New Boat Recommendations

[Machias]

Been several years since I owned a boat and I'm about to pull the trigger on one.  Leaning towards a Lund 1675, which is 16 feet 10 inches long with a 90 hp motor or a Lund 1775, which is 17 feet 10 inches and has a 115 hp motor on it.  I want to spend around 40Kish.  Any thoughts good or bad with those two choices?  Mostly be fishing lakes and reservoirs such as Lake Coeur d'Alene or Dworshak Reservoir, chain lakes in Idaho etc...some Eastern WA lakes.  Mostly a warm water fisheries type guy.  Might hit the Snake in good weather once in a while for bass and catfish.  What type of electronics and trolling motor would you recommend.  Thoughts on the Hummingbird Helix 9?  Thanks for any and all thoughts!!

[h2ofowlr]

Longer boat option would be better.  More room to move around especially with 2-3 people involved.  The one thing most end up saying after purchasing a boat, is I wish I went bigger in the smaller sizes.
My buddy has one like the 17'-18' you were looking at.  Nice boat.  The fishing your talking about, you will want to have a bow mounted trolling motor installed with a remote.  He has the spot lock and utilizes it out every outting and he mainly fishes the same locations you mentioned.  He is located in Rathdrum, ID.

[BD1]

Hi Fred
I have had both Lund and Smoker Craft and loved both. I would go as big as you are comfortable with...size usually means comfort and safety...I love both. Have fun!!! Buying a boat is exciting. I'm getting closer to a new duck/fishing boat too. My budget is way south of yours 
Hope all is well...take care,
Mike BD!

[Machias]

Thanks Gents!!!

[Machias]

you will want to have a bow mounted trolling motor installed with a remote.  He has the spot lock and utilizes it out every outting and he mainly fishes the same locations you mentioned.

For sure!!   

[shootem]

Lund makes great boats. Bigger is always better if you can handle the additional cost and have a place to store it.

[2MANY]

18

[MeepDog]

I have a Lowe 16' with an open floor plan and love the way it fishes duo and solo, but it gets real cramped if you add a dog or person. Garmin electronics are the best IMO. Whatever you get, just make sure you get something that has depth contour maps and side scan. If youre going to mount the electronics yourself, Keep in mind that side scan will have interference if you mount it directly next to the motor. I found the best place for the side scan transducer is on the trolling motor, then just run a regular model on the stern.

[Machias]

Thanks for the advice MeepDog!

[Angry Perch]

That 1 foot makes more difference than you'd imagine. I've had a 1700 ProSport since 2003 when I bought it new. Hard to imagine a more versatile lake boat for the price.

[ASHQUACK]

My 2cents worth.
I'd look into the alumaweld boats. I've had 3 and loved all them. 1 16 footer that I sold to buy my 18 footer that I sold to buy my 20 footer. Yes 2 footitis is real. Since I stopped guiding I am going back to either a 16 or 18 as the 20 was just a little to much to handle on days I was by myself. All mine were Supervees. But they make a couple other models. Electronics- I've ran quite a few and have to agree with Garmin being user friendly and full of extras. As far as trolling Motors I'd go back to the minnkota ulterra riptide series again and again. The spot lock and remote steering were game changers.

[HntnFsh]

Theres a dandy North River over on Ifish for a good price. May not be the style of boat your looking for though.
https://www.ifish.net/threads/19-nr-scout.1702322/#post-17038107

[Machias]

My 2cents worth.
I'd look into the alumaweld boats. I've had 3 and loved all them. 1 16 footer that I sold to buy my 18 footer that I sold to buy my 20 footer. Yes 2 footitis is real. Since I stopped guiding I am going back to either a 16 or 18 as the 20 was just a little to much to handle on days I was by myself. All mine were Supervees. But they make a couple other models. Electronics- I've ran quite a few and have to agree with Garmin being user friendly and full of extras. As far as trolling Motors I'd go back to the minnkota ulterra riptide series again and again. The spot lock and remote steering were game changers.

  Thanks!!

[Gentrys]

I've never heard anyone say "I wish my boat was smaller".  Seems like each time we've bought one, it's a bit bigger than the last one we owned.

[storyteller]

the official name is "2 foot itis"