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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Currently I have a 14' Fisher boat. It has a small side counsel and is powered by a 1978 25 hp Evinrude. With two people I can get 20 mph (GPS confirmed) out of it. I am not to concerned about the speed, a little faster would be nice, but it is just to small. Not very much room to move around.
Next spring, I should have around 3k-4k to spend on a new boat.
I would like to purchase a boat that will keep me happy for a few years. I am not looking for a really big boat because I like to fish some smaller inland lakes with poorer landings, but I am definitely looking for something bigger than what I have. I primarily cast, but would troll some.
I see some older (mid 80's) Rangers with 90hp-125hp motors on them on craigslist that are in this price range. Would I be happier with something like this? Or put the money toward a newer aluminum boat with a smaller motor?
All thought and suggestions are welcome. |
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| My buddy bought a 2008ish Lund SSV 16 with a 25HP merc tiller on it for 4k last year. The previous owner built a casting deck up front. Sweet rig for 2 guys. Went about 25 with 2 guys loaded with gear. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I'd look for an older Tuffy Esox LTD or Esox Mag.. tiller w a 40-60 on it, can get it into bad / shallow landings easily...
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | There's a good one on the Classifieds board right now, a '92 Esox, which is a 16'10" boat. Will fish three pretty well and is in your price range. |
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Posts: 483
Location: NE PA | Those big old motors are gas hogs just food for thought |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | This makes me think. I kind of like a side counsel. I am not against keeping an open mind though.
It seems like I saw a counsel vs tiller thread at one time. I should probably read it. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | If you're looking at maximizing room room in a smaller boat, a tiller is your best bet. The boat Steve referenced is a solid rig. If I had the cash, I'd snatch it up. |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | Get your best bang for your buck with a 16' rig like an esox mag or a Lund or alumacraft. Tons of them out there in your price range in the 1990s age. Getting a mid 80s boat with a larger motor of that era is just asking for problems. Money pit |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Thanks for all the input so far guys. Good to hear from guys who have already been there. |
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Posts: 1456
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | Esox |
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Posts: 84
| I bought a 98 Lund angler tiller a year ago in like new condition for under $4000 from a dealer. Just keep your eyes open; good deals don't last long. Winter is the best time to find cheap boats. |
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Posts: 1283
| I bought my 95 Nitro 170dc with a Merc 60 out back for 4500. Boat is in near mint condition and I love it. Not a big water boat but works great for where I fish and fishes 3 people pretty good.
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Well I am a bit torn right now. Looks like I will have a long winter of research ahead of me. Tiller vs. counsel?? Glass vs. aluminum??
To some guys this may not seem like a big deal. I am on a fixed budget though, and do not want to have a boat I am unhappy with. I also cannot really afford to purchase a boat, find I don't like it, and take a loss on it selling. |
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Posts: 1283
| Keep in mind it doesnt have to be a muskie only boat. Its nice having consoles to cruise around with and plenty of fishing space.
We have spent a lot of time on my boat tubing, watching the fireworks on the 4th, kids driving and having a blast and plain fun just cruising around with the GF and friends. I would never go back to a tiller as my only boat. Wish I could have both a true muskie rig(possibly tiller) and a nice pleasure boat.
Edited by achotrod 11/12/2014 6:09 PM
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | I have my eye on a Tuffy Esox Ltd. right now. It is a tiller rig. Comes with a 30hp merc with power trim.
Would like to hear from some guys who have this boat or similar.
Thanks. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | sworrall - 11/11/2014 3:31 PM
There's a good one on the Classifieds board right now, a '92 Esox, which is a 16'10" boat. Will fish three pretty well and is in your price range.
This is a great deal on a nice rig. You have to grab a deal when you see it when you are looking for used. Spring everyone is looking so less inventory and usually higher costs as well. |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | I have had a '96 Tuffy Esox LTD for the last 5 years. It is a very versatile boat that seems to have more room than the specs would suggest. Mine is equipped with a 50hp Johnson and moves WOT at 30mph on the GPS with me, the dog and all my gear. Add another guy and I drop down to 29MPH. I rarely fish three, but have on occasion and its been ok. I added a rear casting deck to mine and usually fish off the back. It is a great boat for both casting(low to the water=easy and deep figure 8's) and trolling(tracks great and turns on a dime). I can fit 9' rods in my rod locker(which I modified) and I use my, plugged and disconnected, livewell for extra storage. I also added a front battery compartment to mine last winter, like the esox mag has, which freed up a bunch of storage area in the front compartment. My one issue with the boat is that in large waves, like those from wakeboarders, it WILL take water over the bow...but 95% of the time I find it to be the perfect fishing boat for the lakes I fish. Good luck with your search!
