My Old Boat Part 2 - 23 Maycraft Pilothouse. Why NC Small Builders are Boating's Best Kept Secret!

[@vincemitchell4885]

Best video you made for the common people that can't afford those six figure boats and what a good size boat this is good information would love to see more videos like this to see value that some boat makers are making in their boats that the ordinary person can afford keep up the good work hope to see more videos like this!

[@CaptDavesSportfishing]

Had a 1997 23 CC Maycraft built by Ken May, got to meet him in Miami. It had its issues but I had it till 2006. Hated the cut transom! Taking 4 300 pounders fishing was a nightmare. But may look at at 27 again. Yes, boat motor trailer, t top, and a 200 hp Evinrude 23k. Supposedly, that hull was a splash of a SeaOx 23.

[@DLeopoldi914]

I agree, I looked at a brand new maycraft 23 cc and a Parker 21se loaded. They were both in the low 50s. The same boat from whaler or Grady or Jones brothers 2x+ more tbe cost. For me in the sound this is all I need.

[@lovinhouse374]

Looking forward to the Everglades vid! 👍🏻

[@robertp7209]

We all had the milk crate plastic box in place of a windlass 😁. Thanks for your video.

[@TomyTekOutdoors]

Nice video. I have a 2004 Maycraft 2300 Pilothouse, but with a Yamaha F225. I bought it in 2012 and got it for less than 30k. It's a great boat for the price and suits most of my needs? I fish the Chesapeake Bay, but would like to take it in the Ocean on a good day. It's a great fishing boat in the Chesapeake Bay. I've been in some questionable seas at times and it got me back home safe. I also run a trotline for crabbing and find it a little bit challenging on my boat. I figured it out, but have to work out the kinks. Having the Pilothouse is awesome for fishing in the winter. I still have mine, but I'm on the fence about getting something else.

[@glennverspoor6611]

John, you're making me wish I took pictures of all the boats I've had,,,,and making me think new one again. Nice video 👍

[@anthonyfasulo4690]

Great info for new boaters just trying to get started.

[@smokster0604]

Gosh Iv'e had my boat for twenty years I knew I was missing something....Fish on

[@jiggingjerks]

I have a disease lol

[@richardjohnson33755]

Honestly I wondered what the deal with may-craft was for years. I did not understand why you could get away with 150 on that 23’ maycraft. You videos are like so real. What actual people who fish and boat daily. The everyday knowledgeable man/woman fisherman boater can relate to your thoughts and channel so well.

[@jiggingjerks]

Thank you for the kind words Richard. Yeah, 150 was probably perfect power for the 23. I will say that with the 225, she flew. 47 mph top speed and still climbing…..was too squirrelly to see what it could really do…..150 would equal a nice 40/42 top end….

[@davidsmoren]

Great video

[@BorodenTV]

Love these videos. Also interested to hear about the other boats, Everglades, etc…. Then the Cobia. I wanted to pull the trigger on a Eastward, but decided to wait. I enjoyed the Skinner boat review too. I’ve had several boats like that, not expensive, but caught fish which is all I was after.

[@stephenleone2375]

So, you're saying that they're the "Rodney Dangerfield" of boats. :) I always thought that they had good room to fish in, which is needed when you're out in the ocean, so that you're not bumping into everyone, every time that you need to get the net, or land the fish, etc. The ones that I see used here in the New Jersey area tend to have been powered by Evinrude motors, which might dissuade some people from buying them, from a parts and service stand point. I didn't know that Tohatsu is basically a rebadged Honda outboard. I now see online that since 2014; Honda will be supplying the Tohatsu Corporation with four-stroke outboard engines from 60 to 250hp. When I used to think about Tohatsu outboards, I remembered that Mercury outboards 30 Hp and less, are / were made by Tohatsu in Japan and just rebadged. Nice video and testimony for these fishing platforms!

[@robertp7209]

All the advertisement I’ve seen in fishing periodicals, I’ve never seen one on the water on Long Island. And I think they have many sizes. I may have presumed it was a merc. If I did see it.

[@LongIslandLethals]

That was a great boat I bet. I like it👍👍

[@duainenye3599]

Thanks for the video

[@johnm5714]

Great video John-if I remember correctly Spellmans was a Maycraft dealer a while back.The price difference from those to their Grady White inventory was vast so I’m sure they sold a ton of them.I would give one a try if the price was right-but that $40k boat you bought in 09 is now probably selling for $60k in this market. Wonder why Spellman stopped selling them…?

