Last year was by first year boating and I loved it. Have a 16 ft dual console smokercraft with a 50 hp primarily a fisherman.
So far my favorie fishing spot is mouth of detroit river and NW Lake Erie. Would like to fish Lake St Clair next year too. With 2 people in boat, including myself, it is ok, with 3 WAY tooo small boat w/motor about 1200 pounds with me and 2 others pushing 2000 and won't get out of its own way. When the wind is out of the East I have to stay home. My little boat too little.
I would like to get bigger boat and be able to feel safer in the water and venture further off shore. Head is a must, porta potty OK?
I was at b... p.. s.... and saw a 2007 Mako 215 express with a t-top and a 225hp Mercury. Fell in love with it. No way can afford it. $46k. Maybe can afford half that much. I like that size boat for three reasons, trailerability, economy?, and i especially like the layout with the jump seats and the rear seat. I think I like the G models. Gradys have that layout on some models. I do not like the open transom design though.
This boat is three times heavier,holds five times as much fuel, and four times more powerful than my current boat.
My questions are,
1. is the size going to be a hinderance from what I am used to? ie launching; towing; storage...
2. Cost of operation.
3. how will it handle in the waves? very important
4. what older Gradys are similar in design?
5. was also considering Grady White but have to go ten years older to be the same price as Mako.
Thanks for reading. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Tom in MI
So far my favorie fishing spot is mouth of detroit river and NW Lake Erie. Would like to fish Lake St Clair next year too. With 2 people in boat, including myself, it is ok, with 3 WAY tooo small boat w/motor about 1200 pounds with me and 2 others pushing 2000 and won't get out of its own way. When the wind is out of the East I have to stay home. My little boat too little.
I would like to get bigger boat and be able to feel safer in the water and venture further off shore. Head is a must, porta potty OK?
I was at b... p.. s.... and saw a 2007 Mako 215 express with a t-top and a 225hp Mercury. Fell in love with it. No way can afford it. $46k. Maybe can afford half that much. I like that size boat for three reasons, trailerability, economy?, and i especially like the layout with the jump seats and the rear seat. I think I like the G models. Gradys have that layout on some models. I do not like the open transom design though.
This boat is three times heavier,holds five times as much fuel, and four times more powerful than my current boat.
My questions are,
1. is the size going to be a hinderance from what I am used to? ie launching; towing; storage...
2. Cost of operation.
3. how will it handle in the waves? very important
4. what older Gradys are similar in design?
5. was also considering Grady White but have to go ten years older to be the same price as Mako.
Thanks for reading. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Tom in MI