2024 Stuart Boat Show - Comparing 25' Center Consoles and Reviewing 2023 vs. 2024 Pricing

[@johnrevington4332]

I just just shopped these same three boats and went with the Sea Hunt. The Sea hunt is a foot longer at 26' and was priced about $25k to $35k less for the same options. The Sportsman was probably my second choice due to the Seakeeper ride but hard to justify the cost increase for a smaller boat. All three had good fit and finish.

[@robertrusso2122]

Hi John Happy New Year. I just traded in my 2019 Sea Pro 239, I purchased a 2023 Sea Hunt Gamefish 27 for 150k. Loaded twin Yamaha 200's loaded twin Garmins, Vhf, console and mezzanine seating covers. Yamaha 3+3 Year coverage. Plus some additional creature comfort options.

[@jiggingjerks]

Happy New Year! That’s a screaming deal!!!!

[@theagile11]

Wow!! How times have changed!! Giving the Sea Hunt some shine time!!! Can't wait til May in the Bay Brother!. See ya soon!

[@thomascrawford114]

Great review!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@lordTowle]

No electronics on the Rablo... Wow

[@10sevenfishing22]

Sea hunt isn't NMMA certified which should be something else you consider. Also the Sportsman is rated for more people/payload, has a one piece grid stringer systwm, is the only one in your test group that has seakeeper ride standard, and is CAD designed by a renowned naval architect. You should ride these boats and you will see the difference.

[@superstarr-hs4tn]

I I’d have that sea hunt all day long. I had a 22 foot Triton before I bought my Boston whaler outrage. It was a really good boat. The Robalo seems like a boat that you would buy first to spend time with friends and your wife at the beach with a little fishing on the side. The sea hunt I would say the exact opposite.

[@bigguydiy2184]

Side entry are all to small for me being 6'3"s and 300 lbs. So much easier with the front entry. As for pricing, I was priced out when Covid hit. Used market is the only way I will be able to upgrade to a larger boat. Since you and I live in the North East, we will be paying the highest price for anything new or used.

[@jiggingjerks]

Good point on the entry. Not quite as big as you but not small either. Agree very much easier to get in through front but I also know that it seemed that anytime someone did need to get into the head, there were 8 million things on the seat tht had to be moved

[@lordTowle]

When I went to the Fort Myers boat show, they had a 30 foot Sportsman that the buyer backed out of at the last minute; it was a good price and loaded. On the other hand, they had no 28 footers and they were all 10 months out. It us kind of hit or miss, if you have the money.

[@mikelove6417]

If the sportsman has the sea keeper ride system, I'd have to go with it. Trying to justify adding it to my Sea pro 239, hate fiddling with the tabs.

[@Livebetter12]

The 252 does have the ride system if it’s a 2024

[@mikelove6417]

@MDePo12 yeah I was pretty sure all the new sportsman's are going to have it.

[@Livebetter12]

@@mikelove6417 not all of them do actually. Only up to the 262.

[@ashman0071]

I know I'm a Heretic, but can you please cover some Cats and DC's ? Great Channel Holmes .

[@jiggingjerks]

Thanks man. I'm a new cat owner and have some vids of my new boat

[@ashman0071]

@@jiggingjerks Congrats - Cat Fishing boats are the Glock 19 of 1988 - very, very innovative - humans are always scared of what they don't understand - post as much as you can of your new girlfriend - can't wait ; P Have fun and kill it my man.

[@user-jj3tw1sr7o]

I just attended the Atlantic City Boat Show and was on the Robalo 23’ Center Console. The hardtop went back so far it made the rod holders behind the helm seat useless. I pointed it out to the sales rep and he was speechless. I then went on their 25’ Center Console and the same thing, the canvas on the t top blocked the use of the rod holders behind the helm seat. I thought this was a real design flaw.

[@jobino511]

If i had $ it would probably be the sportsman with a tackle center if available

[@lordTowle]

Yeah, I wasn't impressed with that center seat section. Good call.

[@marcgonsalves6414]

I can’t believe Sportsman puts the blackwater waste pump out in the cooler. That’s disgusting!

[@RSteel517]

Side entry for the win.

[@jobino511]

Would love to see what you think about the stern mounted sea keepers in the Sportsmans.

[@jiggingjerks]

I'm sure they're great

[@jobino511]

Wish SH had a cut out that went all the way to the bow. Cutting board needs to be modified to be useful as well. Nice boat though.

[@Steve-Jody]

I liked the 27 Ocean Master

[@shanevandyken1983]

Can you do reviews on tidewater also compared with those models? I’ve never seen you do reviews on tidewater. But as always love your content and reviews.

[@jiggingjerks]

I will be including a Tidewater in my bay boats review that's coming up. They had a pretty sick one at this show

[@Steve-Jody]

Saw you leaving when I was coming out of the tents. Wanted to say hi but you were moving pretty fast around the crowds.

