Greetings

[Dolphin Dave]

Hello everyone,

My name is Dave & I have been lurking around the site for a few days now just soaking up as much information as I can. I am 39 and live in Ft. Myers Florida. I am married and have two sons. My oldest is 12 and my youngest is 8. Little Dave is my best fishing buddy and my youngest Michael has virtually no interest.

This area of SW Florida the fishing is good year round. The main target species are snook, redfish, tarpon, snapper,& sea trout on the flats of Pine Island Sound & Charlotte Harbor. Offshore we have a mostly sandy bottom with a very active artifical reef program. The primary target species offshore is grouper,snapper, and kingfish.

I am not currently a CS owner. However, I have been giving the brand strong consideration. I have been looking to find a nice simple and ecconomical boat for me and my boys. I had been looking at used boats when I came across a 1994 19' DLX for $4500. I missed out on that boat but it got my gears grinding in my head enough to research the idea further.

After kicking around the local dealers (Marina Mikes) yard looking at the different models, I seem to be gravitating towards the 218 DLV model. Since it seems everyone in my area is a Yamaha dealer I will probably go with their 4-stroke 115. I guess it is the season for extended warranties as well as they have upped the warranty on the Yamaha's to 6 years. With that kind of warranty, buying a used boat and motor makes a little less sense.

I plan to go to the Miami Boat Show this weekend with Little Dave and begin to do a bit of haggling. Like everyone else money is always tight and I am hoping to get as much bang for the buck as I can. Every dollar saved on the boat, motor and trailer is money that I can spend on options. If any of you have a specific dealer in your area and salesperson that you would recommend, I am all ears. I have vacation time that I have to take and I dont mind traveling if the deal is good enough.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello to everyone here and thank you all for all the great information and ideas.

P.S..... 003.....I love that smiley!

[Willie]

Welcome aboard the skiffin board..........lots of Florida members and plenty of info for you to look at. The 218 dlv is one of the more popular #'s these days and yhe 115 hp can really move it along.... well keep on posting and I am sure if you have questions, someone will jump in to help ya.........Keep on Skiffin...Willie 010

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Welcome aboard, you'l find good help and good people.

[redneckredfishr]

DD,

Welcome to the site.

Will

[Harry]

Dave,
Welcome to the site. I bought my first CS last year, got the 198 DLV with suzuki 90. I liked it so much I sold it this past Dec and bought the 238 DLV with 140 zuki.

Believe me know where your coming from, I have 3 childern. 2 girls 19 & 17 and my youngest is my fishing buddy 12 year old boy. Putting the oldest through college, with others to follow .. 001

When buying the first new boat the (198 DLV) I did all the reseacrh and came to the conclusion that the CS was THE BEST bang for the buck. and how can you beat a 6 year warranty ? 006

I'm From NJ and traveled down to Va for the first and to NC for the second. If you don't mind the ride deals are to be found. Use the search tab and check out the site, many deals and dealer names dropped here to help you decide who might be the best for you.

OK,
Now about your location.
My wife's aunt and uncle live in Ft Myers and we usually try to get down every other year (this is not one of them) . But when we do we get a guide named Dave Stephens and he launches out of the Punta Gorda ramp and we fish for Snook around the Charolette harbor area. We've got Snook, Trout, Reds,Cobia, Spainish macks,& jacks, but the one thing I've never gotten yet is the silver king ... :-[

Love that area and type of fishing, Fished Pine Island before as well. Really purty ;D

Again,
Welcome aboard and good luck on whatever you buy !!

Harry

[Loki]

Hey Dave, welcome to CSO.

Here are some links you might find useful...

http://www.chatleeboats.com/

http://www.edsmarinesuperstore.com/

http://samsboats.com/

http://www.duskysportcenter.com/carolina_skiff.php

I drove from Orlando to Sams in NC because he was priced so much better than any of my local dealers.
Hope this info helps you make an informed decision.

Keep on Skiffin,
Mike

[Dolphin Dave]

Thanks guys I appreciate the warm welcome. Loki, by going out of state did you have to pay North Carolina sales tax or did you have to pay Florida sales tax when you brought it back?

Harry, the tarpon typically run in the summer heat. I typically like to set up just off of the passes a bit off of the main channels. Laying down a chum slick and fish with cut shad and live pinfish. I usually like to keep a couple of baits down on the bottom and then a couple up top under balloons. Just kinda gotta keep your wits about you cause I have literally had a 150# tarpon take a bait and then jump right into the boat! :o

[Willie]

That could scare the crap out of you for sure.............. by the term under balloons does that mean real blow up balloons or a plastic bobber?? Willie

[Dolphin Dave]

That could scare the crap out of you for sure.............. by the term under balloons does that mean real blow up balloons or a plastic bobber?? Willie


Yeah he thrashed the inside of my buddies boat pretty bad. Just glad he didnt land on one of us.

