Opinions on boats

So, I am looking for a new boat and it gets complicated at the start. My house has 3 single garage stalls. The max width of boat on trailer that will fit in my garage is 96″. I do a lot of river/metro lake fishing where a smaller boat is fine. But, I would like to be able to go to Mille Lacs, LOTW..etc. So I would need a wider, deep v type of boat. It is very hard to find something that fits this criteria, almost impossible.

I did run into one boat that sparked my attention which is the Lowe fish/ski http://www.loweboats.com/fish-and-ski/fs165/.

I may have to bite the bullet and find a place to store the boat. What is everyone’s opinion on what I should get? Point me in the right direction.

Tough call on what boat to get…Seems like you can get a standard 16′ to 17′ Lund/Alum. with a 50 hp motor with the single seating option. You then have to jump up and get a really wide (>90″) double wide seating but then you need a lot bigger motor (>70 hp). Once you get into the 19′ to 20′ range there are alot of options; I have always liked the
Lund 2025 Pro V Magnum in that size range but space, cost, and towing are limitations for me.

One thing I have noticed the last few years is that a 16′ boat seems like it is the new 20′ boat. Seems like nobody has a 16′ boat anymore and size does matter. I fish Mille lacs in my 16′ 10″ Lund Alaskan and I feel like I have the smallest boat out there; I notice the same thing on hwys when driving “up North” to fish other lakes as well. I have been in some pretty rough water in my Alaskan and have never had a problem, fishes fine with 3 people, hardly feel it when I am towing, and fits in my garage nice. Something to consider is how will it fit into your garage because it wil sit there more than in the water.

I always thought if Lund/Triton/Aumucraft/whomever made a bass or walleye rig 30′ long, 12′ wide, with a 500 hp motor guys would have to have one; could always find a justification for one (big water, speed, storage, etc.)

I’m not sure where you hail from, but stop down to Everts Resort on Sept 29th and talk to three of the boating worlds heavy hitters at the same location. Take a test ride and you might win something!

Quote:

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TEST RIDE AND DRIVES!

Skeeter Boat Center Ride and Drive!
Skeeter Boat Center<

For those that take a ride in one of the Skeeter’s Models, don’t forget to ask for your drawing ticket for a chance to win a brand new fishing rod from Skeeter Boat Center and Anglers Guide Headquarters!
Test Drive Hours 1-4pm or longer if needed.

Bay City Hardware and Marine Ride and Drive!
Bay City Hardware and Marine<

Our friends from Bay City Hardware and Marine will be on hand to take folks out for a test drive in a beautiful new Alumacraft Boat.

As an added Bonus, the Hobie Pro Angler 14 Kayak will be available for a test drive. **Don’t forget to ask about Kayak Rentals and Guided Kayak Tours!**
Test Drive Hours 1-4pm or longer if needed.

Warrior Boats Test Drives
Warrior Boats<

The folks from Warrior Boats will be on hand to answer questions by taking you for a test drive!
Test Drive Hours 1-4pm or longer if needed.

Just in! Warrior Boats will be giving away a FREE 8hr Guide trip with Brett King! Enter by taking a ride in one of our boats on the 29th!

From approximately 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm, we’ll announce the winners of the fishing contests and the Skeeter Boat Center Fishing Rod drawing presided over by Mr. Dean Marshall.

From approximately 4:30 pm to 5:30pm, Brett King, AIM Angler of the Year in 2011 will provide a seminar on walleye fishing. The presentation will include key tips for fishing Pool 4 in fall.

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Original Post at the Top of the General Forum.

Price range would be important to know to answer your question.

Don’t forget the standard buyers remorse after a new boat, “I wish it was 2 foot longer and had 25 more hp.” May as well get it upfront. I just sold my skeeter SL190 and it was a great combo boat.

Do some demolition work and make a bigger garage door…

Everything with boats is a compromise. If you get more of one thing, there’s a takeaway in another area.

KWP is right, 20 is the new 16. The average fishing boat owner has SuperSized everything over the last 20 years.

Really, the specifics come down to your list of wants. Assuming you’re going to stay with a 96 inch max:

– Budget
– Tiller, side console, or walk through?
– Targeted HP range?
– Preferred types of fishing.
– Number of people you’ll generally have on board?
– What’s your tow vehicle/capacity?
– Does having a hull-melting top end speed really matter? Be honest. How many open water runs of 5 miles or longer do you make each year in order to get to a fishing spot?
– Other uses for the boat? Will it double as a weekend/fun boat, or is this all serious business?

