Boating Class / Boat Question

[4fishys]

I have a few questions for all of you TR regulars. I understand that some kind of boating class is necessary for younger drivers, and my 21 year old falls in this category. We are from out of state, although we have some property and plan on moving there in a year or two. We're vacationing there for a week in August. Will my 21 year old be able to operate the boat? He's got a fair amount of experience, and is the driver when my older son or I do a little tubing or skiing while taking a break from the fishing, and old dad is tired of being at the wheel. What will we need to do in order for him to operate, or is he out of luck?

Another kind of related question re: boats on TR. I have read some posts about the larger boats, and wake problems. While I currently own a 17' deep V, I plan on going a different direction when we move down there. I am thinking about a 20' or so deck boat that also allows for fishing chair / trolling motor up front. That way I can take care of my fishing needs while being a little more roomy and comfortable when it is just my wife and I out lounging in a cove, or taking out friends and family. Does anybody have a similar boat? Is 20' big enough? I certainly can't imagine that it wouldn't be. I'm not a run up and down the lake just to be doing it kind of guy, but I want something that is big enough to run a bit and feel safe. I know that I was bounced around WAY too much on Lake of Ozarks last year, and wonder if I am in for more of the same on TR. Like I said, I will itch my fishing jones, and spend most time just enjoying quiet waters and chilling out. I'd appreciate any thoughts on suggestions on new boat size, and info. on these classes and how they will affect us on our vacation.

Thanks for your replies.

4fishys / aka Bill

[mosouthpaw]

your son will need the class to operate a boat.

he can take the course online. http://www.boat-ed.com/mo/index.htm

[davekeim]

You'll be fine with the 17-20ft. TR is nothing like LOZ. Depending where you go you may not see another boat for 10-15 minutes. I live by Long Creek near the bridge on highway 86. One of the most boted areas on the lake and we do fine with a 20ft pontoon.

Signed,

Cardiac

[rps]

I'll give you my opinion for free. Of course, it may only be worth what you pay for it.

TR is not as bad as LOZ. Yes there are big houses with big docks with big slips with big boats. But not near as many as on LOZ. Yes we complain about the idiots (can I use that term?) who wake us and pull other stunts, but the reality is that it is not an every day thing, even at the dam end of the lake. Those who fish down there can confirm or refute that.

As for your question about a 20' deck boat, I think that will be more than sufficient. I am fishing out of an 18' aluminium Xpress bay boat and once in a while have to grab the post seat for balance. The broader beam and longer length of the deck boat will reduce your problems even further.

I won't wait until you get here, welcome to TR.

[mclothier1]

I cant endorse the deck boat, yeah they have plenty of room and not too bad to fish from, but my bro in law rented one from Indian point marina earlier this year and had a heck of a time with it as fas as how it handles. It was real sluggish in the turns, and especially hard to dock. Maybe it was just the way that brand was? not sure if other brands are the same?

I have a 20' Glastron 205 SF basically a 20' open bow runabout with a 5.7 volvo/penta which has more than enough power... about 60mph top end on a 21 pitch prop which is plenty good for me. It does everything I ask of it. You wanna fish... it has front and rear fishing seats, trolling motor, fish finder mounted to the trolling motor bracket, and even a livewell. In about 10 minutes you can break it back down to a pleasure rig and pull wakeboards, kneeboards, tubes etc.

Three or four people can easily fish from it, or If I have to haul people, it will comfortably fit eight adults, and its rated for 10 passengers.

I just couldnt tie myself down to just a fishing boat or a ski boat, I wanted it all.

[motoman]

TR is nothing like LOZ.

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A bit off topic, but I PRAY Table Rock never gets anything like LOZ.

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For the few times a year I get down to The Rock, I would agree, a 20' deck boat should be fine. Even when the water gets a bit rougher, it should be plenty stable, and comfortable.

[4fishys]

Thanks for the replies, and the welcome, rps. Glad to hear that I won't need to sell the kids to get a boat big enough to work out. Some thought still needs to go into which type of boat I guess, but there's still a lot of time. I guess I'll get my boys and I all to take the online boating class.....couldn't hurt.

Thanks again, and I'll be looking for killer info. for our trip in early August.

Bill

[Mart]

4fishys,

I have a 22' deck boat that I keep slipped in the Dam area between Big Cedar and the State Park. It is a great boat to fish out of with a big casting deck, Minnkota trolling motor and Lowrance on the bow and console. We also pull the kids in a towable and take slow cruises with kids and grandma's. It's rated for 12 people. While it is a big, wide rig that takes a little work to dock, for Table Rock it is a great main lake fishing boat. Never had issues with handling the chop on the weekends. The boat is a Lowe Tahiti 224 with a 150 hp Optimax. The engine with the aluminum hull performs well and I am amazed at the gas mileage of the Optimax.

[4fishys]

Mart, That's one of the ones I was considering. I like the aluminum more in such a rocky lake, and it isn't nearly as expensive as some of the fiberglass models, I think they also make a little smaller one, but I could be mistaken about that. The one question that I had is about the power. In your opinion would it have enough guts to get a skier up if it was also loaded with 5-6 other passengers? My 90 h.p. on a deep-V has to work pretty hard to get someone on a slalom ski up if there are more than 2 others, and not much chance of getting a larger shier up without dragging him for a while as he is swallowing half of the lake! Do you feel that it could handle the load? I'm sure that prop pitch has something to do with it, top speed versus hole shot. Do you have any idea on top speed?

Also curious about the used boat market in the area. The market is smaller here as the opportunities for boating are smaller (suburban Chicago, GO CUBS!) I would imagine that there is all sorts of availability in the area, especially with gas prices cutting into folks disposable dollars.

I'd love to hear your answer, and anybody else who does double duty with a deck boat of any model. Make and size, engine, overall performance and comfort, fishability, ability to handle a crowd while still skiing or tubing, etc.

Thanks again to you all. This is one fantastic site. Can't wait to be able to contribute as an active fisherman from the rock!

Bill

[Mart]

Bill,

The TH224 is a nice package and the 2008's are finished very well. I have a 2006 model. Hole shot for a deck boat is outstanding. I have friends with ski boats, fiberglass deck boats, cruisers, and they are blown away with how fast my boat gets up and on plane. I have a top speed of about 42 mph (gps measured)with the bimini in the boot, but still on, and the cheap standard aluminum prop. I think I could get it into the high 40's with a SST prop and taking the bimini off. For the bass boat set, 42 may not seem fast, but this is a wide open boat with a small windshield for the driver. You may be having fun at top speed but no one else in the boat is.

I don't see any problem with pulling a skier and having a bunch of folks on board. I don't have any skiing kids, but we pull a triple dog towable with 6+ folks in the boat all the time. No problem, that motor is a horse.

The boat handles chop real well. On plane, it gets high and cruises over everything. Very easy boat to drive once you learn the docking.

If I could do it all over again I would get the 175hp, although the dealers say it's not worth the difference in money. I would also look into the Verado. I heard gas mileage is nothing like the Optimax and the performance of the Optimax is the best, but the Verado is supposed to be smooth and incredibly quiet. If you are mostly taking slow cruises (like me) when you aren't fishing, quiet is good.

Good luck finding one used. When I was looking for mine I looked around and found nothing anywhere. Nobody sells these boats once they have them. In fact a couple of the dealers that I talked to claimed it was their favorite all-around boat. Suggest you contact lots of dealers for quotes. Pricing varied a lot when I bought mine.

Maybe I should sell you mine and upgrade to the 2008 with the Verado... hmmm ... a new toy.

Mart