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Posts: 48
| I'm considering getting a new/used fishing boat for 2014. I have an opportunity to get a used 2005 Lund 1800 explorer with a 150 Merc for about $18K. it is in good shape and well appointed with trolling motors and electronics. My family has just relocated to central MN and we live on or next to a number of smaller 1500-3000 acre waters. my son and I are big muskie fisherman and while we like these smaller lakes occassionally we fish Leech, Mill Lacs, and Vermillion. Since it will usually just be my son and I using the boat is it too big for our needs. Would I be better off getting a 16 or 17 footer? Is bigger always better? How many of you folks who fish alone or with one other boatmate prefer a smaller more manueverable boat? We also fish bass,pike,walleyes,and panfish. Any thoughts?  |
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Posts: 1168
| I'll take my 17ft Lund into some pretty ridiculous stuff that no one would dare take a boat that size into...but there are still plenty of times when it gets left at home and I'll grab my brother's 14ft Alumacraft or a 12ft jonboat. |
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Posts: 566
Location: Elgin, IL | Personally, I really like the way my 19' Pro V fishes. I have every option open to me...fish any water I choose, either alone, or up to 4 for Walleyes, Salmon, Crappies, or just plain cruising/partying. I found the right deal at the right time, and I'm not sorry. 19' is just right for me. I might have been sorry with a 17. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | There are times i wish i had a bigger boat. I have a skeeter mx 1825 but for a18 Foot boat I like it a lot yea when I'm out on big water i wish it was bigger but for the rest of the time it's big enough for me. |
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Posts: 50
| I have that exact boat and fish by my self most of the time. You'll do just fine with it no mater the size of water. |
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | Sometimes my 620 doesnt seem big enough. I started with a 16 footer, then a 17 footer, then an 18 footer, and now the 620. Can never be too big in my opinion. More room the better! Go as big as you canin my opinion. Besides itll handle roug/big water better and make you feel more comfortable. |
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Posts: 113
Location: Twin Cities | The only time a smaller boat is better is when it's in the garage. |
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | rbiwer - 4/30/2014 2:03 PM
The only time a smaller boat is better is when it's in the garage.
O.k... now take that 18 foot boat to any lake that is on an unimproved, non-maintained back road, launch it on a depression on the side of the road to fish some really nice water that can have excellent potential for large fish and nice quantities as well.
Or...pull up to a nice small river that is 3 feet or so deep on average....sand bars, rocks...
I'll take that 12 - 14 foot boat any day over a decked out 17 - 18 foot machine... Better yet, give me a kayak and enjoy the peacefulness of the day...no motors, good exercise...
Steve
Edited by VMS 4/30/2014 2:49 PM
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Posts: 163
Location: NoDak | I fish MN and the small waters and skinny rivers are not a big factor due to long cold winters, but my dad has a 17 foot boat and I just got a 20.5 and they behave the exact same but I have oodles more room in mine makes it soo worth it. we bass fish a lot also and I get into skinnier water than some bass boats, don't know if that cause theirs are new and shiny but where there is a will there is a way, but my boat will beef up on the large waves better than my dads |
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Posts: 337
Location: Watersmeet, Michigan | I've got a 17' Lund and have never had any problems, even with the many shallow launches we have here in Upper Michigan. I take it out in the bays of Lake Superior and have never found it too small to handle rough water (within reason.) The only thing I might point out is that a roller trailer will allow launching in skinnier water than a bunk trailer, but you really shouldn't have any concerns.
Fr. K |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | I have an 18 ft tourney pro and also had a 14ft Starcraft that I sold a few years ago. I spent a ton of time and caught a lot of fish out of that little boat. Fact is that unless you fish small rivers or lakes under 500 acres with poor landings you are better off with something bigger.
My buddy fish out of a 16 ft prince craft on his home water that is 3400 acres. Wind affects that boat 3-4 times as much as my boat that's only 2 feet bigger. A wind that would not affect me at all basically throws us around.
I am not saying there's not a time and place for small boats but if your fishing 1000+ acre lakes there is no reason to go small. More room, storage and room to fish 3 casting. My choice would be the 18 ft. |
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Posts: 140
Location: Scandia MN | I fish Vermilion frequently and can tell you from personal experience that when you're on the wrong side of Big Bay when the wind comes up you'll not regret a bigger boat. I too like to fish smaller places from time to time so I just kept the "Minnow" when I upgraded. Wasn't worth all that much and has paid off many times. |
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Is bigger always better?