What boat should I buy this week???

[pres2028]

Listen, I know that's a terrible question - ultimately it's the boat that's best for my family! But I figured I'd come here for some of your perspectives / wisdom, so thanks in advance. I've been kicking this question around for nearly 2 years and even jumped on these forums last year with the intent to purchase a FSH, just never pulled the trigger.

Here's the situation:

--This would be my first boat. I'm not handy / mechanically inclined, so ease of operation is a must.
--I fish with my 5-year-old son every single weekend...he's amazing for his age, moves around the dock like a much bigger kid, but we're by no means deep-sea fishermen. I live in Maryland so we're normally casting for white perch, stripers or even catfish. Easy stuff and mostly bottom fishing.
--I'd like something I can use primarily in the Patuxent River in Maryland, but also the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay. So definitely something I can trailer - and I guess I need to be mindful of water depth on the shallower parts of the Patuxent.
--My 5 year old and I will be the primary boaters, with weekly fishing trips. But my wife, her mom, our two other kids, and my wife's best friend will use it more in the summer cruising on the Potomac for a few weekend trips - so the group will occasionally / rarely expand to 7-9 depending on guests.
--Aesthetics matter a lot to my wife and somewhat to me. We are more inclined to the look of a non-FSH model more than the FSH (although the FSH are very nice too!)
--I have a Suburban so should be ok from a towing perspective.

So the options I'm thinking about are:
--Go big with a new 252SD - with the DRIVE system coming in handy for me as a novice boater. Add some rod holders and a fishfinder/GPS (I'm hoping that's easy to do).
--Go smaller - there's a 2018 AR190 available near me for a great price. Perhaps I start small, get used to the boat with just me and my son, and maybe trade up at some point. Again, add rod holders & fishfinder.
--Somewhere in the middle - 210FSH. Again, we like the look of non-center-consoles better, but this is obviously more practical. Availability in my area is limited though, probably will have to wait.

Anyway, just throwing it out there in case you guys have thoughts. All the best to ya and happy boating!

 

[Stang7tl]

My opinion is get the center console (FSH or scarab open)
To me just to many cushions and vinyl to get snagged by hooks and soaking blood from the fish.
I got scarab 195 open id and I can tell you also that if you can go bigger then go bigger. Already wish I had the 25’ but for wife and I it’s great but I do wakesurfing and etc behind it and with more then 4 I wish I had bigger. Also remember there is a capacity number so example is my 195 days 9people or max weight of around 1400 pound so don’t want to over do it
I had 8 on mine for a night ride but there was no moving around it was sit down and sip your drink while I handle the driving

 

[Stang7tl]

No cushions when it’s a couple of use fishing then plenty of pads when riding

 

[pres2028]

My opinion is get the center console (FSH or scarab open)
To me just to many cushions and vinyl to get snagged by hooks and soaking blood from the fish.
I got scarab 195 open id and I can tell you also that if you can go bigger then go bigger. Already wish I had the 25’ but for wife and I it’s great but I do wakesurfing and etc behind it and with more then 4 I wish I had bigger. Also remember there is a capacity number so example is my 195 days 9people or max weight of around 1400 pound so don’t want to over do it
I had 8 on mine for a night ride but there was no moving around it was sit down and sip your drink while I handle the driving

Helpful -thanks man. Yeah I'm leaning toward going bigger. And now that you mention it, I'm over here looking at this 255 Open ID....

 

[TimW451]

+1 for the thread title

I don’t fish, so I can’t help much from that point of view, but I do think the FSH is such a great hybrid with the center console and swim platform I’d consider it for my next boat to get me into fishing. I really like the new 25x series, whether you should get that or a previously owned 24x is mostly a matter of money and desire to be the first owner.

Since Yamahas are on your shortlist I’d suggest going to Beacon Light Marina just north of Baltimore City on Middle River. They sell Yamaha jet boats and some other brands of center consoles. They usually have a good selection of used boats, taking a lot of boats bought there as trade-ins as people upgrade.

 

[traderfjp]

Look on boattrader for pictures of the boat you want that aren't from the factory. Once you find a pic of the boat in a showroom or on a lot the boat will most likely be in stock. That is how I found my boat and I'm very lucky to find it. There aren't a lot of these boats around due to Covid. Let us know what you buy.

 

[pres2028]

+1 for the thread title

I don’t fish, so I can’t help much from that point of view, but I do think the FSH is such a great hybrid with the center console and swim platform I’d consider it for my next boat to get me into fishing. I really like the new 25x series, whether you should get that or a previously owned 24x is mostly a matter of money and desire to be the first owner.

Since Yamahas are on your shortlist I’d suggest going to Beacon Light Marina just north of Baltimore City on Middle River. They sell Yamaha jet boats and some other brands of center consoles. They usually have a good selection of used boats, taking a lot of boats bought there as trade-ins as people upgrade.

Great suggestions, thanks. As it happens I’ve been talking with Mike from Beacon Light but haven’t been up to the showroom yet. Going to head up there this week.

