Searching for a Family Fishing Boat

[BIGMIKE]

 :)Hello everybody, I am currently looking for a family fishing boat boat.  :IBCOOL:We usually fish the river banks and local lakes but I wanted get out further away from the shoreline using a small boat. Below is a list of what we are going to use the boat for... I am just looking for suggestions from experienced current boat owners that will narrow my search. I am looking for a boat next summer so I am not in a hurry to buy one.

1. Can accomodate 3 adults and 3 kids.
2. Size/ lenght?
3. will be used for Crabbing., and shrimping ocational tubing. no more than 2-4 miles away from shore.
4. Alluminum or fiber glass?
5. outboard or inboard? what Horse Power should I be looking for?
6. Has a little covered area for to keep my 2 year old away from the sun or rain.
7. Budget is $10,000 or less.
8. Used or New?

Like I said I am just looking for suggestions so I know where to look.
  Thanks a lot everybody.

[PolarBear]

With 6 onboard you will need to go 20'+.  You could get away wit 18' if the design is right but as far as safety, you would be pushing it.  Get one with an outboard 115 hp+.  Anything smaller and you won't be able to push that much weight.  Outboards ar much easier to deal with, save space and are more reliable IMO.  With a budget of under 10k you will probably have to stick to fiberglass.  Wait until late fall/early winter to start shopping for used boats when the prices drop and there are more available. 

[Huntbear]

Best advice I can give to you.  Crawl up into the boat,,, lean over the side like you are pulling crab pots... where do the gunwales hit you?  knees or below?  thighs?  makes all the difference between going over board or not,  if you are leaning over the side when a wave hits wrong. 

[BIGMIKE]

Thanks PolarBear, those are good points.  :tup:I will always keep safety in mind. The most restrickting part of my search is the budget and safety.

[BIGMIKE]

Hunt Bear,

thanks, I will probably install a pot puller for shrimping to save my back.

[CP]

I’ve been though a lot of boats over the years and I have settled on Arima.  I own a 17’ Seachaser but with your requirements you will want a bigger model with a cabin.  Their Sea Ranger 19’ should meet your needs.  You might be able to find a used one within your budget.

[huntinhick]

bigmike,

I have been looking at boats for the last couple of years trying to find just the right one for 6 people also.  I really like the pontoon boats with 3 pontoons.  The middle pontoon is larger and will let the boat up on plane.  back home they are one of the favorite boats because of the way they handle in the windy lakes and take the rough conditions.  I think they would be great for the sound and really great for the fresh water lakes.  We have looked at them at the sportsmans show a couple of times and the wife and kids love the fact that there is room to move around, an awning, a bathroom and that there are places to sit when not fishing to play games and nap.  I have already learned with my pack of kids that having the ability for them to do something besides fishing will make a trip nag and whine free.  If i was getting one for the straights or of the coast I would go with and arima or fiberform because of the tall sides.  but with six people I think any of those are going to be some what cramped.  one more thought about pontoons you can get various kinds of enclousers for it  awnings, screen rooms and even a complete cover that turns it into a tent.  I think that it would be great platform for pulling shrimp and crab pots also.

carl

[kbyers]

Ah, another what boat should I get topic.  I love these, it is like spending other peoples money.    So since I am sitting in my CHU in Iraq and can't sleep I will give you my thoughts and a couple boats I found on craigslist.

#1 and 2
 6 people is a lot in a boat for any length of time and very hard to fish.  It can be done however.  I can fish 6 rods if I am in something like a 23'+ super vee, however in my 18 foot sled I can fish 4, but 3 is a lot easier.  It mostly has to do with the width of the bottom of the boat.  If you are wanting to consistantly take that many people out you need to look 20-25 foot.

#3
2-4 miles isnt that far.  I am guessing you are talking salt, in the sound, strait, or the big blue? One thing you will realize is that a boat that is really good in the salt isn't the best pulling tubes or skies.  Any boat can be crabbed out out of, I have in my 18 foot sled, I have seen 12 and 14 foot boats out there too, but definately not with 6 people in it

#4
Aluminum vs fiberglass.  Keep in mind that fiberglass is heavier and can be damaged by beaching it.  So if a majority of your time is going to be lower rivers and lakes, I would say aluminum.  However if you are going to be out in the sound more than in the rivers or lakes fiberglass might be better for you.

