new boat opinions

[hipster dufus]

i am finally in the double digits in remaining mortgage payments. am buying a new boat in the not too distant future.i fish 99% of the time for bass, my current boat is a 1444 G3 jon with a 9.8 tohatsu and foot operated tm. similar setup to a bass boat. iamthinking auminum. i dont know if i shoud go with a mv or a v. i do have grandchildren and am thinking a v would be a little safer because of the freeboard. 16 ft max length. iam torn between a tiller or console, or maybe even a stick steer. what are the pros and cons of both?20 - 30 hp, again pros and cons. i fish mainly river system lakes so i would very rarely be far from shore. i appreciate all opinions. this will be a long process.this is also my retirement boat, iam within 5 yrs of my retirement.i do not want to spend 50$ every time i go fishing which is why i am kooking at the 16 ft range. manufacturers names and recommendations would be appreciated. thanks ahead of time.

 

[hipster dufus]

Re: new boat opinions

more info. i have a budget of 10k. i currently run a tiller. if i went with a tiller i would prefer a split rear bench. the more room the better. i thought of a stick steer but am afraid of having the grandchildren behind me. also am partial to tahatsu 4 strokes, but for the right price that could change. am not needing a livewell, but do need lites and a bilge. tach would be nice also. i have many more questions and will post as i think of them. thanks

 

[lncoop]

Re: new boat opinions

Hipster, you'll be able to find what you want without busting your budget. It sounds like a mod-v welded boat would be a good fit. Look up Xpress, SeaArk and Excel for some good examples and ideas of how you would dial one in if you were buying new, then start trolling CL, want ads, etc. until you find a potential winner. Generally speaking I don't like john boats with consoles because I like the control and quick response of tiller steer and because consoles are space hogs. That said, they do have their applications. If the grandkids want to steer or "help" steer it will be much easier and safer with a console, and a console provides a nice spot for gauges, switches, etc. Also, I suggested welded, but there's no reason to turn your nose up at a nice riveted rig unless you'll be jumping logs and beaver dams, and you might want to consider slightly larger models as you search. Xpress and SeaArk popularized the eighteen footer with a ninety horse in the early to mid 2000s and those are great rigs. They're typically set up for bass fishing with FCTMs, livewells, etc. You'll probably run across some of those that are worth a look. Happy hunting. You've got me licking my chops. There's nothing I love more than a metal boat.

 

[lncoop]

Re: new boat opinions

For example:

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/bod/2804882681.html

Enough left over to buy a brand spanking new Minn Kota Auto Pilot and a stack of Falcons and Curados.