Burned to the ground

[ZekeBerk@]

Gents, it looks like I'm going to lose my Nautic Star from a recent boat storage unit fire. I still haven't been allowed to look on the property yet but there's lots of damage to the stalls. What a kick in the pants! Lots of good memories. Nevertheless, I started thinking what my next boat may look like. I bought my NS about 10 years ago when my kids were real young and I had concerns about fishing out of the boat. It ran pretty shallow with the jackplate but it had room for improvement. Now I'm thinking about something that will run in a little less water, with a little more open area around on the deck, a little less freeboard and a little less weight, in the 20-24' range. We fish mostly E/W Galv, E Mat and POC. Wade and drift. I know everyone has an opinion on boats. And what better place than this board to get a slew of unfiltered opinions on boats from guys that fish the same waters as I. So if you were in my shoes and were thinking about it, what would you next boat look like with this criteria.

Thanks.

[Steve_A]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I purchased a 21' Shoalwater cat last year and I'm completely happy with it. Runs shallow, I don't think it will handle the chop as your NS did, but it does pretty good.

[Curmudgeon]

Sorry to hear that. You've certainly got the right attitude about replacing it. Good luck on your new boat.


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[SCHU]

Sorry to hrear about your boat. I think Plugger is looking to sell his Explorer on here. Look at the garage section.

[plugger]

Yep , my Explorer 21 foot tunnel vee is for sale . Check the GARAGE FORUM for details . You see them more down south for skinny water. Sorry to hear about the fire.

[stephengold]

sorry for your loss , shallow sport 24

[ZekeBerk@]

Guys, thanx for the feedback. Shortlist thus far is Dargel/Explorer, Haynie, Majek, Shoalwater, but still looking. Still haven't seen the burn damage. More as it develops.....thanks again.

[red471]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your boat, I run a haynie 23 BF and it's great but all these boats listed are great boats, just depends on what your needs are. Personally if I could afford it I would seriously take a look at newwater IBIS. Hope you get back out on the water soon.

[WestEndAngler]

Sorry to hear about that, hopefully insurance will help you out!

[TroutSupport]

I still love the ride in the Desperado.. 22' boat that rides like a 24. Will handle bigger water than some of the other cats, may not be the price leader but love the boat.. a lot of guys in POC run them. Another on my list is the Shallow sport mod V... both worth a ride in and both will handle shallow and big chop pretty well. The desperado cuts some pretty big stuff and still runs shallow.

[gsb]

Sorry to hear this. Sounds like you are in the market for boats out of my price range but I would look at the Frontier boats. I run a blue wave deluxe pro 22ft and pretty happy with it but the Frontiers are faster hulls.

[lapesca67]

X2

sorry for your loss , shallow sport 24

[ZekeBerk@]

Thanks guys. Lots of good feedback. My shortlist is not so short anymore. Still not allowed on sight. Got my first photos back yesterday. Its burned to the ground, basically nothing left, but an anchor. Won't be until next week before I can rummage through the debris.