I got the ttop through G and S. It was actually the first 17' boat they ever sold with one. There's a local guy that builds them that they use. I used to do a bit of mid day fishing and the ttop was critical from a sun protection standpoint. It also helped the boat drift a little quicker by catching extra wind, which at times contributed to more poundage.

When that day comes that I need to leave the bay Bryan, I will make the change...until then, my range is very good... and again, a 13' foot boat is also alot different than 16'5....Works both ways I guess, someday I will get a larger boat but for now, I am happy and content and have more money in the wallet!Plus I am able to fish the same places I surfed fished (you know where) and the fish were always there, technicaly, thats still the bay, anyway, what ecer you can afford enjoy it, life is to short!

As for the maritimes I looked at, one was the "sweet 16" and the other was the 18...Extreme striped down boats for way to much money in my opinion...I know a few guys who have them here on the bay and all of them have experiance gel coat cracking thats bad..anyway, I just thought they were over priced for what you get..

I am just trying to give the guy a boat to look at that is resonably priced thats all!

I think a major consideration will be gas this coming year. I have a Yami 90 4 stoke and can run back and forth from Warwick Cove to the south end of the Bay 3 times and only will burn 9 or 10 gallons. Gas will be $4 bucks or more per gallon in the Marinas this year. I have a 32 gallon tank and usually stop at a local gas station and fill 2 five gallon cans once a week. This usually fills the boat with a bit left over.
As I pointed out, I can't go to Cutty or the Block and if the bait situation changes in the Bay i might have to go larger to get fish but, for now, I am happy with my 17 1/2 CC Sea Hunt.

Go with the biggest you can afford. 21' with a 4 stroke OB would be perfect. I've been boating now since 1978 and have had several boats from 16'-23'. I now have an 18' CC, It is an OK boat but just too small if you want to take a few guys with you, I went with it because it was what I could afford. Keep economy in mind, it is a huge factor with the $ of fuel now, I made the mistake of going with a 2 stroke(got a great deal on it) but wish I held out for a 4 stroke. Main thing is..Do your research and get what you can afford to run..

I've read this analogy in more than one way and in different subjects, here's 2:

Deer Hunter.... I'm young I just want to kill a deer. Feels good now I want to kill as many as I can. I want a challange, I just want to kill bucks. What I really want is to kill record bucks, the ones that only great hunters kill. Now I'm old, I just want to be in the woods watch the squirels and breath the fresh air.


Fisherman....I just want to be on the bridge and catch fish. Take me to a place where I can catch a big fish. If I only had a boat I could catch more and bigger fish, some go off-shore. Now I'm wise, I just want to be on the bridge and watch kids fish.

just crossed my mind....I remember talkin with John Habs about hunting and he definitely reached the last phase of the hunter.

just crossed my mind....I remember talkin with John Habs about hunting and he definitely reached the last phase of the hunter before he passed.