Best Boat for South Florida - Cruising and some fishing

Kendall

Kendall

Member
Feb 3, 2009
369
Lake Wylie SC/SC Coast
Boat Info
2006 260DA
"WET BAR"
Generator

Tow Vehicle:
2006 F-350 Dually 4X4 Diesel
Engines
350 MAG w/Bravo III
Winter dreaming....

As the title says what would be your best boat choice for the Fort Lauderdale/Miami/Bahamas area given the following:

Will be dry stored - Do not want to mess with bottom cleaning/sun damage etc. I've been told 38' is about the max they will interior dry store...opinions on this?

Mostly cruising, needs to be able to hold two couples for a few days, have a generator, good fuel capacity etc.

Some fishing when the guys come down.

Can make the crossing to the Bahamas if decent weather...i.e. twin engines, closed bow etc.

And the kicker....price less that $85,000 on the used market!

What about the 290 Amberjack? Any others? I would lean towards stern drives since the boat will be kept out of the water.

What about dry storage near the FLL airport in the Dania cut just to be close to Port Everglades etc? Opinions good or bad about this location?

Thanks.
 
Any boat 30' or longer with outboard power is your best boat for S. Florida.
 
KayKook said:
Any boat 30' or longer with outboard power is your best boat for S. Florida.
Click to expand...

Because of the lack of water depth, you can kick the outboards up a tad to clear shallows...

Check out the want ads down there and you'll see the vast majority are outboards and either center console or cuddy type (tunnel boat) cabins... if under 30'
 
An '07 era 340...there is a fishing package for it as well, that comes with the rod holders on the arch, which is what I had mine fabricated after.
 
If I wanted to stay with another Sea Ray, my choice would be a 2003-2007 300DA with the 5.7L BIIIs. Let's you store inside, you can trim up to get through shallows, gets you two engines, gets you generator, gets you ac, and big enough to make the run to Bimini. Also, it's the most fuel efficient model averaging about 1.5mpg before taking a hit in fuel economy with the 310-370 with V-Drives are all in the 0.8-1.0mpg range. Else, I'd look for a twin-outboard setup
 
penguin said:
If I wanted to stay with another Sea Ray, my choice would be a 2003-2007 300DA with the 5.7L BIIIs. Let's you store inside, you can trim up to get through shallows, gets you two engines, gets you generator, gets you ac, and big enough to make the run to Bimini. Also, it's the most fuel efficient model averaging about 1.5mpg before taking a hit in fuel economy with the 310-370 with V-Drives are all in the 0.8-1.0mpg range. Else, I'd look for a twin-outboard setup
Click to expand...

Penguin:

I'll take a look at these and see where the prices are. Fuel mileage is a real concern to us as we are used to the 260's 2+ mpg. A switch to V drives may have me sitting at the docks longer than planned. All the twin outboad setups I've seen lack in the accomodations department...maybe I'm looking at the wrong boats...even the Grady White 300 Marlin seemed sparse.

Chuck: I have seen a few of the 340 Amberjacks but the prices were up above $100K. Nice boats!

Thanks!
 
Don't go into a gun fight without the biggest gun you can get.

Look at the signature in post #3............I'd choose the wide beam 330EC or 340AJ with diesels, without question. The 14 ft beam may be a problem for dry stacking, however.
 
If you're a fisherman then I think it's an awesome boat. Dinette makes a bed and you can close off the front bunk for privacy when cruising with another couple. With that beam you can beat the cockput for size.
 
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