what boat

[graduc]

Hello everyone just signed up to the forum I am new to boating never owned one and I expect you have answered these questions before. my wife and I live in Wisconsin close to the Mississippi and several lakes we are retired we enjoy fishing but would also like to go out for day trips, so what type of boat should we look for plus inboard or outboard I am thinking 15 - 18 ft I have driven a pontoon and small boat but that's it. our suv is a hyandai santa fe 2.7l front wheel drive only. I hope this is enough info if you need more let me know

Thanks Graham

 

[redneck joe]

Re: what boat

hey Graham welcome to the forum. do you want to go fast or is 20 mph or so good? If so, pontoon with an outboard sounds like a god choice ont he face of it.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: what boat

Its hard to beat a toon for comfort and most under 20 feet on a trailer are 2500 pounds or less.

 

[graduc]

Re: what boat

Thanks for your help my wife wanted a pontoon now we have to find one

 

[phillyg]

Re: what boat

Yessir, sounds like a pontoon would be good for you, easy to tow, good on fuel, fun on lakes, etc. Keep in mind that some lakes (not sure about where you are) limit motor HP.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: what boat

Thanks for your help my wife wanted a pontoon now we have to find one

Maybe this ? Dave's Turf and Marine Inventory

 

[pckeen]

Re: what boat

Make sure that whatever you buy is under your vehicle's towing capacity - I think that your Santa Fe has a capacity of 3000lbs, but you need to check your owner's manual to make sure. remember you need to account not just for the 'dry' weight of your boat, but also the boat, motor, trailer, gas, equipment etc.

 

[Teamster]

Re: what boat

I wouldn't want a pontoon over on the Mississippi,....

When a south wind comes up it can get rocking pretty good,.....

I grew up near LaFarge, So I'm guessing the lakes your looking at are Peetenwell and Castle Rock???

I guess it depends an what your using a boat for,....But a nice 16-17 deep-v would be more suitable for those bodies of water,....At least to fish out of anyway,............Just my opinion,......

 

[Grub54891]

Re: what boat

Hmmm.. A toon is nice,but a little more intimidating to haul and load. If ya put it it in and and leave it not so bad in my opinion.
A smaller bowrider or such is easy to load,easy to haul,and switch out to different areas easier. Weather you pick outboard or sterndrive is up for grab's. I like sterndrive myself

 

[graduc]

Re: what boat

My thoughts are to buy deep v as I said my wife likes pontoons what are the differences in towing either one when we make a decision is an inboard better than the outboard

 

[bonz_d]

Re: what boat

I would be looking at something on the order of these for a 1st boat and because of the waters you want to use.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/sea...mage&fr=yfp-t-901-s&va=16+sylvan+fishing+boat

https://images.search.yahoo.com/sea...&sz=all&va=16'+smokercraft+boat+fishing+boats

Lund, Alumacraft, Starcraft, Crestliner and once again Mirrocraft all make models very simular to those above. Unless you were fortunate enough to retire at an early age I would suggest looking for something with dual consoles and a windshield. It really pays off on those early spring or late fall days when the wind kicks up. Sometimes you can even find them with a half camper cover.