At a crossroads of boats

[Maj92az]

New to boats. Love the open water of N Idaho. I am starting to also love fishing more and more. These salmon are fun.

my first boat is a 89 Searay 180 open bow. Neat boat. Fun and learned alot. Alot of boat for $2K.

I want a fishing boat. Not a bass boat. But an all day trolling and deep water fishing boat. I'm not sure what makes a fishing boat a fishing boat. Everyone around here has Lund, Lowe, kingfisher or similar boats. Some have cabs or canvas but all have the functionality of a fishing boat. Usually a kicker motor and lots of pole holders. It seems I can't even find those boats I want for even $20K. Do i strip my searay and make it function as a fishing boat. Can i even install a kicker on the portside swim platform?? Remove seats and install a rod arch? Idk lol just thinking outloud.. has anyone did a major overhaul like this?

 

[QBhoy]

Wouldn’t say that searay would make a good sea boat. Likely a shallow deadrise at the stern and a harsh ride in a chop.
apart from the obvious usual brands you should look at the campion explorers. Seriously good hull for their sizes and well put together.

 

[Maj92az]

I don't live anywhere near the ocean. Some lakes are 50 miles long by 10 wide though. The salmon I was refering to a landlocked salmon. But yeah I'll keep looking.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... How are the boat ramps yer using,..??

a glass boat, 'bout 20/22" long, with a Deep V will ride, 'n handle nicely, even in bad weather,......

Runabout is a bigger cockpit, a cuddy, ya loose a few feet of cockpit,.....

I like the cuddy, mostly for gear, 'n rod storage,......

Canvas or roof is necessary if yer goin' out in the nasty stuff,....

 

[southkogs]

Conversion has been done (Look HERE)

But I don't think that's necessary. You could do what you're asking about in a rowboat if you know the water you're on.

 

[Sprig]

You want a heavy gauge aluminum boat like an Alumaweld, or Alumacraft or something similar. 17’ to 19’ would be perfect for Idaho lakes. I just sold a 19’ Alumaweld, 90 hp merc with 300 hours, 6 hp kicker, electric downriggers, gps/fish finder, vhf, live well, full canvas and on and on for $15,000. It was my fishing boat for dozens of California lakes. It was the perfect fishing boat. You can find similar used boats under $20,000. You are right next store to Washington and Oregon and you can find lots of these boats there.
They are good rough water boats, have plenty of room and are low maintenance. Search the net, you’ll find lots of these boats in you neighboring states of Wa. and Ore.

 

[Maj92az]

I will keep looking..but will price out options to make my boat function some. After all, it's a boat I can only use maybe once a week. More like twice a month. Certainly some boats were designed with different things in mind. Sure would like a clean slate to work with. It's just money right lol

But a few simple mods might get me by for s bit...
maybe remove the 4 (really 2 double seats) and install two swivel seats on a pedestal. Will add some room. Design pole holders, a new top or enclosure (which is tough to find) and lastly a 10hp kicker on the swim platform.

 

[Texasmark]

New to boats. Love the open water of N Idaho. I am starting to also love fishing more and more. These salmon are fun.

my first boat is a 89 Searay 180 open bow. Neat boat. Fun and learned alot. Alot of boat for $2K.

I want a fishing boat. Not a bass boat. But an all day trolling and deep water fishing boat. I'm not sure what makes a fishing boat a fishing boat. Everyone around here has Lund, Lowe, kingfisher or similar boats. Some have cabs or canvas but all have the functionality of a fishing boat. Usually a kicker motor and lots of pole holders. It seems I can't even find those boats I want for even $20K. Do i strip my searay and make it function as a fishing boat. Can i even install a kicker on the portside swim platform?? Remove seats and install a rod arch? Idk lol just thinking outloud.. has anyone did a major overhaul like this?

If you are not talking about a specific type rounded bow and stern boat especially made for waters like found up there (which your current Sea Ray isn't), but a conventional boat for fishing, I just purchased a 2002 Crestliner 1750DC Fish Hawk with a 115 Merc and after 60 years of boating in boats to 18' and 125 hp, no cabins, it's the finest "fishing" boat I ever had.

You can go to the Crestliner www and look in their history section and pull up that specific boat, or any Crestliner made for the last who knows how many years and see what you get. It's a quiet riding aluminum hull, giving you the economy of aluminum without the usual "tinny" noise; has a soft ride, wide beam for stability and room to move around, reverse chine planes out fast and runs smooth, high sides for open water, room on transom for a "trolling kicker" and sitting in the front seat with the trolling motor, one couldn't ask for a finer platform for tossing a bait. It's setup like a Bass Boat with a trolling motor and very accessible front seat, but I think it's more of just a great fishing boat adaptable to a lot of waters.

Only thing I added that didn't come with it was no feedback, tilt steering. Boat cost me $5k last summer and a real deal.