 20 degree deadrise, she cuts through water very nicely. Its a WA so its much drier than a CC. Good and sturdy/seaworthy.

Buy a weather radio(Radio shack sell a small transistor style one) and check it for area you plan to head to before you leave and listen to it while you are there or check weather on VHF.Just have to remember 3-6 means 4-8 and if wind starts picking-up run.I go to Stellwegen from east end of canal in 21 ft cc and its everything from dead flat calm out to downright scarry coming back.Also listen for fog reports as I think this is worse than rough water and usually come in from the west which makes it worse as you get closer to land.Hope you like dog fish cause its beeen loaded with them for last couple of summers.Not a lot of bait around to attract a lot of other species but the wales are nice to watch when they are around

Quick Decision, Mine is a 23' seacraft (c/c) with an 8'beam. 20°variable (famous) deadrise hull. John R is also a seacraft fanatic as are some other guys whom frequent y'alls forum. (I mostly lurk,lol). IMHO- not a better riding boat in its class.period. And will put a lot of other, larger boats to shame also (not going to mention any brands). Not fast though with the inboard- I normally cruise at 21 to 23 knots. Us seacraft folks hang out on www.classicseacraft.com . Thanx for asking about my boat- I can and do bore people to death talking about it,lol:rolleyes:

I was sincere with the compliment. There is a reason you see a 25 year old sea craft priced at a lot of new boat prices. The hulls seem rock solid. With out affendinig any one would sea ox be a next step down?

A Classic SeaCraft 23' would be a nice choice, it's got a loyal following and a solid reputation. If your looking for something new it all depends on how much money you want to spend.

Sea ox's are nice boats too although I dont think they are made any longer- they were built very well although as with all older hulls you need to check for transom rot and/or soft spots in the deck. Sea Ox's are fairly flat in the stern and will tend to jar your fillings loose but I have friends that run them offshore regularly. Good luck with whatever you get. Oh btw- go price a new 23' regulator, grady, contender etc and the 20/25K for a "new" refurbed seacraft hull will look DAMN good,lolol.

Hey John R- you have been awful quiet here and over on CSC lately, hows your project coming along?????(inquiring minds want to know!!!!:eyes:

Ok everybody. The decision has been made. And believe me it was not a quick decision. The offer has been accepted, The loan approved, the winnner is.......only Van knoes right now. I will post a pic next week. Any guess's. Winner gets a free copy of On The Run. Great book I just finished it. Family members and employee's dont qualify. And anybody named Van.

a sea ox.

no

Proline

At least tell us what the choices were! :cool:

1996 proline walk i.o 260 mercruiser

quick your mailbox is full

sorry- WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!179

I hope you got a FWC I/O!!

What is the consencus on going out to stellwagen in a 25 Fourwinns?? (Small Cruiser) When it gets rough out there what is typically seen for seas.. I know it is a tough one... New to this so go easy..

Hey are you in North Weymouth?

Have we met.??

179 ENJOY THE BOOK.

25 FOOT BOAT QUESTION. That boat is an express cruiser if I remember right. You sit up high enough to keep dry on most days. That dosn't meen you wont get slammed around if it gets hairy.