First Time Boat Buyer Needs Advice

[Jerry_Kelly]

I've budgeted around $30k to buy a used walk around boat in the 21'-25' range. If I had to use a car analogy, I'm looking for the Toyota of boats. Solid, dependable, safe, reliable, and they hold their value. Any recommendations?

My priorities are as follows:

1. Safety -- I've got a wife and two small kids, so I want a reliable and safe boat that can handle well in the chop and swells of a sudden Chesapeake Bay summer storm. I am assuming that two outboards would be better than one for safety's sake.

2. Fishing -- The boat will be used almost exclusively for fishing. Stripers and blues on the Chesapeake Bay. If I trailer it down to the Outer Banks, then I'll fish for blues, mackeral, kings, cobia, and stripers. I don't think that I would be taking it offshore, although that would be an eventual goal. Not sure if that sized boat would work.

3. Comfort -- I would like a boat that you could sleep in if you want to do an overnight. Obviously, a 21-25 footer will be cramped, but I would still like the option.

Thanks,

Jerry

[Terry_McGean]

Try Parker, Steger craft, Grady White. I know Sea Pro has an iffy rep. but a buddy of mine had a 25' they took to the canyons and it held up OK and if you only want to spend 30k and are looking for new you'll have a tough time affording a Grady or equal. I have a Maritime Skiff but the cabin is not large enough for over-night, basically just storage.

[Anonymous]

I own a 2101 wa striper, it is a great boat and runs great in heavy surf, Ive been 25 miles offshore in 6-8 fts and was pretty dry.. my kids love it, plus it half the cost of a Grady

[Mike_Wloch]

I own a Striper 2601 WA with an inboard Volvo Penta 270hp, its superb, safe, and very stable. I also have 2 kids and they love it!

[emmanuel]

I am looking at a trophy 2052.
any suggestion.
i have 3 kids and probably won t go to far offshore. may be catalina.
thank you

[cweed]

angler 204FX, put a 200 4 stroke suzuki on it, you'll love it..