Hybrid Recreational/Fishing Boat Models

I’m still a year off from getting a boat, but the wheels are turning after visiting Bass Pro with the GF. But I know that there are a lot of options out there, most I probably am not even familiar with at this point.

I’ve come to the conclusion I need a boat that will fit 5 or so fairly comfortable for just boating. But it would be nice to be able to fish out of it comfortably, even if the configuration isn’t ideal for fishing. I’m talking freshwater, inshore and nearshore fishing/boating. I plan on getting a fishing kayak to tow along when needed to get away from the boat.

New or used? Water skiing or maybe just tubing once in awhile?
Sounds like a model with the convertible bow possibly.

Do you have any size restrictions due to storage or tow vehicle?

FDR

Playcraft X-Treme with the 8.6 L inboard.

Skeeter SX

I have a Crestliner Phantom 1900. The removable bow is nice for fishing and recreational boating. While I use it 92% of the time for fishing only, it has enough room to move around and hold a few people, coolers, intertube, float toys, etc. The little platform off the back with ladder is very nice. It’s a pretty good boat for both purposes, but there are definitely better fishing only boats and better recreational only boats out there.

http://www.boats.com/boat-details/Crestliner-1900-SST/119333851#.VW2yJqMo7Mo

Right now I am just exploring and researching, so some specifics I won’t be able to answer. I know there are a ton of manufacturers out there and models/styles, more than I am familiar with, especially since I thought I’d be in the market for a bass boat.

belletaine wrote:

New or used? Water skiing or maybe just tubing once in awhile.

At this point I am open to either new or used. Might prefer used to get more bang for the buck, but new means I don’t have to worry about how someone else maintained the motor.

Doubt there will be much skiing/tubing, if any.

francisco4 wrote:

Do you have any size restrictions due to storage or tow vehicle?

TBD. We were looking at a Jeep (Wrangler etc.), but that obviously has some limitations to the towing capacity. Not sure about storage.

Stratos 326XF or 386XF. Both are built for fishing first, but have snap in cushions for the bow if you use it for pleasure boating and want to sit up there like a bow rider. The internal layout is very similar, the only difference is the 326 is 20.5′ and the 386 is 18.5′. The 386 layout is very different in model years 2014 and older, and is more of a family boat first, fishing boat second. They redesigned it for this year.

I owned a Laguna (by sea ray) center console bay boat for 6 years and that boat was solid. I really liked the center console and stand up ride for family outings and fishing. I looked at the Skeeter SX for my new boat but it was a bit shallow for bigger water. Skeeter makes a nice boat though.

This boat will see saltwater. Carpet and saltwater don’t mix.

John Schultz wrote:

Stratos 326XF or 386XF

I’ll agree with John. I’m sort of in that process as well and saw the 386 at Cabelas. Really sweet setup that would accommodate the family comfortably, but have read a lot on how guys are loving fishing out of it as well.

What are the waters you’ll mainly be fishing in it? Are you going to need something with a shallow profile or is a larger boat for the blue seas a better way to go.

Ideally I’d like to have something that I can take out nearshore when the waters are fairly calm. I mean, why limit myself. But that isn’t a requirement. Otherwise I am talking intracoastal and freshwater. I don’t need a skiff type profile, like i said I plan on getting a fishing kayak as well.

When I say recreational I just mean going out and boating around and cruising, not tubing and waterskiing.

If I could at least find a boat with somewhat of a platform up front with a trolling mount where I could sort of manage trolling and casting a shoreline, I’d be happy on my end.

I wouldn’t mind a skiff/flats style boat. 2 problems with them are that there isn’t a lot of room for more that 2 people. And there is actually “too much” room taken up by raised casting decks. We’d like more sunken area for when we have the dogs.

Thanks for the input so far. Looking to collect some manufacturer brochures.

mplspug wrote:

When I say recreational I just mean going out and boating around and cruising, not tubing and waterskiing.

Most fishing boats will meet the needs then. Actually I like the pedestal seats over stationary just to be able to spin around and look in all directions instead of looking over your shoulder at something. Like you said, a trolling motor on the bow, they can be run from anywhere in the boat.
The boating equivalent of real estate-storage, storage, storage.

Mike, I really think that there are a number of center console bay boats that would fit your needs. A lot of them do have a removable deck and are intended for dual use. I know that Triumph CC boats have a good model that you could compare other boats to.

You shouldn’t have any trouble finding one down there.

Lowe Tahiti SD244

Well that aught to fill up the mailbox in the coming weeks. Thanks guys.