Opinions on Dive Boat Types?

[ScubaGuy77]

I had a bow rider and went to a "dive boat". After a lot of research and several test rides I went with a Grady White. Gradys have a patented hull (SeaVee2). Steep deadrise at the bow and tapers at the back for better roll control. If you can find a deal on one, I would highly recommend looking at it. They have also received JD Powers #1 in customer satisfaction for 8 years in a row.

 

[Nemrod]

You know, there are a ton of both new and used boats on the market now especially in Flariduh were all the real estate rich have seen their Hummer Homes depreciate by one third and worse fall out of style and are selling their boats and mowing each other lawns for a living.

You can dive out of anything, without getting into the BW vs Grady thing there are all sorts of boats that you can look at. I like these:

Welcome to General Marine, Inc.: Model Lines

The chop down in Destin will beat the cr---p out of you. Yeah, I have been told it was just my boat, uh huh, I have been on 26 footers that ride (a lot) worse than my 19 Outrage. So, for my next boat, I might look at something that can plane at very low speeds with smaller engines.

Here is a fast run, our BW Outrage running from that hell of a storm that chased us in from the Timberholes back to East Pass. Our little boat will run about 48 MPH trimmed out but of course we cannot run that fast in Gulf chop, but we are doing around 40 MPH. Sorry, my wife was hanging on and she is the worst with a camera aside.

YouTube - Nantucket Sleigh Ride

Other days out of Destin it is like Lake GOM:

N

 

[Live2sho]

we currently have a sea hunt 207. we've been in 3-5's and didn't start getting wet until the rain started.lol. very easy to dive out of w/ plenty of room for gear. oh yea, did i mention that it gets a little better that 4 mpg. sure is light on the wallet. forgot to mention that it will run 43.9 mph w/ all of our equipment.

 

[Glock Diver]

Anyone have opinions on Wellcrafts? I looked at a 22' Wellcraft 220 Coastal walkaround last week, it's a 1998 with a 200hp outboard. Seems like a decent deal at $11,000, but I don't know much about Wellcrafts.
It's heavier than some others I've looked at, at 3800 lbs dry.

I, like the original poster, am looking to buy a boat that I can use diving (among other things).
Thanks!

 

[jhayes75]

Anyone have opinions on Wellcrafts? I looked at a 22' Wellcraft 220 Coastal walkaround last week, it's a 1998 with a 200hp outboard. Seems like a decent deal at $11,000, but I don't know much about Wellcrafts.
It's heavier than some others I've looked at, at 3800 lbs dry.

I, like the original poster, am looking to buy a boat that I can use diving (among other things).
Thanks!

Wellcraft makes some fine boats too.

 

[Hetland]

Anyone have opinions on Wellcrafts? I looked at a 22' Wellcraft 220 Coastal walkaround last week, it's a 1998 with a 200hp outboard. Seems like a decent deal at $11,000, but I don't know much about Wellcrafts.
It's heavier than some others I've looked at, at 3800 lbs dry.

I, like the original poster, am looking to buy a boat that I can use diving (among other things).
Thanks!

Make sure there is no wood in the transom. I'm not sure how Wellcraft builds them, but wood in the transom can = rot, which can = a new transom.

The best way to do a through inspection on anything used that you are interested in buying is to wash it. That goes for cars, guns, boats....... probably a few other things too

 

[ScubaGuy77]

My last boat was a Wellcraft. I think they are solid boats for the money. Mine road well and I never had a major problem out of it (just superficial topside gelcoat cracks). Unless you really know how to inspect a boat, a survey is always a good idea.

 

[2degrees]

I have a Seahunt 186 and love the boat. Like many other people have mentioned they are a dry boat. If I was just diving I think I would go with a DC and not a CC. I have seen several Parkers used as dive boats and they seem to do great.

 

[Glock Diver]

I have a Seahunt 186 and love the boat. Like many other people have mentioned they are a dry boat. If I was just diving I think I would go with a DC and not a CC. I have seen several Parkers used as dive boats and they seem to do great.

I've heard good things about Parkers also, unfortunately didn't see any used ones in my price range. Seems they are of BW/GW status, hold their value EXTREMELY well...