Need boat buying advice

[Badbagger]

A great style boat. Check these folks out: http://www.mojitoboats.com/

They make an outstanding boat.

[Salty Gator]

Pangas are neat boats. My good fishin buddy has one. He did have a problem trying to find a trolling motor for that huge bow. I have a 22' pathfinder and there is nothing his boat can do that mine can't, but a couple of things mine can do that his cant. I don't think you can go wrong either way. Big bend gyrene has a panga and seems to like it, maybe he will chime in. Good luck

[Thom]

What limits do Pangas have that other boats don't? Just curious. Casting platform limits? Forward visibility? BTW I tried the Mojito Boats website and it is not functioning properly and the only phone number listed says its voice mailbox is full.

[Salty Gator]

I wouldn't call them limitations. I guess I should have phrased it differently. And im not taking anything from pangas, they are great fishing boats. But, the things I like better about a pathfinder are more storage, more livewell space, and a better finish. My buddy never could find a trolling motor to fit( probably not that hard, but you need a huge shaft), so he poled it. Not to bad for a 22' boat. It would also drift really fast if the wind picked up. We would have to use a drift sock a lot. I noticed a little more hull slap than on mine also. In choppy seas I can trim down and punch a better hole in the waves than him. The bow would want to porpoise, ie less smooth ride. Now what I like better about the panga. Extremely effecient. Both of our boats are 22' he runs a 115 and I a 150. Similar cruising speed and top end. Huge fishing platform. And I like em cause there a little different and every Tom, dick, and Harry doesn't have one. The differences are slight, and pangas are excellent all around boats, but so are pathfinder/scouts. You can't go wrong with any of them or a sea ark or G3 etc etc. good luck

[reelbad]

Check out Hayniebayboats.com out of Texas. Nice setups, They have both the v bottom and cat hulls. They do look expensive.

[MarkM]

I have a Century 2102 bay boat. Similar to a Pathfinder. We do more offshore than inshore. Has a Yamaha 150 4 stroke. 3-4 mpg. Great all around boat. May be selling soon. Just don't have enough time.

[MudDucker]

A great style boat. Check these folks out: http://www.mojitoboats.com/

They make an outstanding boat.

That 16' model looks like it would be an excellent flats boat. Anybody used one to know how well it drifts for fishing?

[salty tiger]

Here's a picture of my Panga, it's a Backwater 18 by Andros. It will get as skinny as you need around here and will handle more than I'm willing to put it through. It's only 18' so I don't go too far out with it. Sounds like a 22' would be good for what you're looking to do. My only complaint is a lack of space due to it being a little narrower than most boats it's length. I don't think you could go wrong with either Andros or Panga Marine if you are serious about a panga. Both are out of Sarasota and would be happy to take you out on a couple of their models.

[rockyg]

Here's a picture of my Panga, it's a Backwater 18 by Andros. It will get as skinny as you need around here and will handle more than I'm willing to put it through. It's only 18' so I don't go too far out with it. Sounds like a 22' would be good for what you're looking to do. My only complaint is a lack of space due to it being a little narrower than most boats it's length. I don't think you could go wrong with either Andros or Panga Marine if you are serious about a panga. Both are out of Sarasota and would be happy to take you out on a couple of their models.

That's a sweet rig there ST. I have never seen one of those in person. One thing that always helps is this type of thread is a price range. I remember a thread where the poster asked about push poles. He got a lot of advice about home made pvc poles until he mentioned he was buying a high end flats boat and was really debating between Kevlar and Graphite.

[Redfin]

Nice boat Salty-- curious, why do people white out boat numbers on pix posted online? i've seen it before but never knew why?

[CairoTrout]

Skeeter 22' ZXBay witht Yamaha 250!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Badbagger]

Nice boat Salty-- curious, why do people white out boat numbers on pix posted online? i've seen it before but never knew why?

If a less than honest person has the knowledge and can find that boat using the reg numbers, it can be his for the taking so to speak.

[Thom]

In this case, I need a boat that is affordable to buy, maintain and operate. I was hoping to get something for less than $15,000. These Pangas are more than I thought they would be. Anyone make a less expensive model?

[Harmsway]

In this case, I need a boat that is affordable to buy, maintain and operate. I was hoping to get something for less than $15,000. These Pangas are more than I thought they would be. Anyone make a less expensive model?

Sounds like you're looking for a pre-owned bay boat. The truth is that you don't find a boat, a boat finds you. Keep your ears open for opportunity to knock.

Fishin' is the mission.

[Flint River Pirate]

You could get.ate model Carolina Skiff for around your budget. I've never owned one but they appear to be built solid. I would personally recommend that you mind something that has a Yamaha on the back.