I have narrowed my search down to these two boats, 1988 24 Offshore vs 1989 25 Sailfish. I am mostly going to be fishing up to 40 miles offshore, with maybe 2 or 3 70 mile trips a year. Other use will be to run to the beach. I have a wife and two young kids. Boat will be stored on a trailer. Both boats are equal in overall condition. They need the typical work of a 20 year old boat. Everything is functional they just need a REAL good cleaning and waxing, some of the stainless hardware replaced, etc. Just typical stuff. Here is what each boat has:
'88 24 Offshore- brand new remanufactured by mercury racing 2003 Optimax 250 XS. The motor has like 7 hours on it. In fact there is still 1 minute left on the break in according to the smartcraft gauge. There is no warranty on them. The motor was insalled in like December of 2007. My mechanic who I trust completely put the motor on for another one of his customers. Most things went through such as pumps, new battereis, etc. The boat has been gone through and is in great running condtion mechanically. The owner is a businessman who was starting to set the boat up for offshore fishing for his son, but the son got transfered and isn't coming home anytime soon hence the sale. The boat has nothing else. No outriggers, downriggers, no rod holders on hard top, no trim tabs. Electronics there, but I would need to upgrade gps and fishfinder. Boat comes with trailer that needs a little for from just sitting. Price $15000.
'89 25 Sailfish- Boat is a trade in so there is not much known about it. collapsable tower with controls. Twin 1999 Johnson 225 motors with about 200 hours on new powerheads. Motors run fine, but they are 10 years old and from what I hear suck gas and oil. No outriggers or downriggers. Very nice furono chartplotter/gps/fishfinder color. There is an autopilot there but not hooked up. No trailer. Nothing is really known about the history of the boat or motors. I could possibly get a hold of previous owner and find out more about the boat. Price $11000.
What boat would you recommend for what I want to do with the boat? What are the pros and cons of each boat? How do the rides compare to each other? I want to be able to go out in 4 foot seas if that is the day I can fish. I plan on keeping the boat for a long time. I don't know what cabin I will eventually like more.
I like the Sailfish for the tower and twin motors and bigger size of boat. I don't like it because of the gas/oil and the fact they are older motors and I don't know the history. I may not NEED the tower, but its cool and I want to set my boat up for the best offshore fishing platform I can.
I like the Offshore for the obvious reasons. BRAND NEW motor, I know the history, and the fuel economy.
Anyways...please help!
'88 24 Offshore- brand new remanufactured by mercury racing 2003 Optimax 250 XS. The motor has like 7 hours on it. In fact there is still 1 minute left on the break in according to the smartcraft gauge. There is no warranty on them. The motor was insalled in like December of 2007. My mechanic who I trust completely put the motor on for another one of his customers. Most things went through such as pumps, new battereis, etc. The boat has been gone through and is in great running condtion mechanically. The owner is a businessman who was starting to set the boat up for offshore fishing for his son, but the son got transfered and isn't coming home anytime soon hence the sale. The boat has nothing else. No outriggers, downriggers, no rod holders on hard top, no trim tabs. Electronics there, but I would need to upgrade gps and fishfinder. Boat comes with trailer that needs a little for from just sitting. Price $15000.
'89 25 Sailfish- Boat is a trade in so there is not much known about it. collapsable tower with controls. Twin 1999 Johnson 225 motors with about 200 hours on new powerheads. Motors run fine, but they are 10 years old and from what I hear suck gas and oil. No outriggers or downriggers. Very nice furono chartplotter/gps/fishfinder color. There is an autopilot there but not hooked up. No trailer. Nothing is really known about the history of the boat or motors. I could possibly get a hold of previous owner and find out more about the boat. Price $11000.
What boat would you recommend for what I want to do with the boat? What are the pros and cons of each boat? How do the rides compare to each other? I want to be able to go out in 4 foot seas if that is the day I can fish. I plan on keeping the boat for a long time. I don't know what cabin I will eventually like more.
I like the Sailfish for the tower and twin motors and bigger size of boat. I don't like it because of the gas/oil and the fact they are older motors and I don't know the history. I may not NEED the tower, but its cool and I want to set my boat up for the best offshore fishing platform I can.
I like the Offshore for the obvious reasons. BRAND NEW motor, I know the history, and the fuel economy.
Anyways...please help!