Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

[IHDiesel73L]

This probably seems like a weird question, but how many other boat owners out there don't really do any of the above mentioned activities in the boat? I guess most sailboat enthusiasts would probably fit into this category, but what about power boaters? I'm in the process of acquiring a 14' fiberglass (MFG Carefree) runabout that was basically made for just that, but I hear they're handy for skiing since it's a relatively small boat with relatively large (40 HP) power rating. I'm limited to 9.9 on the two local lakes but there are a few unrestricted lakes that are within a two hour drive. It's not that I don't like any of these activities, I just never got into skiing or wakeboarding. I fish now (Deer hunting is my real passion) and then but wouldn't really be interested in a "fishing boat." Basically my motivation for wanting a boat was to explore the otherwise inaccessible or difficult to access areas of the two reservoirs near my home, which are also state parks. I just want to be able to enjoy a nice day with the family on the boat much the way we'd enjoy a family hike with a picnic lunch, etc...a few fish caught would definitely add to the fun. Unfortunately the local reservoirs don't allow swimming, but from what I've seen most folks who find an out-of-the-way cove to take a dip in generally don't get hassled. I am interested in larger lakes where "at your own risk" swimming is permitted. Anyway, I was just curious how many others there are out there who think along the same lines-or maybe I'm just an oddball...

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

i've owned a 20 ft bowrider for 3 years.

haven't fished, skied or wakeboarded off of it ever.

We go out to hang out, swim, drink....

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

If you don't ski, fish, swim or Wakeboard with a boat than what the heck do you do. Kids and wife would be bored to tears.

Do you have kids?

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

Rarely we'll tube with the kids. Now it's mostly cruise around the Erie Islands.

 

[Cincyrunner]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

Everyone enjoys different things, and that's okay. If you enjoy crusing around the lake, occassionally dropping a line in the water trying to catch fish, that's great. But you mentioned crusing with a "family", I'm assuming you have kids. Sooner or later your kids are going to get bored just cruising around, when they see other kids having a blast being pulled on a tube. And maybe your kids are different than most other kids, but deep down I suspect they're the same (basically). And when they get a little older, they're probably not want to go boating with you anymore because you don't do anything fun with them. I could be totally wrong, and this is just my opinion. I have two kids age 8 and 11, and they love being pulled behind the boat on a tube, or just anchored in a cove so they can jump off the swim platform and goof around in the water. We'll also go fishing, when we're on vacation, where I can teach them how to handle rod and reel, and maybe we'll catch some fish. And there's times when we go out on the river and enjoy cruising up and down looking at the shoreline or city. So to answer your question, we go boating to have fun, doesn't matter what we're doing. And I suspect you'll continue to have fun with your family whatever you want to do.

 

[airshot]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

I do fish, but that is not the primary reason for my boat. We just enjoy a nice lazy ride, always see something we did not see before. Wife packs a picnic lunch or dinner and we stop and eat in a nice area. Can't beat the sunsets on a boat !!

Airshot

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

I have a houseboat I live on. So, tubing/skiing are out of the question, and I find fishing to be kinda boring. Plus, if I'm holding a rod, thats one less hand to hold a beer in.

 

[IHDiesel73L]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

If you don't ski, fish, swim or Wakeboard with a boat than what the heck do you do. Kids and wife would be bored to tears.

Do you have kids?

Swim, yes, but in our local lakes you have to be sneaky about it as I live in Nanny-State NJ where swimming without a lifeguard is a felony I have a baby girl on the way who will be interested in fishing one day, but for right now I think we're just going to cruise the reservoirs, look for wildlife from the water, and find a nice place to beach and have a picnic/wade. There's no wakeboarding or skiing on those lakes anyway. Once I check out some of the bigger lakes in Pennsylvania maybe we'll try tubing.

