Suggestions...Looking to sell/trade bass boat for more versitile...

[Jersey13]

I know this might not be the perfect board to post this on but...I need some "constructive" suggestions on what i should look for. I've got an '84 18' bass boat that i love but since the family has grown a little, i'd like to get more of an "all around" boat. Something the family (wife + 2 kids) can go out and enjoy a day on the lake but also usable for me to go out and still fish. I'm looking into bowriders (late 80's, early 90's since i can't afford anything new!) and figure this may be the route i should go but i don't know anything about them. It doesn't look like i can mount a trolling motor on these. Is it possible? Did they make boats that could accomodate both having fun & fishing? Should i go with an i/o? My bass boat's merc 150 ob is great but i see most of these "more versitile" boats come with i/o's. is there a reason for this? should i stay away from certain i/o's? As you can see the delimma i'm in is tough. I really would rather not part with my Laser but family is much more important than fishing. And if i can have the best of both worlds, i'd like to be at least going in the right direction. Thanks for any input.<br /><br />-Jersey

 

[JB]

Re: Suggestions...Looking to sell/trade bass boat for more versitile...

Ahh! A versatile fish 'n' fun boat! Find a good, used early 80s Boston Whaler Montauk.<br /><br />I have had five Boston Whalers, from 14' to 18' as well as a lot of other boats that were mistakes. No, I don't trade often, the above covers over thirty years. I now have a Montauk, 1980 and my son has a Montauk, 2000. While I use mine almost exclusively for fishing, his cruises, skis and pleasure-boats more than it fishes.<br /><br />Safe. Boston Whalers will support ten people when fully swamped and are unsinkable. The Montauk has siderails that even an adult can't fall over.<br /><br />We both have a Minn-Kota Autopilot mounted on the front and mine has a Bass-boat type seat, also up front. The seat was my addition.<br /><br />90HP will run this boat to 45 and 100HP to 50. It is a light boat, 950lb dry and without motor, thus easy to trailer. My son has the optional back seat and anchor-locker cushion, as well as the standard reversable pilot seat and cushioned cooler seat in front of the console. New ones will fit my 1980.<br /><br />Though there is storage in the lockable console, it doesn't come with a live well or lockable rod storage. It is not perfect for anything, but it will do anything well. I have taken one across the gulf stream from Miami to the Bahamas, fished the gulf stream safely, and fished any kind of fresh water bigger than a farm pond. It is my idea of the most versatile fish 'n' fun boat on the planet. And that comes from a lot of experience. I drive Mercedes (I am not rich, just picky)and no other vehicle pleases me. No other boat pleases me.<br /><br />Try Bostonwhaler.com for more on the Montauk 17. The design has only been refined over the past 35 years, not changed, so almost anything they can tell you about a new one applies to '75 and later. <br /><br />By the way, they hold value even better than Mercedes. I paid $3150 for a new Whaler in 1966, and got $6500 for it in 1983. A mid-80s Montauk in good shape should cost about 5 to 8 grand.<br /><br />Happy Boating

<br />JB

 

[outboardboy]

Re: Suggestions...Looking to sell/trade bass boat for more versitile...

The other guy is right about whalers, but a whaler is not very family friendly, There are not many padded seats and they dont ride very well. They do make boats called "fish and ski" models. You get a combo of a bass boat and a family skier with good seating and a windshield and bowrider. And I would suggest an outboard, they just seem to be less of a hassle, Ive had over 30 so far.

 

[JB]

Re: Suggestions...Looking to sell/trade bass boat for more versitile...

OUTBOARDBOY is correct about ride in rough water. My son's Montauk can seat eight on cushioned surfaces when he has the optional rear seat and the bow cushion installed, but the boat is rated for seven. Without them, four.<br /><br />I gave you a non-existent web address. It should be whaler.com<br /><br />By the way, Whalers are expensive compared to most boats but last forever.<br /><br />Good luck

<br />JB

 

[Jersey13]

Re: Suggestions...Looking to sell/trade bass boat for more versitile...

Thanks J.B. and Outboardboy for all the info. I think am looking more toward what outboardboy is talking about. The Boston Whalers are sweet but i don't think it's exactly what i'm looking for. Is there any makes/models i should look for...or look out for in the fish&ski type boats? Who manufactured them? I'm looking for one used...late 80's/early 90's for around 3-4grand. I hope i'm beeing realistic in my pricing. If not, please correct me. Thanks once again for all the information you both provided. It's been lots of help.<br /><br />- Jersey