we want 2 different kinds of boats, is there a solution?

My husband and I are on 2 totally different pages when it comes to boating. I like to ski and wakeboard, he likes to as well but wants nothing other then a bay boat/center console. Is there a happy medium? I want the comfort of a ski boat, and his main concern is to be able to get into shallow water. I have looked at fish & ski boats but i am finding they are mainly bass type boats.

Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Re: first time buyer

Re: first time buyer

Welcome aboard "solution". His type of boat that he wants should be capable of pulling boards/skis/tubes. However the comfort zone is not the same as one designed just for pulling. I also can see his point of view that a ski type boat is not the easiest thing to fish out of.

Years ago when I had 2 kids at home, we had a small 14' ski type boat. Fishing from it really was a big pain in the rear. I then got a 20' deep vee that was great for pulling the kids around and was a great to fish out of. It had a closed bow, starboard/port side captains chairs, and the rest was free deck. Usually when lots of friends was on board, they sat on coolers or brought some lawn chairs. This worked out great. Plenty of room for water toys or fishing gear.

Later on when the kids became grown, we got a 27' cabin cruiser that we dock seasonally. The wife and I spend our summer weekends on it and love it. Yeah, it is a bit awkward in getting into prime fishing spots, but I went to a different type of fishing and happy with it.

My suggestion that there is many different makes and styles of boats. Take your time doing research on things like the length, type of drive, and search iboats threads. There is an overwhelming amount of info here. You can find which makes are ones to stay away from as well.

Good Luck and welcome to iboats.................SS

Re: we want 2 different kinds of boats, is there a solution?

hi.....welcome....

solution is an open bow fish and ski.....

our family used an old glastron open bow with an 70 hp on the back....

it worked great for every thing....

but what type of fishing does he want to do?


id suggest a 17-19 foot open bow with a healthy ob on the back....thattl give him the draft he wants and you the luxury and the ability to pull toys.....

he gets a fish finder and you get a ski pole

just somthing else to think about
cheers
oops

Re: we want 2 different kinds of boats, is there a solution?

To quote (paraphrase) the Stones: "You can't always get what you want. But if you try real hard, you just might find, you get what you need."

Uhh! I have five boats of different types to suit my varying moods: A little go fast for one, a slightly larger go fast for two, a 15 foot skiier, a 16 foot fisher, and a 21 foot cuddy cause the wife likes to be comfortable.

So: instead of buying one new one, buy 2 used cheaper ones. Just be willing to do a little work on them and you will get excellent value. Then alternate weekends--you both will be happy.

And if that doesn't work for you, make close friends with a couple that owns the type boat you are lacking, then share weekends--could work.

DANG! Am I Ann Landers or what?

Re: we want 2 different kinds of boats, is there a solution?

Salt water dual cosole boats:

"http://www.scoutboats.com/models/205dorado.html"

"http://www.keywestboatsinc.com/boats/186dc.html"

"http://www.pioneerboats.com/html/197_venture.html"

These are just a few examples. Where would the boat be used? What type of water conditions are you going to be in?

Outboard deckboats may be a good option also:

"http://www.hurricaneboats.com/hurricaneFDGS194ob.html"

"http://www.hurricaneboats.com/hurricanesd195ob.html"

There are others also.

I hope that gives you some ideas.

Re: we want 2 different kinds of boats, is there a solution?

Not sure the budget, but Mastercraft has a new center console "ski" boat that was in my boating magazine a couple months ago. It got a very nice re4view(take that with a grain of salt). It is the Mastercraft CSX.

It might make both of you happy until you look in the checking account. It is not a cheap boat.

I also believe there is are a few bayliners that fit the bill. The 197 outboard and 217 outboard ans the 205 I/O. These have been reviewed by someone on this board and he actually was surprised at how much the Bayliner quality has gone up with these models. These are all in the 25-35K range (much less than the Mastercraft)

J-dubb

Re: we want 2 different kinds of boats, is there a solution?

For what you've described, This is worth a look.

"http://www.rangerboats.com/flash/gallery.cfm?mid=5307&series=fnp"

Go to reviews at the bottom right corner and listen to Ranger's description of the boat.. It's a center console built on their bay boat hull, but with a "family friendly" deck and features.

Re: we want 2 different kinds of boats, is there a solution?

look at the bayliner fish n ski 205.

Re: we want 2 different kinds of boats, is there a solution?

... whats the budget?

Re: we want 2 different kinds of boats, is there a solution?

Dual Console sounds like the happy medium.

Re: we want 2 different kinds of boats, is there a solution?

Check out the Crestliner fish and ski models. By moving chairs around and changing type chairs it can be a very nice SKI boat or setup up for most any type fishing.
"WWW.Crestliner.com"

Re: we want 2 different kinds of boats, is there a solution?

solution? said:

My husband and I are on 2 totally different pages when it comes to boating. I like to ski and wakeboard, he likes to as well but wants nothing other then a bay boat/center console. Is there a happy medium? I want the comfort of a ski boat, and his main concern is to be able to get into shallow water. I have looked at fish & ski boats but i am finding they are mainly bass type boats.

Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

I got it!! Buy both boats, cut them both in half right down the keel, and attach the other half of the other type boat to it.

Or you could just buy two and sell his when he eventually comes to the realization that you're always right. Or at least in this case anyway.

SgtMaj