Florida Boat Choices

CurrentSea

CurrentSea

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We just got a place in Florida and trying to decide on a boat.

I am thinking i want a Dual Console. It's a good fishing machine and cruising. Center Consoles just don't seem to have enough seats for me if I have say 8 people on boat.

I like the Robalo 247 DC so far but i am concerned that the bow is too small to fit 2 adults. I definitely want a hard top, no canvas in Florida!

So here is questions?

24' or 27'
Single or Twins
used or new

Anything else i should consider?

Place we bought has a marina but I am going to use High/Dry service inside storage until I am down there more permanently.

Big boat is staying in NY
 
I just bought a Sailfish 245DC new with a single 250 Yammi. No issues getting up on place with 8 people on board. Plenty of seats, very duel efficient. I would have bought a used one if I could have found one. So far it has served us well.
 
Dave,

Bigger is better and I always liked twins. If they are spaced right you can run it like inboards.

Outboards are the way to go. When you eventually move it to your own place, you get a diver every other month as you can't use enough to keep growth off. For seating, dual console is way to go. So if you are going to cruise, dock and dine mostly, that would be better.
 
I don’t know much about their dual console boats, but I’m very impressed with Robalo’s center consoles in those size ranges and that should translate over to their other styles..
They are really nice boats. I especially like their 242 center console with the 250 Yamaha.
Personally, I’d stick with the single engine outboard just to keep things simple. Even if you got a bigger boat and a 300 HP motor. Only one engine to worry about maintaining, or possibly repairing/replacing years down the road,
You should have plenty of power with a single on that size boat, maneuvering around the dock with the single will be relatively easy, the Yamaha’s are super reliable, and Sea Tow and Boat US are everywhere these days so you don’t really need that second engine for insurance in case one breaks down.
I fish with a 22’ boat that’s is powered by a single 150 4 stroke Merc that sips fuel. It has plenty of power, and I go a few miles in to the ocean with it all the time with no concerns.
Outboard is definetelty the way to go.
The one and only thing with the outboard is that it can be tough at most dock and dine places, or keep it in any slip where you have to back in unless there is a finger to get on and off of the boat. Maneuvering the boat isn’t the issue at all, it backs in with zero problems, but getting on to the dock from the boat just ain’t happening without a finger.
 
Definitely outboards.
Definitely Dual console

Boat will be on a lift so no growth and no bottom paint!
 
I like the Boston Whaler 270 Vantage for Florida. It comes in 24, 27 or 32 foot so you have choices. They've been around long enough that you can find them used.
 
Congratulations Dave. Welcome to the neighborhood. I have had several boats of that size, both I/O and OB, and agree that outboards are the way to go.

Where will you be? another thread on your decisions would possibly help other like minded folks.
 
We can do it here. We bought in Vero Beach
Close in August.
We went alot smaller than we though and we changed from a waterview to no view.
I couldn't find everything I wanted in 1 place, so I settled.
We are calling this a starter home to give us a feel for the hood as we explore other options.
Place has tennis, beach, Marina, Clubhouse, multiple pools, gym.
So plenty to do.
Getting a lesson on elevation and flood insurance.
Guess next time I will check zone but I think anything on a barrier island is flood zone.

I like whalers, my friend who lives in the same community has one, 270 with twins, great boat but at over $200K new it is pricey.
I have to shop around. Again, I am not sure I will go with what I really want initially on a boat either.
 
Hard top absolutely. You might also consider a station above the hard top. Yammie's are the choice of boat thieves. Maybe ETECs or Suzukes instead.
 
Most of florida where you would want to live is in some sort of flood zone.
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

We can do it here. We bought in Vero Beach
Close in August.
We went alot smaller than we though and we changed from a waterview to no view.
I couldn't find everything I wanted in 1 place, so I settled.
We are calling this a starter home to give us a feel for the hood as we explore other options.
Place has tennis, beach, Marina, Clubhouse, multiple pools, gym.
So plenty to do.
Getting a lesson on elevation and flood insurance.
Guess next time I will check zone but I think anything on a barrier island is flood zone.

I like whalers, my friend who lives in the same community has one, 270 with twins, great boat but at over $200K new it is pricey.
I have to shop around. Again, I am not sure I will go with what I really want initially on a boat either.

Click to expand...


Noaa's version 2 of their interactive slosh map is a good tool to use for relative flood events.
You can zoom in on an area of Florida and then 'toggle' between any of the hurrcane class's to see the forecated flood results.
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/nationalsurge/#map
 
Sea Swirl also makes a very nice Dual Console, I've had my eye on them for a few years...
 
When we lived on Long Island we had a Cobia dual console with a Yamaha outboard......great solid boat.
 
Do as they do in the Bahamas... Get a Yammi out board and put Merc stickers on it.
 
Yamaha Yamaha Yamaha.

Period

They re is a reason you never see a Merc / Rude on a mission critical boat like a yacht tender, launch etc

Or a Honda as close second.
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

If boat is stored inside, I don't think I have to worry about theft.
I think this is the boat I like!

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/20...tates?refSource=standard listing#.WzA0l6dKg2w

Click to expand...


We have a couple of these on our canal. Or at least I think they are, since Robalo doesn't put the numbers on the side of the hull like many. Single 250 Yammie. 300 might not be much faster than 250, but you'll feel two more pistons pushing when you come up out of the hole.

I like that 247 being an "outboard" hull and not a bracketed one. Built in or not, bracketing the OB out away from the transom ruins any maneuvering in reverse. Same with I/O. The prop is far enough from the transom that a lot of propwash hits it in reverse instead of passing under. You end up backing cockeyed, with one corner of the transom becoming a "bow."
 
No Bahama runs planned in this boat.
If I do Bahama's it will be in the big boat if I ever bring that down which is not out of the question.
 
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