Looking for a 30-34' Center Console...suggestions?

[swordfish123]

Hey guys im looking for some input here. Looking at large center consoles to fish in south florida and take to the bahamas etc.

I have heavily looked at the SeaVee 31 (now 32) and 34 and the Yellowfin 31 and 34. For some reason the Contender boats just dont do it for me. I love the options available on the SeaVee like the tackle station etc, seating etc.

I know there are a lot of other boats out there but many have designs that just make me vito them right off the bat, such as the Regulator 32... I really dont like that there is a step up. Also found this on the Venture.


I would love to hear ya'lls input as far as any other boats we should consider, your opinions on these boats as far as ride, etc. Also- what brand/type of outboard would be our best bet. Of course everyone says Verado but i have also heard bad things about them after 300 hours.

Lets put a price cap of about 140 or so. Any input is greatly appreciated!

[Relentless33]

We narrowed through every CC out there and filed down to the 33' Hydra-Sports CC. We absolutely love it. We walked past 2 boats while we were in Bimini coming back from North Rock in 4-6' head seas. Twin Yamaha 250-Four Strokes push her fine or you can wait until the 300 Four Strokes come out. Yamaha is deffinitely the way to go in my opinion. Triple motors is also an option with this vessel because of it's poured ceramic transom.

www.Hydra-Sports.com

[The BEAST]

I think if $140K is your cap you may be trying to over-reach in the 31-34' CC's. You will probably need to downsize into the 27-29 CC

[Broadbill-Pro]

For 140k you may sqeek into a 31' Ocean Master, less the toys. Brian France, owner of NASCAR just built one that is awesome. Best drifting mono hull in it's class. A bit hard in a head sea, but they won't come apart. If you build it consider moving the center fuel tank forward, takes care of the head sea ride. You will burn up a drill putting in thru hull fittings, very solid hull. Good Luck

http://www.oceanmasterboats.com/

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/Ocean-Master/1

[quack quack]

29 Everglades :lol: Just sea trial one and you will have know doubt it is your new boat.

http://www.evergladesboats.com/

[Relentless33]

They have a hull design much like a Hydra-Sports

lol

Hydra-Sports also has a brand new CC that's a miniature model of the 33'. It's 29' and has the same layout and hull.

[quack quack]

Believe me Jr there hull is one of a kind Most of the new options and such on new boats are copied from Everglades.

[Relentless33]

Every man has his own opinion, I haven't sea-trialed one to tell you, but I know the Hydra-Sports is sick.

Sword123: Do your research, talk to people that have these boats, what kind of hull design? What kind of motor options do they have? What kind of warrantee is there? Monitor how much boats are losing there value, this can be done with www.boattrader.com Go to the factories and see how they are built. Is there wood in the boat? Are you okay with that? One of the most important thing is does it work best for you?

We were in a Pursuit 3480 CC in the Keys on a seatrial and not only got soaked in a 6 inch chop but really saw that there was no where for people to sit, everyone was at the helm. Now we bring friends and family along often and have had my Grandparents out a few times. They love the bolster style seating that hugs around them, they also love being able to sit down in the seat that flips up.

Whatever choice you make, do your research first.

[wahooman]

I have an Oceanmaster 31, absolutely no problem with a 4 to 6 head sea, dry with no pounding. The nice thing with about this boat, you do not need three engines (have you seen the price of fuel in the Bahamas). I will admit that it does not have all of the small bells and whistles of a Regulator or a Hydrosport, but it is alot less money. Yamaha is the only way to go for engines.

[Relentless33]

Fully agree on the engines

[Broadbill-Pro]

I am on my second 31' Ocean Master. Gutted it to the stringers. Built it back with core decks, closed transom, new tanks, etc., etc., and then more etc. I went with the Suzuki 250hp - 4 strokes. 6 month project so far. Have not splased it yet, but did a seatrial on a friends 31' OM and she got up on plane fine with the Suzuki's. This boat should be a min of 1500 lbs. lighter and 200 gal of fuel 8 ft. forward on the original mid tank.

