help with boat size

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MAT
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2007/11/06 18:33:05 (permalink)

help with boat size

i am trying to decide on a boat size that will be the most efficient to fish local lakes and be comfortable on erie. i have a skinny 16' now and looking to upgrade. it's tough trying to find a size that would fit both without getting too big.....knowing if erie is 3/4 footers i would'nt go anyway. i'm looking at this 18' alumacraft now, its pretty wide. any advice would help
#1

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    walcat01
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/06 19:23:45 (permalink)
    18 is good but remember this---Any boat is only as good as the person handling it in those 3-4 ft'ers.
    #2
    Skip16503
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/06 19:28:42 (permalink)
    I hope Walcat is right my Son-In-Law just parked an 18 in my yard for next season
     
     
     

     



    #3
    kayak99
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/06 20:34:40 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: MAT

    i am trying to decide on a boat size that will be the most efficient to fish local lakes and be comfortable on erie. i have a skinny 16' now and looking to upgrade. it's tough trying to find a size that would fit both without getting too big.....knowing if erie is 3/4 footers i would'nt go anyway. i'm looking at this 18' alumacraft now, its pretty wide. any advice would help


    18' & wide will work, just watch the wave reports.  I've been on with less, but carefully!
    #4
    fishin coyote
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/06 20:42:19 (permalink)
    Mat,
    I fish with my cuz in a 18' alumacraft and it fishes 3-4's no problem. also fishes pymy or conneaut lake nicely
    Mike
    post edited by fishin coyote - 2007/11/06 20:43:35
    #5
    MAT
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/07 05:29:48 (permalink)
    fishin coyote, what size motor does your cuz have on that boat? those alumacrafts are pretty heavy. >mat
    #6
    fishin coyote
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/07 07:57:05 (permalink)
    Mat,
    He started with a 60 that he had from a previous boat. It worked but did not have enough balls so he upgraded to a 90. He also runs a 9.9 4stroke as a kicker.
    Mike
    #7
    dakotab
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/07 08:35:19 (permalink)
    My 18' works fine on erie in 3/4's.  We've been out in over 6's and that's not fun and probably won't do it again.  Wasn't worried about capsizing but, we were all soaked and seasick, not fun.  Look at my boat on the boats for sale forum it is a great boat for lake erie and I take it to justice lake, tamarack, woodcock quite often.  It's pretty much a do it all boat.  I have 2 year old and  9 month old or I'd keep it but, I have absolutely no time to use it.
    #8
    MAT
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/07 10:24:55 (permalink)
    fishin coyote, they are telling me these newer 90 horse idle down far enough that a kicker isn't needed which surprised me.
     
    ps. dakotab, i can't believe you still have that boat, looks nice. early spring rolls around it will go quick...then you probably won't want to sell it. thats how it goes for me anyway.
     
        thanks for the help everyone
    #9
    kayak99
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/08 19:12:13 (permalink)
    MAT,

    FYI, its always a good idea to have a kicker on Lake Erie, just in case.
    #10
    Hookin Up
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/09 07:50:57 (permalink)
    I fish with a 17 1/2 footer that has a 70 hp and a 9.9 kicker.  It works for me but I pick and choose my days.
    #11
    *commander*
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/09 17:50:14 (permalink)
    buy the biggest you can afford. imo 20-21 ft is perfect for ALMOST all lakes. large motor, kicker motor, and trolling motor will get you ALMOST anywhere you want to go.
    #12
    nightowl207
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/11 00:30:14 (permalink)
    18' is probably the best size to go with. ive fished erie in a 14', so its really your preference. if you get much bigger than 18 its hard to manuveur in smaller local lakes.
    #13
    woodnickle
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/11 06:46:07 (permalink)
    Plus the extra gas to push a fiberglass 20-21 ft. too. That is one reason I sold my 24 ft. Thompson, gas hog.

    #14
    *commander*
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/11 13:50:36 (permalink)
    no offense, but anybody that cant handle an extra 2-3 feet in pymy, arthur, tamarack, shenango, etc..., shouldnt be operating a boat.
    post edited by *commander* - 2007/11/11 14:07:01
    #15
    *commander*
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/11 13:52:15 (permalink)
    why fiberglass. buy an aluminum boat and put a 4stroke on the back. a new 115 fuel injected 4 stroke gets as much mileage as an older 9.9. newer aluminum boats can handle outboards up to 275 hp. less weight, less fuel, super strong.
    post edited by *commander* - 2007/11/11 14:18:09
    #16
    woodnickle
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/11 20:57:14 (permalink)
    The realallity of it is , fiber heavey, aluminum , light. Gas cheaper, It is cheaper with an 18, on good days! On bad days , stay at home.

