Some advice on a Fish and Ski Boats please!

[imported_Big_D]

Well got bit by the boat bug again, last time was 12 years ago and it was much worse in Florida. <br />Anyway looking for information resources like web discussion sites similar to this one. I am reviewing information for Fish and Ski class in the 18-21 foot range. Fresh water only, probably 50/50 between Fish and Ski use. Feedback on Cajun, ProCraft, Nitro, Larson, Capri and anything else you could recommend. Not looking for new, looking for used in the 94-99 range at around 7500-10K price range. <br />What I would like to get is some real world feedback on likes dislikes of these types of boats. I am open to outboard or I/O but prefer the most useable type of boat in this class. If you have any first hand please pass it on.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Some advice on a Fish and Ski Boats please!

Big_D, I've got an '84 Procraft 1750 F&S. I found that there were 2 breeds of F&S. First, a mfr takes a bass boat and extends the cockpit to seat 4 and adds a nice looking DC windshield. Second, a bowrider mfr takes a bowrider and keeps pretty much same layout just converts a storage area to livewell, adds method to use pedestal seats in bow seating area and on sunpad, maybe some rod storage, and a trolling motor. Which "breed" is best is determined by your needs. I went for the converted bass boat breed because I got into boating from the fishing end. Pro's of this type boat are you can almost bass fish as if you were in a real bass boat, speedy, good for getting into stick-ups, shallow banks, etc. Negs I see are doesn't handle rough water as well due to shallow V, not as much seating as BR conversion since bow seating area is smaller, only available in outboard (if you want I/O). When I bought mine, I didn't know about difference in ride between a shallow V bass boat type hull and deeper V on a BR (I've since discovered iboats.com ). I also didn't think I would be interested in going into any salt water. Just this summer, I've had 4 oppurtunities to take my boat to ICW on Ga/SC coast and Fla panhandle. I don't believe my boat is appropriate for salt water usage (although I've read about those that do take bass boats into salt water). I'm thinking in next year or 2 (after paying off wife's van), I might move to a bay boat Center Console or a Dual Console from one of the well known CC mfr (BW Dauntless, Scout, etc).<br /><br />One other thing, the mfr seem to put less than max motors on the F&S - to keep price down I guess. I saw lots of 17' & 18' with 115HP when max was 150HP. Similar sized bass rigs had the 150's. If you can, get the max HP boat will handle.<br /><br />Sorry for long post...Hope it helps some...Good luck in your search <br /><br />BL...

 

[wrestler20]

Re: Some advice on a Fish and Ski Boats please!

Big-D, I have a '91,20 foot Astro Fish and Ski (Same manufacturer of the Procraft Combo and almost identical) I really liked the setup with the extra seats behind the windshield quite a bit better, seems much more user freindly not to have friends sitting up front like hood ornaments. BLifsey is right on with the comparison of the deep V (bowrider style) and the shallow V (bassboat style). One can take much larger water and the other is generally more performance oriented. I went with an outboard because i do so much more shallow water running and the outboard is able to come out of the water more. An IO makes much less noise though. Most valuable thing i learned about these boats are that they are generally pretty heavy in the 20 foot range and need a bit of Hp to push them around. I am currently looking to replace my 150 with a 200 just to get a little more out of it. Good luck with your search. I think i looked at all of the types of boats that you mentioned when i was looking. Forgive my opinion and i know others will disagree, but what i thought was: Cajun-didn't like interior layout on most, Pro-Craft-nice boat-horrible service department, Nitro-generally underpowered, Larson-Nice bowrider type fish and ski, Capri-If you are talking Bayliner Capri, everyone looks at you as if you just said a 4 letter word. Like i said, just my opinion, good luck and let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Steve