To be honest your two cons coupled with all the positive things you said have only made me more sold on this boat. We’re looking to go to a full V from a 21 foot hybrid Carolina skiff, and the greater offshore capability and gunnel height would be a game changer for us. Does go to show that there really is no perfect boat, just the perfect one for your family. Great video!
This is a very common issue about owning a boat in the Chesapeake area. No one boat can solve all of the problems, so owning two boats is usually the answer. I own a skiff type boat right now, but I am limited to calm days and in-shore fishing, but it really seems to be the best boat for Southern Maryland fishing and crabbing. I hope to also own a 2nd boat some day which I can travel from Southern Maryland to either Smith Point or even the Eastern Shore.
Agreed... It is a Amazing fishing machine. Deep water dream in rough waters ... Great. This is not a shallow water boat... and was not designed to be. I bought my 232 for use in the Great Lakes (TERRIFIC)... and Cape Coral FL (NOT GREAT) ... Shallows are a challenge and you really have to pay attention to the depth finder. Otherwise... a fine boat indeed!
I have a 2014 231 Heritage Platinum with a Yamaha 200. The only con I have is poor switch placement. They get water in them and stop working. I’ve replaced 2 and I am now in the process of replacing all of them.
@@juliotechera5396 I paid a guy locally here in Miami $800 for the switches (12) mounted on a custom panel. It took him a full day. I know New Wire Marine also sells a panel with new switches for the Sportsman.
Being as light as it is does it pound a lot in 2-3ft chop? I have a 20ft sea hunt that weighs about 2500 and my reason for wanting to upgrade to a 23-24 footer would be the extra weight that is usually attributed to them that makes them take the more frequent choppy days in the southern Chesapeake. For example a 22 sailfish is a bit over 4000#.
The weight did make me have to trim the bow down in the chop to make use of the big bow, but I don’t feel it led to more pounding. The sailfish is a totally different beast. A little more width, more deadrise, and higher sides is probably accounts for the weight differences. But I bet the deadrise will make it a better riding boat for where you fish. Unless you want to get shallow. Then the Sportsman may be the best trade-off
I am on Long Island and boat daily in the great south bay. Similar in many ways to Chesapeake but of course a lot smaller. We do sandbar hopping a lot and I fish a lot, both in the shallows and out of the inlets. My little Grady 192 has the same draft as the heritage 231, 14 inches. For me the draft is awesome as I have been able to go most places I want to. Not many 23 footers have such a low draft except bay boats but I want the freeboard for ocean fishing. A catamaran seems to be the best of both worlds but pricey and limited used stock. I assume you are looking at dedicated bay boats at this point. Curious to see what you purchase.
I’m going to post a video soon but what I ended up getting is a Maritime Skiff. A catamaran is high on my list of boat that’ll I get at some point. It’s meets all my requirements but like you said I gotta get some more money 😂
There is no such thing as the perfect boat. Pro’s and Con’s to them all. Sportsman imho is top 3 in the mid tier built boats. I own a sportsman 214 tournament and it’s the best fishing platform I’ve found in its size. Tight lines
Same here had the yamaha 250 on a Heritage 231 and around 45mph was WOT. Swapped for a yamaha 200 and WOT is about 38mph but the gas saved is ridicules compared to the 250.
I did like those as well. My only complaint was that the front casting platform was not recessed enough for people to safely sit up there while underway. But I guess there’s no perfect boat
@@Bythewater - Your point is the reason I have my second Sportsman bay boat, I looked at 5 major brand bay boats prior to getting my first bay boat after fishing a 21' skiff for several years. I kept going back to the sportsman while boat shopping, the fit, finish, all gemlux hardware and bilge access sold me on the Sportsman bay. If I have one con, it's being every Sportsman comes with Garmin units, they work great but Sportsman originally used Simrad. I am on the NC coast, with the Sportsman 247 bay Yamaha 300, I can fish near shore, several miles out on decent days but get it inshore to hammer the trout and reds. As you said, the front deck is high, the 24OE and 26OE have a different front casting deck, set up better for family use.
What boat did you go with ? Im in rodanthe nc and looking. Im in the same boat:) like to take the family in the sound but also want to go out of the oregon inlet too. Thinking about parker.
@By The Water- Rob Schou thansk for the reply! Yeah the local boat shop has one for 47k, which is still more than I want to pay. The other option is to get a wave runner.
