time to upgrade?

[gf2020]

My wife and I recently went through this same process and it didn't end up the way I thought it would. I sold my 19' center console in '07, thinking we would quickly move up to something in the 23-25' range.

With things going on with my kids' activities, my mother-in-law's health, work, etc. we didn't really shop for another boat in '07 & '08. In the mean time, the boat market has tanked and there are lots of good deals out there.

I thought for sure something like a 23' pilot house or walkaround would appeal to my wife, but after re-evaluating what we really wanted in a boat we decided to stick with another trailerable center console and only moved up in size to a 21' boat. We closed on the new boat in October.

The new one has a very useable head in the console and a T-top which makes it a bit more user friendly than the previous boat, but my wife had no interest in a cabin.

It's a great time to be buying, not so good to be selling. Good luck!

[beamie]

Niko,

For that budget maybe an older 23' Grady. Dont know the model, I think it's a weekender or something. A little cuddy to take a nooner.
Or you could buy my boat for in the low 20's

[macojoe]

I have a 23 walk around and it is a perfect size for towing and famiy. Not that I have a potty but the bucket works great LOL

[niko]

[QUOTE=beamie;735090
Or you could buy my boat for in the low 20's[/QUOTE] just make sure that thing is ready for cod on april first

[Raider Ronnie]

Paul,
What are you considering ?
Pilot house, cuddy cabin ?

[niko]

i would like a pilot house but would miss the wind in my hair. i just want something seaworthy so i can go and not have to pull the plug every time the wind picks up a little. will someone explain how deadrise effects stability for me. i've been on some boats that rock considerably more than others.

[BigBo]

Did you just say you'd miss the wind in your hair?
The 23' Grady is not really trailerable with a 9' 3" beam. For that reason I went with a 22' Grady when I had mine. The Grady is nice, but for the money, I'd look elsewhere. Look at Sea Hunt, Jones Bros., Scout.
A wide beam doesn't always mean stable. A lot of deadrise will give a good ride (usually) but will sometimes feel like sitting on a log when on a drift or anchoring. Too shallow deadrise can sometimes give a rough ride. Nothing is set in stone with boats though because everything comes into effect on something else. Everything is a tradeoff. You want one feature but may have to give up something else to get it. You need to think long and hard about what you really want the boat to do, set a price range, and get as many opinions and test rides as possible.

[Motor Fish]

I'm a few years behind you... but already discussing with the admiral.

My wife wants a 23-25' walk around, an enclosed head, someplace where my girls can sleep and we can occasionally go for an overnighter. Not bad...

But, the way I see it, if it's rough/rainy/cold - the family isn't going with you anyway. I say another CC with a porti-potty in the console. Still can do the day trips and cruising.