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Posts: 23
| I've been using a small fishing for the last five years and recently decided it's time for me to upgrade sometime probably by the end of this summer. I'm looking at a fairly small budget and basically something to allow me to fish bigger waters. So basically what I'm trying to figure out is what features I should be looking at and what's a good size to look at? |
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Posts: 4
| Alumacraft and Crestliner Tiller boats are great for musky fishing, lots of open space and storage. I recently just purchased a Tuffy and I couldn't be happier. Look on the boat classifieds section on this site, that's where I got mine. There are some great boats on there. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | if you are just getting your first one you will get a second one in 3 years or so, so carefully pick something that suits your needs but most-important will be desired down the line. it's great being a boat shopper, but you don't want to be in a position as a seller that is either upside-down or owning something impossible to get rid of when the "next-one" shows up.
based on that theory ... search for a lund pro-v or alumacraft tiller ... or find a tuffy esox ltd. or esox magnum. you will love it and it will go quickly when it's time for you to search for the 618/690/692 3 years down the line, plus most of the money you put out will still be in it when it comes time to sell or upgrade.
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Location: MN | Much depends on your budget and preferred style of fishing. Most deep-v boats in the 17-18ft category will handle bigger water but even that's relative... are you talking Green Bay & Mille Lacs or a windy day on a 4000 acre lake. Do you only cast or also troll? If you aren't concerned about speed tillers are great for fishability and wide open design. Go with a console if you want a wheel, more speed, and generally more comfort driving. There are some excellent options out there both fiberglass and aluminum.
If you want glass, the old Ranger 600 series boats are excellent for fishing anything small to big (680t, 680c, 681t, 681vs, 690vs, 692vs). Tuffy, Skeeter, and Warrior all have some nice looking glass deep-v models as well.
I don't know much about the aluminum boats but there are some nice models out there as well. I hear lots of guys like the Crestliner Fish Hawk. I have a glass tiller but one tin boat that has caught my attention is the Alumacraft Competitor 175 tiller, looks like a great platform to chase muskies on but these are new boats so may higher priced than you'd like to spend. A similar used design to the Competitors is the Alumacraft Navigator.
Any boat is a good boat if it gets you on the water to fish 
Edited by Mak51 4/4/2012 12:27 PM
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Posts: 127
| Mak51 - 4/4/2012 12:09 PM
Any boat is a good boat if it gets you on the water to fish :)
quoted for truth. |
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| i fished out of a 1960 14 alumacraft with a 5 hp johnson for 9 years, was on a lot of lakes i had no business!!! then moved to a 16ft mirrocraft40hp consul for the last 7. I am now going to a 17ftr and wider beam. they said it right dont just go crazy, buy practical and think resale. when i got my mirrocraft i thought it was the kingsh*t. after 5 years i realized all things i wanted in my next one!! haha take your time and there are lots of boats to be had. i fished mille lacs in some really rough water in my mirrocraft, so u dont need a monster to fish there. |
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Posts: 23
| I have actually seen some resonable price mirrocrafts and they look really cool. I think that might be the dirrection im leaning but like I said I have time so I will be doing lots of shopping around before I buy one |
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| mine i just sold was a 1616 troller with 40 hp and a consul. has a narrow beam but fished very nice. just needed more room kid is groing up. i got the small casting platform in the back and my fishing buddy weighs 300 and had no problems on it. i fished some really rough water with it. liked the boat a lot very solid did 30mph. was also very light . towed people tubing at 27 as well good boat. i have seen a few of them for sale online, check out oodle.com for boat lers you type in a city and radius an dtypes you are looking for. i just got a 2000 165 navigator, cant wait to use it |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | here are a few links that i would choose for a first boat. i don't know your budget, but these would all be great buys ...
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/classifieds/71951/Warrior.W.Tiller/
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/classifieds/72885/Tuffy.Esox.Ltd/
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/classifieds/72621/Esox.Magnum.C/
... i was the second owner of this esox magnum and it's a fantastic boat ...