Everyone enjoys different things, and that's okay. If you enjoy crusing around the lake, occassionally dropping a line in the water trying to catch fish, that's great. But you mentioned crusing with a "family", I'm assuming you have kids. Sooner or later your kids are going to get bored just cruising around, when they see other kids having a blast being pulled on a tube. And maybe your kids are different than most other kids, but deep down I suspect they're the same (basically). And when they get a little older, they're probably not want to go boating with you anymore because you don't do anything fun with them. I could be totally wrong, and this is just my opinion. I have two kids age 8 and 11, and they love being pulled behind the boat on a tube, or just anchored in a cove so they can jump off the swim platform and goof around in the water. We'll also go fishing, when we're on vacation, where I can teach them how to handle rod and reel, and maybe we'll catch some fish. And there's times when we go out on the river and enjoy cruising up and down looking at the shoreline or city. So to answer your question, we go boating to have fun, doesn't matter what we're doing. And I suspect you'll continue to have fun with your family whatever you want to do.

Sounds like a man after my own heart, again, sadly, there aren't too many lakes in NJ where "all of the above" can be enjoyed-I'm jealous of all you guys who live near bigger lakes!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

I do fish, but that is not the primary reason for my boat. We just enjoy a nice lazy ride, always see something we did not see before. Wife packs a picnic lunch or dinner and we stop and eat in a nice area. Can't beat the sunsets on a boat !!

Airshot

If you like cruising the lake and catching a fish every once in a while you should give trolling a shot. Waiting for the next fish to bite will give the kids something to look forward to as well.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

I have a vintage 21' Starcraft Holiday aluminum runabout that doesn't get used for fishing and only occasionally gets used for tubing the younger generations. I'm a senior now, so skiing isn't likely for me any more, though I might try the tube again. We use the boat for exploring mostly. We'd like to do some cruising, perhaps for a week or 2 at a time, like we did years ago, before children. We need a new "camper top" to be comfortable staying on board which may take a year or so to get done.
In regard to boat size, I think the 14 footer may be a good choice for starting out, but my first concern would be safety. You'll find a boat a lot more usable if you don't have to plan to use it only if it's not windy. You mention possibly exploring bigger lakes. The bigger lakes get bigger waves but are far more interesting than a puddle somewhere. You can probably get a slightly larger used boat for the same money, but bigger boats require bigger trailers, better launch ramps and deeper water. They don't fit as easily under low bridges and they can be harder to load on trailers. Perhaps a 16 footer would be a good compromise and certainly safer and more comfortable for more people.
If you are bitten like most boaters, you'll want to upsize before long anyway. I went from 8' to 15' to 17' to 21'. Now I can cruise anywhere on the Great Lakes as long as I keep a sensible eye on the weather. - Grandad

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

since you are in NJ, why not avoid those "No Fun Allowed" lakes and head to the coast and bays? There you can do it all. That's where the best boating is.

I believe that in most circumstances the boat should be as versatile as possible for its size, unless you are 100% certain you want a specialty boat. Be careful that a feature doesn't restrict you while adding very little to the boat--for example, carpet means no fishing, no messy children, more maintenance/covering and need for replacement after a few years. An I/O keeps you in deep water. A bass boat keeps you in flat fresh water.

With a good versatile boat, you can cruise around and look at stuff, but also fish, ski, etc. You can get in the shallows and also handle big water. There are lots of boats now that have a good seaworthy design but also have family friendly features like seating, storage, etc.

You can't have too many boats. Pick up a cheap used 14' john for fishing the lakes with your 9.9 and a center console, dual console, bay boat or fish n ski, 17-19', with an outboard, for the family days.

 

[haley]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

I love the wind in my hair, exploring (what we used to call "gunk holing" when I was a small boat sailor). We turned our noses up at what used to be our three favorite beaches on vacation - preferred swimming off the boat. Introduced my 12 year old son to the fun and responsibility of operating a motor vehicle. Next up is camping - I love to canoe camp but the wife does not. Hoping motor boat camping is just different enough. I am not a fisherman, but could not help dusting off the old rod. I even had a very enjoyable time just lounging in the boat dockside.

