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Johnw,

That is funny

The last one is a black marlin.

Just about have the airboat engine back together. Headed to the houseboat tomorrow.

For bonus points

I picked up a Maycraft 1800 (18'9") with 115 Yamaha 4 stroke, Hummingbird Helix 7 depthfinder, galvanized single axle trailer and $1200 Minn Kota Ipilot saltwater trolling motor for $8000 a couple years back. If your looking for a 20' ish fiberglass boat, Maycrafts are hard to beat for the money, even more so used. I use mine for everything from family boating, to crappie fishing lakes and duck hunting (mine is the olive green hull) and inshore fishing in the salt. Draws about 12" with the motor up and typical load.

It rides way better than a boat it's size should. I've had it in solid 3-4 footers in the Pamlico sound and never felt unsafe. Lots of folks take them 20 miles or more offshore but I'd want more boat to do that. Buddy has the 20' Maycraft and its awesome as well, little heavier but more room.

Peacock bass...

I read about them somewhere or other...

Spent some time here and there on the water, eh?

I have been very fortunate to have traveled to some interesting areas. We spend a ton of time in boats here. The funny thing is I don’t really consider myself a fisherman.

For extra bonus hint this was in Zimbabwe.

wahoo, amberjack and snapper.

I have looked at a couple of used maycraft boats online. Counting on you to find me a deal like yours.

Help a brother out...

And no idea...

Toothy aren't they?

Just the names of those fish sound like a good day...

Tiger fish. That is Lake Kaiba behind us.

Another question up for discussion.

I see most glass boats with a swim platform and ladder. I've even been on a few back when I was younger and half the man (approximately) I am now. How is something like this gonna hold up for a full sized adult male?

And...

On the average 19 or 20 ft center console boat, how much room is available to walk past the console going from one end of the boat to the other?

Actually the center console design is pretty cramped along the sides in a 20-footer, especially for a big guy. But you don't spend any time in that area, just for access fore and aft.

A normal swim step should be up to the job, and of course is easy to beef up, but some ladders may not be up to 350 lbs.

Anyone here familiar with Privateer boats built in North Carolina?

And a question about the Wahoo fish.

Was it named for the sound a guy makes when he hooks one?

I have a boat made by made by Radcliffe Marine, the makers of today's Privateer. Mine is a 17 footer that was known as a "Beaver Boat". Pretty sure it was made from the same mold as the later Privateers. As far as I know they still have a great reputation in this area, eastern NC. Mine was made in 1988, I bought it about 15 years ago and it is still in good shape, only a few spider web cracks in the gel coat. A lot of them were built for commercial fisherman, pretty sure mine was originally built for fishing nets.

It is about time to get mine out, clean it up, make sure it runs.

Good luck, Hanco. The state parks here decided it was a good idea to shut down so we can't even launch. I haven't checked the little lake I go to out on the Rez, but I'd be surprised if they closed it.

Looking at and interested in a 1981 built Privateer 18 Retriever. Looks like a great boat but I am leery of older glass boats and the potential for hidden deterioration.

Current owner is the second owner and it was never used commercially. What should a guy look for on a boat like this? The price is not huge, but still a significant cost. And I don't wanna be a boat rebuilder...

Privateers are damn good boats. They are still used by commercial crabbers and fishermen all over eastern NC. I searched for one before I got my Maycraft but they were crazy high for a basic working boat. I still love the lines and build on them. Proves that wood done right can build an excellent boat.

Yep, they are known to be tough as nails, sort of like the old River- and Sea Ox line of boats. In fact, the boat I have is the spittin' image of the old 17' River Ox.

In sportfishing configurations, they may not be as polished as some other makes, but they are pretty much bullet-proof.