Skinny water boat.

[7mm]

I am going to purchase a 16 -18 foot aluminum boat for fishing in Florida fresh water lakes. I am considering a bass style boat but am a little unsteady on my feet and worry about falling off of the casting decks. I have sold my deep v boat which did not preform well in shallow water. Any ideas for a style of boat that will work in shallow water and that will make me more comfortable to fish out of?

 

[Scott Danforth]

pontoon boat with a hydraulic jack plate

 

[909]

Any inflatable will outperform most boats in shallow water

 

[dingbat]

Most the river runners around here run John boats and jet drives to run the shallow, rock filled rivers around here

 

[Starcraft5834]

flat bottom boat or toon... if water not real skinny.. toon would be my call, can do everything with more room

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Any inflatable will outperform most boats in shallow water

No way trusting an inflatable in shallow water in Florida a shell reef would shred the boat.

 

[CaptnKingfisher]

A flat bottomed fiberglass skiff might be a good fit for you. I had one called a stumpknocker that I really loved. It was only 14' and had 2 livewells and did everything I needed it to, and it was much steadier than the Jon boat I had before that

 

[Scott Danforth]

No way trusting an inflatable in shallow water in Florida a shell reef would shred the boat.

not to mention they also shred fiberglass and aluminum. additionally oyster shoals vs props means general propeller gets another $110

 

[909]

No way trusting an inflatable in shallow water in Florida a shell reef would shred the boat.

not to mention they also shred fiberglass and aluminum. additionally oyster shoals vs props means general propeller gets another $110

OP only does fresh water lakes.

I didn't know shell reefs and oyster shoals lived in fresh water lakes.

 

[Scott Danforth]

OP only does fresh water lakes.

I didn't know shell reefs and oyster shoals lived in fresh water lakes.

and you know this from the information the OP provided?

 

[CaptnKingfisher]

and you know this from the information the OP provided?

... boat for fishing in Florida fresh water lakes

 

[909]

Its called reading

 

[7mm]

Thanks. For all of your ideas I will look at them all

 

[ahicks]

Thanks. For all of your ideas I will look at them all

Look at the smaller center console "bay boats". They're generally shallow draft. I know what you're talking about regarding stability, so maybe avoid anything w/less than 72" beams?