I need to buy a fishing boat, advice please....

[remo_5_0]

I have a wakeboard boat but not very good for fishing (gotta keep it clean). Anyways I think I will break down and buy a small cheap boat for fishing. I sure did like Strawberry last weekend, can someone give me advice on the smallest boat they would put on Strawberry? I was thinking a 14' aluminum or something like that. What would be the best size motor for trolling or for getting off the lake fast? Thanks for the imput.
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[fuzzyfisher]

you have a boat but your wife will not let you fish out of it? sounds like she has a boat and let's you ride along.. [] hehehehe

grow a pair my friend and put your foot down, go in and tell your wife your geting a dingy befor you go dingy [sly]


a 14 or 15 foot alum would do on most utah fishing waters..
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[luv2hookem]

With the price of gas I would say buy a canoe and paddle. I have a canoe, I just need to find enough money for gas to fill the truck to get it to a lake!!! LOL
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Get a float tube and carry it to where you wanna fish. Leave the wimpess in the boat and fish from your tube. Lotsa guys do that...and like the fishing better too. It is also much "quieter" away from the boat.[/#0000ff]
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[line_dangler]

I have a 14' SmokerCraft Canadian aluminum boat. I am very satisfied and glad that I settled on it when I was looking for a boat. Only weighs 120 pounds empty and it is a v-hull, so a smaller motor does a good job of pushing it. It is a great sturdy design. It has welds and rivets. It is very reasonalbly priced too, compared to other brands and lenghts. It cost me $1100 after I traded in an older Jon. New, I think they run $1400. They come with a 10 year hull warranty. I built up a small trolling motor platform in front out of plywood and it takes up very little space; there is a nice place to fit your batteries too.

Don't know how much money you have to spare for a boat but if it is below $2 grand you should definitely consider this. Smokercraft has a few other great aluminum models but they run close to $3 grand.

On mine, I have a 9.8 HP motor, a Nissan Marine. The only problem with that manufacturer is that there are very few dealerships, especially in Utah. With very little fishing tackle and one 3 gallon tank and myself the faster I have ever gone is 24 mph at Lake Powell. For lakes like the Berry and the Gorge plan on 10-16 mph depending on how much weight you put on. If you want fast plan on a 20 HP motor. Like I said, the best thing I like about it is the lightweight. And it is still the size of a full 14' V, though not as deep in the back.

Oh, I forgot, I have a 40 LBS. thrust Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 bowmount on it. The dang thing can push that boat about 5 mph on full "throttle." You can't beat Minn Kota, that motor will keep you over anything, I tell you what. I hate the sound of gas outboards for trolling so I always use the electric. As far as I am concerned, the only thing gas outboards are good for is getting you somewhere and back. I don't every use them for trolling unless the batteries' voltage drops too low.
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[Wyobraz]

Drift Boat!!!!
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[Bigguyone1]

I think it really depends on what you like to fish for, how much safety you want and how bold you are about staying out when it is windy (as wind can be an ally with certain fish).
Do you want any comfort?

This is a more difficult question than asking what is the lightest possible test weight line that it may be possible to land a 10# fish on....everyone has their own opinions and all may have some validity - 2# test is possible but who wants to put 2# test on their reel to go fishing for 10# fish.

I feel like going to a 14' boat with the winds and weather changes in this area is kinda like fishing on 5" ice...it is doable and will hold a person but how safe is it really??

These are things you have to personally consider - along with how far off shore and how close to the ramp you plan to fish.

[ocean]

Personally with all the aluminum boats that have overturned in bad weather at the berry i would never risk my life or anyone elses fishing with me in an aluminum boat. I have lived here 11 years now and every year someone overturns their aluminum boat in bad weather at the berry. I guess its a traditon . I would go with something that can handle rough weather .Personally get an engine with some power.
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[Troll]

A 14' Deep V is the smallest I would go. And I mean Deep V. Not some flat back boat. It will have the deep transom and need a 20" shaft motor. A welded hull of .10 thick aluminum is the best but there are great boats made from .06 as well. There are also plenty of riveted boats out there that are just fine.

I have been holding out for a 16'. The difference is huge. I'll know it when I find it.

Motor? On a 14' you want at least a 10hp. But you will be much more satisfied with a 15 if you are going to trailer.
For a 16', 25 to 30 hp is a good combo. Make sure that the motor is in tip top condition or replace it. I will not except a motor without electric start and an alternator.
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[HaggardW]

I think the type would be of more importance than the size. I built a 15ft skiff / McKenzee cross a few years back. It was specifically designed to handle the rough water of Utah Lake and Strawberry on the ugly days. Jon boats and smaller aluminums don’t offer much protection from the elements and rough water… So, a good 14 – 16ft aluminum will be a good fair weather boat, but I would not play on the crusty days. On the other hand, spend some money or time (build your own) and find a boat which will handle a rough ride and fish whenever. Some good freeboard clearance is important and you will have to weigh the type of hull with speed and stability.

My learning anyway, hope it helps…
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[reelfast]

Bolt some rocket launchers and downrigger holders on it. Add a planer board tower to it and FISH ON! The fish don't care what kind of boat you have.
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[remo_5_0]

If you'd give me a Gorge invite I wouldn't need a boat[]
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