bass boat vs. fish ski boat

[fish master 229]

I am trying to figure out what kind of boat to get the options are a bass boat in the 17 to 19 foot range with a turbo swing to ski and tube or get a 16 foot fish and ski boat any preferences if so tell me what you think (you can also suggest which boat to get and which features to look for)

 

[MTboatguy]

Ford or Chevrolet Go Figure

 

[Chad Flaugher]

Lots of threads on this subject... Best thing for you to do is have some patience and try both boats out just to see what feels right. Some of the larger marinas actually rent both styles. What are you going to be using the boat for most? By fish and ski boat, do you mean an I/O system? Do you have to winterize where you live? Are you mechanically inclined, or will you be using a shop for your maintenance and repairs?

Spend the time now to explore your options so you don't end up buying and selling several boats. Watch craigslist in several cities over the next few weeks. You'd be surprised how many styles and configurations there actually are. When you find something you are interested in, throw it up on a new post and let the guys on here help you out! There is some great folks on iboats that just love helping out.

Oh yeah, one more thing... Welcome aboard! :welcome:

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard:

There are a lot of boats out there called a fish-and-ski. And frankly, IMHO, that translates to a boat that does neither very well. How many people do you plan on having out with you? Bass boats on a good day are a two man tub.

 

[fish master 229]

I am not a very good mechanic and we have to winterize if it were a fish ski it would be an outboard with a livewell on what I would be using it for most its a hard decision I love fishing and skiing

 

[fish master 229]

I haven't figured out which bass boat boat but I am interested in a 2015 crestliner 1650 superhawk and a 2015 1610 lowe fish and ski

 

[fish master 229]

on the bass boat we would be putting 4 people on it and have 1 or 2 tubing behind it

 

[garbageguy]

on the bass boat we would be putting 4 people on it and have 1 or 2 tubing behind it

That's a tall order. And as said by others, ant boat trying to be too many different things, has to compromise somewhere. While both of the boats you listed are very nice, and probably set up better for fishing than recreation and water sports, they are not bass boats as I think of them like a Ranger, Triton, etc. If fishing is really your thing, with the occasional other use, those are nice rigs, just check capacity vs how many people/what equipment you intend to put in it.

 

[drpepper68]

I bought a used recreational boat (Four Winns bowrider) and am rigging it so I can fish more so I can kinda wish I had bought a little larger boat like a center console and room to move around more built more for fishing. You can always ski and tub off it as well. I personally dont like the regular bass boats built just for fishing... And I hate the carpet in my boat, Im removing it and painting it. Too much upkeep, its always dirty.

Not sure if this an acceptable link to post so please remove mods if not... Sums it up for why I like center consoles. But really all depends on what you want to do. I get tired of skiing and tubing but never of fishing.

http://www.boats.com/reviews/boats/center-console-boats-fish-cruise-or-just-have-fun/

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

.... the options are a bass boat in the 17 to 19 foot range with a turbo swing to ski and tube or get a 16 foot fish and ski boat ......

I've had a fish-n-ski in the past, and currently have both an 18 ft. bass boat and an 18-1/2 ft. Checkmate (they were both destined for the dump until I rebuilt them). I can see where a fish-n-ski would be a great compromise, it's a pain trying to keep up with maintenance on 2 boats. However, I think you'll find a 16 ft. fish-n-ski to be too small. From my experience I'd go with at least an 18 ft. fish-n-ski, if not a little bit more than that. Two compromises with that style of boat are fishing deck space and storage (rod lockers etc.).

 

[Rick Stephens]

If you are at all dependent on what the wife likes, you'd do better to ask her than here. Bass boats tend to be more open and lots windier. In my experience it is a lot harder to get the wife in a fast bass boat than in a fish and ski. My boating is very dependent on her likes!

 

[jhnmdahl]

A fish and ski bowrider will be a lot more versatile than a bass boat, but you may lose a live well, high seat perches, and a couple other fishing-specific features. Still, a better compromise than finding yourself on a choppy lake with high waves in a bass boat, or using it as a ski/tubing boat.

 

[Chad Flaugher]

Rick Stephens might have made the most important point of all. Nicely done.

 

[fish master 229]

it probably would be a multi species boat I don't have a wife because i'm only 11

 

[southkogs]

... I don't have a wife because i'm only 11

... ound:

Who's helping you buy this boat, bud? 'Cuz yer' too young to do it alone.

 

[redneck joe]

well this could be a fun thread.


if multi species like trolling for stripers and bassin' then skiing I'd go fish and ski.

 

[fish master 229]

:focus:the point is i'm looking for a good fishing and tubing rig

 

[MTboatguy]

I don't have a wife because i'm only 11

Really, then hate to tell ya bud, you need to be doing some other things than worrying about the difference between a bass and a fish in ski at this point, I am not saying, don't go fishing, but I don't believe their is anywhere in this country you could legally run a boat of this nature.

 

[jrttoday]

In the days of old, when Knights were bold, and the King's word was law..... I had an 18' Skeeter w/150 Black Max, 24p for fishing and a 19p cupped for skiing/tubing. Didn't have a hydraulic jack plate so it was a pain resetting the motor all of the time. I'm particular about all out performance when fishing; even with scribing the original position, it never seemed right after changing.
My humble opinion - I would go with a ski boat if I were more into skiing than fishing, you can fish off of anything. If I mostly fished (and I do), you can ski behind anything that has enough power to pull you out of the water.
I've met very few that owned a dual purpose boat that would say they are completely happy with its performance - there is always something you have to put up with. But then, everyone I know is an extremist!!!
Good luck and best wishes!

 

[64osby]

Don't know where the OP is from, but suggest he takes a look at the state laws.

In Michigan they are

[h=2]Who May Operate a Boat[/h]
Those less than 12 years of age:

• May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) legally without restrictions.
• May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp legally only if they:
  • Have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat and...
  • Are directly supervised on board by a person at least 16 years of age.
• May not operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp legally under any conditions.

Those born on or after July 1, 1996, may operate a boat legally only if they have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat.
Those born before July 1, 1996, may operate a boat legally without restrictions.