searching for a boat for my own use

[RxBoat]

Hello, I am new to this forum but am very impressed by the reading that I have done, the way the site is arranged, the knowledge base of all the boat owners, etc., so I decided to join. At this time I do not own a boat but I do love being out on the water and have rented a few fishing boats (row boats with a motor attached) in the past; now I am at a point where the itch to own some kind of boat is upon me. I'd like to take advantage of the tremendous resources of this forum in deciding what type of boat is going to give me the best chance of a happy experience as a boat owner.
My thinking is 1) I'd like a boat that previously owned in order to keep the cost reasonable since this is my first boat.
2) I would like the experience of getting out on the water a few times a month, usually a lake, usually for a half-day at a time. 3) I am a senior citizen and an experienced fisherman but not an avid angler. 4) It would be myself mainly, sometimes with one other person. 5) I do not need a lot of horsepower,won't need to pull skiers or tubes or go really fast. 6) I am able to perform all minor-moderate maintenance and repairs myself, also some fix-up but not a restoration project.
I've been looking at boats for sale on Craigslist and there are so many manufactures, models, types, styles, etc. I need to narrow down what I am looking for somehow.
There are some very wise people in this community who have learned a lot over the years from owning boats.
I did a search of the forums on this site and did not find a basic " how to choose the right boat" post. Any suggested readings or videos that I can begin with?
Thanks.

 

[Solittle]

Re: searching for a boat for my own use

I'll give it a go - Thinking of what you wrote points to a 12-14' alumnium hull for low maintenance and light weight. Put a 9.9 or 15 hp two cycle on the back. That rig on a relativly calm lake and you can fish all day with little fuel, get back to the ramp relativly quick as it will plane, easy to get on a trailer and quick to clean.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: searching for a boat for my own use

good suggestion, but you may be more comfortable in something a little bigger so it is more stable and easy to move around in, but stay under 16' so it's easy at the ramp, storage, etc. Also check the lakes you are likely to use for HP restrictions.

 

[JoLin]

Re: searching for a boat for my own use

As a fellow senior citizen who also sometimes boats solo, I'd put an auto-inflatable PFD, waterproof cellphone and motor kill switch lanyard at the top of the list... and use them. Have fun- be safe!

My .02

 

[Mason78]

Re: searching for a boat for my own use

For inland fishing, I don't think anything beats a aluminum boat. Take a look at Tracker and Lund Boats.

I have friends with both of those brands and I have been impressed. The boats are lightweight and durable. You wont need a lot of horsepower to get on plane and they use little gas.

 

[JEBar]

Re: searching for a boat for my own use

For inland fishing, I don't think anything beats a aluminum boat. Take a look at Tracker and Lund Boats.

I have friends with both of those brands and I have been impressed. The boats are lightweight and durable. You wont need a lot of horsepower to get on plane and they use little gas.

I agree .... as one who is also considered to be a senior citizen, I'd recommend you let the size of the boat be determined by your physical size and dexterity .... as one who isn't as agile as I was 40 years ago, I have found that for me to move around in a boat I need one that is sufficiently long/wide so as to provide a stable platform .... in that regard as well as in the area of landing/launching by a single person, the recommendation to consider one in the 16' range makes sense to me .... I'm partial to the Lund brand but as others have noted, there are several good manufactures out there .... for comfort, I tend to stay away from tiller steering

Jim

 

[southkogs]

Re: searching for a boat for my own use

... I like most of the suggestions you're getting. I'll simply add the idea of a small pontoon. They're not terribly hard to trailer, and they are rather nice for a combination of cruising and fishing. Smaller 'toons can be powered very reasonably by a smaller outboard keeping your fuel usage rather minimal.

Buying used, brand isn't quite as important as condition. As you're looking at used boats, look more at how well they were cared for and what kind of shape they're in now.