Why no Inboard fish/ski boats???

[jayfarmlaw]

I have a 97 VIP viva with a mercruiser 4 cyl and alpha outdrive. I am redoing the interior and am at the point that I need to redo the engine hatch cover. I plan to make the pads removable and install a fishing seat mount so that when it is not pulling a tube/ski/wakeboard I can do some fishing as well. Mounting a seat up front will be easy as well...maybe even a trolling motor.<br /><br />I am not sure I have ever seen an inboard fish and ski boat so there must be a reason. The boat is a shallow v hull and most of the fishing will be open water so running shallow is not that big of an issue.<br /><br />Why no inboard/outdrive fish and ski boats? And more importantly, After I do this is there some reason I will hate it? <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Jay

 

[KCook]

Re: Why no Inboard fish/ski boats???

Guess your local dealers don't want to stock them. But there are LOTS of I/O fish-n-ski models. Here is another thread on them - Purchasing a new Fish & Ski Boat <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[jtexas]

Re: Why no Inboard fish/ski boats???

Having the engine inside the boat takes up space that could be used for livewells or baitwells. And a lot of fishing requires running in shallow water or stumpfields or standing timber, which outboards are better suited for. If you're after striper on Texoma, that won't be an issue - plenty of inboards fishing that lake. But if it's bass or crappie some of your water will be inaccessible. Maybe a minor irritation.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Why no Inboard fish/ski boats???

Your idea is a good one....run with it. But it's nothing new....there's I/O fish/ski boats offered by several of the major brands. <br /><br />Here's a Lund: http://www.lundboats.com/1950tyee_06.html <br />a Crestliner:<br /> http://www.crestliner.com/boat_info/boat_model.asp?BID=30 <br />a Tahoe:<br /> http://www.tahoesportboats.com/boat/index.cfm?boat=1994 <br /><br />There's several others...<br /><br />Your title question stated Inboard fish/ski boats....I presume a typo after reading your whole question. But I agree I've never seen a true Inboard fish/ski boat. And I think an Inboard would pretty much suck for fishing with no way to tilt the prop up and having a steering rudder down there banging bottom in the shallow water.<br /><br />The only disadvantage to an I/O fishing boat is if you want to tilt the motor completely out of the water for navigating stumps & rocks with your trolling motor...not possible to lift the outdrive completely out like an outboard can....and I'm sure the main reason dedicated fisherman would not want an I/O.<br /><br />But the I/O's are out there...I agree you just don't seem to see many on the lakes.

 

[mufflerman]

Re: Why no Inboard fish/ski boats???

a friend of mine has an older bass boat with a factory 120 mercruiser.Looks funny but gets the job done.The reason they dont make em anymore,is people like to fish in the winter,and you would have to winterize it everytime you got back from the lake in the winter time.they sure get good fuel mileage though.

 

['94Glastron]

Re: Why no Inboard fish/ski boats???

I have a '94 Glastron ssv 175 ski-n-fish. It came factory with a live well, 12/24 volt Motor Guide trolling motor, fish finder and front/rear pedestal seating options. It has a 3.0lx Mercruiser and I friggin love this boat!!! There are very few places that I can't get into with it. You wont be disappointed.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Why no Inboard fish/ski boats???

My buddy has a Crestliner Phantom, circa early 1990's, with an Outboard. I'm pretty sure this boat was also offered with an I/O option. Not sure about strict inboard, never seen a fish n' ski boat with an inboard around here. Most inboards around these parts are Master Crafts.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Why no Inboard fish/ski boats???

The I/O and inboards never caught on with the bass boats because they have a lower draft than O/B's that can be raised out of the water. Not a big deal for many, but for those that want to get into the the 2-3ft shallows, the I/O is a hinderance and also makes the boat even more stern-heavy. Also as mentioned above, cold weather is more of a pain for the I/O's since they aren't totally self-draining which makes a lot of work just to take the boat out once during a nice day in the winter.

Inboards are used in many deep sea fishing rigs where draft isn't an issue.