What Boat for the Bahamas?

[Magor]

Hi
I need some help please. We have just moved to Abaco in the Bahamas. We want to buy a good all purpose boat. Nothing too big initially so we can get used to it. We are reasonably experienced sailors but have zero motor boat experience. In time we will probably get something larger that we can overnight comfortably on but for the moment we are looking for a good "day" boat. Something that is versatile enough to use for fishing, diving, snorkelling and general cruising around. From previous research 18-22' seems to be about right but I am open to suggestions?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[Vasco]

Go to Man-o-War and get an Albury. They've been building boats for years.

[marlinmike]

What he said:

Originally Posted by Vasco

Go to Man-o-War and get an Albury. They've been building boats for years.

[onestepcsy37]

Albury has a great reputation, although when you get one it will likely come from their factory in riviera beach florida.

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[Magor]

Thanks. Any other suggestions though? Albury sound great but very pricey! I've heard Boston Whaler are good and also Grady but I'd like to hear a few more suggestions.



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[a64pilot]

Used boat? Boston Whalers are very pricy but some will tell you they are worth it.
I had a 2103CC Trophy Center Console that was specifically outfitted as a dive boat, and I was very happy with it. I had enough "roll control" bottle holders for eight bottles and the boat had a 40 gl water tank">fresh water tank to rinse off with after the dive.
Just don't get a "bay boat" unless of course your staying in the bay

[Magor]

Thanks a64
Stupid question but what is a "bay" boat?

[Sailmonkey]

I'd spring for a 26' imemsa panga with with a tiller outboard.

[Bohemian17]

Buy a calcutta 26 powercat. Forget an albury . Overpriced wet dog.

[a64pilot]

Bay boats are shallow draft center consoles generally with lower freeboards and lighter weight than a deep Vee Center console, they are lighter weight and faster, but will not handle rough water, they aren't meant for that, goo inshore fishing boats if that's your thing, much cheaper than a Center Console meant to go off shore http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/bo...tile-bay-boats

[a64pilot]

This was my boat, you should be able to get one for mid 20's in excellent shape, mine had a Garmin 740s with Radar and a Dragonfly structure scan sonar / chart plotter and was set up for diving
In the center console it's deep enough to stand up in and there is a head

[Magor]

Thanks a64pilot, I'll avoid the "bay" bost then, I want something that can handle rougher conditions if needed. A deep vee or twin vee should work.



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[skipmac]

Hard to go wrong with a Grady White. My son-in-law has a 25 and has been out in some pretty nasty weather. I had a 19 and it was the best small boat I ever owned.

[onestepcsy37]

And do NOT consider the Carolina Skiff. Our club owns one. Piece of crap construction wise. And worst of all, inherently unstable. Only positive is they're cheap.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Magor

... for the moment we are looking for a good "day" boat. Something that is versatile enough to use for fishing, diving, snorkelling and general cruising around. From previous research 18-22' seems to be about right but I am open to suggestions?

We would usually approach this kind of shopping -- in a center console -- by thinking about the head, first. Decent head, then consider the rest of the boat. Comfortable ingress/egress usually starts around 26', I think.

-Chris