Best Coastal Carolina Island Hopper?

[hammerlekyle]

Hey guys, new to the forum and high performance power boating. I have some moderate boating experience all on friends boats but finally looking at getting one for my own. What would you suggest would be the best island hopping boat for Eastern North Carolina? Primarily out to Cape Lookout and Shackelford Banks and in the inlet if you’re familiar with the Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, and Morehead City areas.

[Bodhi]

Island hopping was always best for us in our bowrider sea ray. Got to look at Regals new line up, and they are really nice.
Another way to go would be to look at Boston whalers. Done plenty of bar...( I mean cruising) hopping and such and very easy washdown and maintenance.
These are only my suggestions for two of my favorite boats that did exactly what your describing. JUST MAKE SURE THERES A MERC ON THE BACK......you wouldn't want to break down by using one of the LESSER crappy motors

[HStream1]

I Live 1 1/2 hrs due north of you Near the Outer Banks Currituck Sound, Albemarle Sound, Pamlico Sound. And those waters around you Can get pretty Rough without notice just like they do here. IMO a Boat with a Deep V to Cut through the chop would be better suited for that area.

Hey guys, new to the forum and high performance power boating. I have some moderate boating experience all on friends boats but finally looking at getting one for my own. What would you suggest would be the best island hopping boat for Eastern North Carolina? Primarily out to Cape Lookout and Shackelford Banks and in the inlet if you’re familiar with the Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, and Morehead City areas.

[noli]

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not mine


https://longisland.craigslist.org/bo...341879185.html

[XstreamVking]

When you say inlet and outer islands type of boating, that would mean the possibility of big waves and long rough outside Atlantic stretches where you are committed to the course. This says you need a deep V like said above. High sides and self bailing decks are very important along with a full height transom so you can't be "pooped" by following waves. The Atlantic can be very unforgiving and you can get caught in a squall with wave heights of 6' or more where it was 2-3' just minutes before.

[JBS]

Midnight Express.

[HStream1]

Exactly The area from The Virginia/North Carolina Line Down to Beaufort isnt called the Graveyard of the Atlantic for nothing.

When you say inlet and outer islands type of boating, that would mean the possibility of big waves and long rough outside Atlantic stretches where you are committed to the course. This says you need a deep V like said above. High sides and self bailing decks are very important along with a full height transom so you can't be "pooped" by following waves. The Atlantic can be very unforgiving and you can get caught in a squall with wave heights of 6' or more where it was 2-3' just minutes before.

[Just Tool'in]

This is what we use on the coast, I am super happy with the ride, and ability to take ruff water. Family freindly with bow rider and a head. But still great fishability too. Not the fastest at 53-55, but it is an awesome ride

[XstreamVking]

Grady White=Carolina shear...

[hammerlekyle]

Sorry for the delayed response. But what I’m picking up from everyone is a Deep V. I understand the responses like Boston Whaler, Grady White, etc. But I’m not too partial to the “fishing look” center console, split consoles, or cuddy cabins (I know picky). Are there any Deep V closed bows. I’ve been poking around on here and saw a closed bow Super Boat 16 which I really liked. I’m not much of a fisherman and probably never will be I’m trying to find something closed now I think.

[DangerNewb]

I'm very familiar with the area. Fyi, he won't need to go outside the inlets unless he so desires. Regardless. I'd be aiming for something bigger than 16. 21, 22 would be much more appropriate. I get you don't want a center console but if its going to be stored outside you may want want to reconsider. Theres a reason most coastal boats are fiberglass, self bailing floor with minimal interior amenities. That being said, the 22 range Progression, Velocity type boats may make sense for you.

[hammerlekyle]

@DangerNewb Would the 22 Progession or 22 Velocity be comparable to like a 21 Checkmate? I would say 20+ has been the range I’ve been trying to stick to. My friend has a 21 Key West CC and handles the local waters at least as well as how I would want it to, but doesn’t ride like my other friend’s 31 Contender… that being said I don’t have $150,000+ to spend on a used Contender nor the money to run it lol

[DangerNewb]

Yeah, 21 checkmate would be sort of similar. I haven't researched it, but I'd guess rhe checkmate will be shallower v. What's funny is, 40% of what you see are Carolina skiff flat bottoms. Less now, than 10 yrs ago. Tidewater has really flooded the market with vees. But a LOT of folks run skiffs. Ride like crap, but can carry a pile of people and stuff.

[hammerlekyle]

Yeah Carolina skiffs ride terribly. I might as well just buy the largest Jon boat if I wanted something in the same category in my head. At least with the Jon I wouldn’t have to be worried about fiberglass work. I’ve also seen 21 Paramount and 21 super boat thrown around as recommendations just when doing some research

[JBS]

The selection of boats mentioned above would be a good choice. I ran a 23-ft Checkmate for years around the islands. It was a decent boat but really too nice to run in the saltwater. I have a 21-ft Paramount and a 16-ft skiff. The Paramount for me is a great all-round boat I've had it for 23 years. The skiff is a work boat that I just use in the creeks and flat water.