New boat style advice needed!!!

I am thinking of getting a new boat and am looking for some advice. Right now I have a 16″ Northwoods with 25 4 stroke merc tiller and about 65″ beam. It has 3 pedistal seats. I like having the tiller for trolling and the smaller lakes the rig is easy on and off the trailer by myself. I also like to fish Kabatogama and it sucks for getting around the lake (takes forever). My wife and 2 kids like to fish also so it gets a little tight in there. I’d say they fish with me about 25% of the time. Now what I think I need is a much wider boat. I think 16′ is long enough for 4 people don’t you think? Now here is were I’m hung up. Do I need a tiller or console. I have more room with a tiller and easier to troll right? Do you find trolling harder with the console? How about engine size? I would only go 4 stroke. 60—75—90—-115hp???? I would like to get where I am going but don’t want a kicker for trolling. Do they troll with 115 4stokes? I am looking for your guys experience and input. Thanks

16 might be a bit cramped for 4 adults but you can do it. As for tiller verse console YES tiller is much easier to control and gives more room inside the boat.Each has there pros and cons, for a full console boat is nice when flying accross the lake to get out of a storm. Rain or hail hurts with no protection. As for horse power and trolling there are ways you can troll with 115’s and if you are looking to have 4 people in the boat alot you may wanna choose the larger horse power. You can use buckets or socks to slow your troll down..Just my .02

Personally I do not think 16 is big enough for 4 people. You will be limited to 60 HP or less in a tiller model, and maybe a 90 in a console. There is not much room for 4 people to move about in a 16 foot boat. I would recommend a 17 with a full windshield for a family style fishing boat. It keeps all 4 people in the cockpit. It also disperses the weight evenly. You will also be able to go up to a 115 or 150. Plenty of power to get up on plane and move about with ease.

That is just my opinion. Many people out there may have other ideas. With the NW Sport Show coming up, you will find deals on just that size boat! Don’t settle on something undersized only to regret it later.

Also, what is the price range you are shopping in? New or used boat? I would say go with a 17ft boat for 4 people, no matter the age of the people. Little kids casting will need more room than older, experienced adults! (sometimes! )

I love my Alumacraft 165 cs navigator. It’s got a 90″ beam and is 16.5 long. I have a single console and it is rated for a 90. My 90 etec trolls around 2.0-2.5 mph, on a lake. Upriver is slower. Trailers easy and fits in garage well. Plus tons of storage for a 16′ boat…even has 2- 7′ rod lockers!!!! Of course fishing with 4 people the bigger the better but will a 18ft boat fit in the garage???? Lucky me its just the wife and a couple labs.

i would have to agrre that you need to first decide on a tiller or a console first. i currently have a tiller 55 and the next step is a dual console or a wrap around style. the reason is like they were saying one hard rain, bugs or hail and you will wish you had a shield of some-sort. my .02

Need I say more.

Pete

Considering you will have four people on board at times I would recommend a console, and a boat no smaller then 2Catch1’s 16.5 foot Alumincraft, albeit a slightly larger boat with a 115HP motor would probably be a better choice.

I like the walk through and use a troller plate on my 70. Trolls down really nice.

Trolling plates have not been highly recommended on this board, but maybe I will give one a try.

The option is buckets or a trolling motor.

As the others have said………think bigger!!
If you are counting momma and two kids plus yourself to make four, you need bigger. The kids will grow, the boat won’t!

If you are thinking new check out the show. If you want used check the classifieds here for boats. If your kids are small check out the stability of a Ranger, either new or used. The family will feel super safe in one.

Good luck and keep us posted.

My kids are 5 and 10. A full windshild or dual console seems like you lose quite a bit of room in the boat. What do you think of the big tillers? Like 90-100hp? I kind of like the Lund 1700 Explorer for size and options I also like the Cresliner Fishhawk 1750 or Alumacraft Navigator 17′. Just trying to figure out tiller or console now. I do like almost laying down in my seat with my feet kicked up on the rod locker and trolling around.

My self I would prefer a full windshield over a tiller but with that said if I had a 5 year old I would defiantly go with the tiller. With kids that young in a boat there is only one place I want them at all times and that is in front of me so I can keep my eyes on them at all times.

My hunch is you will regret a large tiller; an opinion based on the fact that the few people I have known with kids eventually changed to a console.

I agree, pretty soon they will want to be pulled around on the tube or water ski, been there!!

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I agree, pretty soon they will want to be pulled around on the tube or water ski, been there!!

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Very true, I am in this situation NOW, just sold my beloved tiller and purchased a single console with a 115. Remember, no boat is the perfect one for all situations.

a couple of years ago i was in the same boat as you i spent a whole winter boat shopping and ended up buying a alumicraft navagator 175 cs (single counsal) worked great for the family of 4 (i have fished 4 adults out of this boat also) the kids will eventually grow up and leave and then its just me and the wife to go fishing. i have no problem lounching this boat on any small lake i want to fish and i’ve had it up on leech chasing muskies with no problem. i have my dream boat and could not be happier

How slow will a 115hp 4 stroke troll down to on a 17′ boat?

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How slow will a 115hp 4 stroke troll down to on a 17′ boat?

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about 2.0-2.4mph….