Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

[oregonboatnewb]

Right now i've got a 1990 SeaSwirl Tempo with a Evinrude 120hp v4 outboard... Its perfect for tubing/sigh seeing.

Then I've got a

1990 Valco 14ft with Johnson 15hp.

I love it, its great for fishing with 2-3 people and crabbing...

Problem is, i'm doing alot more fishing then tubing these days, and want to get something 16-18 ft that Will still be able to pull a tube with 2 or 4 people on it... I also like the idea of getting a smaller 75-90hp motor, as the 120 drinks up 30 gallons in a day quite easily.

Thanks gents, i was thinking 17ft Lowe or StartCraft open bow, gotta have open bow, what would be a good choice of boats?

Budget under 4500-5500 for new boat.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

Budget under 4500-5500 for new boat.

New, or new to you? If new, your budget might present a problem.

 

[oregonboatnewb]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

New to me of course... I'm crazy, but not crazy enuf to think i could find anything new for under 6k

 

[lncoop]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

Gotcha. Are you familiar with Express boats?

 

[oregonboatnewb]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

I am now... I really just want something that i don't have to worry about taking in salt water, throwing some salmon in, and also can tow some people

 

[lncoop]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

We're many miles apart, but around here one can buy an 18' Express with a 90hp outboard in good condition for what you want to spend. They're good boats and don't require a lot of fuss. They are excellent fishing rigs and will jerk a skier out of the water with no trouble or give a tuber all the fun he/she wants.

 

[oregonboatnewb]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

So a 90hp would be able to tow people on tubes pretty well ? What kind of MPG could i expect from a 90, i get like 3-4 MPG with my 120.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

To put it in perspective, my 21' party barge is powered by a 90hp Merc. At WOT I can pull a tuber around 20mph with four adults and two kids on the boat. I realize that's not warp speed, but imagine the same motor on an aerodynamically superior 18' welded aluminum hull with far less weight on it. I can't tell you what top speed would be, but you should have no problem pulling your tube. Regarding mpg, not sure but it should be markedly better than what you get out of your Seaswirl. You could probably get an idea just by looking online. You can probably tell I'm a fan of the aluminum boat. They are often overlooked because boaters don't realize how far they've come in the last couple of decades. Not trying to sway you in that direction, like all the others they do have their disavantages, but your mention of the Lowe indicated you were at least considering it. Given your apparent desire to do quite a bit of fishing you could definitely do worse, especially for the coin.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

Some thing to consider. MPG isn't entirely determined by engine size, it is by drag/hull weight and speed. If you take identical boats driving 25 mph, and then put a 90 hp on one and a 120 on the other, guess which gets better mileage. In most cases the 120 will get better.

Downsizing boat engines on the same boat will rarely give you more MPG's, doesn't work like a car. (This doesn't always work in vehicles either! There are some bigger engines that get better mpg, as well as little overworked inline 4's that suck fuel at an insane rate!)

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

Just to validate what smokingcrater stated.

I had a 17 ft deckboat with a 115HP, changed for a 19 ft with a 200HP.

Different hull, 1200lbs heavier, went from carbed to DFI, and I burn about 20% less fuel.

Lots of factors go into MPG.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

Just to validate what smokingcrater stated.

I had a 17 ft deckboat with a 115HP, changed for a 19 ft with a 200HP.

Different hull, 1200lbs heavier, went from carbed to DFI, and I burn about 20% less fuel.

Lots of factors go into MPG.

Right, and if I'm not mistaken the Sea Swirl is a glass runabout, while the Xpress is welded aluminum, so it should be lighter and require less power. I reiterate, I have no data to support my assertion, but it seems logical to me.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

I agree that an open-bow walk-thru aluminum rig would meet your stated needs in a boat. I have a 16' Starcraft SuperSport that is a perfect fish/ski hull.

They are often overlooked because boaters don't realize how far they've come in the last couple of decades.

I agree with you that aluminum boats are great, I disagree that significant progress has been made in the last couple decades. Starcraft hasn't significantly altered their tin hulls in many years and there are thousands on the water.

The 60s, 70s and 80s models were well-built and are still well worth restoring and repowering with newer outboards if needed.

Many of the cheap all-welded tin hulls that are newer have had issues with stress cracks and such.(like Trackers).

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

^^^What he said

 

[lncoop]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

I agree that an open-bow walk-thru aluminum rig would meet your stated needs in a boat. I have a 16' Starcraft SuperSport that is a perfect fish/ski hull.



I agree with you that aluminum boats are great, I disagree that significant progress has been made in the last couple decades. Starcraft hasn't significantly altered their tin hulls in many years and there are thousands on the water.

The 60s, 70s and 80s models were well-built and are still well worth restoring and repowering with newer outboards if needed.

Many of the cheap all-welded tin hulls that are newer have had issues with stress cracks and such.(like Trackers).

Don't think anyone is a fan of the Tracker welds. However, Xpress, SeaArk, et al have exploded in popularity around here over the last fifteen to twenty years due to their increased versatility and value compared to glass rigs. I probably wasn't clear, but my comments weren't really related to build quality. That said, I've never known anyone who didn't think highly of Xpress.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

17' whaler. No question.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

a lot of the late FISH & SKI, models are easy conversion boats.
fishing seats that store directly on the boat. 10 minutes, you were a fishing boat now a ski or cruising boat.

 

[ExxWhy]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

I realize not all hulls are designed the same, but... had a 16' Sea Nymph fishing boat that was fine for fishing, but couldn't handle an 18" wave without getting everyone soaked. Point being, you may want to ask other owners about how the boat handles rougher water. Seems like most aluminum boats have little to no flare on the bow to deflect waves away. Guessing it doesn't apply to all, but it sure did to the last one I had.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

As I mentioned earlier, like all boats they have their disadvantages. A wet ride is definitely one of the most common, but again, since you seemed to have some background with them I figured you knew that already. However, they don't all have that problem. You'd just have to test drive one to know for sure.

 

[oregonboatnewb]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

What do you guys think of this ?

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/boa/1784004504.html

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Perfect Fishing and Tubing Boat ? Even Possible ?

What do you guys think of this ?

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/boa/1784004504.html

Starcrafts are not that great in rough water and will knock your teeth out in the chop. I just parted with one this spring to finance my latest project boat. Its a 1991 Euroline 195 and so far is the perfect fish/ski boat I have owned. If you can find one you might consider getting one.

my .02