rlsmallwood
Member
Yes, I know, but I searched I swear.
So... Just starting to look into a fishing boat for myself and my two twin boys (age 11). I am not new to boating (sailor for many years), and I'm not new to fishing (fly fishing for many years), but I am new to fishing boats.
As most first-time potential boat owners, I am still naive enough to hold onto the hope that if I find just the right boat, I can have a one-size-fits-all solution that will provide a lifetime of fishing without breaking the bank.
That said, the 47 years spent on this planet tells me I'm probably in for a rude awakening.
Basically, I would like something that:
Things it does NOT have to do:
So, doing the natural progression from canoe to inflatable to Jon Boat to Skiff to V-hull etc., I think I've settled on something like a 16 foot Carolina Skiff but I'm not sure about a couple of things and couldn't really find any answers here after reading through a s*** ton of old threads.
I'm pretty sure something like that would be perfect for the coast. Probably OK for Lanier on the weekends with a little common sense. Probably great for other large lakes or Lanier in winter and week days, but what about the electric-only angle?
I really don't want to try and sell the idea of having to invest in two boats. Heck, getting one through the finance department is hard enough, but I don't want to set unrealistic expectations either.
Speaking of financing, I'm basically looking at paying cash for a used one and, since I'm in no hurry, I have plenty of time to look for the right deal to come along. And as long as we're on the topic, having had a sailboat on Lanier for several years, I am already conditioned to the concept of "boat money" but specifically for a trailer-able fishing boat, what additional hidden costs am I looking at? Insurance? Storage? Maintenance?
If you were starting out with my requirements, what would you do? Any advice would be appreciated.
And thanks for reading.
Oh yeah. 47, Alpharetta, Married, 4 kids, Originally from Michigan (Go Green!) but have been in Georgia for 24 years now. Been mostly a lurker here but this forum has been a fantastic source of information throughout the years.
So... Just starting to look into a fishing boat for myself and my two twin boys (age 11). I am not new to boating (sailor for many years), and I'm not new to fishing (fly fishing for many years), but I am new to fishing boats.
As most first-time potential boat owners, I am still naive enough to hold onto the hope that if I find just the right boat, I can have a one-size-fits-all solution that will provide a lifetime of fishing without breaking the bank.
That said, the 47 years spent on this planet tells me I'm probably in for a rude awakening.
Basically, I would like something that:
- Allows me to fish electric-only lakes
- Allows me to fish really small electric-only lakes (like Conasauga and Winfield Scott).
- Fish the Larger lakes during non-peak hours (ok, maybe during peak times once in a while)
- Run to the coast for some inshore fishing for reds, flounder, trout etc.
- Is comfortable for 1 large man and two boys (who will be two large men before I know it I'm sure) to hang out in all day.
- That doesn't need 15 batteries for a weekend worth of fishing
Things it does NOT have to do:
- Go really fast
- Pull Tubers or Skiers
- Win fishing tournaments
- Impress the neighbors
So, doing the natural progression from canoe to inflatable to Jon Boat to Skiff to V-hull etc., I think I've settled on something like a 16 foot Carolina Skiff but I'm not sure about a couple of things and couldn't really find any answers here after reading through a s*** ton of old threads.
I'm pretty sure something like that would be perfect for the coast. Probably OK for Lanier on the weekends with a little common sense. Probably great for other large lakes or Lanier in winter and week days, but what about the electric-only angle?
- Is it practical to remove the motor from a boat that size every time you want to take it to an electric-only lake?
- With motor removed, is it realistic to expect to be able to haul something like that up a forest service road even with a pretty capable truck?
- Is it practical to think that you could put enough batteries on a boat like that to get you through an enitre weekend of fishing using one or two trolling motors?
- Is a 16-foot skiff really big enough for 3 people to fish from?
I really don't want to try and sell the idea of having to invest in two boats. Heck, getting one through the finance department is hard enough, but I don't want to set unrealistic expectations either.
Speaking of financing, I'm basically looking at paying cash for a used one and, since I'm in no hurry, I have plenty of time to look for the right deal to come along. And as long as we're on the topic, having had a sailboat on Lanier for several years, I am already conditioned to the concept of "boat money" but specifically for a trailer-able fishing boat, what additional hidden costs am I looking at? Insurance? Storage? Maintenance?
If you were starting out with my requirements, what would you do? Any advice would be appreciated.
And thanks for reading.
Oh yeah. 47, Alpharetta, Married, 4 kids, Originally from Michigan (Go Green!) but have been in Georgia for 24 years now. Been mostly a lurker here but this forum has been a fantastic source of information throughout the years.