Jh

 

[southkogs]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

Swim, yes, but in our local lakes you have to be sneaky about it as I live in Nanny-State NJ where swimming without a lifeguard is a felony

Not to put NJ down too much, but I'd like to be the first to invite out from behind the iron curtain - You're welcome in TN anytime and you can swim without a lifeguard. WOW.

We mostly cruise around and swim. Generally take a meal out with us and enjoy the scenery (we can make it to waterfalls and the lakes have a lot of coves and inlets). We play at tubing and skiing, and fish a little more than that. Mainly, we just relax.

Congratulations on the baby by the way!!

 

[ziggy]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

NJ where swimming without a lifeguard is a felony

you've got to be kidding me!!!! i've never heard of such crap.

as to the question at hand. i pretty much just pleasure boat now a days. i did my skiing when i was a kid, fishing too. tubing wasn't hip back in the sixties. but we'd ride anything we could sit or stand on for fun. that said.

it's not so boring pleasure boating. ya just take in the scenes. enjoy the sound of the water. the sunsets or sunrise. me and my 'ol lady have taken to trying night boating. the stars and moon are great. there's also the excitement of boating is less than ideal conditions. which we do too, within reason. we do swim off our pleasure boat (no felony in ne.) there's also river running which is fun. for a lake boater like me, the river presents new and hazardous conditions which i'm not used to. it's the fun of skippering a boat..

we don't take kids on our boat much. usually just me and her in a 19' boat..

 

[IHDiesel73L]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

you've got to be kidding me!!!! i've never heard of such crap.

LOL...I should clarify-it's not actually a felony-I was just being dramatic. Both of the local lakes have "designated swimming areas" which are only open when a lifeguard is present. The rest of the lake is open to fishing, canoeing, kayaking, etc...but no swimming. That being said, if you take your boat to some of the more out of the way areas (these are 2000 acre or so lakes so there aren't that many "out of the way areas") you can usually swim without getting hassled. I think it's a $75 summons if you get caught. Unrestricted swimming is allowed in the two largest lakes in the state, but from what I've heard the water quality isn't all that great because of the amount of boat traffic in the summer.

as to the question at hand. i pretty much just pleasure boat now a days. i did my skiing when i was a kid, fishing too. tubing wasn't hip back in the sixties. but we'd ride anything we could sit or stand on for fun. that said.

it's not so boring pleasure boating. ya just take in the scenes. enjoy the sound of the water. the sunsets or sunrise. me and my 'ol lady have taken to trying night boating. the stars and moon are great. there's also the excitement of boating is less than ideal conditions. which we do too, within reason. we do swim off our pleasure boat (no felony in ne.) there's also river running which is fun. for a lake boater like me, the river presents new and hazardous conditions which i'm not used to. it's the fun of skippering a boat.

That's what I'm looking forward to.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

Sight see, eat, drink, cruise and sunbathe is pretty much all that happens on mine unless the Admiral is feeling frisky...

And no I don't own an open bow. Take relief in that fact...:facepalm:

 

[scipper77]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

For many boating is a social club. Pull up to an area where there are several boats tied together or at least anchored in close proximity, get out and have a beer with whoever else is there. Everyone at these areas is there to meet new friends and socialize so don't be shy to walk up to someone else's boat and strike up a conversation. I have the best time just watching my kids play in those situations while the "adults" talk shop.

 

[spudshaft]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

We fish a little bit, but mostly we just ride to some place and the kids swim.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

Sight see, eat, drink, cruise and sunbathe is pretty much all that happens on mine unless the Admiral is feeling frisky...

This!!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Freshwater boaters who don't ski, wakeboard, or fish?

I'm sorry, but getting that close to water without fishing is just pure blasphemy to me!