Thinking of buying a used boat for family use.. fishing, tubing/skiiing/leisure

[Texgirl]

The rear jump seats convert to fishing pedestals for front and back - although I have NEVER used them that way. Anyone who's ridden in my boat hasn't complained about the comfort of the seats, they are plush. I have (3) boys - 7, 5, 2 - and we as a family all fit just fine. This coming from a bowrider - my FourWinns I bought new before I met my wife. **I have had my BIL and his girlfriend out with our family and that's probably the max I would take out. I used the livewell as a cooler to free up some floor space.


For me, It fits our family just fine for now. As my boys get older, I'll need the space so eventually I'll probably move up a size. My wife and I like the Chap features and fit/finish. IF buying new, I wouldn't get the extra mat for the swim platform direct from Chap. I would instead get it from SeaDek with my own color/thickness/color options. This is a personal preference. **I'm biased as I bought a custom made SeaDek mat for my swim platform and it is THE best purchase we have made hands down.

The other thing I do not like is the size/features of the depthfinder/GPS. I AM replacing this...probably this year. It doesn't have a base map/contour lines and the size is laughable. This is high on my list.

Low on my list is the built in radio - bluetooth syncing is a joke. This is low on my list as we rarely use the radio right now. Eventually I'll replace it with a Rockford Fosgate unit.

I would spring for the pop up cleats as opposed to the traditional ones. This is something my wife likes - less things to poke her in the legs getting in/out of the boat. Low on the list as these aren't nearly as bad as my former boat.


In terms of performance....holy heck. It turns on a dime and can hold that corner. Does 50mph GPS with the engine I have with my family onboard - 2 adults, 3 kiddos, and gear for the day. First boat I've owned that acts this way. Best way I could describe it was that my FourWinns was a station wagon....it got there with a bit of a slide. The Chap is like a performance car on rails.


I have used it for very limited tubing - It'll do just fine in that department as well.

Thanks so much for the detail! We will look at one soon. There isn't one near us... threre is a chaparral suncoast 210 that has jump seats on back but no fishing chair up front etc. But, I like the layout, but it has a 150 vs. 200 and I watched a video that said may not be enough power for skiing.. so that is an issue.. man... why can't this be easy

 

[oba97]

We easily bring 8 (2 family’s of 4) comfortably. Once we took 10. I wouldn’t want any more.

 

[achris]

Right now biggest issue is finding that balance between fishability and leisure/ski.. ...

This is an age old problem. The reason is because the characteristics of a boat for skiing and fishing are pretty much diametrical opposed.

For skiing you want a light boat with little freeboard, and lot of power. You need something that kicks up as little wake as possible, and that means going to a very shallow Vee or even a flat bottom... And a mid-mounted inboard engine is the preferred option here.

For fishing you want a boat with a good amount of freeboard, lots of deck space, and if it's in the ocean (or GoM) you'll want a reasonable seakeeper, which means a moderate to deep Vee. And for a fishing boat, usually outboards are preferred to keep the deck space at a maximum.

Most boats that are promoted as a 'fish n ski' are a compromise between the 2, and so don't do either job well. It's like wanting a racing car that you can take the family on long holidays and get great mileage.... Never going to happen.

What I used to say to customers who came in looking for a 'fish n ski' boat was, 'Pick one or the other, or buy 2 boats'...

Chris........

 

[Texgirl]

This is an age old problem. The reason is because the characteristics of a boat for skiing and fishing are pretty much diametrical opposed.

For skiing you want a light boat with little freeboard, and lot of power. You need something that kicks up as little wake as possible, and that means going to a very shallow Vee or even a flat bottom... And a mid-mounted inboard engine is the preferred option here.

For fishing you want a boat with a good amount of freeboard, lots of deck space, and if it's in the ocean (or GoM) you'll want a reasonable seakeeper, which means a moderate to deep Vee. And for a fishing boat, usually outboards are preferred to keep the deck space at a maximum.

Most boats that are promoted as a 'fish n ski' are a compromise between the 2, and so don't do either job well. It's like wanting a racing car that you can take the family on long holidays and get great mileage.... Never going to happen.

What I used to say to customers who came in looking for a 'fish n ski' boat was, 'Pick one or the other, or buy 2 boats'...

Chris........

It is so tough.... but I know you are right... we will have to try and find some kind of balance... so hard to say since we have never own a boat! I know our 12 year old will for sure want to get on the water... I know we will fish.... AAHHHH... thanks so much for your detailed response!! we will keep thinking, researching and looking....

 

[Texgirl]

I bought a new deck boat in 2017. It’s a 20’ Starcraft Limited with a 150 mercury outboard. I am glad that I went with the outboard. I’m not sure where you live, but here in Michigan winterizing is much easier. I can easily tow my kids and even pulled my 240lb brother-in-law skiing without issue. I like the open space and ability to easily socialize with other families we bring along.

I spend 99% of the time on an inland lake. In fact, we started renting a slip in 2018. I have gone out on the Great Lakes (Huron) a couple of times but if there is much wave action it’s not much fun. I think you can buy deck boats for bigger water? I would look into that if you plan on going out on big water.

I don’t have experience with the brands you are looking at but in general I like our deck boat. Just wish I could go out on the big lakes.

good luck with you purchase!

So, I like your boat! Looks like you can fish well from it and I love the back couch area facing the water.... I am assuming you only sit there when stopped to swim hang etc.... Do you have times where you wish you had a windshield? I love the open aspect but worry about no windshield....thanks!

 

[oba97]

My model doesn’t have the back bench. I think the MDX model does. We would have loved to get that one but it was out of our price range. There is a short windshield that is only good if your sitting completely down. If I’m at wide open throttle standing, or on one knee I have to take my hat off . I don’t go out in bad weather (I have small kids) so it’s never been an issue.