Grouse

Boat size is all comfort zone. I run a Aluma 165 mag and I fish ML on a weekly basis trailering for wind if needed. I fish LOW and Superior a few times a year as well. Skills, comfort and $$$ is what it boils down to. Dont think a 17′ lund wont fill your needs.

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So, I am looking for a new boat and it gets complicated at the start. My house has 3 single garage stalls. The max width of boat on trailer that will fit in my garage is 96″. I do a lot of river/metro lake fishing where a smaller boat is fine. But, I would like to be able to go to Mille Lacs, LOTW..etc. So I would need a wider, deep v type of boat. It is very hard to find something that fits this criteria, almost impossible.

I did run into one boat that sparked my attention which is the Lowe fish/ski http://www.loweboats.com/fish-and-ski/fs165/.

I may have to bite the bullet and find a place to store the boat. What is everyone’s opinion on what I should get? Point me in the right direction.

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How deep your garage is is another limiting factor to consider. Make sure that the total length of the boat, motor, and trailer will fit so you can close the door. I can fit my trailer for an 18′ boat with an 88″ beam through an 8′ door, but it has to lined up JUST right. Take a tape measure to measure the EXACT width of the boat trailers you are looking at – don’t go by just the specs….

Dan

I think your biggest challenge will be the trailer, not the boat. You can find tons of boats under 90″ wide, but very, very few trailers.

Dave, I am shopping with exactly the same thing in mind that you are and have the smaller 3rd stall garage issue. I also fish rivers for smallmouth but occasionally big water like Mille Lacs or Waubay. I have narrowed down to two primary boats that I think could do reasonably well at either:

1) A 16-17 foot fiberglass tiller. Gets into skinny waters and because of the glass hull, tends to do well in big water too. Warrior or Yarcraft make nice 16 1/2 footers, so does Tuffy. Big issue with these boats if buying used is to find those with all composite hulls (no wood to rot). If so they can last forever.

2) Alumacraft Navigator, Magnum or Crestliner Fish Hawk, or G3. These used boats range but are approximately 16.5 feet, wider beams but not too wide to fit in most garages – could go either tiller or side console too. Most have some kind of a rear casting deck which is nice. Lund is nice too but I find the used ones are a couple grand higher than those mentioned previously, and I get the resale issue is great with Lunds but I think the others are good quality and I plan to hang onto for a while.

In either case above, if buying used try to get a 4 stroke with EFI, or an Etec direct injection. There motors tend to last and start easiest. I’m personally done with motors that don’t start, are loud, smokey, unreliable, etc.

KWP- yes space is the biggest issue I’m dealing with. Then again if space was not an issue it would be something else.

haasjj- yes very true I have def shied away from buying new.

red90- def a possibility

TheFamousGrouse- I have always used tiller boats, so I would like to try steering but that is not an issue. I mostly fish the river and local lakes but if I had something capable of Mille Lacs my trips would go up. Towing is not an issue.I never fish with more than 4 people total including me. The 5 mile trips is something I want to be able to do. Yeah I may not do it much but I want that option. This is all serious business no pleasure boating for me.

Chuck- you make a very valid point. There will be certain conditions where any boat will have trouble.

dan/crossin eyes- depth is not an issue. A 20 foot boat will fit easily, length wise. Trailers are one thing I need to take note of as I look for boats. I believe the number one thing that is overlooked when buying a boat is the trailer.

frydog- I agree with the fiberglass boat but there very hard to find used in decent shape. The g3 and navigator are to boats that have caught my attention. I currently own a 1986 Merc 2 stroke 40hp tiller, thing starts up like its new. Its all about Maintenance. One thing I can agree with is the noise issue, my motor is loudd!

Thanks for all the help everyone. I am def getting pointed in the right direction

Here’s a few used fiberglass tillers in the Mpls Craigs List $5-10k:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/3266562583.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/boa/3265976119.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/bod/3260396657.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/bod/3267818923.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/bod/3264290873.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/boa/3233802658.html

now that I am getting obsessed with river fishing a big deep v boat is not as much needed. decisions decisions