I used to do 5-6 charter trips a year with a guide in Mystic CT who had a 24 foot Privateer center console. I've seen most of the boats in this size, and I have been on a lot of them. I have never been on a hull that I liked more than this one for the kind of fishing I do, which could be called "inshore light tackle casting of eels and plugs".

I have been casually following the used market for years, and you see them very rarely (they don't make a lot of boats, many are for the commercial crabbing industry on the Chesepeake).

So recently I found a professional builder in NC, this guy usually builds "custom carolina" boats. Because of teh slowing economy, he is doing smaller re-builds, and he sort of specializes in re-building older Privateers because he is near the factory.

This guy has a great reputation, has been written about many times in The National Fisherman. And he's rebuilding a 1990 Privateer 24 center console. The neat thing is, he is designing the re-build around all of the things that I want. For example, I like the idea of a closed transom with the engine on a full bracket, with a tuna door leading to the bracket...I get to choose exactly which type of console, which type of leaning post, what kind of livewell, what kind of cleats, everything. At my request, he'll put a MASSIVE casting deck/sunpad in the bow, a place where the women can lay out in the summer. And with a bow dodger, it's a place where the little ones can get out of the sun.

He is rebuilding everything up from the hull with composite, and the cost will be much less than a new "stock" boat from the factory. And I just really like the idea of picking all the little (and some not-so-little) things that will make the boat "mine".

What do you guys think?

Go for it. Sounds like you will be getting a great hull with the exact layout you want. It's hard (almost impossible) to find the "perfect boat" but now you will have the ability to make it as perfect as possible. I love Privateers and it will be much better quality than a new boat made today. They don't make em like they used to........

You want all the little things I wanted and got in a semi-custom job.

1. Full bow deck. None of that horseshoe/split seating nonsense for me up there. For casting and nappability, have to have that full deck forward.

2. Full Transom with OB on bracket, so long as it is done right, I would not have it any other way.

It is the beauty of "where you want it is where it will be" is key.

If you like the boat and have/had been on it and like it, coupled with the new and improved layout, then by all means . . .

You want all the little things I wanted and got in a semi-custom job.

1. Full bow deck. None of that horseshoe/split seating nonsense for me up there. For casting and nappability, have to have that full deck forward.

. . .


COULD NOT AGREE MORE!

I'm amazed that 99% of the center consoles out there have these little casting decks that are too small to be used as much of anything. Why don't more boats make a really big deck, as you say, for casting and nappability? It's much more wife-friendly, and it doesn't take away from the fishability at all...

Can I ask what you went with, to get a semi-cistom job?

COULD NOT AGREE MORE!

I'm amazed that 99% of the center consoles out there have these little casting decks that are too small to be used as much of anything. Why don't more boats make a really big deck, as you say, for casting and nappability? It's much more wife-friendly, and it doesn't take away from the fishability at all...

Can I ask what you went with, to get a semi-cistom job?

One of the reasons I got a Contender. Full deck with DEEP gunnels. I can actually fit in the huge in deck fish box...........

My sister and her 3 kids, all up on the bow complete with e-sea-rider beanbag chairs.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/P1010294.jpg


There are many CC's where one can put in a "filler-piece" as well as the cushion to go with it so that helps. I just know that from having a full bow deck on 2 different CC's since 1987 that I have never once wanted anything different.


My boy was maybe 2-3 months old up there this past summer.


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/P1010210.jpg


People always ask me what the "bathtub fish" are doing on the edge of the deck, well, at night, when stalking the big bassy's, it is hard to tell exactly where the edge is. With the fish there, the contrast is there so there are no falls to scare the fishies. I could care less if someone falls, just don't scare the fish, ha!

Bssius, you are the man! 2 months old?

We have a 4 year old, a 1 year old, and baby #3 arriving June 1. One of my hangups about getting a boat i sthat we''d have to wait afew years before we'd be able to bring the kids on it, but after seeing that awesome pic, I have to re-think this!

What kind of boat do you have? I am loving that bow area...

[QUOTE=Jim in CT;843459]I used to do 5-6 charter trips a year with a guide in Mystic CT who had a 24 foot Privateer center console. I've seen most of the boats in this size, and I have been on a lot of them.

I just bought a 21 foot Privateer - used but not abused. Its a great hull design and they are no frills tank type boats. The only reason I got it is my buddy upgraded to a old "potter style" seacraft 24. Thats a really nice boat too, he searched for years for one in good condition.

Once I get the shrinkwrap off I'll post some pictures.

I had a 18' Privateer for a few years, it was built like a tank. A little flat for my liking which resulted in some bumpy rides, but a well made boat none the less.

He, sorry for the hijack but tell us a me more
about the e-sea-rider beanbag chairs.
What style do you have ?
I've seen guys talk about them on other forums but never bought any thinking they would just get wet and stay that way on a boat.




