Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

[diverdown07]

I am looking for a boat in the 18-20 range for fishing and occasional water skiing, tubing and wakeboarding.

I was looking at the Tahoe 5QI but have read mixed reviews on the fit / finish of the boat.

I will be trailering the boat and fishing fresh water lakes (mostly calm) and do a combination of trolling (mostly), casting and jigging.

The ability to pull a drain plug and spray down the boat after a day of use (the 5QI has a fiberglass floor which is great for this) is great.

I am also interested in a swim platform, suitable storage, some sort of bimini or T top, plenty of power, trailer with assisted brakes, a reasonable draft (for trolling in about 9' of water), and access for comfortable seating in the bow.

I have read lots of info on Stingray, Chaparral etc and was wondering if that would be a better way to go.

I would be looking to get something from 2008 to current (earlier if the features all exist).

Your suggestions and input would be much appreciated.


Many thanks for your time.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

get an outboard

Look at Sea Hunt ultra and carolina skiff DLX series

Or a good "bay boat" hull design. Sea Hunt makes one.

These boats will give you a whole lot more room than an I/O and/or bow rider design. You want to be able to move around nithe boat, not just sit 'n' look.

 

[diverdown07]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

get an outboard

Look at Sea Hunt ultra and carolina skiff DLX series

Or a good "bay boat" hull design. Sea Hunt makes one.

These boats will give you a whole lot more room than an I/O and/or bow rider design. You want to be able to move around nithe boat, not just sit 'n' look.

I was looking at the boats and they are very different from the ones that I considered. They use an outboard which I prefer as well.

How does the Pioneer 197 Venture compare to the Sea Hunt and Carolina Skiff?

I live in Ontario, Canada and will be using the boats on fresh water lakes.


Thanks.

 

[diverdown07]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

I was speaking with my wife and showed her pictures of the center console type boats she indicated that she felt the center console type of boats in were akin to having a massive foyer in a house - nice to look at but the space is largely unused except to move from place to place. Flexible and comfortable seating arrangement would be preferred.

The open space of a center console is great, but I think the bow rider style may be more suitable to my needs and for my family (but I am still open to suggestions and the feedback from the experience of others).

The Pioneer Venture 197 seems like a good boat from reviews, but their website is frankly horrible when it comes to providing decent pictures of the interior layout. Most of the layout pics that I have seen have been from owners.

The swim platform and sun bed on the I/O of the Tahoe Q5I seem to be ideal. I am hesitant to purchase the Tahoe because of many poor reviews and I would prefer a outboard if possible.

My experience with boats in the past have been limited to old style bow-riders and aluminum fishing boats (transom and side console).

Please keep the suggestions coming as I need to buy before the end of the month (I will probably buy 2-3 years used and as I live in Canada and the selection is limited will probably be buying from the US possibly sight unseen).

Many thanks for your help and support.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

Finding an outboard on an 18-20' ski-type boat is going to be tough. Vast majority of them are I/O's. Bayliner is one of the few that offers them. I also personally prefer an outboard. These may no interest you at all but a much larger percentage of the aluminum fish/skis are outboard powered and may still have the seating layout you prefer.

This boat from Lowe with the optional bow cushions and combing pads makes for a nice bowrider http://www.loweboats.com/showroom/deep-v/fish-and-ski/fs185.php Starcraft, Sylvan, Lund, etc would have similar. These may be way off from what you want. I just rehabbed an older aluminum Starcraft into a more modern fish/ski http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2728-2.jpg

 

[H203]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

I'm just going to paste a reply I made a few months back to someone looking for a good all around boat. I agree with the concerns on the Tahoe's fit and finish. You can't compare to the Four Winn's quality. Good luck!!




I'm going on my 3rd season with a Four Winns H203 Ski & Fish model. It's been a great boat for both fishing and watersports/cruising. The Volvo 225 hp does a nice job of pulling skiers and tubes, etc. Good storage and floor space, too.

I'll take it out early to fish and have the family meet me at noon to spend the afternoon on the water. It only takes about :15 to fully convert from fish to ski mode. It's a heavy boat and could use more than the 56lb. thrust trolling motor it came with, but that would require jumping up to 24 v's and an extra battery. Not a huge issue...

I don't know if Four Winns is making the H203 in 2010, but there are still 09's out there. They also have a H180 that is slightly shorter, but similar.

Enjoy and good luck!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

Interesting comment that the open space was a liability and she'd rather have it filled in with seating.
In my world, we like a lot of room to move around. Some like to ride standing up; you move around to get to the cooler, get a towel, whatever; you take turns on the skis or tube so you are rearranging places.
Sometimes I am hauling 4 families gear including food and bev to the island for several days.
Fishing is all about moving around; and inward-facing seating is worthless.
So to me, why cramp a boat? Leave it open, and fill in with deck chairs if needed. You get a lot more boat for the money when it isn't stuffed with sofa's.
But that's just me. I don't sit around on land much, either, watching TV or sun bathing.

 

[diverdown07]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

Interesting comment that the open space was a liability and she'd rather have it filled in with seating.
In my world, we like a lot of room to move around. Some like to ride standing up; you move around to get to the cooler, get a towel, whatever; you take turns on the skis or tube so you are rearranging places.
Sometimes I am hauling 4 families gear including food and bev to the island for several days.
Fishing is all about moving around; and inward-facing seating is worthless.
So to me, why cramp a boat? Leave it open, and fill in with deck chairs if needed. You get a lot more boat for the money when it isn't stuffed with sofa's.
But that's just me. I don't sit around on land much, either, watching TV or sun bathing.

