Reccomended Production Boats 14'-18' LOA

I'm not open ocean, it's just the Long Island Sound during nice weather in the summer. Bayliners, I have heard, are sort of the "cheap" alternative (cheap meaning low quality). DC models, how about Arima 17' models? Anyone know about them? I've looked at the Sea Ray, it seems alright, has enough freeboard. But, again, it's nice conditions I plan on going out in.

 

I agree with Matt's caution on little bowriders. My one attempt to run an 18' Chaparral on Galveston Bay didn't go well at all.

As for Arima, found mainly where they are built, in the PacNW. Very few threads on them, but here is one on iboats -

iboats Boating Forums » ... » Any Arima (15ft Sea Hunter) owners out there?

Kelly

 

Alright. I'll TRY to give up on the little bowriders (except the self-bailing ones) but I'd like to have comfortable seating for 5 or 6, including myself, and that seems hard to find without going to a bigger boat or getting a bowrider.

 

You have to hunt around for them, but there are a few saltwater models with a bench seat in the rear. Which will give you your 6 person capacity. Example: Sea Pro Fish-n-Ski

Kelly

 

So the Arimas don't seem saltwater-worthy?

 

I expect Arimas are used more in saltwater than fresh. Although their 17 does not mention any self-bailing feature -

In theoy you could pack 6 people into the 17. But it would be awkward for anybody to move about. Plus the boat would be at max load, and be a dog to run. Rent this size boat, pack 5 of your friends into it, and see what I mean.

Kelly

 

Well, 6 people total. Maybe 3 kids (under 100 lbs. per) and 3 adults (under 200 lbs. per person)

 

Good point, 3 adults plus 3 little kids is a very different equation from 6 adults. Still, any 17 is a veddy small boat for big water, even for just 2 people. If budget is the problem buy a big used boat instead of a little new one.

Kelly

 

Budget's not the issue, fortunately. It's slip size. I have a slip for a boat between 8' and 18' (give or take an inch or two).

 

Askeladden in Norway

Homepage: http://www.askeladden.no/frameset.php

Bowrider:
http://www.askeladden.no/default.php3?cmd=show_boat&ID=52&PHPSESSID=4459a1aec777774851bba8ba7a0897bd

 

Wow! That is one serious looking top Ragnar!


Kelly

 

Boston Whalers are great small salt water boats. You can by a older one with a newer motor for a decent price. They hold their value. They are "Unsinkable" I grew up playing with 13'-18' Whalers.

 

Yeah, but with the size restrictions I have, the most comfortable whaler I can use would be the Dauntless 160. No seating for passengers.

 

I was talking older versions than the Dauntless. The 17' Montauk went virtually unchanged from the early 70's to the late 90's or 2000's. With an optional bow cushion seating for 6 is easy.

The smaller Outrages they made in the 80's & 90's is better in rough water. They made a 17' & 18'. Hard to find. My dad still has a 17' Outrage.

 

Looked at the Montauk, freeboard seems a bit lacking. The Dauntless is what I really want, but I feel kind of guilty about not being able to take friends out on a comfy boat, but rather on a fishing boat when I don't even fish. Though this WOULD be a good excuse to take up fishing.