The balloons are used like a bobber. They are the little 1-2" party balloons blown up and tied right to the line. When the fish picks up the line and takes off the balloon will tear off or pop. The idea is that as they are running there is less drag on the line and no weight for the fish to use to shake the hook. Its also kinda cool at night too. A lot of time you will hear the balloon pop before you even realize you have been hit.

[Loki]

Thanks guys I appreciate the warm welcome. Loki, by going out of state did you have to pay North Carolina sales tax or did you have to pay Florida sales tax when you brought it back?


I had Sam write out seperate 'Bills of Sale", one for the boat, one for the motor. I paid taxes in Florida on the motor only.

[Willie]

Dolphin Dave, thats pretty cool, never would have thought of it......... balloons ...........may pick some up....and give it a try........... Willie

[Dave]

Welcome aboard Dave 012 I would imagine Florida dealers can keep their prices high year round - don't know, would this be considered the peak fishing season or does it slow down this time of year. I understand the groupers move in (shallow) in the winter down there. NC is still in the off-season for boat dealers but it's gonna heat up probably next month some time, then you'll find the prices right back up and holding steady through summer and right into early winter. Should to able find a dealer willing to part with a 218 DLV (that normally sells in the low 20's in season) for something in the 17 to 19k range, depending on motor & trailer options. Be aware too, that you can sometimes get a 140 from one dealer at the same package price another one wants with a 115. Not sure about Yamahas but the Suzuki 6 year warranty is a “winter” promotion thing to help dealers move boats (and motors) in the slow months – happens every winter and drops to the standard 3 year in the summer.

Probably get the best deal on a boat the dealer has in stock and can move now, to generate work for his crew and the much needed cash to help pay off interest on his inventory. My advice is to research hard for a week or two and be ready to drop a deposit on the best deal you can find. NC is a very popular state to buy a boat, as you'll learn as you read through the many posts of CSO members. Jump on the Carolina Skiff web site and check the dealers in this (or any other) state you would be willing to go to buy your skiff. Here's a few that come to mind, that others here have found good deals in recent times and have traveled to purchase their skiff:

Chatlee (Sanford, NC)
Bayracer Marine (Havelock, NC)
Ed's Marine Superstore (Ashland, VA)

Good luck. Look forward to seein' some fishin' pics 010

Dave

[Dolphin Dave]

Welcome aboard Dave 012 I would imagine Florida dealers can keep their prices high year round - don't know, would this be considered the peak fishing season or does it slow down this time of year. I understand the groupers move in (shallow) in the winter down there. NC is still in the off-season for boat dealers but it's gonna heat up probably next month some time, then you'll find the prices right back up and holding steady through summer and right into early winter. Should to able find a dealer willing to part with a 218 DLV (that normally sells in the low 20's in season) for something in the 17 to 19k range, depending on motor & trailer options. Be aware too, that you can sometimes get a 140 from one dealer at the same package price another one wants with a 115. Not sure about Yamahas but the Suzuki 6 year warranty is a “winter” promotion thing to help dealers move boats (and motors) in the slow months – happens every winter and drops to the standard 3 year in the summer.

Probably get the best deal on a boat the dealer has in stock and can move now, to generate work for his crew and the much needed cash to help pay off interest on his inventory. My advice is to research hard for a week or two and be ready to drop a deposit on the best deal you can find. NC is a very popular state to buy a boat, as you'll learn as you read through the many posts of CSO members. Jump on the Carolina Skiff web site and check the dealers in this (or any other) state you would be willing to go to buy your skiff. Here's a few that come to mind, that others here have found good deals in recent times and have traveled to purchase their skiff:

Chatlee (Sanford, NC)
Bayracer Marine (Havelock, NC)
Ed's Marine Superstore (Ashland, VA)

Good luck. Look forward to seein' some fishin' pics 010

Dave



Actually, I guess this would be considered best selling season for the dealers here locally. The winters are when all the seasonal residence (AKA Yankees) fly south for the winter and stay through April/May. The local population really only about 1/3rd of what it is right now.

I have emailed all the dealers that Loki linked for me as well as my local dealership (Marina Mikes) for quotes. I also mentioned that I had been heard about them from this site. No reason ya'll shouldn't get credit for it. Perhaps some of them will throw some sponsership towards the site.

I really appreciate all the input fellas.

Thanks
Dave

[Loki]

Good luck, make sure to keep us informed of the purchase process!

[Harry]

I also mentioned that I had been heard about them from this site. No reason ya'll shouldn't get credit for it. Perhaps some of them will throw some sponsership towards the site.

I really appreciate all the input fellas.

Thanks
Dave




You da man ... 012