BigBendFishing.Net

Well I went to Perry today to look at the pathfinder and scout boats. I like the Pathfinder best. A beautiful boat. Looks like it will cut the chop well.

Then I went over to Mikes in Panacea. Don't stroke out wevans. Looked at the Sea Pro SV2100. I made this same boat search last year and picked the Sea Pro just couldn't sell my boat to close the deal. The seapro has a lot more freeboard than the pathfinder and is laid out better for me than the Key West or Pathfinder. I think that I made the right choice last year. The only difference is the price has gone up $4,000.

The only thing wrong with the sea pro is it doesn't have a leaning post or T-Top. I'm getting older and a little shade goes a long way these days. they want too much for them as factory options. I think I can find someone to handle this chore later.

these boats all come rigged with with yamaha 150 4-strokes. Is that enough power or should I get one with a 200 HPDI. Both engines are the same weight. If you have any experience with this boat good or bad let me hear it.

Talk to Steve Stinson, he's got a 2100. I had the 2300 and you can order it with a t-top and leaning post. I ran a 225 on it (max hp) and the boat would almost achieve level flight, so I imagine the 150 would be fine.

more info
http://thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-v ... =1&posts=9

My brother-in-law has the Sea Pro 2100 with a 150 Yamaha and it is plenty of motor (~45 - 50 mph). Just for your piece of mind, I have been in the other boats you are looking at and the Sea Pro is a great choice for the money in a bay boat. It would be hard to go wrong with any of the three they are all great boats, but personally I like the layout of the Sea Pro. It seems to have more useable space. The other two do seem to be built a little stronger, but unless you are going to use the boat every day that probably will never be an issue. Good luck

FYI - Just in case you get really serious about a big bay boat. The Sea Pro 2300 is awesome!!! I fished out of one this fall in Apalachicola and I really liked it. That may be my next boat purchase if I some how stumble accross $40,000.

They had the 24 footer at mikes. It had the t-top and leaning post like I wanted. Hell of a boat but more than I want to tow or launch and load by myself.

RC:

I think the SV2100 is a great boat, and the 150 is a good choice for it. You can get it with a leaning post, I believe, and if it does not come factory rigged with a t-top one can be added easily. There is a place in Sopchoppy (and several in Perry) that do excellent t-tops.

However, you better hurry if you want a Sea Pro with a Yammie. The Brunswick Goliath has swallowed the company, and everything soon will come with ONLY a black anchor, no more choice, at all. If you like Mercury, great, but I hate them so no new Sea Pros for me.

This is going like Mako, Sea Craft, Kenner, Whaler, and now Sea Pro. Gobbled up by the big company and only a black anchor on the transom.

EJ.

I have twin 4-Strokes and I think 4-Strokes are the way to go. Fuel milage and no 2cycle oil will make it pay for itself. Plus they are so quite even out of the water its hard to know if they are running sometimes.

Amen to the 4 stroke comment!! The biggest problem I had on a 4 stroke boat was trying to "re-crank" the motor when it was already running, not to mention the awesome fuel enonomy. It will be hard to beat a 150 Yammie 4 stroke on a 2100.

RC - I have a bad habit of shopping boats all the time and this is the best buy I have found in a sea pro SV2300. I know you said that was a bigger boat than what you wanted, but have a look at what you are getting for the price. The motor has 20 hours on it.

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/6/6/77638566.htm

Not many on the used market. I think on the 2100 before 2004 the boat had a much narrower beam. Never thought to look in Texas. That is a great deal but I thought S Florida was a long way to look at a boat.

RC, for the record Im not trying to sell you on the boat I bought, just info sharing. Because ultimatly you need to be happy with your purchase. . Penn Wagers was the general manager & Tommy Rawls was the production manager for Key West for ten years. They teamed up and started building there own boats called Penn craft. Compared to the big boys they build a small amount of boats but I think that equates to a well built boat in this case. I spoke to Penn this evening, he said the 22 Bay center suv with a 200 hpdi and trailer could be had for around 26,000 new. http://www.penncraftboats.com I have more info if your interested, happy hunting, its half the fun.

If you are serious about the boat in Texas, I will be out there in two weeks and could get it back for the cost of the gas. Just an offer. Never let distance spoil a good boat deal

9 hours from Houston to Panama City, another 2 or so to Tville...That is a long haul...I thought I was going to die....

There are tons of boats in Texas RC.....

I am headed to San Angelo, about 18 hours from T'ville. I have to go through Houston and San Antonio. Nothing like a road trip!!

mabe i can get a test ride/ fishing trip on the lagoona madre