I am going to Florida to check out this boat, I will let you all know if I get a good deal on it. Hope to have it ready for Tuna next year, as well as the rest of the fishies.
Its an Invader 244 Reefrunner, Walkaround with a 225 Suzuki.
Was supposed to head out last week but the airlines cancelled my flight due to the hurricane. So off I am, hope to be back by Sunday to hit the salt.

Good luck with your travels. I have looked extensively at the boat prices in FL, and I am amazed and what your dollar can buy.

word to the wise Steve, Look underneath everything for hidden rust!

You mention Tuna in your post. My buddy just bought a 22 bayliner classic. Is that boat large enough to fish for tuna...?
When do you normally go and how far out do you fish for them.
thanks in advance

I'm sure I'll make some people mad...but I wouldn't go 50 miles offshore in a Bayliner :-)

I hear ya there.You'll need to get out to 40-50 miles.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

To Luvlings:

I own a 22.5 Bayliner Classic and I believe it will go off-shore just like any other. It has a ton of free-board. It also has a well ventilated standard V-6 with a Alpha one drive. The drive is rated to 250 HP, but the motor is only 190 and I like that de-rating factor.

Barnett:
no offense, but I do not think the freeboard is the concern.

When I go out, I want thick glass under me with two props spinning.

If the boat was built with wood stringers.

And If the boat in FLA was built in a high humidty environment and spent it whole life in a high humid environment you need to be careful. The stringers could stabilize to our avg. humidity and shrink cracking the gel coat. Not big cracks little spider cracks everywhere.
I have a friend who invested in a bunch of Fla boats brought them up here to sell and had this issue. It cost him a ton of money buying the boats back when it was discovered months later. This was 10 years ago so it's possible the newer boats do not have this issue.

sadly, There might be a bunch of "for sale" signs on boats lying up high and dry.

Well , I am back from my expidition from the hurricane ravaged Florida. And I did buy the boat, should be here in about 7 days. You guys are right with all the moisture, humidity and all down there. The boat is not perfect, but seem solid as far as that goes. I am sure to find out more as I take it apart. I did get it for a great price, and the motor ran, but a little rough at idle. And the trailer, well lets just put it this way, " Anyone have a good galvanized trailer for sale?" LOL...... We shall see how this project goes next season.
There were so many boats down there, and I mean nice boats. Most were in the 20 to 30 foot range and there were many Gradies, Hydrasports, Prolines and other quality boats.
As far as fishing, I did not have time to go, but did see the opportunities, if I was living over there, I would be a Maniac!

Steve

Steve Congrats on the boat. I am curious how much shipping was/is. We are looking at the 28 carver voyager, and have found quite a few in florida and the gulf states...Seems that if I want to get one with a single diesel instead of twin vdrive 350's I have to go east. I am wondering if I would be better off buying a trailer for it back there or having it shipped sans trailer...as I can get a better price on the trailer out west....there are other factors too....
but curious nonetheless..

Johnydeep,
cool name. If I were I porn star, that would be it.

Shipping is going to be 2800 and an 8 percent fuel surcharge, all told about 3000 dollars to be shipped via flatbed on semi. Boat is bding shipped on its trailer on flatbed trailer.
I was bid as high as 6000 for the shipping and pays to shop, also watch out for scams. My company does not want their money until truck shows up here in Gig Harbor.

Steve

Steve
I hope all goes well with your new project
I have a few questions for you that I would like
to discuss off line.So if you can call me at 360-825-0150. Just ask for John!!