 

[Bluewater272]

As much fishing as you like to do, I really think you should get an FSH model if you're deadset on a jetboat. Otherwise, look at a proper fishing vessel. The low draft of the Yamahas is an oft-touted strength that doesn't hold a lot of water in my opinion. If you can't be there in a boat that needs 3.5', you probably shouldn't be there on a Yamaha either. It might keep you out of danger if you're on plane and skim across somewhere shallow, but that holds its own risks.

I have a 242 Limited S - I fish off it quite a bit, but its not built for that at all.

 

[Dean P]

We all say buy you second boat first. You're going to to love jet boats; they fast, quick easy to maintain and fun to drive. I'd go with the 255 Open. That'll give you the best of both worlds; room for plenty of people and great to fish on. You didn't mention water sports which is easily doable and will be expected as your children get older. I have a Chaparral with the same drive unit as the Scarab. Very easy to dock and steer at low speeds.

Good luck in your decision. Send pics soon!!!

 

[PeterB]

@pres2028 If fishing is a prime consideration as it sounds- and let’s face it - fishing with your son is a great way to spend time- access to the gunnels makes fishing a lot easier - thus the design of a center console. My current family boat is a 242 Ltd s which is a great all around family boat, but I use a dedicated smaller fishing boat to fish which is set up task specific as the 242 is not ideal, and full of water toys, etc. I do occasionally dive from it too, but again not ideal for that. You just need to think about the use and decide what compromise is most acceptable- a lot to be said for our spouses also enjoying the boat or boats as many of us wind up with more than one. As for size, 7-9 people can get cramped on a boat quickly and will impact performance, so pay attention to weight limits in the boats you look at as well as what seating is available. With your Suburban, you are not limited much on towing so storage options and cost for purchase and operation may be factors to consider- some stay smaller so they can store their boat in a garage as the larger Yamaha’s typically won’t fit. I would go with something bigger as 5 year olds grow - and then want to invite friends, and store water toys, etc. Good luck with the hunt for the right boat for your family!!

 

[Joshua Miller]

Good luck with whatever you get. I’ve been to Beacon Light Marina a couple of times to window shop. I’m up both of Baltimore in the Gunpowder River area but have launched out into the Pax river before— so many great spots to get out onto the water I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with whatever you get.

 

[jdkaeser]

I didn't hear water sports in there anywhere? If I was going to just do some fishing and cruising with the ladies and not go off shore, then I would save some coin and get a nice used pontoon boat. Plenty of space for more people when you need it, nice and flat for walking around while fishing and has a shallower draft. The newer outboards are really reliable and aren't that much more maintenance other than changing the oil in your lower unit once a year and it's easy. Maybe change out the water pump impeller every couple years and a shop can do that pretty cheaply if you don't feel comfortable doing it.

 

[Drag]

I think with all your family, you definitely wouldn’t be happy with a 195. I even think the 21’s are too small for anything more than 4-5 people. Can you fit more on, yes, but those boats really ride low with a full complement of people. if you were mechanically handy, I would recommend getting an older used boat to start the season. That way, its not so hard on you psychologically when put dings and scratches on your boat learning how to dock and trailer it. The downside is that you need to do your maintenance on them to keep them reliably running. That could get costly having a mechanic do it though. So getting a new or newer boat would have less major maintenance. Just prepare your psyche for the first time you smack into a dock.

Btw, my current boat is a 1990 Sea Ray 220 cuddy cabin that I bought this past fall while I wait for my 252 FSH to be built. The sea ray is 23’ 8” LOA. I’ve been boating on Lake Michigan and couldn’t imagine going out on something smaller.

 

[pres2028]

Thanks all for your great feedback / advice. It wasn't 'this week' but I did move forward with my boat - and landed on the 252SD. Very excited (and I'm determined to both enjoy recreational cruising and light fishing, as complicated as that might be). Have been working with Mike at Beacon Light Marina outside of Baltimore, MD - great experience so far. I'll do a first official post with the boat when I take delivery.

 

[Dean P]

Thanks all for your great feedback / advice. It wasn't 'this week' but I did move forward with my boat - and landed on the 252SD. Very excited (and I'm determined to both enjoy recreational cruising and light fishing, as complicated as that might be). Have been working with Mike at Beacon Light Marina outside of Baltimore, MD - great experience so far. I'll do a first official post with the boat when I take delivery.

That's great news!!! You must be thrilled. Congrats. Please post pics when you pick her up.

 

[jocolo21]

Yes, pics

 

[fatboyroy]

Congrats on the purchase, that's a very nice boat for your entire family. Practice docking with experienced boater if you know someone and do it on weekdays when boat traffic is at a minimal. Jet boat is a bit challenging to operate at slow speed even for someone with experience in non-jet boat.

 

[pres2028]

That's great news!!! You must be thrilled. Congrats. Please post pics when you pick her up.

Absolutely, and thanks!

 

[pres2028]

Congrats on the purchase, that's a very nice boat for your entire family. Practice docking with experienced boater if you know someone and do it on weekdays when boat traffic is at a minimal. Jet boat is a bit challenging to operate at slow speed even for someone with experience in non-jet boat.

Great advice. We have a small public launch about 10 mins from our house - planning on some weekday trips as soon as she arrives!

 

[pres2028]

That's great news!!! You must be thrilled. Congrats. Please post pics when you pick her up.

Thank you! Will post pics asap!