What size boat do you use offshore, i am interested in cod in spring, then striper fishing, then maybe some shark and tuna fishing and then more striper, as of now i have a 19 ft center console and never leave the site of land, would like to start to fish offshore but would rather have a smaller than larger boat but be safe, easier to maintain and store, i moor my boat on the Ipswich Bay side of Goucester and sometimes when i go out to Halibut point and turn right my 19 footer can seem awful small.

You gotta pick your days and be smart about it.....I picked up my first tuna on the bank in a 19ft center console.....

22 foot walkaround with a windshield and hardtop is plenty of boat.
when it turns crappy at least you won't be taking waves in the face.

No matter what size boat you have, you have to watch the weather. Other than that, its just a question of how much pain your pocketbook can stand.

I'd want 22-23 for the weight and bow height. If you're going out for cod reliability is important because there aren't going to be many people out there to help you that time of year and it's usually rougher.

I would factor other things besides length of boat. Will it break down? How much fuel does it hold? Can you communicate to someone out there if you need help? Like mike said, windshield and hard top will keep you dry. I have gone overnight on a 25 walk around cuddy. Weather was good. I have a freind with a 35 Bertram who has come back and said he got the crap wailed out of him all day. Pick your days.

I have a 21' Steiger that is plenty big enough for most applications. When it gets snotty the pilot house keeps me warm and dry. During cod season I put the screens on and turn on the heat to stay toasty warm. Don't buy a boat because of looks but rather build quality and functionality. Spend some time researching boats and try to get on as many boats as possible. You should feel safe and secure on the boat. CC boats are great for casting and 360 fishabilty but a cabin boat has its merits as well. Don't let the speed factor play into it either. Very few days can you run 40-50 mph. Also as boats get bigger the expense does too.

A 21-23' pilot/Chesapeake style boat will get you there and back for 3 seasons.
I have a 21' CC and normally fish out fairweather days, it has gotten interesting a few times coming back though.

I dunnno I used to feel confident taking a 1971 19' Silverline W/115 Mercury about the same vintage to the BB bouy from Bass River. I DO NOT recomend this to anyone. I picked my day and went out with a group of others, everything went ok good. Now looking back I would never do anything like that again. As for the southside in the sound I am in the process of obtaning a 20' SeaCraft CC power is undecided yet I may go small 115 Evinrude or go with an older 175 Mercury BlackMax, Either way it will be capable. I would feel comfortable around the sound and on the outside (whithin 15 miles) on a normal day. For shelterd waters I will be using the other boat a 20' PennYan Tunnel drive. It will work out in the bay but i wouldn't take it outside too far, it doesnt have enough bite on the water to push it up a wave if need be. I would feel comfortable taking either or out past stellwagen on the right day tho. On the otherhand I have friends that have extremely reliable and capable boats that piss themselves when going beyond the sight of land.

In the long and short it is all what you are willing to put up with and what you can not. if you do not mind a wet pounding ride go small and fast, if you like smooth and moderate speed, go large.:angel:

I have been thinking about a 22 foot walkaround, would be a good size for me, and from your comments it seems i am in the ballpark for offshore at that size, i have looked at a 22WA Shamrock for it has an inboard engine which should give it good stability and chop breaking ability, but these boats do not run as fast as outboards, which as stated earlier by keeperreaper this is not a big draw back, i also like the look of the Parker and Steigercraft boats.
am definetly leading toward a boat that can keep me drier than my center console.
Thanks for the feedback, any further comments appreciated.

Parker or Steigercraft are both very good solid boats. You won't go wrong with either of them. Steiger is a heavier boat than Parker and it has no frills. It is essentially a commercial work hull. I've had mine for 10 years 3200 hours on it and it has been awesome to me. Been out in some nasty stuff and came home unscathed. It won't win a race or a beauty contest but it fishes with the best of them and is dry warm and safe. It does pound a little due to the MV hull design but I can get away with lower HP to get on plane. I would buy another Steiger tomorrow if I was looking at upgrading. PM me if you have aby questions.

What size boat do you use offshore, i am interested in cod in spring, then striper fishing, then maybe some shark and tuna fishing and then more striper, as of now i have a 19 ft center console and never leave the site of land, would like to start to fish offshore but would rather have a smaller than larger boat but be safe, easier to maintain and store, i moor my boat on the Ipswich Bay side of Goucester and sometimes when i go out to Halibut point and turn right my 19 footer can seem awful small.


Graves, what kind of scratch are you looking to spend? If we have an idea we can throw some names at ya to look at this winter at the boat shows, when we're all waiting for boating weather!

I go out there all the time in my 21' WA.
I feel safe, but I ALWAYS pick the day.
If its bad, I just go to work !! They love me here.....:huh:

Got a full vinyl enclosure if its snotty.
Self draining cockpit/deck, good bow.
Nice reliable 175 gets me home in a hurry if needed.

But....
No tuna joy this year though, and I'm not going out there again.

I have a 23 Sea Ox walk around, hard top and cuddy and love it!

quick decision
size boat
I would factor other things besides length of boat. Will it break down? How much fuel does it hold? Can you communicate to someone out there if you need help? Like mike said, windshield and hard top will keep you dry. I have gone overnight on a 25 walk around cuddy. Weather was good. I have a freind with a 35 Bertram who has come back and said he got the crap wailed out of him all day. Pick your days.

Boat is half the battle, you need to make sure the power is sound, and you have all the right stuff for off shore!