Check out Judge Yachts ~ great value, local(ish) builder. Might not have the finish of the sportsman, but only drafts 10" and a you can get into a brand new 26.5' boat for a bit more than I am sure you are listing your sportsman for......different ride all together I would say, but worth a look
Ready to start the conversation about buying a home near the Chesapeake Bay? Click the link below to schedule your private Zoom video call with a member of our team to learn more about Chesapeake Bay Living in Maryland calendly.com/homesinsouthernmd/initial-zoom-google-meet-call You can also email me at rob@homesinsouthernmd.com
Great post - we left coasters have surf so we don't 'sand bar' often, and there are no inland fishing areas in my area. Like others have commented - your post helps us all. Deep V, a Seakeeper I and twin 300's it is ; P .
Why did you buy it? I own the 232 with a 250. If I want to fish and crab inside I will get a small flat bottom with a wide beam. Don’t understand why you made this video. Sportsman 23 are better than your 6:57 review.
You guys are all talking about nuances without realizing the boat itself is full of manufacturing defects. If only you knew that your hard earned money was spent to pay for a defective product...
To be honest your two cons coupled with all the positive things you said have only made me more sold on this boat. We’re looking to go to a full V from a 21 foot hybrid Carolina skiff, and the greater offshore capability and gunnel height would be a game changer for us. Does go to show that there really is no perfect boat, just the perfect one for your family. Great video!
Thanks! And you’re correct, the 231 will be perfect for your needs!
This is a very common issue about owning a boat in the Chesapeake area. No one boat can solve all of the problems, so owning two boats is usually the answer. I own a skiff type boat right now, but I am limited to calm days and in-shore fishing, but it really seems to be the best boat for Southern Maryland fishing and crabbing. I hope to also own a 2nd boat some day which I can travel from Southern Maryland to either Smith Point or even the Eastern Shore.
Well said!
Agreed... It is a Amazing fishing machine. Deep water dream in rough waters ... Great. This is not a shallow water boat... and was not designed to be. I bought my 232 for use in the Great Lakes (TERRIFIC)... and Cape Coral FL (NOT GREAT) ... Shallows are a challenge and you really have to pay attention to the depth finder. Otherwise... a fine boat indeed!
I have a 2014 231 Heritage Platinum with a Yamaha 200. The only con I have is poor switch placement. They get water in them and stop working. I’ve replaced 2 and I am now in the process of replacing all of them.
I thinking about purchasing 231 and the say have some issues with the switch too how bad is replaced and how much you pay for
@@juliotechera5396 I paid a guy locally here in Miami $800 for the switches (12) mounted on a custom panel. It took him a full day. I know New Wire Marine also sells a panel with new switches for the Sportsman.
Sounds like my boat, a Maritime Defiant 233 would be perfect for you. Do you still have your Maritime Skiff?
Being as light as it is does it pound a lot in 2-3ft chop? I have a 20ft sea hunt that weighs about 2500 and my reason for wanting to upgrade to a 23-24 footer would be the extra weight that is usually attributed to them that makes them take the more frequent choppy days in the southern Chesapeake. For example a 22 sailfish is a bit over 4000#.
The weight did make me have to trim the bow down in the chop to make use of the big bow, but I don’t feel it led to more pounding.
The sailfish is a totally different beast. A little more width, more deadrise, and higher sides is probably accounts for the weight differences. But I bet the deadrise will make it a better riding boat for where you fish. Unless you want to get shallow. Then the Sportsman may be the best trade-off
Sounds like you need a Sportsman 247 Masters. Or, a Seahunt BX 25 BR.I'm currently looking at both of those. Thanks for the video.
Yep those are both great choices
What are you replacing your 231 with? Thanks for the video!
You’re welcome! I think if I go bigger it will be Scout 251. If I go smaller it’ll be a Pathfinder 2200 or a similar bay boat
I am on Long Island and boat daily in the great south bay. Similar in many ways to Chesapeake but of course a lot smaller. We do sandbar hopping a lot and I fish a lot, both in the shallows and out of the inlets. My little Grady 192 has the same draft as the heritage 231, 14 inches. For me the draft is awesome as I have been able to go most places I want to. Not many 23 footers have such a low draft except bay boats but I want the freeboard for ocean fishing. A catamaran seems to be the best of both worlds but pricey and limited used stock. I assume you are looking at dedicated bay boats at this point. Curious to see what you purchase.
