what boat is best???

[Fillybass21]

I am an all around fisherman who likes to fish for it all. I am looking for a jet boat, aluminum, 19 to 24 feet that I can use in rocky rivers, but that can also be used in the bay. The preferred design would have a fishing platform in the front and back like a bass boat as well as four seats in the center for people to sit. Kind of like a walleye boat but I need something with a shallow draft to fish rivers as well and high platforms for bass fishing. I've been pulling my hair out trying to decide. Any help would be apreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[QC]

Re: what boat is best???

All boats are a compromise. There is no best boat. Just the one that fits your needs the best . . . Any custom builders in your area?

 

[dave11]

Re: what boat is best???

There are plenty of good sleds. Many are semi-custom and a lot of them are made in the Norethwest. As QC says, refine your criteria, pick out your boat, and get your checkbook out. They are all pretty good but pricey.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what boat is best???

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[Fillybass21]

Re: what boat is best???

thanks for the replies guys,,, I got my wants figured out but don't understand drafts...

I want a fishing boat... that can handle shallow rocky rivers as well as a slightly wavy bay...

Jet motor w. a kicker motor, propeller for trolling

Something I can run in small and large lakes... with high platforms and four sets in the center, dropped down.

Something that can carry a decent amount of fishing gear so I can weekend trip in it.

I have been looking at crestliner aluminum boats and lunds but am concerned that the deep V's have too deep of a draft to run in 12" of water in a rocky river...

Anyone know any manufacturers that produce something like this,

budget is up to 15k used

 

[QC]

Re: what boat is best???

Well hmmmmm. Can't have a high degree of deadrise (V) and a low draft. Same weight, the deeper the V (deadrise degrees) the deeper the draft. I have a personal requirement for my lake boats of 20 degrees minimum . . . You can't have good ride with low degree of deadrise, so therein lies one of those dern compromises . . .

 

[Fillybass21]

Re: what boat is best???

what do you guys think if these boats the bay series

http://www.gatortraxboats.com/Bay Boats.htm

 

[ondarvr]

Re: what boat is best???

Those boats will work, but if you want to see boats that are designed for that type of use, check out North River, Alumaweld, Duckworth, Thunderjet, Custom Weld and Wooldridge to start with. These companies all make boats for this purpose, this is just start, but it will give you an idea of what to look for.

 

[ebry710]

Re: what boat is best???

I have been watching this thread and wondering how to respond. Rivers and rocks don't like V-hulls because of it is hard to distribute the weight without increasing the draft. Flat bottoms or tri-hulls are better.

I have never seen your boat manufacture before, but their design seems to put in aluminum what I had been thinking.

Their web page is pretty impressive. They seem proud of their units and their manufacturing.

 

[dave11]

Re: what boat is best???

Ondarvr has given you a good list to start with. For what you are looking for you will probably want a welded 19ft boat or larger with a BIG engine and jet drive. I have a small Alumaweld that I really like.

 

[darrklim2]

Re: what boat is best???

I would go with something like this. They come in jet tunnel models.

http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/specs.cfm?boat=2897

 

[dave11]

Re: what boat is best???

From what you have stated, I do not think you would be happy with the Tracker. I will say again, check out the boats ONDARVR has listed. They are all really good sleds that will fish and haul stuff for the weekend.

 

[5150abf]

Re: what boat is best???

You definately want a wide flat bottom if you are going in a river, it will give you the least amount of draft and a jet drive or OB on a jack late with a tunnel hull.
The problem is finding a flat bottom jet, I looked for a long time for a flat jon and all I found was 12-14 that were really skinny,good luck.