Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

[ferguson]

Hello, We are a family of four new to boating. Could you please recommend one boat that can be used for water skiing as well as fishing. I see alot of boats for one or the other...we only want to purchase one boat and have fun doing both. Any recommendations/experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Ferguson

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

Hi Feruson,<br /><br />Putting all respects of your question into one answer would make up an essay of numerous pages.<br /><br />Do a search in this forum for 'new boat choose'. Returns 44 hits and will get you started.<br /><br />You need to decide on your budget, your planned boat use in more detail, your preferred features, and the overall boat design.<br /><br />Then visit your nearest marinas & ramps and check on various makes and models. Talk to as many owners as you can. Reconsider your demands. Check ads and dealers.

 

[RatFish]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

Take a look at Dual Consoles. They offer the best of both worlds. I did find that they are a bit pricey though ($30,000 plus). I have a wife and four kids so price was a big factor. I ended up getting a Bayliner 205 with a fiberglass liner. With a few modifications, it will be just fine. Here are a few links:<br /><br /> Aquasport <br /><br />Scout <br /><br /> Key West<br /><br /> Wellcraft

 

[cuzner]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

I would suggest a bow rider,with an i/o engine.intergrated swim platform would be a bonus.Do some research at the builders web-site to get an idea of what your looking for,and when you find what will work for you check out boat trader online if you go with used. I would suggest you buy used for for your first boat, will save alot of money,and if you decide it is not what want you can sell it,or trade it on something you want.I would advise to stay away from older outboard engines for your first boat. They tend to be tempermental getting started,and flood easily til you get used to them.It would be a good idea to take a boaters course,I've been boating for 25 years,and took the course in Ontario,and I did learn some things from the course.<br /><br /> good luck<br /> jim

 

[roscoe]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

You need to provide more info about intended use:<br /><br />Saltwater?<br />Freshwater?<br />Moored/docked vs trailering?<br />Type of fishing?<br />Tow vehicle you will use?<br />Size of waters you will venture out on?<br />What part of the country are you located in?<br />Budget?<br />New or used?<br />Outboard or I/O?<br /><br />For a trailered, dual purpose, fairly light weight, roomy, affordable boat, I like an aluminum single console, outboard powered, powered at near maximum hp, like an Alumacraft<br />Magnum 17.5'

 

[KCook]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

As the other posts have shown, you really have a lot of choices. While bowriders and fishing boats easily out sell the dual purpose models, there are plenty of dual purpose boats on the market.<br /><br />Your location will also be a factor. In a coastal area you can find the Dual Console saltwater boats. Deckboats with fishing packages are popular in the sunbelt. Lots of OB fish-n-ski boats where ever bass fishing is big. Etc., etc.<br /><br />Outboard vs I/O can be a key consideration. Some folks have a strong preference for one or the other. In very general terms OB is better for fishing and I/O is better for skiing. But both work.<br /><br />Here is another thread on the various dual purpose choices - Boat buying advice <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

Depending on where you live and the kind of fishing you want to do, Stratos and Triton make a few really nice versatile fish & skis. Also Triumph makes an interesting model and the hull is made of a new plastic composite that is touted as being pretty much indestructable and maintenence free. Good luck.

 

[1986mariner150]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

For my money about a 17 ft. say Maxum or Searay ect. bowrider with a 130 Mercruiser 4 cylinder offers much value. You can get mid 40 mph speeds, a comfortable dry ride for you and yours and they are easy on gas, plus you don't have to buy 2 stroke oil every time you get gas. Put a power drive foot control on the bow and you have a ski and fish. If you really wanted to get fancy you could build you a removable casting deck with a pedastal seat for the bow and leave the cushions at home or vice versa. If you are a little bit crafty you can put clip type latchs under the cushions so when you want a bowrider you can't tell the platform was ever in there. Most of the ready made fish and ski's tend to lean toward the fisherman and forget about the family. They typically don't offer as much seating and creature comfort, and have more dry storage and live wells.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

Actually SeaRay is offering the fish and ski pkg. again on one of their smaller bowriders and is a good all around family boat. Bow mounted troller, fishing seats fore & aft and livewell.

 

[KCook]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

This fish-n-ski looks like it has plenty of comfort for the family to me? <br />

<br />Kelly

 

[muskyone]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

Stratos this boat is 14k new great boats it will be my next one when i out the need for speed http://warnersdock.com/stratos170fs03.htm

 

[1986mariner150]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

Looks kind of crowded to me. With the back seat you can seat at max 5 while underway. With an inboard power plant you have 2 seats on either side and 2 back to backs, with the front deck in ski position you can seat a couple more up front. That hull looks simular to what I had in mind, but with the motor cover and swim platform to walk around or mount fishing seats on with the inboard you have much less wasted space, as opposed to an outboard. I have seen brand new bowriders going for around 12 k. So late model used ones are very affordable.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

I find it amazing that we all keep offering up suggestions and opinions, to someone that hasn't given us any real idea of his requirements or desires, and who hasn't posted back in a week. <br /><br />OK, changed my suggestion. Get an old 14' Aluminum utility and strap a 35hp on the back. For a $1000 you can fish and ski.<br /><br />No wait, I wouldn't venture out on the water with my family in anything less than a new 24' SeaRay, with downriggers, twin 140hp, and a full head and galley.

 

[KCook]

Re: Need Recommendation for Fish and Ski Boat

Good one roscoe