Newbie to Boats Trying to Decide Between "Similar" Fish/Ski

[mlawdawg]

Hey all,

Need some help. Stranger ot boats wanting a fish/ski for family (5) and those two purposes. Looking at a list of what seem to be "si,ilar' boats, albeit with differnet prices. Whilke much may be subjective, I'd appreciate comments on pluses or minuses of the following boats:

2000 Astro 185 f/s 115 Merc Optimax (6900)
2000 Skeeter sl 2000 f/s Yamaha 200 v/MAx (ebay, no fixed price)
2000 Nitro 205 Sport MErc 150 XR6 (10,500)
2001 Skeeter SL 190 Yamaha 150 V max (10,750)
2004 Triton 190 MErc 150 XR6 (19,000)
2002 Ranger 210 VS Yamaha 225 V mAx(20,000)

Really was lookign to stay under 10k, but wil lconsider more if there is value added. I appreciate meaningful thoughts, and if one is yours, please disclsoe that. Thanks

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newbie to Boats Trying to Decide Between "Similar" Fish/Ski

Based on the brands you have listed, I believe every one of these is a true bass boat (very low freeboard) that is presumably outfitted with some comfort features to make it a "fish/ski". If fishing is going to be your primary use then I'm sure each one would be great. However, if your going to be doing family activities more often, I know I would prefer to have less "bassy" boat with higher sides. I posted these two over the dreamboat thread.

http://www.crestliner.com/boats/boat_model.asp?BID=191

http://www.lowe.com/fishboats/fish-ski/FS185.html

Here's a used one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Star...ryZ63727QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Newbie to Boats Trying to Decide Between "Similar" Fish/Ski

You'll want to stick with at least a 19' hull and I'd be leaning towards a 20 footer with a family of 5......................also the largest engine you can afford................not many regret buying to big an engine......................but lots are left wanting for more HP.................................... When you sea test the boat make sure you take the entire family..............that way you'll get a feel for the boats size and power when loaded.

 

[mlawdawg]

Re: Newbie to Boats Trying to Decide Between "Similar" Fish/Ski

Higher sides l4eads to more comfortable ride or what? Thx and keep them coming

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Newbie to Boats Trying to Decide Between "Similar" Fish/Ski

higher side are safer with kids, you don't get as much spray. you can put a kid in a seat belt in a boat. what ages are your kids?

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.


also: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=138594

 

[mlawdawg]

Re: Newbie to Boats Trying to Decide Between "Similar" Fish/Ski

I appreciate the helpful links. The answers to questions are fishing AND familiy fun (tubing, boating, skiing), 3 for fishing and 5 for family fun, outboard, love to be under 10k but will do 10-17k for a substantially improved boating expereince

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newbie to Boats Trying to Decide Between "Similar" Fish/Ski

For exactly what you're looking to do, the styles of the 2 new boats I posted above would be my dream situation. Bass boat style fish/skis seem to me to be much better for fishing and not that great for family. Fiberglass runabout bowrider style fish/skis seem to me to be great for family but lame for fishing. The ones I posted, and boats like it, are a great compromise. A nice fishing platform in the bow with optional bow cushions for when the family is up there. I also like aluminum boats because you can beat them around a little more with less ill-effect. But that's just me. All the major aluminum boat manufacturers should have models in that past few years that would be similar to the new ones I posted.

 

[109jb]

Re: Newbie to Boats Trying to Decide Between "Similar" Fish/Ski

As was mentioned, all of the boats you listed have little freeboard. The Nitro probably has a little more freeboard than the others, but not by much. I'd probably go with the Nitro personally, but that s based on what I think you want and my own bias thrown in. Speaking of my own bias, have you considered an Aluminum deep V? I just noticed that all of your choices were fiberglass. Myself I have always had aluminum boats until the one I just bought. I was actually looking for an aluminum boat but came across a good deal on the fiberlass boat I got.

I too need a boat for fishing and for family fun. In my case I am making concessions on the fishing end. I bought a bowrider intended for pleasure boating and am making minor changes to make it better for fishing. You need to decide which is the priority as I have seen boats like you have listed that are fishing boats with changes to make them better pleasure boats, and there are pleasure boats with changes to make better for fishing. Obviously, what the boat started out as will determine what it is better suited for.