boats?

[anthropisces]

My boat is an old 17' wahoo with a 90merc. I bought it because I didn't want to have to stay married to my SUV or a truck. I could probably pull it with the wife's diesel beetle.

I use it on the Atlantic here in Florida and I am meticulous about wind/wave forecasts. I study them all week before the dive to try to avoid surprises.

Knowing how much boat traffic you will run into is also important. The worst seas I've encountered have been giant wakes produced by large watercraft.

If it were possible, I'd operate the boat under all conditions possible, including large seas, including going into the waves and following seas, at all reasonable speeds.

It will probably be hard to go wrong with a new boat. Get marine towing insurance, replace any plastic thru-hull fittings with brass. Maintain your trailer and boat meticulously, especially your trailer. If it has problems at speed your boat and other motorists are at risk.

A bimini or other top to keep the sun off of you is nice.

 

[desertbake]

Wow, you guys definetely have me SERIOUSLY looking at the pangas...I'm anxious to see what I'll be getting.

Thanks again

 

[desertbake]

Sorry to take up bandwidth buttttt.....

http://www.elmar.com/Mexico/general.html# (link's at the bottom)

26' w/ 60hp, rear stearing (sorry don't know the technical word) and trailer $6999.

Whadda ya think?

 

[sickbugs]

not a bad price, you could sell the used engine and put on a new one (better safe than sorry, you dont know what its gone through allready) and have tons of fun, those boats have loads of potential... hmn.. throw on a t-top, steering wheel/throttle, and a new 60, and it'll still be cheaper than the trophy, and more economical great for a first boat

 

[desertbake]

I just purchased the panga I had a link to (about 3 posts above). Can't wait to take it out spearing.

 

[dforcucci]

I am looking at importing a www.calypsomarine.com 23' tiller pirogue. The same hull design was used by http://www.caribiana.com/. The Caribiana 23' has a raked transom but the rest of the hull is the same and of course they put a liner in it. Caribiana had Calypsomarine build the 21' which is just a chopped off version of the calypso 23'. Caribiana is not in business at the moment. Anyhow, if anyone is intersted in a barebones, low maintenance, economical, seaworthy, good sea handling boat at a reasonable cost please contact me. Importing more than one would save on the shipping. I have additional photos from calypsomarine I can send you.
Thanks
Dave

 

[MKDVR]

Lots of good advice so far. Here's the most important one. If you can't afford 2 boats don't buy one. Seriously.:head

 

[sickbugs]

calypso makes great hulls, very very sturdy, a 23 footer with a single 90 is FAST !!! only problem is a bit of a narrow beam, means not much room on the deck.

 

[Tompa]

I'm using a Big Buster, http://www.buster.fi/ , and have been for the last 20 years or so, and jet I haven't found one bad thing about them! I'm not sure on what waters you wanna dive, but Buster is great for inshore/moderat offshore!