#5
I am a big outboard fan, but I am also an aluminum boat guy, so that would be my choice.  Keep in mind that alot of boats are sold rigged with motors on the lower end of the horsepower scale.  It keeps cost down.  My opinion is that an 18 foot boat should have nothing less than a 150 jet or 115 prop.

#6
do you want a cover or a cabin? this decision might sway you one way or another on the fiberglass vs aluminum question

#7
Like was previously stated, wait till the off season, if there is such a thing.  Late fall, early-mid winter is the best time.  Also take a look at boats out of your price range.  There are 2 reasons for this.  For one, you will get a lot more boat for 15,000.  Second, you never know you might find a boat for 14,000 that fits all your needs, and you can talk the seller down a couple thousand.

#8
Keeping in mind that there are no dumb questions... this is one.  With a budget of $10,000 you will be no where close to a quality new boat that can do what you are asking of it.

So with all that in mind the biggest thing I hope you take away from this long winded post is that everything is a compromise that only you can make.  Better boat with a little less motor, better river boat but can't take 6 people with you.  Just my opinion, I would get an aluminum river boat that you can crab out of. 

With as close to the Cow and lewis as you live I would want to be able to fish those rivers, maybe you don't.  Here are a couple I found in a quick CL search

Fiberglass
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/2521871320.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/2522967851.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/2506860216.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/2513525779.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/2512892220.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/boa/2521317890.html
http://skagit.craigslist.org/boa/2494221518.html
http://eugene.craigslist.org/boa/2476646706.html



Aluminum
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/2522174487.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/2521598463.html
http://boise.craigslist.org/boa/2482101572.html
http://boise.craigslist.org/boa/2505743503.html
http://boise.craigslist.org/boa/2514010117.html

[BIGMIKE]

Kbyers,

Thanks for the very informational reply. Now I am leaning on alluminum boats with cover. You guys are great. My kids are still small so mostlikely I will be taking 2 adults and kids that are 5 years old and below. Happy hunting over there in Iraq. I was there 2X. 12 months in 2003-4 and 15 months 2006-07. Stay safe and I hope that everything is well.

[lokidog]

#4
Aluminum vs fiberglass.  Keep in mind that fiberglass is heavier and can be damaged by beaching it.  So if a majority of your time is going to be lower rivers and lakes, I would say aluminum.  However if you are going to be out in the sound more than in the rivers or lakes fiberglass might be better for you.

Aluminum boats are often rated very poorly for capacity, our 19' Alumweld is only rated for 5 max  so be sure to check out the max load ratings.

#5
I am a big outboard fan, but I am also an aluminum boat guy, so that would be my choice.  Keep in mind that alot of boats are sold rigged with motors on the lower end of the horsepower scale.  It keeps cost down.  My opinion is that an 18 foot boat should have nothing less than a 150 jet or 115 prop.

Yes, you can have too much power, ie. wasted cost, fuel economy, and weight hanging off the transom.  IMHO  My 19' Alumaweld has a 90 hp on it and even when I had to get a load of cement and gas and myself (2200 pounds, 3X recommended load), it got up on plane with a little cajoling.  My 21' Trophy has a 150 on it and that is too much weight for the boat as I had to redo the scuppers to prevent water from flowing in.  I replaced the Force 150 with a Yamaha that ended up being a lot heavier.  I could have easily gotten away with a 135 had I known the weight would be such an issue.

Aluminum is nice because the fuel economy is usually a lot better than fiberglass, but fiberglass will usually accomodate more people and ride the rough water better.  If you are not beaching it often then fiberglass is not an issue either, plus you can get aftermarket keel guards to put over fiberglass (I wish I had done that with the Trophy). 

Unfortunately, I think you are going to have a hard time finding a reliable boat in the size you want to be comfortable and safe in.  I did not, however take the time to look at the above craigslist postings.

Good luck.

[hawksfan75]

BigMike

I've been on a similar hunt and your criteria are almost the exact same as mine. I have fewer children, but I'm a bigger guy and need the extra space. Depending on how serious you are pursuing this, would you be open to meeting some time, chatting and exploring a boat share?

I'm in Kent, so we're fairly close to eachother. My challenge is I do not have a storage facility for it, but there is a spot in Renton that might be affordable. PM me if this is something you think might work.