Help with a decision!

[quote]We live in central Mississippi and most of my fishing is in local lakes for bass. But we love going to the coast and getting on the water there, but we always have to use a friend's boat for that. I wouldn't dare put the bass boat in saltwater.[/quote]

Why? All outboards are salt water capable today, the only issue will be a trolling motor that is not salt water capable. Most bass boats have a similar hull to most bay boats. The only issue on the boat will be a non-saltwater model trolling motor and of course a painted or galvanized trailer. Some fresh water rinsing will alleviate the latter...especially if it is done quickly and the trailer isn't used regularly. There is nought that can be done about the trolling motor...it won't last long in saltwater unless its designed to do so. Everything else ought to be fine.

If it were me, I'd buy a fiberglass bay boat in a heartbeat in your situation.

A bay boat won't do anything great but they do a lot of stuff very well. You're seeing a lot more bay boats on freshwater rivers now. That was never the case even 10yrs ago.

If you have a bay boat you will find yourself going to the coast and fishing more often.

That being said, I only have 2 jon boats on my private lake, so, take that suggestion with a grain of salt.

Vexus has a cc boat ya know.
Not an express fan, parked next to a Vexus at dealer and they look sharp, good lines/paint/attention to detail. BB have to more comfortable than sitting on the floor.

What’s your budget?

Couple options:

You could order a bass boat with a saltwater rated trailer and trolling motor.

Gonna be at the top of your budget but I would check out some 22 ft hybrid style bay boats that are light and skinny.

Mamba Custom boats makes a fine 22 footer.

LINK

The aluminum center consoles are fine for inshore but I’m not a fan of their performance in the open gulf chop/swells. Plenty use them that way but just not for me.

ETA: The Blazer Ultimate 675 would be more readily available on the used market but for the money Mamba is on another level quality wise.

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Well, the carpet for one. I've heard horror stories about the carpet trapping the salt and the wood rotting from that. The trailer hubs already suck on Nitros also. I love the ride of a fiberglass bass boat, so Skeeter may come in to play for a CC

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Ought to be little to no wood in the boat. If there is it is encapsulated in glass. Salt won't hurt it but water will eventually....fresh or saltwater. Carpet is a BAD idea in fresh or saltwater but its no worse in salt than fresh water. I think the reason there is almost never any carpet in a boat meant to be used in saltwater is washing down...saltwater fish tend to bleed more, sand and salt will sand blast you at speed....most boats used in saltwater get washed down more regularly than freshwater boats and its easier to wash non-skid than carpet.

The trailer is an issue. A painted or galvanized trailer will not last long if it is used regularly to launch a boat in saltwater. That said its been done for years and gazillions of times - I have done it a bunch myself. Rinsing it immediately helps but the problem is it being splashed in the morning and rinsed in the evening....that wetting of a morning sets in hard. Tubular hulls are especially vulnerable because you can't rinse the inside of them and they hold moisture continually...and the tubing is usually not coated very well if it all when it is manufactured. That said most aluminum trailers have galvanized hardware because stainless is expensive and a pain in the arse to work with and, god forbid it ever needs to be removed, is damn near impossible after just a few coatings of salt water and galvanic reaction . It will also eat up some aluminum and will do quickly with some. There is no good answer for splashing a boat trailer in saltwater...any route taken has its down sides. Even using a lift exposes the trailer to saltwater, not as much but some....and all of it is bad.

White trolling motors are designed to be used in saltwater. Garmins are also...even though they are black. Some of the Australian trolling motors that are black are also designed to be used in salt water. Minn Kotas and Motor Guides will not last long even if they are mounted on a boat that is used in saltwater and never deployed...if they are deployed they are doomed in my experience. WHy Garmin and the Australian manufacturers make all of theirs for use in saltwater is a mystery but Minn kota and Motor Guide are both succesful so it seems to be a non-problem. They won't last though.

Everything else on a bass boat should be as fine as it is on any mass produced boat meant to be used in saltwater. Salt destroys everything eventually....