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I have been looking for another boat, but am not sure what kind of boat I want, so I figured I'd ask some of the great thinkers on this forum. I would like a boat that will get pretty shallow, but is still big enough to go grouper grabbin without gettin nervous. I am leaning towards something like the Cobia 21 Bay or the Carolina Skiff 238DLV. What do yall think is the best suited boat for the $$$?

More info...how many people you fishin'? How important is comfort and finish? I heard someone say "pick what you do 80% of the time and go that way". I have a skiff. It's big, it's stable, it's fairly shallow, it's got no storage, it will beat your ever lovin' brains out it rough water. Unfortunately, no great answers.

I usually only fish 2 people, but am looking for a boat that will fish 3 or 4. Right now I have a 17ft. Fisher with a 40hp and it's a pretty good boat to chase trout around the flats, but i'd like to have something bigger that i can take out to grouper fish without giving up my flats fishin...

The 80% factor is pretty important even if it's not what you want to hear. If you've got a good flats rig for chas'n shallow trout and reds you won't have much in the way of going out for grouper (in comfort). The best marriage between the two interests will most likely be some sort of Bay Boat. (imo)

I've got a 19 Carolina Skiff (SemiV 198). It's a great platform for 3-4 fishing the flats. I've been as far out as 17 miles (once) but the weather was perfect and the seas calm which won't be the case most of the time. Because it doesn't have much dead rise it's stable when fishing... Because it doesn't have much dead rise it's a Wet Teddy Roosevelt when traveling in a chop.

I will sell you the original Tide~Dancer. I just got a new larger grouper digger.
2002 Key Largo 180, w/Merc 115, Loadmaster trailer. $13,000.
Lots of extra on her. only 100 hours on boat.

electric chicken wrote:I usually only fish 2 people, but am looking for a boat that will fish 3 or 4. Right now I have a 17ft. Fisher with a 40hp and it's a pretty good boat to chase trout around the flats, but i'd like to have something bigger that i can take out to grouper fish without giving up my flats fishin...

There's very few days in a year that you can SAFELY go after grouper with a flats boat. Always remember it might be good when you go offshore but conditions offshore can change quickly and you might not be able to get back as quickly as you need or want to. Just my .02

The Cobia 211 is a lot of boat for the money. Here's the link to the article describing our test.

http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/saltw ... 06,00.html

Hart's Marine in Panama City was the dealer I worked with and based on their shop, they're very meticulous.

Whoever first said "every boat is a compromise" needs to take Cobia's 211 Bay out for a spin—it is solid and seaworthy yet can get into skinny water. The 211 marks the debut for the company's new owners and design team, and the Cobia name is in good hands. For the flats and open bays, this is a versatile, affordable fishing rig.

I've got a 21' Sea Pro bay boat. I fish the flats. Need at least 1' of water. Don't go that shallow except on a rising tide. I fish out 30 miles grouper fishing. Catch cobia around buoy 24 and vicinity. AJ's at the K tower. Troll for kings. I often haul 4 divers and all their gear out to my grouper spots. Very versatile type of boat. Not ideal for either job. Pick your days. I've been out in some rough stuff and haven't felt unsafe just uncomfortable.

I was out in a 21' sea pro a couple months ago. I second that as a viable option

Look at a Panga. They look kind of funny but hundreds of thousand of SouthAmerican and Asian fisherman can't be all wrong. Made to launch in the surf but also take ugly seas.

Keep the 17' Fisher for skinny water and buy an offshore boat.

Not sure just what kind of skinny water you fish, but you arent gonna take any 21' V hull boat where I fish.

What TC said. Get a big boat for off shore and keep your small boat for inshore.

I would say if you call "flats fishing" fishing in 4 foot of water, on grass flats, after trout then that Cobia would be a nice boat. If you're name is Tincan and flats fishing is fishing in 2 inches of water after jumping a couple of the oyster bars, you might want to go in another direction.

P.S. I think it should be law that we all get to own at least two boats at a time.

I've about decided on the cobia....now if i can just convince the wife that we need to drop $34k on a boat.... I can just imagine the response that remark will get me.