190 Bay vs 170CC

[BAYCOASTAL]

I will be purchasing a triumph as soon as I determine if I should pay the extra $4K for a 2005 190 Bay verses a 2006 170CC. I have a wife and 3 kids ranging ages from 6-14. Will be going to the rivers and bays 10-25% of the time with the family--the rest of the time will be me by myself or with one other for fishing in the bays near the gulf of mexico.
I want a stable boat with a good ride. I almost bought a sea Ark 20 foot by 8ft beamed aluminum boat!! Until I learned about these plastic boats.
Any advice would be helpful--also

I am a little leary of the threads I read about the cracks on the 190 bays--is this a common problem?

[OspreyVic]

Baycoastal, I would vote for the 190 over the 170. As your kids grow, that 170 might feel like it is shrinking.

In addition, you mention the Gulf, but not your location on the Gulf. In Florida in the summer, a thunderstorm can pop up without any notice. I would prefer being in the larger boat if that should happen to me.

[Cincinnati]

Fischer 53 has a 170 and is shopping the 190 or 195CC, and he normally boats by himself. I've got a 2002 190. Just came back from FL Gulf side and most of the boats I saw on the flats were similar in draft to the 190 - up and down the ICW from Bradenton to Fort Meyers.

[Fischer53]

If you can afford it go for the 190. Barely drafts more water than the 170 but its a significantly larger boat. As Cincinnati mentioned I am normally by myself and the 170 is OK for 2 people fishing, yet I would have traded up to a 190 this spring if a relocation had not gotten in the way. It starts to get tough with 3 folks throwing plugs into breaking bluefish. That said I did entertain 6 eighteen to twentytwo year olds and myself one very hot afternoon out at the lake. Fortunately no lake patrol or Cost Guard.

[KevinC]

I just upgraded from the 170cc to the 190Bay. Primary reason: Wife & Kids. I've got a 3 & 6 year old and the bigger boat will accomodate all the "stuff" they like to bring along. While I loved 170cc the storage is somewhat limited, especially if your taking 5 people out. I also feel the wider beam is a big benefit, the extra room will help every one get around on the boat and make it a little more stable. So, I vote for the 190Bay if you can afford it. But thats the catch, if the 190Bay is a stretch financially, you might enjoy the 170cc and the extra savings it will give you. I don't feel boats should stress you financially on the purchase (they will do enough of that afterwards)

-Kevin

[BAYCOASTAL]

I am currently bidding on a 2002 190 bay on ebay---

If I win the bid then I will have a used 190bay which looks lik it is in excellent shape (30 pictures) which wI can buy cash paid in full---otherwise a new one will set me back a couple of years of payments

we will see

thanks for all of everyones advice.

[MolarBoater]

Seems the 2002 Bay 190 may have some crack issues, definitely not all of them just some. The factory took care of mine so make sure to immediately validate the "Lifetime" warranty. We enjoyed a nice weekend of boatn' and fishin' in Destin with a crack so it will hardly be noticed but should be fixed or temporarly sealed with Rule.

I'd go with the 190 Bay since you have alot of room with your family. You can get the bow pad and add a swim plateform too. I have found a T-top really helps with dry clothes storage, towels, food and hanging things there to dry. Also, if you are fishing with kids, you can spend less time getting hooks out of bimini tops (de-barbing is a good idea) and have somewhere to put prerigged hooked rods up out of the way. If you are going to have the family out, be safe and have an 8' vhf antennae not just a hand held as well as an epirb.

[JP3]

molar where shoud i look out for cracks in my 190?