I don't know any CC under 34' that can run +30 knots in a 6' head sea comfortably and that probably includes boats up to 40'. A friend has a new 34' See Vee, great boat but more than 3' to 4' chop and cruising is 30-32 kts. Took a 39' MidNight Express to Bimini a few weeks back, same story, 30-32 kts in 15 kts of head wind unless you want to come down hard on every other wave. Suppose what one considers a comfortable ride varies.

For me nothing compares to the fishability of the Ocean Master. Hard chine enables her to lay too better than most 50 ft. vessels. This is a major plus when kite, deep drop or sword fishing. She will never be a 60 mph vessel, but how many days does the weather allow any of them to run like that.

Reasonably priced and built like a tank. Great Customer Support from the Dealer. Worth a look before you shell out +200k for fancy rod holders with the hull name engraved.

[quack quack]

Vinny that 29 Everglades I ran in the swordlord had 250 Suzuki's and they ran very well.Quick out of the hole and lots of top end.Next year the new 300's come out.As a matter of fact they are putting the first proto type set on the same boat I ran this weekend.This was the first boat with Suzuki's I have ran and was impressed with them.The swords hate them as evidence of the one that jumped on them and tried to kill them.

[Tuna Devil]

I thought he was trying to kill you. :shock:

[quack quack]

Not me but a couple more feet and Tj was going on top of the T top :lol:

TD looking for your addition to the fishermans hall of fame

[Broadbill-Pro]

Did a lot of research on them and have yet to find an unhappy buyer. You know my Cousin at Bionic Bait, his buddy from Sea Tow said they have not thrown a line to a Suzuki yet. Probably putting Jonah on my butt.

Price was not an issue, local dealer, 6yr warranty and great reviews from owners made the choice easy. This project has taken so long that I may need to trade them in for 07's. They look good in the box.

[The BEAST]

Broadbill-Pro,

Oh, they break too Brother. I pulled one back into the Marina a week ago that was sitting against the rock jetty with the cowling off. I also know 2 guys who own WorldCat 330TE's... one blew one of his powerheads, the other blew 2 powerheads and 2 lower units (different times). The latter entered into some heated arguments with Suzuki and they finally fixed his motors, but had him agree, in legal writing, that he would not purchase any more Suzuki products. :shock: I don't know anyone with more than 700 hours on these motors. They have had several ECU recalls and I personally think they have just about gotten all the bugs out of the motors.

I have over 1800 hours on my Hondas without a repair (knock on wood) and never had a valve adjustment or spark plug change, just simple water impeller, filters, and oil changes. I know many more Honda owners with over 1000 hours on theirs. I also know someone with 1100 hours on his Yammy F250's, so I personally would recommend these motors in that order. The Hondas are more quiet and fuel efficient on equal boats but the largest outboard they make to date are the 225's. I think all that is going to change in Miami next February.

I wouldn't hesitate one second to put another pair of Hondas on my boat when these finally wear out.

Oh yeah, I had a set of Suzuki 200 EFI 2 strokers on my last WorldCat and they had 2600 hrs on them when I sold the boat and never had but a few very simple repairs. So you can see I am not simply a sponsor 'ho. Remember that ALL motors run big and strong out of the box... it's how they run the long haul that really counts.

Capt. Jim
The BEAST

[swordfish123]

hey guys thanks for all the replies. I am definatly looking into all the suggestions that ya'll have offered, and im doing my research in all departments. We are still a long way off from purchasing anything but im just getting a head start. Im not even 100% sure that this is something we are going to eventually invest in- but i like research projects like these.

anyone have any experience with the regulator 32?

[Broadbill-Pro]

Beast

The Honda was also included in the Sea Tow guys comments. I posted a thread 6 months ago looking for negative Suzuki experiences and did not come up with any. I have zero experience with them, so everything I hear helps. Thanks

[Sword Donkey]

36 yellowfin, eats up the chop. It can't be beat.

[FinalPoint]

32 regulator is solid. It cuts through the water very nicely as it has a carolina flare and it is very heavy. I would put two 300s on the back.