Need Help w/ First Boat Purchase!

[rpr]

Hey guys, I live on Smith Mountain Lake in VA and am looking to buy a boat.<br /><br />The lake supposedly gets very busy in the summer, so I want something that handle well in busy/rough waters. I'm assuming this means I want 18'-20'???<br /><br />Main use will be for fishing (largemouth bass in the shallows as well as hybrid striped bass in deeper waters).<br /><br />Unfortunately, need to sacrafice a bit on the fishability as the wife needs to be comfortable and wants some extra seating for friends.<br /><br />Budget was $5,000, but I haven't seen much in that price range so I guess I'm willing to go to $8,000 to $10,000 for the right boat that will allow me to "grow" into it so it will last me a long time.<br /><br />Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Tx.

 

[AcousticTX]

Re: Need Help w/ First Boat Purchase!

Hi rpr,<br /><br />While I'm don't really feel qualified to give you a rock solid answer, I will tell you about my experience and the local lake. I live near lake conroe in texas, it is known for tons of people and the water gets pretty rough during the day. I bought an old 16' ski boat last year and I don't have any regrets. It held its own last summer and is decent ride. My boat can handle 4 people at a time and the seats fold out for laying out. Hope this helps in some way.<br /><br />-edit-<br />forgot to mention - with some patient searching my boat only cost $1500 <br />-edit-<br /><br />-Jake

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Need Help w/ First Boat Purchase!

Look at a 24' Pontoon. Living on a lake elimiates the transport issue and it makes a great fishing platform. Lots of room for friends as well.<br /><br />With the right config, you can even do some watersports. In my area, pontoons are very available and you can do pretty well in the range you are looking at..

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Need Help w/ First Boat Purchase!

first, congrats on buying!!!<br /><br />i think the 18-20' range would suit you and your wife fine. i recommend looking into a used fish-n-ski. many brands out there now make them, as they are becoming more popular (for your very situation). 'boating magazine' ran a good article about several brands a few issues ago, maybe you can find it. a search on the web would probably work as well. good luck-

 

[masterp]

Re: Need Help w/ First Boat Purchase!

The Lund Alaskan is nice and may fit the bill for price also. It's aluminum and comes in various seating arrangments. How many people are you looking to sit down with?

 

[masterp]

Re: Need Help w/ First Boat Purchase!

The Lund Alaskan is a nice boat. How many people are looking to sit down with?

 

[magster65]

Re: Need Help w/ First Boat Purchase!

Wife comforts are a great idea! Let's face it, choppy water + coffees + beverages later = gotta' go to the biffy. We won't own a boat that doesn't have at least a cuddy cabin with a porta-potti. You can't go wrong with that set-up.