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OB boat opinion

Posted on 5/13/18 at 5:51 am
Posted by failuretocommunicate
Lafayette
Member since Dec 2007
1065 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 5:51 am
Looking through the Craiglist boat ads and came across this boat. Looking to possibly get into fishing and wanted the OB opinion on this
LINK
This post was edited on 5/13/18 at 6:29 am
Posted by Coon
La 56 Southbound
Member since Feb 2005
18492 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 6:03 am to
Not a fan of native star layout. Front deck too pointed, tight quarters for fishing.

Also a 90 on that boat + t-top = slow

ETA: it’s a nice boat but you could find better
This post was edited on 5/13/18 at 6:06 am
Posted by failuretocommunicate
Lafayette
Member since Dec 2007
1065 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 6:39 am to
Yeah the T top drag is something I didn't think of. I thought the boat was slightly under powered, but a Google search of new and used inventory shows that 90 is the standard that's sold on this boat. The bells and whistles added to this rig as well as the low hours had me intrigued
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
20484 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 7:16 am to
That's a really confined layout for an 18' bay boat. Feels like a 17 to me. My dad has a 115 on a 19' bay boat and it's barely enough. A 150 would be preferred.

I don't know anything about that boat but I'm guessing it's very entry level and thus the 90 for the price point. If you put 4 adults in it that 90 is gonna have a hard time getting on plane I bet.
Posted by Mr Breeze
The Lunatic Fringe
Member since Dec 2010
5962 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 7:29 am to
I've been looking and narrowed it to Nautic Star and Tidewater 20-22 footers. That's a great price at $20.5k for an 18' even if a bit underpowered and the boat seems very clean and well equipped. Ask if he'll give you a test ride and you can determine whether or not it's fast enough for you.

There's no exact match on Mercury's hull performance site but scan for other similar boat models to get an idea.

Merc Performance Data
Posted by Redlos
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2005
1048 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 7:37 am to
Nice boat, think a T-Top on an 18’ May be cramped. I have an ‘06 22’ Nautical Star and really like it....it’s not a BlackJack but is a dependable, well built boat. I do have max hp on my rig, you definitely need to take a test ride to see how the motor pushes the boat.
Posted by failuretocommunicate
Lafayette
Member since Dec 2007
1065 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 8:00 am to
Research shows that the manufacturer maximum horse power is 115. Kinda limited to getting an 18 due to size limitations in garage. Would likely be used on big lake, marsh and maybe some freshwater fishing. NS send to be a really good hull based on limited research I've done
This post was edited on 5/13/18 at 8:03 am
Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
5184 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 8:05 am to
The person selling was also looking to buy a boat for fishing. Zero practical reason for an 18’ Bay Boat and less for one with a permanent umbrella. Boat may see 30 wot down current with two and fishing load, it’s a turd on speed but perfectly fine bream fishing machine.
Posted by Drunken Crawfish
Member since Apr 2017
3824 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 8:18 am to
ClassicGold has that same boat with no T-Top and a 115 in it. His rig will cruise right at 40mph with two guys and fishing gear. With that T-top and a 90 you’re probably looking at 30-32mph cruising speed which will get old. It’s a comfortable boat to fish 2 people. You can add a third and it isn’t too bad if they know what they are doing.

I like the Nautic Star layout and they feel like well made boats.
Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
5184 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 8:45 am to
Cruise or wot?
Posted by failuretocommunicate
Lafayette
Member since Dec 2007
1065 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 8:54 am to
Guys, as usual the OB has a of knowledge. This boat, without the T Top... Would it be considered a good buy? Or still underpowered? Is there an aftermarket for the aluminum Ttop? Just trying to figure out if this is something worth pursuing and wanted to have that knowledge prior to contacting him and going to see it.



BTW... What is WOT?
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
14063 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 8:58 am to
quote:

WOT

Wide
Open
Throttle
Posted by Warrior Poet
Living Rent-Free in Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2011
7956 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 9:03 am to
I agree with some of the others. For that price, you can get a better boat, although I think you’re on the right path. I also would not buy such a low HP boat.

Nothing pays off more in this search than patience. A boat is the one thing I would not sacrifice anything.
This post was edited on 5/13/18 at 9:04 am
Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
5184 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 9:18 am to
Almost zero a/m for t top and +-$500 to fix holes in floor/console. NS is a solid boat but most under 24’ are value packages designed to hook first timers and that’s any mfgr. An 18’ anything is going to be uncomfortable on b lake when the wind blows. ALWAYS go for max hp rating on transom, for resale and longevity of motor. Suggest you measure max clearance for garage so you have a number to work with, will need a breakaway on trailer also. Keep your money handy and wait for your boat.
Posted by WPBTiger
Parts Unknown
Member since Nov 2011
31099 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 9:29 am to
quote:

've been looking and narrowed it to Nautic Star and Tidewater 20-22 footers.


I wasn't in a rush and looked for about a year but had it down to a Nautic Star or a Blue Wave. I just picked up a Blue Wave 24'. Everyone said to go with a 24' over a 22' and I agree.

quote:

Zero practical reason for an 18’ Bay Boat


I had this before. It was okay when by myself or maybe one other person. You could do front and back. It was crowded with 3 people trying to fish.
Posted by Warrior Poet
Living Rent-Free in Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2011
7956 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 10:05 am to
Completely agree. Under 18 and you get tossed around on even small freshwater lakes. Makes it so you can’t enjoy it out on the water nearly as much because you’re worried about the wake. My dad and fishing partner is not a particularly strong swimmer, so we happily settled in on a 22 ft ranger
Posted by Coon
La 56 Southbound
Member since Feb 2005
18492 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 10:12 am to
Also let me throw this out there, if you do buy it and pull the t-top off, let me know and I’ll buy it
Posted by down time
space
Member since Oct 2013
1914 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 3:58 pm to
My honest opinion, I like the trolling motor

too much going on with this rig
This post was edited on 5/13/18 at 4:01 pm
Posted by browl
North of BR
Member since Nov 2017
1571 posts
Posted on 5/13/18 at 9:21 pm to
Have you seen the 22' NS with yamaha 150 on BR CL?
This post was edited on 5/13/18 at 9:27 pm
Posted by failuretocommunicate
Lafayette
Member since Dec 2007
1065 posts
Posted on 5/14/18 at 8:53 am to
Just looked at it. Looks pretty clean....will possibly get in touch with seller to take a look at it. Thanks for the heads up
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