Nautic Star 214 XTS Shallow Bay - any info/thoughts on this boat?

I've never set foot on that boat but Nautical Star boats are good.

alxtgr has one I believe, page him

Great boat IMO. I fish out of a 2400 TE and the layout is much better than some of the more well known boats. Like you said, we run from Dulac to the barrier islands in the summer and it handles the rough days in Terrebonne Bay to Timbalier and west to Coon Point very well. The fit and finish is as good or maybe better than some of the top dogs in the category without the price. The pop up cleats have not given us a single problem in a years of hard use, so disregard the prior statement. No shake from the latches in heavy chop and PLENTY of storage for anything you could possible need for a day trip. Reds in the marsh or red snapper offshore, the NS can handle it pretty easily. The stepped hull gets nothing but compliments, and the jump seats in the back are literally the best seat in the house for your guests when on those longer morning summer runs.

Thanks for the input, guys. Hopefully Alxtgr responds as well.

Bourgs, are your comments about the 2400te or just nautic stars in general?

I did find two postings on other boards about them (Texas fishing forum and 2cool fishing). I've contacted the guys that own them on those sites and have received one response so far, all positive.

Ha, that's similar to what my mom said... "So, tell me again why we can't fish out of a party barge?"

I'm speaking about my experience with the brand in general.

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Slow as heck. Barely get 50mph

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just wondering why this would be considered slow

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just wondering why this would be considered slow

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Freshwater mentality. I have never ran my boats faster then 42-45 mphs for more than a few minutes at a time.

After about 7 months with our 2200 Nautic Bay, I'm pretty pleased.

Mine is a 2006, and I've looked at the new models and see that they found a few more places to cram some more storage. Seems like you can never have enough.

Have a Yam 225 on ours, and we get about 54 mph empty, and about 49 loaded with 4 people/gear, with a t-top.

This is my first bayboat, so I can't fairly say it rides any better or worse than anything else. Usually a dry ride, but my experience in heavy chop is limited.

Looking forward to spending more time at the islands this year.

After fishing with my buddy and his dad since the 90s and progressing through boats with them... i'd not get anything smaller than a 22', its just another story with that extra foot. Takes waves different, handles better usually. I've never seen that design on a bay boat other than on a glassstream boat. I saw it at the gulfport boat show and it was nice, but they had some bad reviews on boat trader on that particular brand.... supposed to handle well with that design and come out of the hole quick. the guys basically said they were overhauling the brand and trying to make a comeback. I highly recommend any of you that like boat shows to make a trip to that one. Its at the Gulfport harbor.... huge and boats of literally every kind. yachts down to skiffs. Stay at the island view, gamble, wake up and go to the boat show. Very nice, i was impressed....