I completely agree, for hauling gear and moving from place to place on a boat a CC makes total sense. But especially on a smaller boat, you are moving on the boat physically from somewhere to somewhere, and in my limited experience most people prefer to sit when traveling (although there are exceptions). Deck chairs are typically not as comfortable or stable as built ins and she makes a lot of sense imo.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

Whatever the wife wants She gets, for the grace of her I get a boat,

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

I have a couple of suggestions. Have you looked at what I'm going to call "Bass Boat Fish & Ski" or "Walleye Boat Fish & Ski" boats? Examples of the bass boat style are Nitro Sport 189, Triton FS, Procraft Combos, Ranger Reata, etc. Walley combos would be more like Nitro Sport 289, Tracker Targa, Lund, and Smokercraft. Either is suited better to fishing, but still has the ability to get out and play.

I am purchasing a Procraft 200 Combo (I'm getting tired of saying I'm purchasing it - going on 5 weeks waiting on PO to obtain new title). My justificaiton was I'm going to be on it 50% of the time alone, Bass and Walley fishing. The other 50% will be with the wife, of which, half that time the two of us will be fishing. So that only leaves 25% of the time we will be just cruising, skiing, swimming, or playing. All will be on small lakes. Seemed like the right boat. Ours will be 20' 6", 200 Mercury Optimax with lots of fishing features (trolling motor, fishfinders, livewells, etc) as well as pleasure features (radio, seating for 5 comfortably - 7 if I need to, ski pylon, etc).

Just another option to look at.

 

[timdan94]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

I was in the same situation but looking for one in the 17 ft range. I ordered the Crestliner Superhawk 1700. Its set up for fishing but has a convertible bow that goes from casting deck to bowrider configuration.

http://www.recstation.net/dlrindexsend_pg_pov_veh_1502855-2010.htm

They make them in the 18-19 ft range and you can get the 18ft with an IO

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

Center console boats are really only useful for utility purposes, IMO, fishing diving etc. Deck chairs on a fast boat make no sense, everyone will be sliding and falling over. For family sports use, sunbathing, nothing is more comforable than quality built in, fold down seating; bow with filler pad, sun deck etc. I also far prefer an I/O for freshwater family use because of the aft platform/sun pad space, quiet power, and layout in general. To each his own, certainly, but when I had a boat in this size range we spent lots of time hanging off the back, and that would not be as comfortable with a big outboard sticking up.

 

[GXL205 Deke]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

I would look at the Fish and Ski models in Four Winns, Glastron, Chaparal and the such.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

+1 on the fish and ski.

Center console boats are specialist tools for the die hard bigwater (mostly saltie) angler. They don't make good family boats because most women and recreational boaters prefer the comfort good seats and of being behind the windshield. Just look at how many bow riders you see where there's never anyone except kids riding in the bow.

Don't get me wrong, nothing turns my head faster than a Regulator running twin 300's. But it ain't gonna happen for a family guy with a non-fishing wife.

Grouse

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

This is interesting because it shows the regional/cultural differences--and why a person asking advice here needs to know that the opinions are nationwide. It's why the person getting advice here also needs to supplement it with local "walk around the docks and ask" information.

Some "what should I buy" posts give no hint as to the region or type of water. Thsi guy wants to do some fishing and watersports, and a "hose-down" boat, so that takes out the carpeted sofa boats.

I'm certainly not arguing with or doubting anyone; this is a topic of pure personal preference and opinion, but around here, the families prefer center consoles, or perhaps a dual console compromise. They really do, even the ones who never fish. But I am certain that in Lake Havasu, you'd be hard pressed to find a family in a center console. I like to suggest them (CC's) anyway so that a person will at least consider them, know that they CAN work, and look around his region for what seems to suit folks best.

 

[diverdown07]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

To clarify my original post, I will be fishing in freshwater exclusively in Ontario (Lake Ontario, Muskoka, Rice Lake and many of the smaller freshwater lakes).

If anyone else has any recommendations or can provide info on what setup they use for a similar situation it would be much appreciated.

Thank you for all your help.

 

[lonesouth]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

After much internal debate over I/O or outboard, local fishing environment and quality of construction, I settled on a Boston Whaler Ventura or older(pre 96) Dauntless dual console. This is a nice mix of recreation, fishing, quality, draft and ease of cleaning. It doesn't hurt that it is "unsinkable" for safety, should the worst come to pass. The only problem is finding one. I've been searching craigslist for the last week and have only found a handful and they haven't been cheap. However, I did, for kicks, price out a new Ventura 180 with FP150 and the usual bells and wistles ~$54,000. So maybe ~$!2,000 is a good deal on a used version. Also, the Whalers seem to hold their value and integrity better, regardless of quality of the owner, than other FnS from the usual contenders.

 

[saxrulez]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

For your requirements(which are VERY similiar to mine) I'll show you what I would buy if I had the cash.

http://www.triumphboats.com/index.cfm?page=ModelPhotos&siniterx=191FS

Very fishing friendly, rear seating is very customizeable depending on what your going to be using it for that day. Can fold it down to a flat platform, have fishing seats on it, or have it down with normal bowrider'ish seats.

No stupid carpet either.

 

[saxrulez]

Re: Advice for a boat in the 18-20 range

For your requirements(which are VERY similiar to mine) I'll show you what I would buy if I had the cash.

http://www.triumphboats.com/index.cfm?page=ModelPhotos&siniterx=191FS

Very fishing friendly, rear seating is very customizeable depending on what your going to be using it for that day. Can fold it down to a flat platform, have fishing seats on it, or have it down with normal bowrider'ish seats.

No stupid carpet either.

This would be my other consideration:
http://www.triumphboats.com/index.cfm?page=modelIntro&siniterx=170DC