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Posts: 214
Location: Beaver County, Pennsylvania | So, within the next 6 months I plan to seriously start looking for a dedicated musky boat. Well, I am already browsing around but you know what I mean.
I get out less than 20 times a year and would like to keep it in the 10-12k range.
My first concern is new verse used.
I feel like you can get more boat for less but possibly run the risk of premature headaches when going the used route.
I will be fishing smaller lakes mostly with occasional trips into the Western PA Ohio river.
I was in my short search thus far, looking at Lunds 1625 Fury XL and the Rebel as well.
I am still not decided on tiller versus side console. I can see myself mostly fishing alone so space isn't a big concern. I am a casting advocate but have really been getting into trolling a lot and I have put together a good arsenal for it. If I have any passengers it will be my non-fishing wife.
I know you guys get this asked a lot here and I do try to stop and read a lot but I would appreciate the help more than you know.
Thanks in advance. |
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | I would say tiller for the open floor plan those small boats get tight... for a small boat the alumacraft escape has a really nice front deck might be worth a look.
Are you just getting the boat? What motor do you plan on using?
Edited by NathanH 6/19/2017 6:25 AM
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Posts: 214
Location: Beaver County, Pennsylvania | probably nothing bigger than a 20-25 hp merc |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | if you are looking for a smaller outboard i'd suggest sticking to a tiller and then have the $$ in a brand new motor but put it on a used boat. you should have lots of options and fun shopping! good luck ... |
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Posts: 214
Location: Beaver County, Pennsylvania | thanks for the replies thus far guys! |
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Posts: 1676
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Definitely get a tiller in a boat of that size. I know you said 20-25 hp, but go as big as you can. Dad and I both have similar boats in the 25/16.5 ft range. Go etec if you can over a 4 stroke. The 25/30 have the highest torque and speed in their classes. A lot of us in central IL bass fish 25 hp lakes. The merc motors are being traded in for the etec a lot and we never see Yamaha. Watch the video on YouTube in the 40 hp shootout where there are 4 boats in the same frame. Dad has a 1625 classic tiller Lund and I have an alumacraft 165 ltd mag tiller. 55 terrova on dads and 80 on mine. Pm me any questions you have. |
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | another thing with a 25 would be to get the new Yamaha that just came out.. its like half the weight of the other motors and that makes a difference. Might need to pimp the budget up to get a new rig. Look at that 14ft escape with a 25. |
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Posts: 463
Location: Sw Pennsylvania | I too agree to stick with a tiller in that size range your looking for. I'd consider sticking to a 20hp to be able to fish most of the lakes in PA. Consider a few still have 9.9hp resrictions also. 16' would be ideal, a lot of the local boat dealers have these boats on stock, I would consider looking into an Alumacraft also. |
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Posts: 214
Location: Beaver County, Pennsylvania | ok. even before reading these replies i kind of talked myself into a tiller. i would like to go bigger in the motor department but a lot of my local waters have a 20hp restriction. i can probably get away with a 25hp and a couple of nice new decals. i am all about motor advice too.
pretty certain i want to stay at, at least 16 foot and will now definitely look into alumacraft as well.
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Location: minocqua, wi. | X2 on the Yami |
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Posts: 214
Location: Beaver County, Pennsylvania | what model is the new yami?
nvm...i found it
Edited by adudeuknow 6/19/2017 6:35 PM
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Posts: 1000
| with a 25hp cap, finding something and rigging it with all the bells and whistles should be easily attainable with a $10-12K budget. You're going to get far more for your money with a lightly used boat. In regards to headaches, just get a yamaha 4 stroke that has maintenance records and you'll be just fine. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | for that money you could pick up a very nice Tuffy Esox Mag w a 60 yammy or suzi 4 stroke...for the rivers you fish to me that sounds like the way to go. ahh 20 hp restriction? no bueno!
Edited by BNelson 6/20/2017 8:51 AM
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | adudeuknow - 6/19/2017 5:55 PM
but a lot of my local waters have a 20hp restriction. i can probably get away with a 25hp and a couple of nice new decals.
details ... |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | if you are looking for an aluminum river boat consider https://xpressboats.com ... best aluminum riverboat you can buy. |
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Posts: 214
Location: Beaver County, Pennsylvania | jonnysled - 6/20/2017 9:42 AM
adudeuknow - 6/19/2017 5:55 PM
but a lot of my local waters have a 20hp restriction. i can probably get away with a 25hp and a couple of nice new decals.
details ...
