Need The Straight Scoop

[Greasy B]

Skeeter, Ranger and Triton would be what I would look for. I wouldn't look at Tracker unless money was an issue. I also wouldn't look at fish--skis. You can ski behind anything with a big enough motor, but fishing is another thing. The last thing you want when bass fishing is fighting a boat with lots of area for the wind to grab.

Thanks, I didn't want to be the first to say it. A fish n ski is a ski boat. I true bass boat is a thing of beauty, form follows function. They way I see it you might as well fish out of a mini van as a fish n ski.

[fishinwrench]

Thanks, I didn't want to be the first to say it. A fish n ski is a ski boat. I true bass boat is a thing of beauty, form follows function. They way I see it you might as well fish out of a mini van as a fish n ski.

Amen!

[cnr]

You're forgetting the cardinal rule. Happy wife, Happy life. If the windshield keeps the family happy it's a good trade-off. Yep, it catches the wind and can get in the way of casting but if it keeps the complaining down it's worth it. Maybe two boats are needed!

[Ham]

Bass Cat.

I own a 2009 Cougar. I am very happy with it. I could also be very happy in the Puma or a PII or a P4. I think for me the Eyra would be more boat than I needed.

I'd buy another Bass Cat in a heartbeat. I know lots of guys love their Rangers, but I don't think the are any better than Bass Cat and I think the Bass Cats are better value for your money.

A buddy bought a new Legend and it looks great, but I haven't fished out of it yet. He had a Bass Cat and feels like the Legend and Bass Cat are pretty similar in quality.

[Old plug]

I have given this some thought. A boat is like a shoe its got to fit you. I would not want to say anyone is better than the other for that reason. You could begin your boat shopping right on the internet buy just going to each manufactures web site to study the models and things such as there construction. You can also google up pros and cons on every model made. Then I would go to the boat show when it hits St Louis and look at everything that interest you and pick up a lot of pamphlets. When you ask us on here your hearing views that are a bit biased a lot of the time I think.

[Jerry Rapp]

I think based on your original criteria that Ranger is the only way to go. I have never owned a Ranger. But their owners are very, very loyal, and the resale value is legendary. They seem to win awards every year for quality, craftsmanship, satisfied owners, etc. But all of that is reflected in the cost, which the original poster indicated didn't matter. Ranger has most every type boat available besides yachts.

[Chief Grey Bear]

The best boat I have rode in, and I have rode in a ton of them, is a 17' Royalex . They carry everything I need for me and or the family whether I'm on the water for a day or three.

They are easy to control and practically turn on a dime. Almost impossible to sink and very comfortable to be in for multiple hours.

They can handle pretty rough water. Will run in ankle deep water and can bounce off structure. Are lite weight and can provide instant shelter should you get caught in a pop up storm.

Yep, a canoe is the best bass boat ever built

[WHARFRAT]

I owned a fish n ski back in the 90's. Hated it. Not a fan of the W/T windshield, takes away a lot of space. Now, I strictly fish out of my boat. In 30+ years have had 2 aluminum boats and 2 glass boats. Bought a glass boat early 80's, it was a small 16' boat. Loved it! I think it was a Tidecraft, can't remember the model, but it was perfect for what we could afford. I will say it wasn't the best put-together boat, but it hardly gave me any trouble at all. Then we started having babies, and the wife wanted a deeper, bigger boat. Went to a 20' Stratos Fish n ski. It was expensive to maintain, gas guzzler, just not at all convenient for me. Not a lot of space to fish up front.

I own an aluminum Fisher MarshHawk 17.5'. And it is really a decent boat. I like it, suits my purpose.

But now, the boat lives on Lake of the Ozarks, and I too will probably go back to glass, just because I think they are a little more stable, and are better with wind.

I'm going to stay with bassboat style. Of course the wife wants a windshield or at least a dual console, but I'm by myself about 85% of the time, so I think I'll stick with a single console.

I've ridden in Champions, Chargers, Nitros, and truthfully, as far as ride goes, not much difference. And a good smooth ride. The ride difference came in the two different Rangers. One was a 20', I think it was a 520 model. What a nice boat! Then I rode a 175 or 178vs or vx, and it was smaller, but the ride was about as good. I'd probably not be able to afford the 20' ranger, but now I'm looking towards a good used 17.5 to 18' Ranger. Plus, the 115 Yammy on the back of the 178, just sipped gas compared to the 250 on the 20' ranger.

The only things about the smaller rangers that I didn't like was, 1. I want center rod storage, and 2. front and rear livewells. And I don't think it had that.

But I've got time, to look around, not really in a big hurry, like I said the Fisher serves its purpose right now. It's just a want, and not a need.

Good luck on your search, I would definitely ride some different models. And find out what suits your taste!

[WHARFRAT]

You know after re-reading your post, I see you are probably going to a fish N ski. I would consider Lund. Its aluminum, but it is the Cadillac of Aluminum boats.

When I was up in Minnesota last year, I rode in someones Pro V1975 (?) He powered it with a Yamaha 150 4 stroke, and it pushed it quite well, he also had a little 9hp kicker on the back for trolling at slower speeds.

But the features were some of the best I've ever seen in boats. There was so much storage in the boat. The designers used almost every square inch of the boat for some type of storage. I think there was center rod storage and rod storage on both sides. Since its a deep boat, you could get a ton of stuff in each compartment.

I rode in the boat a couple of times. Once on a real calm day and talk about a smooth ride. The next day, it was pretty rough, and didn't get a drop on me. Handles the rough water better than any fishing boat I've ever been on.

I think they're pretty pricey, but, you said price being no object, and you are looking for that style of boat, that's the one I'd get!

Crestliner and Alumacraft have similar styles, at a better price point, but I still think Lund is the one!

[Hojo]

Ranger boats. Game. Set. Match.