Boat for me

Curly Fry

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
27
Hi, new to the forum.

I need a boat that has seating for eight, has a livewell for fishing, can tow wakeboarders, skiers and tubes (nothing serious just kids). Can hit at least 35 mph (loaded) and is under 20'.

Are there any boats out there like this?

I've been thinking about getting a bass buggy, but its top end is around 25mph, with its max hp (75). Could i get this boat and rig it over 75hp? If so, what hp would get it to ~35mph?
 

NelsonQ

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
1,413
Re: Boat for me

I just bought a Hurricane Deck boat. SS 188 OB. Sold out but some dealers still have inventory.

Comes with 115HP, 4 Stroke for 18K USD. Built in Livewell, seats 10. Great for tubing and skiing, can't comment on wakeboarding.

Should run close to your 35MPH on an average load but full loaded I'd consider moving towards a 150HP. Max HP rated to 200HP. I bought mine with a 175HP.

The SS194 OB is the same boat for the most part.
 

JoLin

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
5,146
Re: Boat for me

Don't overpower or overload a boat! It's asking for trouble, injury and all kinds of liability issues. Adhere to the limits on the capacity plate

You don't say anything about where you boat, and what kind of conditions you encounter. Lake with calm water? Bay where things can kick up?

You're asking for a lot of capability in a pretty small boat. Deck boat might well be your best bet, but you haven't really provided enough info.

Good luck!
 

Curly Fry

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
27
Re: Boat for me

Ok, bass buggy is out then.

A deck boat looks like exactly what i need.

The lake I boat on is relatively small and is hard to flip a canoe on even the choppiest of days.

The length limit was due to my boat house.

Although I will be taking this boat to Lake Winnipesaukee on occasion. A relatively big lake that can get pretty choppy.

I think i have found a good boat for me, I just searched on google, and didn't find anything on it:
http://www.starcraftmarine.com/Show...1147&Type=Deckboat&Series=Flat Deck&Model=161

I can't seem to find any other info on it like if it has an optional livewell or other pictures etc. Has anyone had experience with this model?
 

JimMH

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
361
Re: Boat for me

Under 20 feet I would look at Glastron GT185SF. Seating capacity is 8 and Glastron usually has better than average top end. I had a sx195 and with a
V6 it would run 48 fully loaded.
 

DBreskin

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
799
Re: Boat for me

Hi, new to the forum.

I need a boat that has seating for eight, has a livewell for fishing, can tow wakeboarders, skiers and tubes (nothing serious just kids). Can hit at least 35 mph (loaded) and is under 20'.

Be aware that boats are rated for both seating and weight. My 20' boat is rated for 10 people but only 1410lbs. Assuming I take 160lbs of gear (fuel, skiis, tube, food, drinks, etc) that leaves 1250lbs for people or an average of 156lbs per person for 8 people. I wouldn't take 8 people since I wouldn't want to get that close to the limit.
 
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Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Boat for me

Carolina Skiff--highest capacity per foot, very stable. If you want 8 in a boat under 20' forget the bow riders, get something open and roomy like a center console--plus you can fish from them. remember, seating 8 and being able to enjoy the boat with 8 people in it are not the same thing.
35mph loaded with 8 people under 20' is not feasible.
 

NelsonQ

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
1,413
Re: Boat for me

Well, between deck boats, would you guys recommend a traditional boat style? or more of a pontoon-party boat-flat deck style?

Needs replacing due to very limited seating and only tops out around 32 with just me in it.

To me, I recommend the deck boat because I've had the smaller runabouts, looked at and spent many trips in bowriders, and even spent some time on pontoons.

Think of the deck boat as your SUV. It's a hybrid between them all. So you have the hull of a traditional bowriders with a deep V or modified V hull so they handle well in lakes and small chop. They're have a wider beam end to end to provide more space/seating.

The one I suggested comes with a built in livewell and dual battery storage, and can be ordered with prewire for trolling motor, bow fishing seats, etc.

The pontoon won't meet your speed req's but a lot of the deck boats in the 18-20' range, with the right powering will. (My 17 ft with a 115HP hits 45 MPH with just me, and I expect my newer 19 ft with a 175HP to be 50+. )
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: Boat for me

The pontoon won't meet your speed req's
i dunno, i've seen some ads for them new tritoon pontoon boats that have real high hp o/b or even i/o's that would likely meet the speed requirement.

myself, i like boating with 2 or three people (my max cap is 6). to many on board and it cramps (literally) my style + makes it less safe, when approaching max capacity, than it could be... imho..
 

NelsonQ

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
1,413
Re: Boat for me

i dunno, i've seen some ads for them new tritoon pontoon boats that have real high hp o/b or even i/o's that would likely meet the speed requirement.

You're correct Ziggy... Just for tubing/skiing/wakeboarding it's probably not the right boat for him.....but still an option

But for pure speed in a pontoon....:D:D
 

NelsonQ

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
1,413
Re: Boat for me

I have no familiarity with flat deck so I can't comment on the pros or cons.

I have the traditional deck design on mine. It's a modified V that handles small chop fairly well, and the outer part of the hull (heard them called chines and sponsons depending on who) but they create good lift on plane.

I'd suspect the flatter boat would hit harder the rougher the water.
 

Curly Fry

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
27
Re: Boat for me

Modified V? thats what they call it these days? I've always known them as tri hulls.

And i have absolutley no idea what ad you are talking about. :confused:
 
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