Trying to Make Choice between Two Sea Pro's

[rickbarr]

New to the Forum: I live in the Florida Keys, Am looking at two Sea Pro Boats nearly ready to put the money down. I want to use the boat to do some light offshore trolling, my canal access isn’t suited for a deep V hull and I think sea pro's are quite versatile hulls when it comes to bay boats. I'm looking at a : Sea Pro 2000 21CC w/ 2000 150 Yamaha Carbed with a T top. Or a Sea Pro 1996 19' Walk around w/2000 Johnson 150hp Ocean Pro / trim tabs. Both boat's are in good equal condition and offering the same features, engine maintenance seems to be equal as well, asking prices are nearly the same only $800 more for the 21 after a bit of negotiation. I sea trialed the 21CC and she ran nicely needs new bottom paint and I would move the batteries out of the bilge and re-wire them under the console if I buy it (never understood the logic in putting batteries where water can reach them) but that's about it. I need to organize a date to sea trial the 19' but I did an initial viewing and it looked to be in excellent condition. I’m finding this a hard choice. I like the 21’ much better as I’m a T top Center Console sort of guy and a big fan of Yamaha 2 strokes but I’m worried the boat could be slightly under powered and no trim tabs. The 19’ is paired better power wise in my opinion and has Trim Tabs. Any Insight or opinions would be greatly appreciated. My main interest is probably what boat would handle better in rougher sea conditions and build quality differences between 1996 and 2000 (I believe Sea Pro's 2000's did'nt use much wood in construction). Much Thanks.

[985crabs]

Welcome Rick. It sounds like you've sort of answered your own question.

If it were me I'd go with the 21CC. My 19' bay boat is of the same vintage and I don't believe there's any wood in it. I'm powered with a 2-stroke, carbed Yamaha 150 and it is plenty of power. I would think 150 hp would certainly be adequate. Trim tabs can be added. Talk to Santa Claus.

Good luck!

[Juan]

Welcome to the forum Rick. I'm a conch from the Keys and my real name is Rick too and I own a 2100 CC. Enough said. Buy the 21! rofl

Joking aside, I'm from Marathon and I've trailered my 2100 down a couple of times and fished both the ocean and bay sides. You'll need to pick a decent day with either boat if you're fishing the reefs, gulf stream or hump but either would be fine on the bay side. Mine is an 04 - T top and with a slightly wider beam and pushed with a 150 four stroke so I'd say the 2 stroke Yammie should push that boat around 40 mph and who needs to go faster than that? As Crabs already said, trim tabs can be added and electric tabs run around $600 and are worth every penny so I'd certainly do that in addition to moving the batteries like you plan to do.
Good luck and let us know what you decide. There are a bunch of folks here with a lot of knowledge and experience and are very helpful should you run into something you might need help with.

btw: Where are you in the Keys?

[rickbarr]

Thankyou both, I Appreciate the feedback , it's helpful getting a second opinion. Yes both of you are right. I’m going to go with the 21’ besides the fact the 19’ is way up in Jupiter Fl. and I don’t want to make that drive again this month. The owner of the 21’ is only a few canals down from me and is a decent guy. I Live in Summerland Key my canal leads right into Cudjoe Bay. The main reason for stepping up to a larger boat is I’ve been attempting to fish just past American Shoal & Loo Key for some time now in a sturdy little Cobia 17 but dealing with the usual 2ft chop and getting soaked out there & the lack of range is wearing on me. I’m living in the Keys for quite a few years now and the bay side offers some spectacular fishing and great day’s out, but after a few years fishing the bay, eventually Blue Water fever starts setting in lol.Flat calm day's on the ocean side are far and few between as you know. Just being able to get out into 400-600ft comfortably and troll for a few hours or having the range to go and fish some of the wrecks will be a great change of pace for me. The Owner of the 21’ said he has frequently taken the boat out in 2-3’s in 15 knots and admits that it can be a bumpy ride at times but he never had any troubles or felt he was out of his element in the boat. He also admitted he wanted to add trim tabs. $600 isn’t too bad at all. I was thinking they would cost a bit more.
Are you still living in the Keys Rick ? I lived in Marathon for quite a few years. I used to play music at Castaways and Berdines a few times a week with Joe Mama and the rest of the crew. Small World    

[freezerfiller]

Newer bigger seems like the way to go. BTW, my 2000 210cc standard v boat will go in 16" of water (I think 2001 Also had the shallow draft).