[@jiggingjerks]

They were but they were overpriced. I bought this one from Atlantic Outboards In Connecticut who price matched a deal from Ed’s Marine in Virginia. That’s how I wound up with the Honda - Atlantic was an E Tec and Honda dealer and I didn’t want an E Tec on her….

[@williamtukeyjr3661]

Well done dude. I enjoy your videos.

[@jiggingjerks]

Much appreciated William!

[@JoseMoreno-ht3mb]

Hi, excellent video. I am seriously considering getting a new 2500 PH Maycraft. I live in St. Pete, FL and go out on the gulf quite often. My concern is the pounding. I saw both at the dealer, and the 25 is Its quite bigger than the 2300. Very few videos on youtube on the 25. Have you ridden the 25? Your take on this boat?

[@jiggingjerks]

The 25 is a big step up from the 23. Not just the length, but as you mentioned significantly wider. I don’t think you will get away from the 10° dead rise though. The boat did OK with ocean swells, but not so much with bay chop. You can, of course just slow down and drop the tabs.

[@robertgerber2533]

Where is that Maycraft now? What did you get for it when you sold it? What would be a fair price for it now. It would probably go for 40k now used. I still like Sweeney’s boat. Thanks for the video John. You are doing a great service by giving out these boat buying tips to us first time buyers. When I finally go to a dealer I will be armed with some real facts to counter the sales pitch. That’s how I like to buy things. Hope there will be some shows to go to this year

[@jiggingjerks]

I sold it in 2013 when I bought my Everglades for 25k. It was bought by a retiree in Florida. To the besT of my knowledge, it was the only Maycraft 23 PH ever sold with a Honda 225. I would love to know what she’s up to now……

[@PeterRanieriII]

nice video John, very helpful to both boaters and wannabe boaters, haha. Do you think the wood construction is any lighter or heavier than fiberglass, what about aluminum? Did it creak at all in heavy chop? Oh and do you always dry dock your boat at the end of the year? Sorry for all the questions.

[@jiggingjerks]

Hey Peter! So to be clear, the boats are still fiberglass boats, it’s just that they use wood in certain areas instead of composite materials. The wood is typically treated and water resistant but will usually not be as water resistant as a composite stringer. Yes, always dry docked in winter. Too many things can go wrong when the water freezes

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@jiggingjerks got it, thanks for the explanation

[@djplayerproductions]

Great Video John I glad you made this video. I own a 1997 Chawk 25 ft and would not trade it for the world unless I had the money to get an 100,000 plus boat. I have a 250 Suzuki 4 stroke. I repowered in 2019. I love this boat and recommend to anyone to get one. I have only gotten caught in bad weather twice and that pilot house was a game changer.

[@jiggingjerks]

I love this story. Thanks for sharing William!

[@swlures9108]

Would u recommend the maycraft 25ph or 27ph in 2023 or would it be better to go with something like A Parker or Steiger craft

[@jiggingjerks]

Probably the deeper Vee Steiger or Parker. My Maycraft was great but really pounded with the shallow deadrise

[@robertp7209]

You don’t see many Grady center consoles - because there are many many alternatives - damn good ones, not so many cup holders and seats, well . When it comes to wood, no water can reach it, easy enough to seal it with resin / glass so it’s totally waterproof. In freezing climates like we have if Coosa gets wet and freezes, does it stay bonded to glass? Better than wood since wood is like a sponge, but I think Coosa can absorb, some. The wood roof of my house is 80 yrs old, as well as the rest of the wood in the house. No coosa need apply 😎. I think it’s 3x the cost vs marine plywood.

[@themontaukmonster1]

I rebuilt my entire boat boat with coosa. The stuff is amazing and will last over a lifetime. I will never use marine ply again. Also, coosa will not delaminate in freezing temperatures.

[@robertp7209]

@@themontaukmonster1 - I should have kept my mouth shut. You didn’t mention material cost 😢. If I had to do my transom 2.5 inch thick with a zillion penetrations, would break the bank and use coosa. I replaced most of the rotted wood in my old Grady with wood 14 yrs ago, checked it all rock solid, Douglas fir ply no knots many layers luv it. And I meant most of the wood structure was finished and deck coring too.

[@themontaukmonster1]

@@robertp7209 yeah it’s expensive but it’s worth the money in the long run. I plan on keeping it for a very long time and I won’t have to repair anything in 15-20 years. Material costs are a huge factor in selection for some people and if you don’t want to break the bank, marine ply is great.

