I fished m.lacs for the first time in June out of my 16′ John boat. I’m going to trade for a used deep vee to increase my comfort level but I wondered how big I should shoot for? I was thinking at least 16.5 or 17′ with about an 80″ beam? Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Comfort level can mean different things for different people. I myself would be comfortable in a 17.5′ boat out there. You could get by with less but there will be days you just can’t do it. Watch the weather and watch the wind and you will see what level of comfort you can get away with.
As for as Mille Lacs goes, It’s all about the weather. Keep an eye on the wind forecasts and be sensible while on the water.
I own a ’94 Alumacraft Competitor 170, with a 60 hp Yamaha tiller. I believe my beam measures 79″. I never felt unsafe in that boat while on Mille Lacs.
Eyeguy507, I believe you and I were posting responses at the same time, especially on the weather.
The bigger the boat the more days you can fish.
It’s not the size of boat, it’s the motion of the ocean. True story.
Seriously tho how big of waves do you like to fish? I have a 19′ but any waves in that 2-3′ with the occasional bigger rollers just isn’t enjoyable to fish in. So at that point it doesn’t really matter how big the boat is bc I’m not out there anyways.
If you like to fish in the big stuff, boat control in the big stuff, rebait in the big stuff and not spill your drink then go 18’+. Else just get 16-17′ and enjoy.
2 cents.
I run a 165 fish n ski out on Mille lacs and leech. It’s doable but I prefer no more than 10mph wind on Mille lacs and 14 on leech. I’d be waaay more comfortable in a 185 but for practical reason, motor hp and trailer size, my next boat will be 175…and it’ll be fine more times then not.
If there is any way you can possibly swing it, keep the jon boat and get a second boat for bigger lakes like Milly. You will thank me later! 
-J.
I recently got an alumacraft 175 tournament pro and it’s a wide boat, 80″ beam. Had it out on devils this weekend and right before a storm rolled in the wind picked up and in the blink of an eye we were in 3 foot swells. Second biggest waves I’ve been in when it comes to freshwater. The biggest were on sakakawea. So with the wind ripping at an insane speed and my first time on really big water with the new boat I was extremely impressed. Sure we got a little wet but that’s part of the fun of having a tiller lol. Still figuring the boat out but I felt perfectly safe in my alumacraft 175 with a 90 horse Yamaha on it.
I run a Skeeter WX2060 and I fish LOTW, Green Bay, Mille Lac’s, and the Dakota’s. I have no concern about taking it anywhere and I’ve been in 4-5 footers multiple times. With that said there are days I wished I had a Grady White ????. My advice is go as big as you can afford and you’ll never regret it????
Thanks for all the advice!
If there is any way you can possibly swing it, keep the jon boat and get a second boat for bigger lakes like Milly. You will thank me later!
-J.
Ditto, alumacraft jon, and a tournament pro tiller, DK.
I run a Skeeter WX2060 and I fish LOTW, Green Bay, Mille Lac’s, and the Dakota’s. I have no concern about taking it anywhere and I’ve been in 4-5 footers multiple times. With that said there are days I wished I had a Grady White Lol. My advice is go as big as you can afford and you’ll never regret it!
Thanks for all the advice!
Literally
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
