12' aluminum boat big enough?

[Bill Hickey]

I am considering buying a 12 foot Lund (WC-12 60" beam and the larger of 2 models they offer) as a second fishing boat for lakes. A 12 footer would be easy to store and transport but would it be big and safe enough to seriously fish in moderate size lakes with 1 or 2 persons. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Ross J]

Re: 12' aluminum boat big enough?

GillieBill, you seem to know what you want from your boat and I see you are a water survival instructor so I imagine you of all people would be well suited to do OK if in trouble. I think a 12' boat would suffice if you don't intend to go far out from land and have all the survival gear.<br />Take a look around your ramp or docks and see what others are using, that should give you an idea.<br />Ross

 

[derwood]

Re: 12' aluminum boat big enough?

hello gillibill,<br /> i think that a 12 fter is a great boat. they are very light and manuverable, durable if they are alum., and with a 7.5 hp motor are suprisingly quick if theres not tooooo much weight in the boat. i'll tell you about mine so you can see what i do with it and it might help. first it is a 12 ft jon boat from sears. anbody who has read my posts will tell you that i am a shade tree kinda guy. (my boats name is the shade tree special) it has a 1983 johnson 7.5 hp motor that i have run at a top speed of 21 mph (tail wind don't hurt) i got tierd of sitting sideways to steer and built a steering console for it. i pull it with a chevy s10 and it dose'nt even feel it. as long as its a concrete boat ramp i don't have a problem (s10 not a 4wd) if you have 4wd the fish are not safe no matter where they hide. one man loading and unloading is a snap. it is stable enough to walk in as long as you practice commen sence. matinace consists of a garden hose. if the rivets get lose its a snap to fix or you can have it fixed cheaply. they are tough as nails and farrrr lighter than fiberglass. those are the pro's. the cons are that you will probly need to get a better transome to hold the 7.5 to reduce the flex in the back of the boat. the sides are fairly low and you will have to be awear of the weather conditions that will be comming. you don't want to get into a gun fight with a t storm carrying a pellet gun. paint it a light color because the sun will fry your but like and egg but quick.(floating skillet) give the kids a SHORT fishing pole because it aint that far to where you sit(read "ways to take a hook out of your person" and "blind fishing" posts)the final con is when you get to loven the boat and you look outside and its fixen to rain on your parade. bummer i will take mine on any of the lakes arround here.(FLA.) and in the rivers. i go out in the gulf of mexico regularly in mine. however i watch the weather like a hawk and am certifiably nutts because i have taken it out to 3 miles. i know my surroundings and what they are capibale of whipping up into so i go with the flow and keep an eye out and a cell phone in a plastic baggey.( to call the wife to get the radar off the internet) hope all this helps you make your choice. good luck and tight lines.<br /> derwood.

 

[martyscher]

Re: 12' aluminum boat big enough?

If money is not an object (is it ever with boats?) you might look at a larger aluminum with pedestal seats. The weight and length difference should still allow easy trailering and being able to walk around in a boat makes for a more comfortable day, IMO. ( grew up fishing from a rowboat) Having a carpeted floor make the boat much quieter too.<br /><br />Not sure how much "stuff" you fish with, but 2 people, cooler, PFDs, bait bucket, anchor, trolling motor, etc, a 12 footer fills up pretty quick.<br /><br />A larger boat should help you keep a little drier<br />on windy days.

 

[Bill Hickey]

Re: 12' aluminum boat big enough?

First things first - Check the "RADAR" on the internet?? Must be nice!! You eastcoasters sure have some nifty gadgets. We are somewhat more limited here in the Pacific NW. Anyhow, I would much prefer a 14 footer but I would need another trailer and don't have a place to keep it. Then of course I find out the canopy (now they tell me)on my truck will only support 150 pounds so the boat rack is out. That kinda leaves the old back of the pickup and the 14' is too wide. Hmmm, maybe I should check out the folding boat thingGuess I'll think more on that trailer. Thanks much for the help.

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: 12' aluminum boat big enough?

I bought my son a 12' Lowe v-hull and we put a late model Force 15 hp on it...really scoots along at 25 mph with my big 240 lb butt and his 100 lbs. with small battery and trolling motor, gear its maxed out...we've had it on large 5 mile size lakes here in Florida with bad and good weather with no ill effects....but I would opt for a 14' if it was just my boat.....but this was the little boat son wanted......<br />Tracker Marine Has VERY NICE 12' v-hull with extra deep sides, could easily handle of 25 hp if ya wantd to soup it up......check it out at thier site<br />web page

 

[Bill Hickey]

Re: 12' aluminum boat big enough?

Thanks for the info. I think I'm going to go with a Lund SSV 14 foot and put it on a small trailer.