[@robertp7209]

@@themontaukmonster1 great love to see the older boats, bought my 25 Grady 1992, in 2000, little did I know - it was wrecked. Still have it today just took it home for the season. Repowered 2006. Full transom motors on bracket. I think because the full transom, wood back there survived. Did the work over 3 yrs. ironically, twin 200 Yamahas full controls instruments etc, was just 24k material 5 yr warranty, each motor was about 11 K. I’m keeping it, don’t want anything new, see you on the water next season 💪😎

[@Guywithoutahobby]

Before committing on the Parker I almost put a deposit on a 2300 don’t remember the year though but it had a 150 evinrude…

[@jiggingjerks]

The Parker is really a lot more boat

[@rlhawkinsrlhawkins]

Hello captain I have the same exact boat but mine is 97 With 200 e tech I made to back-to-back seats high and low out of some wood cause I did not like the Pole seats that pulled up off my floor . I'm in Maryland the Chesapeake .. Is the boat that's come close to ,, It will be a Parker . I follow this one guy on KZbin That has one. On the reef.. Check out and tell me what you think

[@jiggingjerks]

I’ll check him out - thank you for the recommendation

[@jiggingjerks]

I just looked him up and realize I already subscribe to him. I followed his crooked boat issues on the hull truth website. Crazy

[@captpepin]

Pair Marine is a step above the others on the list.

[@jonsmith398]

I agree 100 percent I ordered a 21m pair

[@jiggingjerks]

Agree but affordable and relatively under the radar hence their inclusion….

[@davidwinthrop1201]

On the build list for a 21 DV Pair Custom with key word custom. Build it any way you want from bone stock to every option and still affordable. Great people to deal with

[@samanthaalessi5001]

Great video again . I'm trying to sell my 1987 Chris craft scorpion 216 thing rides very good with a top and full enclosure and rocket launchers on trailer for 2000$$$ currently a running 150 e stroke Johnson in on it with new thermostats and lower unit ...

[@jiggingjerks]

2k or 20k? Send me pics if you can at [e-mail]

[@robertp7209]

“Judge” boats, pilothouses. 👍. Chesapeake style hull.

[@jiggingjerks]

For sure - but made in Maryland :)

[@robertp7209]

@@jiggingjerks I know, perhaps that’s why we don’t see many around here. But I do like pilothouses, hate looking thru plastic windows, will take glass anyday. Stiegers (sp?) are made up here, rather take it over a Parker. Not too many pilots to choose from. Very few, relative.

[@ryanb3068]

@@robertp7209 agree 100%. I am a little biased as I have a Judge 27 Chesapeake. Perfect boat for all seasons up here in the Northeast. Too bad today was the sad day the I finally pulled her out of the water after a great day fishing off Block.

[@robertp7209]

@@ryanb3068 breaks my heart every year. But I’m born again coming out of the winter , I do projects on it and all maintenance, new 12 Garmin custom dash work to fit her in coming up. Near Jones Inlet located. Boat used to be in Montauk about 12 yrs, served as weekend house 100s of nights slept in it. Saved 200 mile round trip car ride. 👍😁 I have to steam about 6 miles back bays to get to a boat ramp, had an 8:00am appointment totally forgot it would be darkness and with drizzly clouds. First time had to make my way with nav lights on in a long time, and wipers. Good thing it wasn’t a 7:00am appointment. I get to look at her all winter in my driveway, even shovel snow out, but it makes me feel warm 😎. I came out Friday 😟.

[@sonvfave]

{lz forgive me |there thing" or Their thing " And the irony is I am a typo machine ! So... I may stop looking at used boats and start restart looking at these guys.. again thank uuuuuu

[@CaptainLeonsBoatingandMore]

Yay, I got the first view!

[@fishingwithchefpookie8677]

I know that dock!

[@dannyv2335]

I purchased a boat made in the Carolina’s. A KenCraft Challenger but it’s a deep v. It’s an absolute tank. Just don’t bring out anyone who gets seasick cause deep v and narrow beam = 🤢 🤮

[@rayjansen6712]

Can't get a good boat for 40k anymore. Covid-19 made it impossible...... Remember the old days.!!!!!👍🇺🇸😎

[@fishydubsfishing6516]

Now you can't even buy a Honda motor for that price

[@rayjansen6712]

Rough ride... Hurt backs.....ugh....

[@707SLAYER]

Want to be steiger craft

[@jiggingjerks]

Steiger is really a different boat other than PH. Wider and deeper