Opinions needed!!

[AChotrod]

Re: Opinions needed!!

Ive looked at tons of boats and Nitro def gives you the most for your money. Some guys hate on them, just like some guys will only buy a Colt AR15 and everything else is garbage to them. Its just not the case. Nitro got a bad rap because of haters and a particular model had glass issues that has long been resolved. My boat is a 95 and is like new when its cleaned up.
My 17ft Nitro bass boat is more stable than my 16.5 tinny in any condition Ive been it. Problem is its a fishing boat and does not have the room for a family but you could take out a couple people and go skiing or tubing from it.
My buddy that has a fam has a Nitro 188 fish and ski and it does everything good.

 

[MikeB0307]

Re: Opinions needed!!

We had a Javelin 196 fs that did everything well. It's the same hull as the stratos. I had no problem fishing it with the dual consoles either.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Opinions needed!!

The Ranger Reata is a very capable fish and ski platform and priced better than the Ranger 600 series Fisherman line,...

Startos makes some comparable boats I think the 385 and 386 are the model numbers that one should look for,..

It's the 386XF. It's almost identical to the Reatta, supposedly they're made in the same factory.

Fish and skis are tough deal, fishing boats with a ski package are about 90% fish, 10% ski (no sundeck for the wife, no swim deck for the kids) and the pedestal seats are not nearly as comfortable as what you get in a ski boat. And a ski boat with the fish package are about 80% ski 20% fish.

It's tough to find a perfect boat, lots of trade offs. As someone else said two boats in the way to go.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Opinions needed!!

Fish and skis are tough deal, fishing boats with a ski package are about 90% fish, 10% ski

Since the OP said it would be 80/20 fish/ski, that would be the route I would go..

 

[carey965]

Re: Opinions needed!!

its funny reading these posts everyone has something that has been awesome no matter others have said

my suggestion is if you have the ability go and sit in them or even test them out (obviously wait till spring on test driving them) i have a tahoe q5 which has been a great boat for skiing, hell i have taught a bunch of people even myself to ski behind it, and they made a fish and ski version hell i can even make mine a fish and ski pretty much just by adding the pedestal seats,
and by no means am i saying go buy a tahoe i know they have had and may still currently have quality issues, all i am saying is i lucked out and got a good one

but ya just sit in them, take the wife and show her cause god knows you aint getting anything without her approval

 

[Shfftr]

Re: Opinions needed!!



Just to throw another idea something like this may be suitable. It's a Princecraft Ventura 194.

Please excuse the minnow pic,it was something I was using for a boat flag and I couldn't remove it.

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Opinions needed!!

I was in the exact same situation and ended up getting (for now) a Carolina Skiff Sea Chaser center console. If I were to buy new, it would be a center console in the 21 foot range. I have a small fishing deck/trolling motor/fishing seat on the front. Plenty of walk around space for fighting fish. Not that many comfortable seating areas (will seat 4). I will say that it does not have the stability of my old bass boat, but then again it has high sides and grab rails.

I am mostly fishing out of it, but have a wife and daughter who love to go out on the water and they feel safer and like the ride better than the bass boat.

Just a thought.