My sister and her 3 kids, all up on the bow complete with e-sea-rider beanbag chairs.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/P1010294.jpg


There are many CC's where one can put in a "filler-piece" as well as the cushion to go with it so that helps. I just know that from having a full bow deck on 2 different CC's since 1987 that I have never once wanted anything different.


My boy was maybe 2-3 months old up there this past summer.


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/P1010210.jpg


People always ask me what the "bathtub fish" are doing on the edge of the deck, well, at night, when stalking the big bassy's, it is hard to tell exactly where the edge is. With the fish there, the contrast is there so there are no falls to scare the fishies. I could care less if someone falls, just don't scare the fish, ha!

Go for it. That way you get an "essentially " new boat built to your specs for thousands off a "new" sticker price. Good luck and keep us updated.

I would very much like to learn how to do this.

Thanks for the input guys. Especially interesting that 2 of you have personal experience with Privateers.

I like the idea of having it custom build to my liking, and I have the money at the moment, although the rational part of my brain says it would be smarter to put that $$ into the kids' 529 plans.

Also, we have a 4 year old, a 1 year old, and #3 arriving on June 1. That, plus the fat that we live 75 minutes away from where I like to boat, suggests that we won't be using the boat much for awhile, and thus it might make sense to wait. But if I wait, (1) I may not have the $$, and (2) it's no guarantee I'll have an opportunity like this one.

If I pull the trigger,I will post pics of the build...

Well, I have probably about 200 - 250 hours on it over the past few years. I was my neighbors and I just bought it off him. Depends what you want to do - and there is always a sacrifice of this vs that.

I personally love the boat. Its very much a tank and has the sort of utilitarian / commercial styling I liked. Putting a custom pilot house on it really made a difference both in looks and I feel in overall satisfaction. It can be a little wet, but can take very heavy water. We fish the rips off Chatham and have been through some snotty stuff with it. I never had a fear, well maybe but not due to the boat. The only drawback for some is that it is a heavy boat, but I feel the 21 feels / fishes like a lot bigger craft. What do you plan to power with?

i am in a similar situation as you - where I wont use it much due to young children for the next few years, but as you say - the deal was right. I am not looking back - in fact I just bought a pair of wire line rods at CMS this morning for it.

Well, I have probably about 200 - 250 hours on it over the past few years. I was my neighbors and I just bought it off him. Depends what you want to do - and there is always a sacrifice of this vs that.

I personally love the boat. Its very much a tank and has the sort of utilitarian / commercial styling I liked. Putting a custom pilot house on it really made a difference both in looks and I feel in overall satisfaction. It can be a little wet, but can take very heavy water. We fish the rips off Chatham and have been through some snotty stuff with it. I never had a fear, well maybe but not due to the boat. The only drawback for some is that it is a heavy boat, but I feel the 21 feels / fishes like a lot bigger craft. What do you plan to power with?

i am in a similar situation as you - where I wont use it much due to young children for the next few years, but as you say - the deal was right. I am not looking back - in fact I just bought a pair of wire line rods at CMS this morning for it.

Yeah, I figure I'd be lucky to do 60 hours a year for the first couple of years. Also, I don't have a vehicle to tow it with...looking at rack storage facilities.

They are heavy boats. The guy re-building the 24 is replacing all the wood with composite, and the stock boats have a LOT of wood, so it will be a bit lighter. I'd look to put a 225 on her. I'm also looking at a professionally rebuilt 1996 Johnson 225 (new powerhead, new everything). $10k less than a new engine.

Doi you have any pics of yours?

Yeah, they ride a bit wet. But I love the utitilitarian feel, I love the toughness, and I love the stability, and I love how much fishing space it has.

e-sea-rider beanbag chairs, I have 4 of them. 2 small wedges and 2 large wedges. I also bought my neice and 2 nephews one each where they chose their own color for their birthdays/Christmas presents 2 seasons ago as they have a boat and in the winter they use them in their bedrooms.

They do not absorb anything as the material they are made out of along with the beads inside, are made to withstand what we can dish out to them.

The hardest part is paying for shipping but as there is nothing else like them out there, to pay a little more is totally worth it as I have had a couple friends 6'5" and 350 lbs in them and they both have slept all the way in from the bank, 25 miles out.

Rinse the bags out on the dock after a day with nothing but fresh water, let them dry and use them again the next day. Everyone says they are the best thing on my boat.

I've had my 1987 18' Privateer retriever for little over 12 years, I re-powered 3 years ago, and I believe it's the perfect bay boat, very solid hull, and great in shallow water, and a fairly dry ride, it's a semi v hull, so not always the smoothest, but very durable.

That is one nice looking boat Monty.

Thanks, bassiusmaximus.
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You are going to pay too much to have some re-build/restore a boat for you. I would find a boat that someone else already re-did and is now looking to sell. You will save a ton of money.

I restored a 23 inboard SeaCraft with my dad. I know every inch of the boat, but it cost a-lot to do.