Looking for a small basic aluminum boat to give my son for his first birthday to have something he can grow up with over the years as he gets older- maybe pass to his kids one day. I was on a very small lake growing up and still have my 12ft aluminum Myers Jon boat with a 6hp from when I was a child at the cabin but unfortunately would be far to small for this lake.
Use Case:
Something durable – can hold up to some mild beatings from boat wakes and maybe 1 – 2 foot waves from time to time. - My old Myers seemed to be made out of soda can gauge aluminum and leak like crazy but I guess it still floats 30 some odd years later.
14 or 16 foot: Would like to hold 2 to 3 people and still be safe in moderate chop… what are the pro’s to going 16 over 14?
Stable - looking at a high 60’s – 70 inch beam…. Good size lake with lots of big boat wakes and I don’t want him falling out or flipping when he is a teenager.
Something that can safely handle some speed with 15 – 25hp - not at first but in time he (maybe dad now) will want to be able to cover some ground as it’s a good size lake.
Tiller Steering
Nothing real fancy – Floor and such is not required as this boat will spend most of its life without a cover.
Thoughts on the boats I have looked at so far?
PolarKraft: 1470 or 1670 - Price seems right and have read some good things on Polar quality
Starcraft – SF14 or SF16 – Price seems reasonable with average aluminum gauge from what I can tell
Tracker Guide V-14 – Lower cost but no option in a 16 foot
Legend Wide Body 14 or 16 – Seems to be the thickest aluminum gauge but having a hard time finding dealers or the boats in stock.
Lund WC14 - Seems to be similar spec’s to Polarkraft or Starcraft but costs significantly more – any thoughts as to why?
Lund SSV - Much higher price point with some nicer options – is this worth what is almost double the cost to the Polar, Starcraft or Tracker boats?
Any others to suggest?
Use Case:
Something durable – can hold up to some mild beatings from boat wakes and maybe 1 – 2 foot waves from time to time. - My old Myers seemed to be made out of soda can gauge aluminum and leak like crazy but I guess it still floats 30 some odd years later.
14 or 16 foot: Would like to hold 2 to 3 people and still be safe in moderate chop… what are the pro’s to going 16 over 14?
Stable - looking at a high 60’s – 70 inch beam…. Good size lake with lots of big boat wakes and I don’t want him falling out or flipping when he is a teenager.
Something that can safely handle some speed with 15 – 25hp - not at first but in time he (maybe dad now) will want to be able to cover some ground as it’s a good size lake.
Tiller Steering
Nothing real fancy – Floor and such is not required as this boat will spend most of its life without a cover.
Thoughts on the boats I have looked at so far?
PolarKraft: 1470 or 1670 - Price seems right and have read some good things on Polar quality
Starcraft – SF14 or SF16 – Price seems reasonable with average aluminum gauge from what I can tell
Tracker Guide V-14 – Lower cost but no option in a 16 foot
Legend Wide Body 14 or 16 – Seems to be the thickest aluminum gauge but having a hard time finding dealers or the boats in stock.
Lund WC14 - Seems to be similar spec’s to Polarkraft or Starcraft but costs significantly more – any thoughts as to why?
Lund SSV - Much higher price point with some nicer options – is this worth what is almost double the cost to the Polar, Starcraft or Tracker boats?
Any others to suggest?
