Thoughts on a Center Console for Cape Coral and Gulf

dpvandy01

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2007
2,535
Cincinnati, Ohio/Ohio River and SW Florida Gulf
Boat Info
2007 38 Sundancer
&
2014 Sea Fox 256 Commander
Engines
Twin 8.1L Close Cooled V-Drives & 300 Yamaha OB
My wife and I recently purchased a condo in Cape Coral with a deeded boat slip and a 10k pound lift at the intersection of the Phoenix and Plato canals. I am shopping for a center console boat to keep down there. I have narrowed my search to a few boats and would like some input on these if you would be so kind. The price on the three I am looking at are nearly the same. First is a 2007 Pro-line 20 Sport with a BRAND NEW 135 Honda 4 stroke. Second is a 2005 Sea Fox 23 with a 200 Mercury Saltwater Series. Third is a 2005 Sea Fox 23 with a 225 Suzucki. And last is a 2008 Pro-Line 20 Sport with a 135 Honda. Both of the Sea Foxes have trim tabs which I like on my 320 Sundancer but not sure if they are a big deal on a 23'er. What are your thoughts. Is 3 feet bigger worth 2 years older? What about the 135 vs 200 vs 225? I know there is no replacement for displacement.And Mercury vs Honda vs Yamaha? Is one more readily serviceable in the area? One more major difference between the brands is the Pro-Lines have hard tops while the Sea Fox have canvas. Ok so there is a bit of info to get this thread rolling. Thanks in advance. By the way, I am new to Florida boating and center consoles and outboards!! Thanks one and all

Lt Dan
 
We have had bigger boats for about 20 years now. As a result, we haven't seen a lot of the bays, lagoons, rivers, etc since we moved up to the 390EC. We decided to buy a project boat and keep it in the barn at the marina for pretty days when we wanted to re-discover the area. My first one was an 18' Pro-line Center Console with a 115 Merc 2 stroke. What a horrible ride! After 2 trips, we ran an ad to sell the Pro-line and started shopping for something else. I ended up with a Whaler Dauntless which was heavier and much more seaworthy. My point here is that you are looking at mid to low level boats, quality wise. Granted, there isn't a lot to go wrong on a CC, but the more mass you can put under you, the easier the ride will be. Florida has a lot of big open water, and even though it may be protected, a 10-15 kt wind will cause a chop that makes a light weight boat beat you to death. Putting around canals is one thing; getting caught 15 miles down a bay from home is another.

Consider how you will use the CC and look for a premium brand like Whaler, Grady, Scout, etc. that has a decent internal structure to dissipate the effects of a chop.

As far as outboards are concerned, the whole Yamaha/Mercury thing gets kind of gray for me since they swap technology and even make each other's motors in some categories. We have 6 factory certified master outboard mechanics at our marina and they all say either Merc or Yamaha. Larger Hondas have had some severe corrosion problems and Honda is very difficult to deal with on warranty issues. Because you plan to lift store the boat and flush it after every use is good, but doesn't affect the above comment.......we are on the Gulf Coast so everyone dry stacks outboards and everyone flushes after every use.
 
You may want to post on the Hull Truth site. Lots more CC and bay and flats boats types on that site. Just don't give your Sea Ray pedigree on that site lest they acuse you of being high-born. (G of T reference).
 
I have a slightly older 2002 23' Seaswirl WA with a 225 Yamaha. That is the engine of choice in the Cape with MercurySuzuki tied for number two. I prefer a hardtop, but I'd lean towards length and horsepower. I love trim tabs for the chop. Find a 23' hardtop with a saltwater 200+ motor and buy it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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You may want to post on the Hull Truth site. Lots more CC and bay and flats boats types on that site. Just don't give your Sea Ray pedigree on that site lest they acuse you of being high-born. (G of T reference).

I did post over there,, I have 9 year history with this group and you all are my first reaction for boats, generators, pig hoists, online virtual world sailing and getting a pig on a boat. SO CSR WILL always be my first resource b
 
I did post over there,, I have 9 year history with this group and you all are my first reaction for boats, generators, pig hoists, online virtual world sailing and getting a pig on a boat. SO CSR WILL always be my first resource b

3 boats :thumbsup:
 
Well we went with the budget minded 2007 Pro-line 20. Been back to the condo twice since the purchase and have put neatly 200 miles on the GPS. We love this little boat.
 
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1458938434.442878.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1458938464.183684.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1458938482.542950.jpg
 
Awesome. We love Cape Coral and that entire area.
 
How's that water quality treating you ? You crap in the toilet , flush it off, they treat it and send it right back at you.... nice... and then they tell you your property taxes have increased. Bend over again... oouch. Will probably sell and move on. Was a decent place 20 years ago

Todays news... Fort Myers has been dumping treated waste water into the Caloosahatchi for who knows how long, and is now making a deal with Cape Coral to sell their waste water to them, so that when the valve gets turned on , you get this recycled product. Sounds yummy right ??
 
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Feel the positive vibes........
 
How's that water quality treating you ? You crap in the toilet , flush it off, they treat it and send it right back at you.... nice... and then they tell you your property taxes have increased. Bend over again... oouch. Will probably sell and move on. Was a decent place 20 years ago

Todays news... Fort Myers has been dumping treated waste water into the Caloosahatchi for who knows how long, and is now making a deal with Cape Coral to sell their waste water to them, so that when the valve gets turned on , you get this recycled product. Sounds yummy right ??


Maybe I'm missing the point here...
Where does that not happen?
All waste treatment plants eject the treated water back to the environment.
Are they not treating the waste??
 
Maybe I'm missing the point here...
Where does that not happen?
All waste treatment plants eject the treated water back to the environment.
Are they not treating the waste??

Back to the environment is one thing, piping it directly to your house is another. Their warning is don't drink it or you'll get sick.
 
Back to the environment is one thing, piping it directly to your house is another. Their warning is don't drink it or you'll get sick.

Oh...

Locally for me, I know where the discharge pipes are and it's surprising (or not) when it's just off shore of the beaches.
Don't ask what happens after a heavy rain where the system is overwhelmed.....flood gates open untreated product released into Long Island Sound...beaches closed without much talk..

Back on topic...Love that CC...I expect I'll have to get one when I move to South Florida :)
 
How's that water quality treating you ? You crap in the toilet , flush it off, they treat it and send it right back at you.... nice... and then they tell you your property taxes have increased. Bend over again... oouch. Will probably sell and move on. Was a decent place 20 years ago

Todays news... Fort Myers has been dumping treated waste water into the Caloosahatchi for who knows how long, and is now making a deal with Cape Coral to sell their waste water to them, so that when the valve gets turned on , you get this recycled product. Sounds yummy right ??

Enjoy your new place. I'm sure South West Florida will miss you. We love Cape Coral
 
Enjoy your new place. I'm sure South West Florida will miss you. We love Cape Coral

drive by there every day around 2 to 5. 20 cc with a white bull terrier that rides on the bow. Feel free to flip me off next time you see me.
 
OK, we can do that. Have you seen me ? How's this storm treatin you right now?
 
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