Is buying a small boat a mistake?

[stuntman2]

My car can only haul 800lbs including passengers so my fishing boat options are limited.

-Personal one person fishing craft are not an option since my wife will want to go, and I am sure others like fishing too.
-I thought about Sevylor FishHunter type dingies but prefer a solid feel
-I just dont trust those folding boats (am I the only one?

I have been looking at 10 footers (sorry no live links):

1stdirectproducts.com/crawjonboatb.html

My favorite:
jowatercraft.com/Bass10.2.html

trackerboats.com/boat/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.gallery&boat=2265


I live in Southern Ontario and dont see a lot of these around, I know they are popular in some areas of the U.A.

I know going on big lakes where I cant see the shore is a bit dicey (dumb?) Is there anything else to regret about buying one of these portable guys? What are the good things? Can I stand in one?

Help!

Many thanks,

Stuntman2

[greg123]

Get one that you can afford. We had a great time in my old boat that was paid for. Yes the bigger boat gets me on bigger water but costs more to operate. Gettting a bigger boat might mean getting a bigger tow vehicle. The enjoyment of fishing should not be missed out because you dont have a boat. Get what you can afford, and tow, with what you have now. You can always upgrade in the future as budget allows.

Greg

[waterfoul]

A 14' aluminum row boat on a trailer MIGHT weigh 400 lbs. Add a small outboard at say 75 lbs and some gear at 60 lbs and you can still take one person fishing with you. I towed my 14 footer all over the state of Michigan as a kid behind a 1982 Mazda GLC 4 door sedan... and got 30 mpg doing it!! Never had an issue in the years I did this. Man do I miss that car... best little car I ever owned.

By the way, your links do not work.

And the Bass10.2 weighs more than the 14' aluminum boat I have out back. I work at West Marine part time... we sell the 10.2... or I should say we have two in stock we'd love to sell but have not been able to.

[stuntman2]

Someone around my area has a used Bass Hound with 5HP Stratton&Brigss, small trailer, and trolling motor for $2 000. They look real nice in the pictures.

Somethings that concerned me about them were the hull not being extremely durable and hard to repair. And what is with the live well filling the inner hull if it is more than 2/3rds full? It still does seem tempting and I have read they are the best selling small craft.

Are aluminum jon bots a better way to go?

waterfoul how come your store is stuck with 2?

Stuntman2

[Flash]

When I was asking about small fishing boats, I was advised to buy used. Best advice I ever got. Find a 12-14' aluminum boat with a small (5-15 horse) outboard and a trailer. You might even pick up a depth finder and perhaps a trolling motor too. Probably can pick up a complete package for less than $2000 US. Check the Buy/Sell section. There are a couple 12 footers in there now.

here is one for $900 US http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=7825

[waterfoul]

Are aluminum jon bots a better way to go?

waterfoul how come your store is stuck with 2?

Stuntman2


First question above: Yes, usually. But it depends on the type of fisning you do.

Second question: We just don't sell many hard boats. We sell quite a few inflatables (ours are made by Zodiac) and several kayaks a year... but the GR store just has a hard time selling the hard boats. I can make you a KILLER deal on a 10.2 if you are interested, make it worth your while to come to GR I'm sure. Our display boat is on my "get it gone asap" list so we don't have to store in indoors all winter. I also have one inside... so having two inside will be a big hassle.

[stuntman2]

Thanks guys, the response was pretty good. I'll post what I end up getting.

Waterfoul:
If I find an excuse to be withing a couple of hours of you I will give it a serious though. I wish someone around here would pitch me something like that. Right now I am 7 hours each way away from you.


One last note about small boats....I owned a small dingy when I was a kid. It provided one of my scariest trips ever.....floating down a river, in a valley just after dark, about a mile from a landing point with HUGE 3ft salmon swimming in the 3 ft of water around us and other monster lurking in the woods. Ahhh the good old days.

[slowpoke]

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/100_1099.JPG
I'll add an elect. trolling motor. $400 will take it home. Needs some work on the back seat. 14' title but boat measured a little over 13'. Don't leak a drop. I had a 18 horse on it last year. Sold the 18 horse.

[slowpoke]

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/100_1099.JPG
I'll add an elect. trolling motor. $400 will take it home. Needs some work on the back seat. 14' title but boat measured a little over 13'. Don't leak a drop. I had a 18 horse on it last year. Sold the 18 horse.

Anyone interested.
MAKE ME AN OFFER. This boat is just south of Davison MI. I am taking a lot of stuff to an auction to sell. I have some fishing stuff, to much too mention, rods and reels, ice fishing stuff, landing nets, 29gadge slugs, 12gadge slugs, color TV, got to make some room for other stuff. I was going to have a Barn sell but found this consignment auction and all is going there.

[dtg]

There's an older Mirrocraft, looks to be a 14'er with an older outboard over here in Rockford for $600 with trailer. If interested I'll take a closer look to see what the horsepower of the motor is.

[slowpoke]

Anyone interested.
MAKE ME AN OFFER. This boat is just south of Davison MI. I am taking a lot of stuff to an auction to sell. I have some fishing stuff, to much too mention, rods and reels, ice fishing stuff, landing nets, 20 gadge slugs, 12gadge slugs, color TV, got to make some room for other stuff. I was going to have a Barn sell but found this consignment auction and all is going there.

Price lowered to $300 and I will add the Electric trolling motor + a battery ( don't know how good it is but will take a charge).