Update Page 5: Boat Prices listed online

Looking for 18-20 ft bay boat max of 32k. 115hp-150hp. Don't need 150hp if the boat can do 40 on a 115.

So far I have been looking at
Nautic Star
Blazer Bay
Blue Way
Tidewater

I like the Skeeter SX20 too but it looks to be just beyond that budget from what I can tell. I would buy used if the right boat came along but Im not looking to buy for a couple of months so its hard to look at used boats at this time.

you can get a base nautic star with 150 for about 30k with nothing in it. blue wave is prob out of budget. dont know much about tidewater.

the skeeter zx20 can be priced about 28k with a 115 maybe 150, check with cajun outboards. all are decent boats i have mentioned. if it was me i would get a used blazer bay or blue wave.

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Don't need 150hp if the boat can do 40 on a 115.

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you need a 150 on this size boat, especially if you are spending $32K on a boat. I would also consider getting a larger boat and buying used. 18-20 is simply not big enough for most "bay" situations in Louisiana (unless you have a deep V).

You can get a LOT of used boat for $32K, I promise.

Did Blue Wave decide to change their business model? They used to be more bare bottom affordable about 5-6 years ago.

I like the 1960 Blazer Bay but I have rarely seen them for sale used. I know the 1860 new is about 27k out the door from Cajun Outboards. But the 1860 is not a finished deck like the 1960.

If I had to list my favorites it would be:

1910 Nautic Star
SX20 Skeeter
1960 Blazer Bay
2000 Blue Wave
2100 Tidewater

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You can get a LOT of used boat for $32K, I promise.

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I'm just in the looking around phase. I do not know what the used boat market will look like in 2 months. I guess I could wait around for 6 months for the right boat to come along but its hard to judge based on what's out there now.

I do not plan to make trips far out. My main fishing areas are Golden Meadow-Leeville, Biloxi Marsh, Spillway and Causeway and Trestles. I currently fish these areas with in my FIL's 16 foot modified v aluminum boat. I would rather save on gas than go fast as well.

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I don't know much about the Tidewater boats other than they are a good value brand.

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From what I understand Tidewater is the same as Sea Pro.

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Well that is where the fish are for a good bit of the year

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I certainly don't intend to go into the gulf. I prefer fishing marsh and small bays in Biloxi marsh. 16 foot boat is too hard to fish Lake P most days unless its glass. So willing to deal with a little chop in Lake P and that's about the max I would put a boat through.

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So willing to deal with a little chop in Lake P and that's about the max I would put a boat through.

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Little chop turns into big chop very quickly and very unpredictably in Lake P.

Get a 150. Any of the boats mentioned would be way underpowered with a 115.

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Nautic Star is a better boat than the similar Blue Wave.

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Having fished and ridden in both the 2400 pure bay and the 24 NS extensively, that's really not true. The Blue Wave is a much better all around fishing boat than the Nautic Star. Don't get me wrong - Nautic Star makes a great boat - but fishing boat manufacturers are separate into like 4 tiers to me, and NS and Blue Wave are not on the same level.


eta: just buy a 24 Skeeter and be done with it. You might get a little wet, and you might go broke, but you'll eat.

On a serious note, if you can spring for a 22, do it. The 2ft makes a huge difference in both the jump from 20 to 22 and the jump from 22 to 24. I have a Skeeter 22, and I wish I had the 24. 24s skate over chop like it's nothing. 22's take short interval chop, but it's rough. 20s get beat. If you're going to fish Lake P a lot, I would highly recommend a 22 over a 20.

I'm looking for a new boat.. Not looking to learn to fish the areas I fish. I know the lake and I know the areas I fish as I have done for 20 years all in boats under 19 feet in length with motors under 90hp. I'm not going to get a 24 foot boat with a 250 on the back of it and spend 200 dollars in gas per trip that's not my market and I wouldn't buy a used 24 foot boat if it were well within my budget. 19-20 foot with 10 to 11 inch draft fits what I'm looking for just fine. I do plan on making the boat shows next month.