most practical boat for the use

[yourkiddin]

fish=bass,crappie,catfish
comfort=wife and child able to relax
needs=18-22ft hull with trolling motor and more than likely inbourd outbourd.
also pull a tuber. livewell and rod storrage.

leaning towards fish n ski or another bigger bow rider that i can put trolling motor on. i was pretty impressed with a center console,alot of room to walk around. but no where to sit for the family. and got to stand up. whats ur favorite all around do it all boat.

 

[mthieme]

Re: most practical boat for the use

My Searay SRV190.
Although I wish it were a SRV240.

 

[ne7800]

Re: most practical boat for the use

i like a 18' bowrider

 

[Bob547]

Re: most practical boat for the use

If you really like the center console, then there are some models with seating in the front like a bow rider. I've seen them around. There are so many boats out there, new and used i cant decide either..good luck looking...bob

 

[Splat]

Re: most practical boat for the use

Bill,

Look into a crestliner or alumicraft. What your really going to want is a fishing boat thats set up for cruising. Not a sport boat that's set up to fish off of. If that makes any sense.

Next year I'll be purchasing a Crestliner 2150sst

Probally close to what your looking for.

http://www.crestliner.com/boats/boat_model.asp?BID=31


Bill

 

[External Combustion]

Re: most practical boat for the use

My little fifteen foot MFG Gypsy does that combination of jobs well though it is not stellar at any of them. Mine has an eightyfive horse Evinrude as a pusher. I would like a bit more power to pull a tube with several kids on it, a bit more speed to get to the bass grounds and a bit more room to cast in. It is old and paid for and gets reasonable fuel economy so it will be in my stable for a long, long time.

It also tows easily with a smaller pickup and some midsized cars.

If you like new as compared to used, a good bowrider-trihull would get you there.

Mine is used in landlocked lakes and on rivers where stumps are the main underwater concerns. Setting the motor up so that a stump would kick it up and out of the water would be worth the time and effort if you have similar conditions. A breakaway bolt on the bottom of the mount will allow you to reverse with no problems, but a hard whak will shear it and save the lower end.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: most practical boat for the use

Bayliner 204 or up Fish N Ski you can read about them and see pics. everything has an onboard storage place.

http://www.bayliner.com/ski-n-fish.asp?modelid=122479

 

[ziggy]

Re: most practical boat for the use

read the classifieds here on iboats (got my boat thru them). or other places, ebay, craigslist. many pics of boats. ya might get a better idea of what's available. or wait for the boat shows. then ya can go get touchy feely with your prospective new toy...

 

[brown_one]

Re: most practical boat for the use

i had the same basic needs. thats why i got the deck boat.

 

[Jon D]

Re: most practical boat for the use

Hello in my opinion i think that the center console is best all around boat. Its best for fishing-plenty of room and can walk all around if fish moves all over also they seem to have better livewells and clean up easier. Water sports is great to just no seats facing back to watch rider. Cruising is great too but like you said not much seating. keep checking out different boats and if going new try some demo rides. You need to figure out what activity is most important and what activity you will do most and then pick around that . Just make sure you try out some options.

 

[fishingman220]

Re: most practical boat for the use

i have a 1996 proline 220 cuddy fish, and to me this is one of the best all around boat, has a cabin, plenty of room for fishing, even a enclosure, and you could put a little 5hp for trollin. it has a 5.7 so plenty of power for towing. i love mine, and it has no wood so no rot.