Looking for a boat, need suggestions?

[chuckinduck]

Alright guys, my brother and I are going to start looking into getting a "real" salmon boat. We just got out of college a couple years ago, we didn't have the necessary income to afford a suitable big lake salmon boat, so we've been using our 14ft mirrocraft for two years now. Its fully outfitted, riggers, gps, marine radio, graph, etc, and we've done well out of it. However, we're very limited to where we can go and when we can go, and safety is our primary concern. We want to start the process of looking into getting a good boat for next summer. So for all those who've went through this same situation, I'd like to get feedback on what you'd do differently or what you'd do the same, or any suggestions on what to look for. Right now, we're looking to go the used route. To give you a general idea, we're thinking of something in the 20-22' class for ease of trailering (we won't have it slipped anywhere) and an open back end. We don't want to break the bank on this deal either, so we'd like to keep it around 5-6K. I've done some searching and it seems like boats depreciate at an incredible rate. Any thoughts?

[gopherboy]

I have a 1990 Four Winns Sundowner 205, 20 foot with swim platform. V-8 Merc, Cuddy, etc. Would make you a great boat for what you are looking to do. PM me for more details. Send me your email address, and I will send you some pictures.

[2manyfish]

Buy a really good radio. Just my 60hp motor was 7k, and I don't have that nice of a boat. Save, Invest, and buy the boat you REALLY want someday.

[Raymond S.]

Keep an eye out late summer/fall for a good deal. Most likely an 18-20ft. aluminum w/ a newer outboard. There are deals to be had out there just don't be afraid to pounce on it when the time comes. You should be able to find something in the 6k range. Plan on spending some more on outfitting as I'm finding out even when a boat is "fully rigged", there's always stuff to buy. Kinda like a new house as I explained to my wife. Just 'cause it's in "move in condition," doesn't mean it couldn't use a little work here and there. :D

[Captnbobb]

I have fished first from a Four Winns 190 Horizon and now from a 200 Horizon (20' - 8"). Models prior to 1994 have allow pretty good access to the back of the boat (new versions have a sundeck). I chose the open-bow for versatility, makes for a good tubing / wakeboarding boat when not fishing or for still fishing when not trolling. It does lack some for safety with the open bow but in rough weather I keep a bow cover on and I've been in 4-6 ft waves without having anything come over the bow (that's a bit rough for fishing though). The swim platform makes for a great cooler location. A boat of that vintage would probably be in your price range now. The advantage a Sundowner offers is you can more easily sleep overnight on the boat on those summer weekends where fishing ends at 10:30 pm and starts again at 5:00 am. An aluminum boat would be lighter for trailering. A boat designed for fishing will accomodate a kicker motor which facilitates slow trolling, provides extra backup power, and can save gas. Anything bigger quickly becomes a major hassle to tow.

[chuckinduck]

Thanks guys. Yah, I'm prepared to outfit it once I get it. Its nothing I'm planning on doing right now, but I want to start looking and get ideas of whats good/not good, so when the time comes I'm ready to move on a deal. 2manyfish, you're correct, outboards are cheap these days. I'm not planning on buying a new boat though. For what we do to them, it seems foolish to buy new. But thats just me two cents.

[Tad Pole]

Many used boats,(1985-1995) will come in the price range your looking for,if your looking for a cuddy the price will go up but not a whole lot.the TAD POLE is a 1986 but the ol' guy that had it before us owned it since it was new and maintained it very well and it was in that price range you mentioned.but you just keep looking becouse if the gas prices keep going up you might just find the deal of a life time!

[fish-on]

here ya go.fully rigged and ready to fish
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=4958&cat=500

[Reel_Screamer86]

I have a 22' Starcraft Islander fully rigged or not for sale take a look in my gallery there is a pic of it, if interested pm me and i'll send you some pics.

[res]

I have a 20' crestliner that I really like but it is a dual purpose boat. (it is posted in my gallery) I am not going to hang up on brand. I have had starcraft in smaller boats in the past and they also are a nice boat for a reasonable price. Last year I shopped hard for over 2 months for my boat. I was not worried about name but I climbed in a lot of boats and checked out the space. I looked at Lunds, alumicrafts, lowes, starcraft, princecraft, sea nymph, you name it. I really liked the low deck on the back of this one. Makes it real easy to get to the rear and rig downriggers. I also liked the way the windshield was a bit further forward then others and that makes the cabin area quite large. Enjoy the hunt!!!!!!!!! I did a lot of looking on Iboats.com, Boattrader online, and I also went to the Grand Rapids press and their classifieds are linked to several other major papers across the state. Rick

[chuckinduck]

Thanks for all your help guys, I certainly appreciate it. I can't wait to get in a big boat so I don't have to be bobbing around like a cork out on the big lake in the "five day cooler". I like the idea of having the windshield farther forward, so you have a larger area to move around, re-rig, fight fish, etc. Last week I saw about 5 or 6 boats coming home from up north for sale, and I was surprised at some of the prices people were asking. I'd have guessed more then that, then again, I've also been looking at what new lunds w/ 80-120hp Mercs are going for, so there ya go. I'm not sure what they line those merc's with nowadays, but it must be gold for as much as they are. Great motors though.

[adjusted3]

Bigger is not always better----

And I will explain...

