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Boat for MD Waters
So I have lived in MD this time for about 8 years. I had a 18 Parker CC but sold it since all my buddies had bigger boats and mine sat in the driveway. Now that I am spending most of my time in the fresh and brackish water I am thinking of picking up a new boat. I have been having a lot of trouble deciding on lenght and type (alum vice glass). If I go glass I was leaning towards a Carolina skiff. I do like the options a aluminum gives me since I like to duck and goose hunt and could double the boat with that. I will do most of my fishing on the western shore ( Potomac, PAX and inshore of the Bay). I live near Chesapeake Beach, MD. What do you all think?
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I run a 20' Grizzly in the Pot/Pax and it'll beat ya' to death on the choppier days. I was lookin' for a 20' Skiff when I bought the Grizz, but the dealers didn't want to equip the Skiff the way I wanted, so wound up goin' aluminum.
Both have their advantages, glass is heavier and takes waves better and doesn't drift as bad in the wind, while aluminum is lighter and more managable at lesser ramps, lower maintenance and less expensive to buy & use.
Good luck!
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I agree with ProGrizz! I run a 18ft G3. I use it for Waterfowl hunting, Fishing, Crabbing etc. Yes it will beat you up in rough but because of the lightness I can go to any ramp! Im a fan of not even putting the trailer in the water. I back it in just to the hubs and do my thing. Second it only drawals 6in of water. I can pretty much go any where! Third, I have a 60hp and get 34knots wide open. So I dont need a big motor. Fourth, It saves gas! I like the G3 because the fuel tank is built in up front so it planes and rides better when Its just me and dog! It has high sides so when it gets bad im better off. It also has a bass boat lay out with the large front and rear decks with seat post adapters. Hope this helps out. Good luck.
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I say larger alum. jon with tiller motor is the most versitile boat. Don't have too worry aboat cleaning and waxing the glass and tiller gives you more room and no steering or shifter cables to replace in the future. I have a 16ft jon and a 21ft may craft commercial hull , if I was getting 1 new boat I would go alum. I do use the maycraft in the ocean but other then that I could do about all I need to with an alum boat.
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Reasons you mentioned tiller are true but I want a boat in at least 18' and to get that boat on plane and run with some speed I think I would need at least 70hp. I want enough size to handle a chop in the PAX or Potomac in case the wind comes up. Thinking that is a little large for tiller.
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I have the console and still plenty of room. I had a midship pedestal socket installed and it accomodates 3 big boys very easily. The 115 HP does get it on a plane quick, but not a real fast boat. The hull on a jon style creates a lot of drag for goin' fast.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...z/100_0803.jpg
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Having a hard time seeing the boat for all the fish in the way. Nice catch.
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I guess it all depends on what part of the Potomac you want to fish. Nice Bridge (301) and below I would really prefer at least 18' boat like your former Parker, and a 20' one is not a bad idea if you get caught when tide and wind are opposite or one of the quick summer storms blows over. I do recall a fair number of larger Carolina skiffs out there on decent days, not sure if the aluminum jon boats are less salt friendly, or just a lack of real dealer support in VA/MD for them (other than BPS).
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Just thought of something, see if you can find one of the rental outfits out there. I know there are one or two on the Potomac and I think Solomons has a few. Rent a skiff and see how it actually behaves before you make your final decision. A jon should be similar. Maybe you'll like it, or maybe you'll look at some of the rolled gunnel bay boats too.
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Good idea on the rental. I might have to try that.