[@jiggingjerks]

It was hit and I was dehydrated. Can’t believe how hot it was

[@captpepin]

John all Sportsman’s come with Seakeeper Ride the unit $7,500 for that boat and the boat is designed for it. That boat will ride 2x as well as the Sea Hunt and better than the Robalo. It would cost well over a $10k to add to any boat installed. The quote for my boat is $15-20k also comes with Duel Garmin 12” screens that’s a $4k upgrade, 5 rod holders vs 4 and 2 Kingfish rod holders there $200 a piece to add to a boat so $600. I don’t like the twin 150’s on any of them go twin 200’s or a single V8 Mercury would be my choice.

[@jiggingjerks]

Had no idea! Thanks for sharing Chris

[@sapelesteve]

Those boats are still way overpriced IMO! If I had to pick one, it would be that Sea Hunt. I owned a 23' Sea Hunt with a 225 Honda on the back many years ago. Hands down, one of the best boats that I ever owned. Hope that all is well John! 👍👍

[@jefflaird7478]

Review the new Wellcraft CC ‘s at your next boat show. Please.

[@jiggingjerks]

Didn’t see them at this Show but if they are at either St. Pete or Miami, I will

[@ATC235]

The Yamaha 255 cc just keeps looking better every year. lol

[@jiggingjerks]

Curious what its price will be in Miami

[@RIDINGMEME]

That’s not a rear wash nozzle on the sportman… that’s a telescopic rod to attach your inflatable toys …. Wouldn’t hurt to research

[@Steve-Jody]

The Show told me everything about what I should have done. 🎶“If you ain’t got no money keep your broke azz home”🎶 When I stepped on the dock I said to my wife , MILLIONAIRES ROW

[@duffmeister6480]

Cocktail boats! 2024 and still no bow motors or even pre rigged for one ? Those boats wouldn’t help me bring home more fish. My Bimini top and cushions sit in storage and have never been used. I’ll pass but thanks for a good video.

[@adamdavi8869]

How would you compare the Steiger 25 to these offerings? They never do boat shows.

[@jiggingjerks]

Steiger will be simpler and will have a better fishing layout as a true three piece hull. I believe Steiger does still use some wood throughout their boats. Stress the word "think" here

[@adamdavi8869]

I think(also "") they use some encapsulated wood in the transom. I like the coffin box option though. @@jiggingjerks

[@duffmeister6480]

@@jiggingjerks no wood in their hulls, and floor. Tops, transom and gunwales there is,

[@willraefpv]

Did you see the Sea Pro 259?

[@jiggingjerks]

Not at this show. Didn't see sea pro at all to be honest

[@lordTowle]

Side entry, my wife would want to use it when we are moving. I know she would.

[@jiggingjerks]

Hahahaha...that literally made me laugh out loud

[@lordTowle]

@jiggingjerks she would ask if she can "go" underway even though she didn't have to "go". It's just the way she is. She knows how to fish though: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIDdmIBomsaSiKcsi=7o9_o1VByjtYwMlQ

[@jiggingjerks]

@@lordTowle wow!!! Huge shark!!!! Btw - when said side entrance, I thought you were referring to side entry door, not the Head entrance. That’s why I thought it was so funny lol

[@lordTowle]

@jiggingjerks yeah, my wife wouldn't want to mess with the wind and the '8 million' things in front of a forward opening head door. This would be a complete stop in progress, the boat would have to stop. At least with a side facing door, we could slow down, not stop. We caught 3 - 8-9 foot bull sharks that day and one 5 foot black tip shark. Fishing behind the shrimp boats West of Captiva, Fl.

[@craigarbuckle2791]

LOL

[@Bogtog777]

Did you do a full tour of the place?

[@jiggingjerks]

Yeah. Will have other vids out

[@Bogtog777]

Sweet. @@jiggingjerks

[@stryanx4395]

Sea hunt

[@ATC235]

Have you seen bulls bay boats new 255 at any of the shows?

[@jiggingjerks]

Have not but headed to Miami Show tomorrow and will keep my eyes open

[@bobbycakes]

boat makers you have lost your effin mind. 100k plus for a boat? Fuck that ! get a grip!

[@CaptDavesSportfishing]

so many cookie cutter look-a-like boats. For the same $$, you can now get a now USA made Stabicraft. The ride and toughness will never compare!

[@jiggingjerks]

They're making them here? I thought they were all being imported but that's great to know. Maybe they'll be at Miami or St Pete and I can see them up close.

[@CaptDavesSportfishing]

@@jiggingjerks #1 was at Seattle boat show.....in South Florida I doubt. Its all about Cuban Penis extenders down there. They won't be pumping them out like some Rabalo or Sportsmans.