Looking for a Fishing Boat

[LostMyWife]

I have resigned myself to the fact tht I am not getting to Taney once a month, so I am looking for a small fishing boat and I am seeking the feedback from the HUGE knowledge base that exists here.

Here is what I seek:

1. 14 to 16 foot tiller bot, no motor. This lake is electric trolling only. I have the motor
   
2. It needs to be stable and have pedestal style seats, no benches or bench mounted seats
   
3. I like the Lund WC, but they seems a bot pricey
   
4. There is no ramp on this lake. The boat has to be light enough for me to launch. I can wench it out with the jeep.
   
5. I will include a pic of a boat that was perfect, but I missed the deadline on the auction.
   

Let' see if I can do this

[LostMyWife]

Finally

Got the pics to load.

This boat would have been as near perfect as it gets, but I can't find any others like it anywhere.

I did see a Lund Rebel Tiller with teh flat bottom and three seats. Better.

So, should I consider alumacraft and polar kraft? Any others? Are there trailers out there that allow me to launch and load without a ramp?

Thanks

LMW

[Dutch]

If you get a light weight boat like the one in the pic and can get a tilt trailer, you can launch in a foot or so of water. We used to do it all the time when we owned Richline boats. That Lund may have seemed pricy but it is the best in the world so it probably should be a little more than the run of the mill boats.

[Terry Beeson]

There are several things to consider when looking at boats like you are seeking.

I prefer all welded boats vs. riveted. Every riveted boat I've had or been in has developed a leak in one of the rivets at some point. But there are a lot of riveted boats out there, so there must be some advantages...

Thickness of aluminum is an issue many don't look at. Of course the thinner the metal, the lighter the boat. But you give up some durability along with the weight with each mil (0.001") thickness. Also, heavier boats are harder to "push" with a motor. For what you are going to do, there will be a "fine line" you'll have to work with as far as thickness.

Flat bottom vs. V-bottom. V-bottom will give you a smoother ride in rough water. Flat bottoms are better for "light loads" and smooth water.

Width and height have to be looked at also. The wider the boat, the more stable it is. But, again, you give up some "power" and add weight with every inch of width. More height will give you less water over the sides and will hold more weight inside, but they are harder to get in and out of plus the wind will blow a higher boat around more than a "shorter" one.

As far as brands, there are a lot of GOOD brands out there. My feeling is that you get a "major" brand with the qualities you want, you can't go wrong.

If you're buying a used boat, especially an older boat, the one thing I would want to do is take it out for at least an hour or so to find out what's "wrong" with it...

Hope this helps...

[LostMyWife]

Thanks gentlemen

The lake I am taking about is a very small lake,almost a pond. The 55lb thrust Minn Kota I picked up moved the borrowed boat around with no problem, but there were stability issues. It was a flat bottom low sided boat. It got interesting a couple of times. Also, this is a lake that is somewhat unprotected. It is surrounded by homes not trees. Saturday, a moderate wind made life a bit on the trying side, but it was my first time out in this boat, and Rob had never been in a jon boat in her lfe, thus the trying part.

I really like the Lund. Pricey yes, but it seems like a one time purchase. I am going to hit a few dealers and look at the Lowes, Lunds and a few more. I am in no hurry.

Again, Thanks for the input.

LMW

[Dutch]

If you check around you may find a few boats which have never been sold but have been on the lot for a couple of years. Many times they can be bought at the dealer's cost.

[LostMyWife]

I will give that a shot.

[LostMyWife]

Hey Guys

My bass boat broke down for the 4th time in 5 outs. I spun the prop last time out. I am still looking for that little jon boat for the crappie lake. The new Lunds are too heavy if I get the ones with pedestal seats. The

2007 TRACKER GRIZZLY® 1654 L All-Welded Jon

It has the mounts for the pedestal seats. It weighs in at 380 pounds. Not sure if I can get a tilt trailer to launch it.

What do you all think? I may go with the 14 or the 15 to lose a little weight.

[Thom]

LMW:

I have a small tri hull that I fished Taney with for 10 + years. I upgraded last year to a Tracker pro crappie because my grandkid wouldn't fit with all of us.

Great for two people. 16 foot Ricklin trihull.... has a 35 horse evenrude, two swivel seats, live wells , tiller trolling motor. It needs some clean up etc but I am only asking $1400 for it.

I live in Ofallon MO if you are interested We can landline. Check out my website for more info about contacting me. http://thomharv.com/

[Thom]

Sorry but I had some incorrect info. The boat I have is a Fisher marine and the motor is a 30 Horse Johnson. It is very light. I launched it several times myself motor and all on a small MDC Lake in Whitsides that has no launcing ramp to speak of only shallow tapered area on one end.. The motor comes off easily and if you are interested I would sell it without the motor and we could negotiate the price. Motors that size are very easy to sell.

I have fished with this boat on lakes from Baldwin, Lake of ozarks to small ponds. If anyone is interested PM me and we can get together. It will be in Branson next week at lillies.