Need help thinking about my "next" boat

[NMShooter]

Was out fishing with my daughter this past weekend in our 17' Sportsman aluminum fish /ski. We typically rig it with two downriggers and two top lines out the sides.

With tackle box, cooler, anchors, rope, and miscellaneous stuff, we are cramped. Hard to get around at all. We had a double w Tiger Muskies on this weekend and it was a fiasco. We were laughing at one another trying to work the net, trolling motor, tend downriggers and fight fish at the same time.

Made me start thinking about a bigger boat.

I realize that when you go to a bigger boat, that moving from a 17 to an 18 puts that foot in the middle of the boat... not at the ends. I'm trying to figure out where I need to be in my next boat. I like this 17' as it is easy to handle, launch, dock, whatever. So I'm not automatically in the bigger-is-better camp.

Ultimately, I'd like to be able to have room for two adults and two kids for fishing. Plus a small cooler for food, and a cooler for fish. Hopefully my next boat might even have a live well or a built in cooler. That would be nice to get that out of the way.

What are your thoughts? Is an 18' a decent sized jump from a 17, or do I need to stretch to 19 or 20? I don't like the idea of a big boat, but am not totally against it.

I also want to keep my downriggers, and I like hanging them straight out the back. I know I may need to change this if I go to an I/O or boat with a larger transom.

Thanks for any input.

-f-

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

Psssssst...



Think "pontoon".

 

[southkogs]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

17' to 18' isn't gonna' be much a jump for you, unless the interior layout is dramatically different. Center console boats may offer a better layout at the size you like, or consider gettin' into a bigger boat.

 

[emoney]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

If you're going to move "up" in size, make sure you move up enough, otherwise you're just sharing your money with other folks. Get up on several boats until you get a real feel for what you want. Then, make a list of "must-haves" and another of "like-to-haves". Whichever boat gets the most points from both columns gets the nod. And don't let 2-foot-itis get you either. Make sure the boat truly does have a lot of the type room you need for your style of fishing. I've gotten on 18' boats that felt cramped with just me and others that seem bigger than they were. You really won't know until you're on it.

That's the main reason for boat shows, btw. And, boat show season will be here any moment now.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

You make a good point with the realization that "room" is not always a function of length. Platforms can work as seats but not the other way around. Big console/dash/windshield set-ups are consuming space. compare basic pedestal seats to back-to-back or big padded barco-loungers.
those who want enclosed bows or cuddy's on small boats soon see they have only several feet in the stern as usable space no matter how long it is.
So you might easily find something roomier while maintaining over-all size. And bigger isn't always better, if you want a boat for shallow water, easier to trailer and store, smaller motor/less fuel, etc.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

A pontoon is a platform that gives you incredible flexibility:

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

Big console/dash/windshield set-ups are consuming space. compare basic pedestal seats to back-to-back or big padded barco-loungers.
.

I agree. Those fish/ski boats windshields take up a ton of space. I convinced my brother not to go that route. He has a Crestliner 1750 Fishhawk SC 95" beam. Is your Sportsman a Crestliner too? i see Lowe and Polar Craft and maybe others make them too. A dual console would be fine. Since it sounds like your main water activity is fishing, I personally would shy away from the fish/ski style. Baitwells come in handy for coolers.....

 

[NMShooter]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

Thanks for all the great input!

I forgot to mention that I do also want to use the boat as a pleasure craft for cruising at a decent speed as well. We just don't do much of that, as the boat is a bit small, and we have a bit of a drive to get to water. I have avoided just cruising trips as I know that I won't be able to resist the urge to also pack my fishing stuff. What I really need is a pontoon AND a cruising boat fat chance.

I'm trying to understand the comment above about the pedestal vs. back to back seats. Those back to back seats are the biggest waste of space. I can't imagine needing to haul 4 passengers in the back, along with folks in the bow, of a 17 foot aluminum boat.

I think I know what my problem is. I want a sports car that also functions as a pickup truck.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

Define "decent speed".

While many pontoons run over 40, the latest record on Lake of the Ozarks is 112 MPH. In a pontoon boat...

 

[JEBar]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

I'd suggest that you take your entire crew to a boat dealership (the larger the better) and spend some time sitting/moving around in various models .... if you try to visualize where you will place the equipment you usually take along, it should give you a feel for the boats which might best accommodate you in the manner you are looking for .... after that determination, you can then evaluate other characteristics cruising comfort

Jim

 

[southkogs]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

^^^^^ Yup. Dazza' good idea!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

Any boat shows coming up in your area?

IMHO - a 1 foot jump in boat size is nothing, probably a waste of time and $$$$.

I'd be thinking 20 - 22' from a 17' . . . with that, you will notice that you have a bigger boat.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

Didn't someone here just jump up a few feet?^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Mason78]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

You may want to consider a deckboat. They have hulls similar to a standard runabout, but have an open deck design that provides nearly as much room as a pontoon.

They kind of bridge the gap between a pontoon and a runabout. They are available as I/O and outboard setups.

You mentioned that your current boat is a ski/fish.... Do you do any water sports? If so I would stay away from a pontoon. Otherwise they may be an option but they are not the best choice for skiing.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Need help thinking about my "next" boat

didn't someone here just jump up a few feet?^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

who me ???