I run a 17 foot Lund. I had the bigger boat. I dropped down in size and I am glad I did. I have a 140 4 stroke on the back and at 3.40 a gal right now I can still go fishing for a day for about 10 bucks. Bigger boats are going to cost 100-300 a day. that sucks

I have room for 4, comfort level is 3 but I rarely have more then 2 friends on the boat...works perfect.
But if I want to go by myself, I can launch and retrive it by my self...

I have the room on mine for all the play toys. From the rod holders (18) to the rod tree, electronics and plenty of storage. The only disadvantage I have found is that I have to pick and chose my days. 5 footers and I call it. Last weekend in the Pro/Am, Friday we were the first out of the pack as I can run 50 MPH on flat water. We had 6 lines in before the first boat showed up. Saturday was a different story. We had 4-5 and had to run 9 miles. I was the last out of the harbor and it was no fun bucking those waves. That was the only time I wished I had my larger boat.

What ever you do, buy a boat that will give you good service and piece of mind, buying a used boat may be a great bargin, but get a survey. the last thing you want is to be out 20 miles and have it take a dump.

Mark

[Far Beyond Driven]

Two boats come to mind.

I have a 1987 Four Winns Sundowner - 215. In 1989 - 1990 they molded in the swim platform and pretty much ruined it for fishing. The 205 is also a sweet boat, but the 195 is much smaller. There are tons of these boats in Michigan as they're made in Cadillac and the late 80's are very well built.

I got mine in 2002 with 600 hours, mint shape for it's age, $8200. I had to look a while to find a nice one with lower hours.

The boat has had a few issues in the 600 hours I've put on it since, but last night I had my three year old with me in 190' of water.

+
Handles any water you ever want to fish in
Rides through 2-3' better than any aluminum boat will
With a 350 in mine I can hit mid 40's. I can run 30 in chop that would make me pee orange for a week in an aluminum boat
Storage up the ying yang. I can carry 20 rods in mine out of the way with none in rod holders.

-
Maintenance of glass and carpet
350 Chevy, $3.40 gas.
Towing - 5000# makes the Grand Cherokee work

The other boat I would look at would be an older Islander. Lots of those around too.

+
Lighter, so they tow better (last time I hooked up my buddy's Islander to my Jeep I caught myself hitting 70)
Lighter, so faster with smaller, cheaper engine
Usually quite reasonable in price

-
Pound in chop
Catch wind like a sail in beam seas

Either case you will have a fully functional boat. I went glass as I grew up in aluminum and wanted a heavier ride. Having had the Four Winns for 6 years, I'd flip a coin if I had to pick again.

Get the survey though for peace of mind.

[Ralph Smith]

I've had an older 21' aero craft in past, and it was one heavy boat. Ran like a champ though, and love that I.O. inline 6 cyl. those were great engines, still alot out there running. I've been in alum. boats on bay from 14' to 18', and they seem to ride pretty good compared to the old fiberglass tug I had. I've been looking again myself for awhile, and might go used also. I like the cuddy I used to have, but it did take away potential fishing area. What I'm leaning twards is a boat similar to,(unless I can find one) a 19' open bow sea nymph striper. Real deep boat, with center console. The ones I've seen had outboards, but I'm partial to I.O.'s, and would like to find one with one. Lots of room, and will take the waves. Also can pull with smaller truck or van. Its just a matter of prefference, but thats what I'll be looking for for all around salmon,walleye, even plain old perch anchoring:D

[chuckinduck]

Thanks for all the input guys, you've all made some valid points and gave me some good ideas on what to look for.

[J - Rod]

We are looking too. We are more in line with Adjusted 3's thinking. We want open bow, 17-21 ft, outboard. Something that we can go do some inland lake walleye or panfishing in too. We are 50/50 inland lake to great lake fishing. Smaller is better on gas both in tow and running on the lake. Waves over 3 or 4 feet, wouldn't be fun to fish in anyways, so we really wouldn't need anything that big. Our 16' lowe has been good to us, but we are looking for more space as our families and gear grows.

If anyone knows of anything, let me know.

[Beave]

Adjusted3 has some great points. If you fish with 3-5 people on a consistent basis though it's hard to beat an "offshore" style hull with deep side walls and a hard top. I finally settled on two boats... I have a 21' Bayliner Trophy w/ hardtop and a 19' aluminum Sea Nymph for long haul trailering and calm days.

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

i used to go fishing with a buddy who bought a brand new lund fisherman 18', way to much money for me. i liked his boat so much that i told him when i find a used lund in my price range i would buy it, he laughed his a** off. he said you'll never find a used lund fisherman 1800, within 2 months i found my boat and bought it. as a matter of fact i bought my 15hp merc bigfoot 4 stroke kicker motor 2 weeks before i found the boat and that blew his mind completely. and then he saw the boat parked in my second lot when he drove by and flipped. that was in 2000 and that boat is as sound today as it was when the original owner bought it. just keep looking and you'll find one, the main thing is you have to look EVERY DAY because the real good deals are gone in that day *****mine was*****. i called him and told him to take it off the market and i would be there within the hour, and thats the end of the story.
p.s. my buddy was right about the lund not beeing seen on the market, its because of people like me that know a great deal when they see it. GOOD LUCK!

[soulfish86]

Caught a lot of walleye and salmon in this rig.
http://www.pbase.com/soulfish/image/79279091
Selling, PM me if you like.