Replies

1. 
   migraine | Oct 12, 2003 05:00am | #1

   My I suggest you try fishing from at some of the local lakes that have boat rentals.  I have seen too many people go out and buy a boat and within a short period of time, it just sits.  Many of my friends have a small aluminum boat with a small outboard and/or a trolling motor.  Depends on where and how far away from a local launch you want to fish.  What about a canoe-ish boat and a trolling motor?

2. 
   JeffBuck | Oct 12, 2003 07:43am | #2

   Not suer how things work out there ...

   but some of the best small fishing lakes around here have motor size limits.

   some are electric trolling only ...

   but most allow a motor under 10hp. So lotsa 9.9 running around.

   For smaller/mid-sized lake fishing ... I prefer to have both a main motor and an electric trolling motor.

   If you are thinking about taking small kids fishing .... remember .. the seats in a bass tracker sit up higher on a platform ... then an open v-hull.

   all depends on your boating sense of securty. A family of 4 could easily fit into an aluminum 16ft v-hull run about. Probably find one with a trailer for around $1K.

   An open bow boat with real seats ... aside from wood or aluminum planks ... would be more comfortable. My brother in Mission Viejo picked one up a coupla yrs ago .. 17' in/out board w/9.9 drop down and trolling motor in great shape with trailer for around $5K. With that boat .... he can fish the smaller lakes with the main prop off ... and still go water sking on the bigger lakes.

   Go to http://www.traderonline.com

   They'll have a section for boats. Just do some searches and look at the pics. You'll get a real good idea of what the options are. But I'd say you should be able to find what ya need for the price.

   For cheap/simple fishing/play ... I'd say stick with an outboard.

   In/out's are nice ... that's what I'm shooting for as soon as we find a place to keep it!

   and outboards are the most costly to buy/maintain..... but also make for the best performance.

   Jeff

   Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

3. 
   r_ignacki | Oct 12, 2003 06:44pm | #3

   Boat.......   Break out another thousand($).

   The two most happiest days of a boat-owners life...... The day you buy it, and the day you sell it.   ,<G>
1. 
   finishcarp | Oct 12, 2003 10:47pm | #4

   A boat is a hole in the water that you pour money into...

   BUT they can be a bonding time for you and yours and could be worth the money..My DW says I'm a tool head with a sawdust brain !!

2. 
   brownbagg | Oct 12, 2003 10:47pm | #5

   here a picture of my boat

   74 16' mcKee craft with a 74 50 ho johnson been in the family since 74, its a great river boat, run about 35 mph top, drawn 9 inches of water, so great for flats also.

1. 
   Snort | Oct 13, 2003 12:56am | #6

   Rent, rent, rent...hey, your kids might not even like fishing! Around here, our water departments rent john boats and square transomed canoes with electric trolling motors for use on their resevoirs. About 17bucks a day. But try and keep a 7 year old out fishing all day<G>

   Then, go to bigger lakes and rent some gas powered stuff. While you're at it, look at the other boats and motors and talk to the fishing folks. It's a lot like checking out tools. Especially checkout 4 stroke outboards if you still want to buy. The inboard/outboards are very limiting if you also want a good boat. Brownbagg's McKeecraft is a great size, great boat (I'm an East Coaster) and center consoled (the best for really getting fish into the boat). California's gotta have some real fishing boat makers, as opposed to just glitzy boats.

   Like other folks have have said, most boats just sit in the backyard, so check out the newspapers, somebody's ex-wife is always ready to sell one. LOL

   Freshwater fishings over here, I'm going out for Kings and tuna next weekend, or maybe a wahoooooooo! EliphIno!

1. 
   brownbagg | Oct 13, 2003 01:33am | #7

   That was the boat I mainly play with. But remember I live on the gulf coast. This is the family boat here

1. 
   r_ignacki | Oct 13, 2003 02:49am | #8

   one of these days I'm going to get around to building a sailboat. Oak and cedar hull, mahagony decking, 25 something feet, for cruising around the chesapeake bay area.

2. 
   Snort | Oct 13, 2003 03:43am | #9

   Brownie, what's that 19'?. I go out of the North Carolina coast, in a 17' Scout or a 21' Sea Pro. Those McKees are solid and stable, but where's the Tee Top?Man, I've got skin issues, cover up.

   That Contender is definitely not a flats boat, what do you go out for and when can I visit you?

   Panama Red, I've been turned turtle in the Chesapeak (and no, I'm not a Terps fan<G>), it can get mighty squirrley mighty fast out there, maybe you need a 50'er, and after you get it, when can I visit you? EliphIno!

3. 
   brownbagg | Oct 13, 2003 04:20am | #10

   the mckee is a 16, mainly just a river boat, the bay and around the island. The contenter is a 23 and we jut got it three week ago.

4. 
   Quickstep | Oct 13, 2003 05:22am | #11

   Ask the folks on the go boating forum (http://www.goboatingamerica.com) Great and very knowledgable bunch.

1. 
   Floorman | Oct 14, 2003 06:16am | #12

   I think that I will rent for awhile to see if I really want to own a boat or look for a good used setup. Thanks for the responses. GW