Bought a 16' today

Discovery · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject: Bought a 16' today

We have always spent our Winters in Texas with the wrong boat. We have brought our TomCat 24' or, our TomCat 255 or, a Tracker Targa 17' over the past 6 Winters. This year we are determined to have an appropriate Flats Boat. I have been looking online for most of the Summer and Fall at boats for sale along the lower Gulf Coast. Today we bought a 2000 16' Rockport Skiff. Its 16' long with a beam of 6' 2". It drafts about 6" and has a tunnel hull. It came with a 2004 Suzuki four stroke 50 HP that has less than 50 hours use. The Rockport is a copy of a Shoalwater 16' Sport, a popular flats boat. Not a CD 16' but perhaps a better choice for this location. We usually fish in under 2' of water. Often in 12" or less.

The whole package for $5K
Now let the fish take notice.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:00 pm Post subject:

That should be the perfect boat for the skinny water around Rockport. We'll look forward to seeing it next week. Very Happy

Congrats on the new addition.

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan

Bess-C · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:29 pm Post subject:

Beautiful boat for the area. Whenever we go to the Florida Keys I try to rent a good flats boat. I've often wondered if it would be cheaper to buy a boat and leave it there than rent. It can be hard to find any of the boat rental companies that want to rent flats boats. The price you paid for this boat isn't much more than 4-6 weeks rental. Great boat and a great deal.
Lyle

Byrdman · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:02 am Post subject:

Looks like a great boat for your needs Brent & Dixie!

Safe travels... and glad to see your post.

Byrdman

Doryman · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

Awesome! Are you going to leave it at the RV park where you stay?

Warren

Discovery · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:33 am Post subject:

Launched the boat yesterday and had a trial fishing trip. The wind was 15 to 25 with 12" chop. the motor runs great, no speedometer but it runs comfortably at 3500 RPM at what feels like about 20 MPH. We didn't push it much faster due to the chop. the ride is a lot like a C-Dory due to the flat bottom, some pounding in a chop. A dry ride, the gunnel flares outward and deflects the spray away and behind if you keep a little speed up. There were a few fish biting, Reds and Sea Trout. We kept a nice Sea Trout for dinner.

There are a lot of storage lots close by the RV park. We will rent a 20' X 30' garage on a yearly basis and keep the boat in Texas. That allows us to also leave other things like bikes, BBQ's etc here on a permanent basis. This is our 6th year as Winter Texans. We plan to return as long as we can. Some of the other Winter Texans have been here for as many as 20 winters. There is a small marina next to the RV park and we will rent a slip for the next 4 months. It's only a 200' walk from the motorhome to the boat slip.

Brent

Byrdman · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:00 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a nice set up. Yall enjoy! Talked with Last Dance yesterday... he is getting all ready to head to FL again from NY... Living in the two zones seems to work great for him too....

Happy fishing!

Byrdman