CONTINUOUSWAVE

[These replies are in response to an initial thread seeking advice on a boat for use in Galveston Bay. The poster decided he did not like the forum and has left. If he had stayed he would have gotten good advice.--Moderator]

For Galveston Bay a classic era MONTAUK 17 (last made c.2002), a 170 MONTAUK (made 2002 to 2018), and a 170 MONTAUK II (made 2018 and newer) are all boats that will be able suitable.

As jimh mentioned, any of the Montauk 17 foot models would be sufficient-to-ideal for your purposes.

I will assume you're looking at a classic Montauk 17. I have a close friend in Houston with one and have ridden in it extensively in Galveston and Matagorda bay complexes. Others can chime in on other models.

In my personal opinion, a classic Montauk is ideal for Galveston. There are some caveats, though, depending on your expectations. Long runs across the bay are possible, if not always comfortable. This is true for any 17 foot boat. Usually, though, it's possible to run a protected shoreline or to minimize open water chop and high wind exposure. It can handle East, West, and Trinity Bays from skinny water to the Ship Channel, jetties, and beachfront. For fishing, it's best as a 2-person platform, 3 if you're organized, 4 if you're wading all day.

If you need to run across the open bay frequently, carry more people comfortably, or want to venture further offshore, a classic Outrage 18 would be a better fit, in my opinion. But that's not the use you indicated.

Good luck on your hunt, and let us know what you buy.

I’ll chime in, we have a [1998] Montauk 17 with the original 90-HP engine. CASCO bay is our boating ground here in Maine and the 17 is a perfect first boat that you might very well keep for awhile. It will do fine for your use.

Having seen and read of the choppy conditions that occur on Galveston and Casco Bays, I would proffer a different choice.

While a Montauk 17 is good for calm day, it is a bit uncomfortable in short chop.

I would suggest a model with more of a V:

1990-1995 Outrage 17 or
1996-1999 Outrage 17 II
1981-1992 Outrage 18 (renamed Outrage 19 in 1990)

Fellows--the originator of this post has left the website. After one post he decided this was not the place for him.

Your comments are all very good advice, but this fellow left before he could have read them. Sorry to have wasted everyone's time.