Hello Everyone. Retired Navy Chief and Florida Native searching for my "last boat".
Background: Born and raised in Lake Forest (Broward County) late 50's...fished South Florida inshore/offshore, fresh, ICW, etc. until 1976. First boat at 8, johnboat, progressed to 19 footer, did the bass boat TX-17, etc. etc. etc.. Fished throughout my Navy career retiring out of Jacksonville FL. Was an ICW guide in Jax and then sold the boat and moved South to Tampa in 2000.
Happily living on Davis Islands Tampa bank fishing and decided it is time for the last boat of my life. Love the Hewes and Maverick brand.
Good budget of $25,000 but been out of touch with marine boats for too many years (18 years) to consider myself an expert. I'm handy and a fixer-upper so cosmetic damage as long as relatively minor is okay. Structural nope.
My questions: How old is too old? Is Maverick vs Hewes the same as Ford vs Chevy or Fresh vs Salt, etc.
Thank you and tight lines.