P.S.-Be sure and check out the transom and floor for wood rot. Mine had to have the transom and flooring replaced. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Thanks for review. What do you think top end would be with a 94 30hp merc? That is what the boat I am looking at has. It does have power trim. |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | I don't really know...maybe low twenties? Looks like a sweet boat by by the way...I like it in White. It looks like he re-did the compartments and lids...I would see if he has any restoration pics.
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | MD75 - 11/18/2014 6:40 PM
I don't really know...maybe low twenties? Looks like a sweet boat by by the way...I like it in White. It looks like he re-did the compartments and lids...I would see if he has any restoration pics.
Hey???.... How did you know what boat I was looking at? |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | MD75 - 11/18/2014 6:40 PM
I don't really know...maybe low twenties? Looks like a sweet boat by by the way...I like it in White. It looks like he re-did the compartments and lids...I would see if he has any restoration pics.
Hey???.... How did you know what boat I was looking at?
Good idea on the restoration pics. |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | 14ledo81 - 11/18/2014 8:47 PM
MD75 - 11/18/2014 6:40 PM
I don't really know...maybe low twenties? Looks like a sweet boat by by the way...I like it in White. It looks like he re-did the compartments and lids...I would see if he has any restoration pics.
Hey???.... How did you know what boat I was looking at?
Quick search of the top used boat sites... |
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Posts: 441
| If you are fishing smaller water, and shallow ramps, I would go with an aluminum boat.
I fish a lot of lakes, with ramps that have no docks. I fish by myself, a lot, so I have to beach the boat in rocks, often. You don't want to do that with a fiberglass boat.
They are lighter to haul. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Anybody else out there with a Tuffy Esox tiller rig? Would certainly appreciate it if you could give me your thoughts. |
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Posts: 2753
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Is there really one? Maybe the correct definition is - Economical Muskie Boat = water displacement system that sucks the cash from your wallet!
It depends on how you fish and where you want to fish...there's also a compromise - not eveyone wants or needs a Great Lakes boat - PS -> there are guides there that have the right boats...if you only fish big water 1 - 2 times a year.... get a guide. |
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Posts: 1202
Location: Money, PA | "Economical Muskie Boat" - Is there really such a thing???? |
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Posts: 383
| I haven't owned an Esox tiller, but I've owned an Esox console and it was ridiculously awesome and I hope to go back to one some day. The Esox series, whether tiller or console, is an outstanding boat with a great layout and a super hull. If the hull is solid you can't go wrong.
As for economical musky boats, I've owned lots of boats: fish-and-skis, Whalers, jet boats, bay boats, even a Ranger. Some were brand new with big payments, but my last two have been low budget "fixer uppers," that came with solid hulls and lots of promise and little else. But unlike the new ones I could pay cash. And with patience, creativity, and a helluva lot of sweat equity, when you're done you'll have something to be proud of. I'd love to tell you I wouldnt trade my fixer upper Lund tiller for a new 620 (that would be a lie!), but dang, I like fishing out of a boat I busted my butt to make nice. Yeah, you can have an economical musky boat. Go get it! |
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Posts: 1283
| ShutUpNFish - 11/24/2014 12:47 PM
"Economical Muskie Boat" - Is there really such a thing????
The boat itself maybe, but by the time its loaded up with electronics and gear no way. lol
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Location: Milwaukee | I have an '87 Esox LTD tiller, and love it! Fishes 2 or 3 guys just fine, easy to launch and drive. I have a 1979 Johnson 50 on it, hoping for a new 4 stroke 60 for Christmas. Fat chance. It goes about 24 mph with 2 guys and gear. Very stable to fish from.
I really love this boat, the only thing I would trade it for is a another Tuffy. |
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Posts: 267
| In addition to the boats mentioned above, perhaps keep your eye open for a year 1988 - 1991 Ranger 680 series (tiller or console) mode.These are smaller (17 foot) boats which are fine on small water and can handle moderately large water. Hulls are pretty timeless and are rock solid. Ride is great. They can be found in the 3500 - $5000 range - sometimes re-powered with decent electronics. Console fishes 2 very well while the tiller would be fine up to 3.
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