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Posts: 279
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Yes It is a great boat the new buyer will be really happy. On that note it was pending sale the day I listed it! Just waiting on the check to show up. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | ttrap - 4/5/2012 1:58 PM
Yes It is a great boat the new buyer will be really happy. On that note it was pending sale the day I listed it! Just waiting on the check to show up.
that's not surprising! ... i always tell people that was such a great boat to own because when i found my 690 i just bought it knowing that the tuffy would go fast! and it sold --- in December! LOL
my son told me the other day that to this day he's peeed i sold it. it's a rocket to drive isn't it??!! |
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Posts: 279
| jonnysled - 4/5/2012 2:15 PM
ttrap - 4/5/2012 1:58 PM
Yes It is a great boat the new buyer will be really happy. On that note it was pending sale the day I listed it! Just waiting on the check to show up.
that's not surprising! ... i always tell people that was such a great boat to own because when i found my 690 i just bought it knowing that the tuffy would go fast! and it sold --- in December! LOL
my son told me the other day that to this day he's peeed i sold it. it's a rocket to drive isn't it??!!
Yes it treated me really well. It was my first real boat and was perfect for what I wanted. However I mainly fish with my dad who has a hard time sitting down that low, too hard for him to get up and down.
Man I hate that I am selling it myself, because its perfect for me and my other buddies. And yes that thing screams. Like everyone says fishes really big for its size.
Edited by ttrap 4/5/2012 3:18 PM
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Posts: 121
Location: Plymouth IA | From the view of an old guy, have had and fished out of lots of boats. When i got my Tuffy used i stopped looking at other boats. I have a friend who says it is because it is my first non-metal boat. There are some really good deals on used Tuffys on this site and as for resale they seem to move fast. I do not plan on selling mine but if i ever do it will be replaced with a Tuffy. The folks at Tuffy have been so nice to deal with answering every silly question i have had.
Hope you find a great deal and catch lots of big fish |
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Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI | If you can afford a little extra, i would go with glass over aluminum IMO. They handle rough water much better and dont catch the wind and drift away nearly as bad as aluminum. I had an Alumacraft which fished great but as soon as i got a Tuffy, like misterperch said, i will never go back! I just upgraded Tuffy models this year and couldnt be happier! My vote would be Tuffy, but you cant go wrong with a Ranger, Skeeter, Recon, etc. |
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Posts: 279
| Okay it really comes down to what you want. Some things to think about are:
Side decks?
My opinion has changed. I used to love have a wide side deck so that I could set rods, tools, etc along the side and keep it out of the "cockpit" area. Well I took a buddy out and ended up with two broke rods and a reel handle that was bent from him standing on them while fighting fish/just walking around. So I like a side deck that is less than 8-10 inches that way I can store a few rods and things and not worry about someone stepping on them. And for people who want to stand up in the cockpit area can kinda lean against the side of the boat to help balance.
Rear Deck?
Me and most of my fishing partners like a huge rear deck so they have a good platform to fish off of. However my dad is older and not very "stable" we will call it and he doesn't like standing on rear decks (last year he lost his balance and threw his custom rollie n helens rod in the water). So I really need a rear deck that I can remove so he can be lower to the water but still put one in so my other fishing friends have a good platform.
Front Deck?
I want a low to the water huge front deck so that there is enough room for two to fish off it. With some decent storage areas for life jackets, extra set of clothes, ropes, tools, batteries, etc... I want a center rod storage with longer rod storage.
As far as the size of boat you have to think about what you tow with. If you are planning on getting a bigger truck then it won't be as big an issue, but if you buy a big boat and have a small tow vehicle you are gonna tear it up and end up having to spend money on a new vehicle or get it fixed which means selling the boat or being strapped for cash. I think in todays market 17-18ft boats can handle some decent water, and if its blowing 30mph and your not in a tournament you can take some time away from the water and spend with family, friends, etc....
Size of motor you just want to get as close to max hp on for whatever rig you get. Its not always about top speed but its more efficient having a higher hp.
I know this is a long post I hope it helps you, as these are things I looked at when buying a boat. Just look at many boats and try to jump in a few of them to see some of the things I was talking about.
Edited by ttrap 4/5/2012 10:45 PM
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Posts: 121
Location: Plymouth IA | Mcwolf14
You said you were looking at end of summer to get the new boat. If it were me would try to go along and fish out of as many different boats so you can decide what is really important to you for your new boat. Could be some folks on here are near you and would like the excuse to take another fishing trip. Can hear it now "honey i just want to help someone out, just like we would want to be helped if it were us"  |
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| MCwolf where are you from?
I do a lot of traveling and fish a bit alone bout 60% of the time, seem to have room for one more a lot |
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Posts: 23
| South Metro MN |
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Posts: 23
| And thanks for all the help everyone gives me a lot to think about and make sure i end up with the right boat for me! |
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