[Juan]

It is a small world! No, I'm not in the Keys any longer and haven't been for a long time but I still try to make an annual trip back to Marathon. We've rented a house on Summerland the last couple of times I was down. The problem with that was my T-top wouldn't fit under the bridges so would launch in Marathon and fish the near reef and around Sister's rock or for tarpon and jewfish under the 7 mile. I grew up and went to high school in Marathon and commercial fished until Uncle Sam wanted me in Viet Nam. Settled in Alabama when I got out of the service since that's where the wife is from.
I think you'll be happy with the 21. I've been caught in six footers in mine and made it back alive. (WET but alive). Three and four footers are bumpy but certainly doable especially if you have tabs.
You played music in Marathon? Is the Brass Monkey still there? Used to be close to K-Mart. I don't play but in my younger days I hung out with friends that had a band in Marathon. You ever heard of Freddy Bye, Joe Britz, Allan Bass, and Jimmy Irwin? Freddy was and still is the best guitar player I've ever known. He can play ANY thing! Joe now owns Coconuts Lounge on Big Pine. I've spent more time than I should have in Castaways but don't know about Berdines. Brings back a lot of good memories.

Welcome to the forum! I hope you get the 21 and stick around. beerchug

[rickbarr]

That's excellent info..16" draft Is perfect. I'll still be able to use some skinny shortcut's through the flats and no trouble getting in and out my canal. I was wondering what different models of the 210CC were made in the same time period ? Juan mentioned the 04 had a wider beam. The one I'm looking to buy has a nice high freeboard and feel's a little narrow once aboard I suppose (T tops make boat's feel narrow either way). Leads me to wonder how much the boat will roll when at anchor ? Not a big deal. I've done my fair bit of sailing and gone on one too many fishing trips out on my friends old Krogen trawler (builds a strong stomach lol) I haven’t seen the boat out of the water yet though. I've asked the owner to haul her out this week so I can run a compression test and get a good look at the hull before I buy it. It looks like it's a standard V though. Well I hope it is. I'll attach a picture.

[Juan]

Oct 7, 2019 17:22:24 GMT -6 rickbarr said:

Juan mentioned the 04 had a wider beam.

Disregard that Rick. I read the original post " Sea Pro 2000 21CC w/ 2000 150 Yamaha Carbed with a T top." and assumed it was a 2100 CC and they increased the beam in 04 on those...don't know about the 210.

[rickbarr]

Rick, I agree Freddy is still and by far one the best guitarist and all around entertainers here in the Keys and he still holds court at the Brass Monkey. Last time I called in for the late drink there he was playing and sounding as good as ever. I've wandered out of there and greeted a few bleak morning's in my time lol. Coconuts in Big Pine is one of the last of it’s kind left in the Keys outside of the Schooner Warf in Keywest. I frequent it often 😊 It just occurred to me about the T top. I wont be able to get under the bridge anymore over there in Cudjoe Gardens after I buy the 21. Plenty of clearance though under the Kemp Channel bridge. My kids like the other bridge though good spot for a bit of spear fishing and lobstering along the rock wall. They can take a skiff out there though. I only used the bridge as a short cut if heading towards Marvin Key so it's not a big loss. If your on the Bayside in Summerland there’s a shortcut through the mangroves will bring you past Spanish main and around Venture out from there you can head out in any direction. If you ever decide to stay in Summerland again I'll be happy to show it to you. If the 21' draws 16' as mentioned should be able to squeeze through that cut in the mangroves no problem. From a map it looks impossible. I found the cut by accident trying to get over to the bayside in a little sailboat and took a cutlass with me in the Cobia and chopped back some of the overhanging growth and loa and behold I found a route.

[Juan]

Sounds like you know your way around the bay side. Me, not so much. I lived on the ocean side and didn't fish the bay side that often. I know/knew the area from Boot Key to Grassy Key like the back of my hand but that's about it. I launched near a bait shop on Summerland once and tried to make it out the bay side... gave up after about an hour of searching for a channel.
Good to hear ole Freddy is still kicking and playing. Haven't seen him in years and was wondering. Some high school buddies you never forget and he's one of em.
Keep us posted on the 210 and enjoy paradise. beerchug

[gnrphil]

I don't think you'll find roll to much of a problem, Sea Pro hull's have a reverse chine which helps reduce that.
Good luck with your new 21  emthup

[freezerfiller]

You can find the specs of all the first wave sea pro's on rnr-marine.com/SeaPro.shtml#History It was very helpful narrowing my search down.

[rickbarr]

He sold the boat. I was waiting for an offer on my current boat that came through today but the seller got an offer he could'nt refuse yesterday.. He just called me. An so it goes. I'm looking now for another Sea Pro. Found a 19' close by but I should have put the dam money down on the 21'. Well hopefully I can find another one for sale in Florida. Shame as the 21 I was looking at had a nice T-top and was kitted out well for fishing. Good news is my boat is sold. Well sort of good news.. I dont like not having a boat.

[985crabs]

Rut-Roh. Most unfortunate. Good luck in your quest to find the next one. Hopefully you have friends with boats who can take you out.