River Rat vs Shawnee

[Aleutian06]

I have a 20' x 30'' shawnee. Older model, wood rails. Great boat that I us on the Little Red. My problem is I have three kids, age 7 and 8, and it gets a little unstable when I am moving around with the kids. I found a 21' x 36'' River Rat. It looks like a more stable boat and I can probably pick it up for 1800. Question is will the width help with stability?

[fishinwrench]

Absolutely. So will the extra foot of length.

[Troutguy]

Like a kayak... every two inches of width makes a big difference in stability.

[Terrierman]

I have a strong preference for a 48" wide Shawnee.

[Ham]

IF you are going to change boats, I'd go up to a 48 inch at least. I won't own another trout boat under 48 inches wide, but that's just me.

[grizwilson]

I agree with Terrierman and Ham 100%

g

[Aleutian06]

I may have to buy me a 48 inch boat for a retirement gift. I traded the guy a 1980 bass tracker 16ft that I haven't used in a couple of years so now I have two trout boats! I can notice a difference in the stability, partly because of the width, and partly because the pedistal style seats make it easir to move around when I am working with the kids. I will be posting the Shawnee for sale soon.

[LittleRedFisherman]

For stability with Kids, you'd love a 48 inch Shawnee/supreme! I have no worries taking my family out in mine, very stable!!

[Aleutian06]

Took the River Rat out for the first time in the river this weekend. It went great, much more stable than my old shawnee.