NJ inshore suggestions?

[Rmarsh]

Up here in buzards bay conditions can change fast and the water can be cold, The higher sides and deeper cockpit of the C17 is a blessing. Can cruise at twenty mph in choppy water with practically no water or spray getting into the boat....got a bilge pump but it never gets used. My passengers and guests feel much safer being in a boat with the higher sides. It does drift to fast so i use a drift sock, My casting deck is perfect for me as I can brace myself against the coaming and heave a cast out without having to balance myself. Ive seen where at least one fs17 builder add higher "splash guards" to their bow area to stop excessive spray.

[Browndog]

The FS 19 that I built for my brother is used heavily in and around the southern Chesapeake Bay in Virginia and was used extensively for inshore fishing in Coastal Georgia before then.

The Fast Skiff 17 & 19 were designed after the small boats used in the commercial fishing industry in the Mid Atlantic, centered around North Carolina.

One of the best features of the boats is their ride. Very dry, stable and very efficient. Their ability to go into shallow water and also handle the chop is outstanding.

They should not be overlooked if you are going to be inshore or nearshore fishing with more than two people.

[Sayn3ver]

Resurrecting my post. Still not in a position to start a build and still brainstorming.

Was out with my buddy on his 21ft key west with a single 200hp Yamaha last night on Great Bay. It's the second time out on that boat for me and the first in any real wind or chop.

Anyways it made me reconsider or at least narrow down my choices if I didn't want to only fish perfect weather days.

I believe I'm narrowed down to either the LM18, FS17 and the OB17. I feel I don't want to go any larger due to motor costs, additional building costs, storage space and the ability to launch and fish solo. I also don't think I need the additional sheer of the c17 built as a center console. The upward bow also seems impractical for a trolling motor.

And to be honest I don't know if I need the flats poling pedigree. It's a style I've done once or twice on a paid charter. I like the idea of the shallow draft as I do fish next to and between skinny water (shallow cuts surrounded by 1ft of water ).

I may be better served by a more traditional bay boat like the fs17/ob17.

I feel like it would better serve bringing my young son along on more outings until he gets older.

[TomW1]

Both boats are equally capable for your needs. The FS17 will be easier to build and a 40HP motor will push it along nicely. Their displacements and ppi's are nearly the same. From reports from builders, both are great for going offshore and handling chop. Depending on what your load is both can handle shallower water. Both draft 7-71/2" fully loaded and as you reduce your load by 330lbs on each boat you reduce draft by an inch. The displacement at DWL is within 15lbs of each other so no difference there. The OB17 will handle up to a 75HP motor but why if you don't need it.

Tom

[BarraMan]

The OB17 will handle up to a 75HP motor but why if you don't need it.
Tom

Because nobody ever wishes they had less power available - but lots of people wish that they had more!

[TomW1]

The OB17 will handle up to a 75HP motor but why if you don't need it.
Tom

Because nobody ever wishes they had less power available - but lots of people wish that they had more!

But why go to the 75HP when the 70HP is a 100lbs lighter if you buy a Yamaha with only a mph or 0 loss in speed due to the extra weight.

Tom

[Sayn3ver]

The OB17 will handle up to a 75HP motor but why if you don't need it.
Tom

Because nobody ever wishes they had less power available - but lots of people wish that they had more!

But why go to the 75HP when the 70HP is a 100lbs lighter if you buy a Yamaha with only a mph or 0 loss in speed due to the extra weight.

Tom

I am not current on the latest 4 stroke offerings. I know in the older 2 stroke models you'd have 2 or 3 models that would share the same block with different intakes and carbs.

Like the 9.9, 15 were the same and I think the 20 and 25 were basically the same.

Is there a comprehensive conversation on power options. I know there was a time in the 4 stroke world that Suzuki was king, Yamaha and Honda a close second with mercury behind.


I may have to spend some time reading about current offerings. I swore I was going to find a used etech but now I'm unsure.

[cape man]

ETech is out of business. While they claim they will continue to provide parts, and there are after market parts, I would stay away. The Yamaha 70 4 stroke is the lightest out there, and is getting great reviews. I have a 2016 on my OD18 and absolutely love it. They're proud of them, but so is everyone else.

[TomW1]

The Yamaha 70 has the same block as the 50 and 60 HP but only weighs about 6lbs more. The Mercury and Suzuki 50-70hp ranges are similar you will have to check the weights online. Tom

[Sayn3ver]

The question then is, can you put a Yamaha f70 on a fs17? It's really no different than putting the 50hp outside of output. I'm still waffling between the fs17 and ob17 now because of wanting a dry cockpit deck and self bailing. I don't think that's achievable with the fs17.

Anyways

I was digging online and it looks like the 50hp and 60hp are separated only by a restrictor plate and the ecm while the 70hp gets the larger/beefier lower end and has a different head/valve setup, different ecm.

I'd like to save up and get the 70hp or find a decent used one because you know, why not. I know some guys don't like the largest output motors of the same size blocks cause they feel they'll be less durable.