I know of a guy or two that have bigger motors with lesser hp decals done up very nice to battle the hp restrictions. I would assume it's pretty obvious to anyone that knows anything but if they arent flipping everybody over with their wake I don't think anyone would kick up too much fuss. |
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Posts: 841
Location: Southwest PA | I see it all the time in our neck of the woods bud, 60hp with 20hp decals... me personally, I wouldn't chance it. Let me know what route you end up going because I will be "in the same boat" as you when I decide to upgrade... pun intended! |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | adudeuknow - 6/20/2017 9:10 PM
jonnysled - 6/20/2017 9:42 AM
adudeuknow - 6/19/2017 5:55 PM
but a lot of my local waters have a 20hp restriction. i can probably get away with a 25hp and a couple of nice new decals.
details ...
I know of a guy or two that have bigger motors with lesser hp decals done up very nice to battle the hp restrictions. I would assume it's pretty obvious to anyone that knows anything but if they arent flipping everybody over with their wake I don't think anyone would kick up too much fuss.
tough to make a 60hp look like a 20hp as was suggested. reading the thread is helpful when answering to it ... i believe some heavy editing has been done since this original post was made. |
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Posts: 214
Location: Beaver County, Pennsylvania | i'm now likely considering the used route with a new motor or with a well maintained motor but don't even know where to start looking. most of the boats ive seen thus far are either too expensive or too crappy.
lots of brand new "musky" boats for sale though at the local dealers. haha |
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Posts: 214
Location: Beaver County, Pennsylvania | jonnysled - 6/21/2017 8:56 AM
adudeuknow - 6/20/2017 9:10 PM
jonnysled - 6/20/2017 9:42 AM
adudeuknow - 6/19/2017 5:55 PM
but a lot of my local waters have a 20hp restriction. i can probably get away with a 25hp and a couple of nice new decals.
details ...
I know of a guy or two that have bigger motors with lesser hp decals done up very nice to battle the hp restrictions. I would assume it's pretty obvious to anyone that knows anything but if they arent flipping everybody over with their wake I don't think anyone would kick up too much fuss.
tough to make a 60hp look like a 20hp as was suggested. reading the thread is helpful when answering to it ... i believe some heavy editing has been done since this original post was made.
ive never seen it to that extreme but i believe people try it. ive seen 15 labeled 9.9 and 25 and a little bigger labeled 20. |
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Posts: 841
Location: Southwest PA | I was exaggerating sled! The point is, it happens a lot here and I just wouldn't chance it. I know of a few with a custom decaled 30hp engines around our neck of the woods and the boat I bought came with a customer decaled 25hp and a 9.9. I put the 9.9 on and sold the 25. That was the point I was trying to get across. I actually enjoy the hp restrictions as crazy as it sounds. It's very nice to not have to worry about pleasure boating, skiers, etc when you have a 9.9 on and can fish some of the better lakes around us. Again, let me know which route you go as i will be doing the same rhing in the next couole of years. Thanks! |
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Location: The desert | adudeuknow - 6/21/2017 7:56 AM
i'm now likely considering the used route with a new motor or with a well maintained motor but don't even know where to start looking. most of the boats ive seen thus far are either too expensive or too crappy.
lots of brand new "musky" boats for sale though at the local dealers. haha
Have you searched the classifieds here and on walleye central? There is a nice looking 16' Fisher river boat for $9000 on walleye central. I'm sure both here and there will have plenty of options for you. |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | Tommis - 6/21/2017 12:23 PM
I was exaggerating sled! The point is, it happens a lot here and I just wouldn't chance it. I know of a few with a custom decaled 30hp engines around our neck of the woods and the boat I bought came with a customer decaled 25hp and a 9.9. I put the 9.9 on and sold the 25. That was the point I was trying to get across. I actually enjoy the hp restrictions as crazy as it sounds. It's very nice to not have to worry about pleasure boating, skiers, etc when you have a 9.9 on and can fish some of the better lakes around us. Again, let me know which route you go as i will be doing the same rhing in the next couole of years. Thanks!
yah, i hadn't seen your post but was responding to something that's since been edited ... i hear ya. |
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Posts: 841
Location: Southwest PA | Respect is mutual brother man! I figured it may have been something else, but just wanted to clarify in case I ruffled some feathers. I'm a bit on edge without hockey in my life... I've been checking the classifieds here as well and there is a darn good hooked up tuffy I'd love to pull the trigger on if I could justify it. Very good suggestion Mike! Sell the engine that comes with it since its over 20hp and buy a mint 20hp tiller with the bigger motor money and call it a day. Hit the water, cast, figure 8, repeat, etc etc. |
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