I’m going to post a video soon but what I ended up getting is a Maritime Skiff. A catamaran is high on my list of boat that’ll I get at some point. It’s meets all my requirements but like you said I gotta get some more money 😂
Please let us know what you end up with. Thanks for the video
There is no such thing as the perfect boat. Pro’s and Con’s to them all. Sportsman imho is top 3 in the mid tier built boats. I own a sportsman 214 tournament and it’s the best fishing platform I’ve found in its size. Tight lines
100% correct
Get the Sportsman Masters series. You can get a little skinnier and it is a Sandbar Dream.
Agreed, I love the look of the 247 OE😮💨
What prop were you running on your 250 to get 58mph? I have the heritage 231 platinum as well with a 250 and i only max out at about 45mph?
I sold the boat and tried to look back in pictures for ya but I can’t figure it out. But yeah… 48mph is not optimal
Same here had the yamaha 250 on a Heritage 231 and around 45mph was WOT. Swapped for a yamaha 200 and WOT is about 38mph but the gas saved is ridicules compared to the 250.
If you like the Brand, you should probably consider the Sportsman Masters line of bay boats.
I did like those as well. My only complaint was that the front casting platform was not recessed enough for people to safely sit up there while underway. But I guess there’s no perfect boat
@@Bythewater - Your point is the reason I have my second Sportsman bay boat, I looked at 5 major brand bay boats prior to getting my first bay boat after fishing a 21' skiff for several years. I kept going back to the sportsman while boat shopping, the fit, finish, all gemlux hardware and bilge access sold me on the Sportsman bay. If I have one con, it's being every Sportsman comes with Garmin units, they work great but Sportsman originally used Simrad. I am on the NC coast, with the Sportsman 247 bay Yamaha 300, I can fish near shore, several miles out on decent days but get it inshore to hammer the trout and reds. As you said, the front deck is high, the 24OE and 26OE have a different front casting deck, set up better for family use.
What boat did you go with ? Im in rodanthe nc and looking. Im in the same boat:) like to take the family in the sound but also want to go out of the oregon inlet too. Thinking about parker.
Parker is a great boat for that use. I had a 21se and loved it. I went with a Maritime Skiff
How do you feel about the 207? Looking for a starter boat
I think it would be a great starter boat. Good price point, great resale, and an easier size to operate
@By The Water- Rob Schou thansk for the reply! Yeah the local boat shop has one for 47k, which is still more than I want to pay.
The other option is to get a wave runner.
Check out Judge Yachts ~ great value, local(ish) builder. Might not have the finish of the sportsman, but only drafts 10" and a you can get into a brand new 26.5' boat for a bit more than I am sure you are listing your sportsman for......different ride all together I would say, but worth a look
I’ve always admired Judges. They’re definitely on my list
Did you sell the 231?
Yep! Just sold it a few weeks ago. I was sad to see it go but I think the new owners will enjoy it a lot more
Ready to start the conversation about buying a home near the Chesapeake Bay? Click the link below to schedule your private Zoom video call with a member of our team to learn more about Chesapeake Bay Living in Maryland
calendly.com/homesinsouthernmd/initial-zoom-google-meet-call
You can also email me at rob@homesinsouthernmd.com
Great post - we left coasters have surf so we don't 'sand bar' often, and there are no inland fishing areas in my area. Like others have commented - your post helps us all. Deep V, a Seakeeper I and twin 300's it is ; P .
Don’t forget to get the Seakeeper Rides in there as well! They are wayyyyyyh better than the traditional trim tabs
Why did you buy it? I own the 232 with a 250. If I want to fish and crab inside I will get a small flat bottom with a wide beam. Don’t understand why you made this video. Sportsman 23 are better than your 6:57 review.
Okay ill trade you my carolina skiff😂😂
Deal!
The cons are it’s not a bay boat. You’re welcome.
You guys are all talking about nuances without realizing the boat itself is full of manufacturing defects. If only you knew that your hard earned money was spent to pay for a defective product...
your not getting to 58 mph on that boat
That’s what the GPS said 🤷♂️ Guess the GPS lies as much as the fish finder 🤷♂️
It's possible. I can hit 52 with bottom paint on it