The Great Compromise

Want to fish, but need a boat to please the Mrs.? Take comfort, there's a model out there to suit everyone.

By TERRY TOMALIN
Published July 7, 2006

[Times photos: Bill Serne]

The Sea Pro 238 Walk Around can make that long run to your favorite fishing spot quickly. With room below, an overnighter with the family becomes mighty tempting.

	The fish seeker will like the hydraulic steering and trim tabs. The comfort seeker wll like the dinette table and butane stove,
	Walk Arounds can be a good introductory vessel for those new to boating.

ST. PETERSBURG

A boat salesman, Robert McCurdy has seen all kinds. Some folks want functionality. Others seek a sporty watercraft. A few hold out for luxury.

"Then we get the guy who comes in and wants something to fish out of," said McCurdy, who works at O'Neill's Marine in St. Petersburg. "But he knows that before he will be able to buy anything, he is going to have to get his wife's approval. That's where the compromise boat comes in."

The compromise boat (and this is not a technical term) combines the best of both worlds. The angler in the family gets a stable platform from which to fish; but when the weather turns bad or the sun gets too hot, there is a small, air-conditioned cabin where the family may escape.

"They are not as popular as the hard-core, center-console fishing boats," he said. "But for a family that wants to stay overnight on the boat anchored up off of Shell Key, it is the ideal choice."

The generic term for this dual-purpose vessel is "Walk Around." Typically 22 feet or more in length with a beam of 8 or 9 feet, a Walk Around's primary allure is the price and trailer-ability.

"You get into one of these boats in the low 40s," McCurdy said. "They aren't too long or too heavy that they cannot be towed by most family SUVs, which means you can also buy fuel at a gas station instead of dock, which also saves money."

O'Neill's, which is located near the entrance to Maximo Park in south St. Petersburg, sells Monterey and Sea Pro, the latter a good entry-level brand for the weekend boater.

The Sea Pro 238 Walk Around's standard features include hydraulic steering and trim tabs. The cabin has a dinette table and butane stove. With a 126-gallon fuel tank and a 225-horsepower motor, you can travel from Anclote to Egmont and back again.

"Walk Arounds are great overnighters," said Robert Tronio of Sunray Marine. "They give you the protection from the wind and rain, but they still have a sporty look. Because of the steep deadrise, they ride real well in rough water."

Sunray sells Pro Line, a Florida company that began building boats in 1968. As the name implies, the first model, a 24-foot twin console, was designed with the professional fishing guide in mind.

Pro Line, now an American Marine Holdings company, offers four Walk Around models in lengths of 21, 23, 24 and 25 feet. The entry-level boat, the 21 Walk, has an 8-foot 5-inch beam and drafts 15 inches. The 23 Walk has larger fuel capacity and 11 more square feet in the cockpit area.

Another major player in the Walk Around market is the Hydra-Sports Lightning Series. Sold locally by St. Petersburg's Thunder Marine, a dealership that made its name in the performance boat market, the Hydra-Sports 230WA can carry nine people on a trip offshore.

"It is a lot of boat for the buck," said Steve Wacker of Thunder Marine. "Hydra-Sports eliminated the engine well and put in a bracket system, which gives you a lot more room inside the boat. The full-length swim platform is another big plus for families."

But perhaps the biggest draw of a Walk Around's cabin is the portable toilet, which on a boat is called a head.

"In the old days, the feeling was that if a woman came aboard a fishing boat you told her to use a 5-gallon bucket and a raincoat," said Lou Vinci, of Indian Springs Marine. "But that attitude just isn't going to fly anymore. Women want a little more comfort, so if a guy needs his wife's blessing before he can buy a boat, a Walk Around is a good way to get it."

Indian Springs Marine sells Century boats. The company's 2200 Walk Around weighs 3,850 pounds (without an engine) and comes standard with a fresh water sink/transom shower. Optional equipment includes a satellite stereo system.

Walk Arounds vary in price depending on optional features and engine packages. Most models start in the mid 40s and can go as high as $100,000.

Before you buy, visit several dealers and compare similarly priced boats. But remember, just because the ticket price may be lower, does not mean you will be getting a better deal.

Buying a new boat is a big decision. Boat shows are a great place to learn about different brands. It is not uncommon for first-time buyers to spend six-months to a year trying to figure out what boat fits their needs.

[Last modified July 6, 2006, 13:06:23]