    #17
    nightowl207
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/11 22:32:03 (permalink)
    its not a matter of not being able to handle a bigger boat. its the fact that there not as agile to haul or fish with. in big lakes, yes a bigger boat is best. but you get onto smaller lakes, there difficult to launch at shallow launches, which most inland lakes have shallow launches, and they bottom out trolling shorelines. i have problems with bottoming out in my 14" tri hull on shorelines. just my opinion an 18' would be the best choice for an all around boat. add a 15-25hp kicker with a bigger outboard youll be good to go.  
    #18
    *commander*
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/11 23:17:09 (permalink)
    i still say buy the biggest one you can afford. better yet, find someone on the water(kind of tough now with weather) that owns a larger boat and fishes both small and larger lakes and ask them. 27 ft boats come through 3-4 fow through the walnut channel. pontoon boats maneuver around inland lakes with no problem. havent found a boat ramp(i'm sure there is one) from hereford manor to the lousy niagra launch on presque isle where i cant launch a 20 ft deep v. trim the motor up and you can launch in 2.5-3 fow without a problem. ive owned boats from 10-17 feet. bought my last(always say that) 6 years ago. imo youll be happier with the comfort and safety of a larger boat. ive yet to hear anybody say they wish theyd have bought a smaller boat or a smaller motor. good luck with whatever you decide.
    #19
    chauncy
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/12 07:35:09 (permalink)
    Buy your boat depending on how many people you plan to fish with. I fish alone most times but only fish 2 out of my 16 1/2ft Lund Mr Pike. I fish erie with it and every inland lake i want. I have a 50 hp and a 9.9 kicker for the restricted lakes. I've trolled erie in 3ft waves and because my boat is so wide and heavy had good boat control. I've been out as far as 12 miles on 2' or less but i wont go that far with 3's. If you want to fish with more than 2, get an 18ft or bigger. Even on inland lakes, 3 in a 16ft boat is not comfortable for the kind of fishing i do. Take your time and get in the boats to get a feel before you decide which one you want. Good luck.
    #20
    dakotab
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/12 11:52:40 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: *commander*

    i still say buy the biggest one you can afford. better yet, find someone on the water(kind of tough now with weather) that owns a larger boat and fishes both small and larger lakes and ask them. 27 ft boats come through 3-4 fow through the walnut channel. pontoon boats maneuver around inland lakes with no problem. havent found a boat ramp(i'm sure there is one) from hereford manor to the lousy niagra launch on presque isle where i cant launch a 20 ft deep v. trim the motor up and you can launch in 2.5-3 fow without a problem. ive owned boats from 10-17 feet. bought my last(always say that) 6 years ago. imo youll be happier with the comfort and safety of a larger boat. ive yet to hear anybody say they wish theyd have bought a smaller boat or a smaller motor. good luck with whatever you decide.


    You've never been to Justice lake have you?
    #21
    *commander*
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/12 13:19:28 (permalink)
    ive heard of it. isnt it justus lake? i have a 10 foot poly/plastic puddle jumper that i use on very small electric only lakes. is it that kind of lake or are the launches that poor?

    i have a 14 and 16 deep v that i havent used in years. they take up a lot of space in the garage but imo dont have near enough space to fish out of. theyre also like bobbers in the water. havent found a place that can accomadate(sp) the 14 ft and not the 20.
     
    actually, i ALMOST stand corrected. i have looked at that elk creek access launch many times and have yet to have the stones to go through the creek. i have SEEN larger boats going in and out but have not tried it yet.
    post edited by *commander* - 2007/11/12 14:38:02
    #22
    eyesandgillz
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    RE: help with boat size 2007/11/13 15:06:17 (permalink)
    Keep two boats, one 14' for the smaller inland lakes and a 24'+ for Erie.  That is my eventual plan.  I have the 14' now I just have to work on the Erie boat.
    #23
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