What boat to buy....

[jheron]

Well I am just finishing the overhaul on my 1974 l6 115hp and am getting ready to start the stringers and floor in the old skank when to my delight the better half decides we should buy a new boat <br /> I don't know a whole lot about boats yet, but I sure am learning thanks to all the participation on this board!<br /> I think I would like about an 18 footer. We have a trailer up on lake Huron and I love down rigging on the big water, however I also want a boat that's great to ski behind and fish small lakes for my favorite type of fishing for bass and northern pike!<br />So that's how I came to my 18' conclusion, big enough for Huron and not to big for my 115hp (witch I believe is rated at the crank not the prop shaft).<br />I have looked at a few different makes like the Lund fish n ski and also the starcraft fish n ski both are nice boats but I know nothing of there history or rep good, bad or indifferent? Also I have yet to see a price for just a hull, all prices are with a motor and trailer package.<br />Well fire away folks what would you buy in my situation? Throw all the quality MFG names at me you can think of to give me somthing to research <br />Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!<br />sincerely Jon

 

[pwiseman]

Re: What boat to buy....

Lund has been around forever. In Minnesota, they are everywhere. You see old ones, new ones, big ones and small ones. They started independant were last owned by Genmar, but they were sold last year to Brunswick along with Crestliner. Lund has the main factory in Minnesota and Lund Canada is based in Ontario. They have very strong presence with outfitters.<br /><br />I wonder about rigging with the old motor and how that might work out. 115 at the crank might be a little underpowered for skiing behind and 18 footer especially if you dead start on one ski.

 

[cuzner]

Re: What boat to buy....

Alluminun hull if can.sylvan has a nice model, small cuddy, nice light boat.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[KCook]

Re: What boat to buy....

New or used? Here is another thread that really gets into the different aluminum boats - aluminum riveted boat ? <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[AntsGrady]

Re: What boat to buy....

I'd have to say aluminum can lead to electrolysis issues. Can you say ZINCS boys and girls?? Be warned and do your homework.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: What boat to buy....

A friend of ours had a 19 foot Prince Craft with 115 Merc boat pulled about 45mph and did well tubing and skiing also, Vhull was nice and deep with a wide beam perfect for our great lakes, boat rode solid and smooth.

 

[jheron]

Re: What boat to buy....

Thank you all for your sugestions however like all women she has changed her mind and decided that she should save the money for a wedding/new car broke my friggen heart! <br />So back into the ty-vec suit for me <br />Jon

 

[87Aggie]

Re: What boat to buy....

She probably changed her mind because she caught wind of you calling her and "old skank". But maybe that's a term of endearment up north in Canada.

 

[Straightup]

Re: What boat to buy....

Originally posted by jheron:<br /> Well I am just finishing the overhaul on my 1974 l6 115hp and am getting ready to start the stringers and floor in the old skank when to my delight the better half decides we should buy a new boat <br /> <br />I don't know a whole lot about boats yet, but I sure am learning thanks to all the participation on this board!<br /> <br />I also want a boat that's great to ski behind and fish small lakes for my favorite type of fishing for bass and northern pike!<br />Jon

Aggie, I did a double take on that too, but when I read it again I noticed he was calling his boat the Old Skank and affectionately called his wife the Better Half.<br /><br />Jon, you sound like you know plenty about boats! The work on your boat you are doing is pretty hard work. Good job.<br /><br />Also - are you sure you are a Canadian? I ask that because everywhere I've ever been in Canada the pike is considered a rough fish - the only REAL fish in their minds is the Walleye!! <br /><br />Anyway, too bad on not getting the new boat. Would have been fun. I would have been interested to hear what you picked.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[jheron]

Re: What boat to buy....

hello,<br />"She probably changed her mind because she caught wind of you calling her and "old skank"" <br />hehe if she caught me calling her that there would have been more than the boat out of the picture lol<br /><br /><br />"Also - are you sure you are a Canadian? I ask that because everywhere I've ever been in Canada the pike is considered a rough fish - the only REAL fish in their minds is the Walleye!!"<br />You must be speaking about grass pike AKA slue sharks! They fight like a pickrel (which is not at all) and are usually slimy. Most of the southern Ontario lakes are full of them but come up north and you will find true northern pike, great fight and excellent eating you couldn't pay me to fish for pickrel if there are pike in the water, pikrel just come in like a bunch of weeds and are not as good to eat as a northern IMO My favorite fishing is the small mouth bass up north (no large mouth up there) man pound for pound they must be the toughest fighten fish around! I love to see them dance accross the top of the water! <br />Regards Jon

 

[87Aggie]

Re: What boat to buy....

You're right, I misread it! If I called my better half that I could forget about ever getting anything and would be in the doghouse for a good while and making my own supper for months!

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: What boat to buy....

Jheron.. <br /> Don't forget about our Muskellunge (musky), and don't worry once your lady gets a fancy for boats the new one will picked out for you by her.

 

[roscoe]

Re: What boat to buy....

You have some nice lakers, smallmouth, and perch up there too.<br />I even like catching the whitefish, but I'll let you eat them.

 

[cuzner]

Re: What boat to buy....

You cam always ask her to register, for wedding gifts at a boat dealer <br /><br /> Jim

 

[jheron]

Re: What boat to buy....

YAAHOO I guilted her back into it!! <br />So now I see a nice 2001 17' Tracker Targa in the local paper with no motor perfect! They are asking $9995.00C Looks like a nice boat what do you guys think?<br />happy Jon

 

[jheron]

Re: What boat to buy....

Well we got one <br />Its a brand new 2003 Lowe 17' fish n ski <br />we got it for $13000.00C and so far we are very happy with it!! Here is a pic of her on our maiden voyage this is also the first run for the fresh rebuilt 1150 <br /> FINALLY <br /> <br />and again... (very happy )<br /> Nice!!