Bass Boat questions for trolling

[gooseboy]

Looking to purchase a used boat and looking pretty hard, dont have a ton of cash to work with either. There is no perfect boat to do it all. I know what I really want but cant afford even on EBAY...so I was wondering if anyone does much trolling with a bass type boat or fish n ski? Most outboards seem to be between 90hse and 150hse. I would imagine a trolling sock would/could be used to get down to the 1.3-2.2..just guessing tho ...Anyone know the weight on some of the bass boats and if a Ford Ranger 4L V-6 would be OK to pull it any distance..Ive been finding some Javelin makes and was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on the quality of these boats as well. Mostly fish the Muskegon between Hardy and Davis Bridge, along with some other walleye waters I care not to mention...probably wont be using in Sag Bay at all or any other of the big lakes either unless maybe a pier head on flat days..... thanks for your advice..I really appreciate it on this topic

[sirslurpee]

Try to look for a starcraft islander
They are aluminum hull/4cyl I/O so they aren't super heavy, they troll down nice (maybe need a sock to get SUPER slow), and they don't weigh too much, your truck should be able to pull it.

[chamookman]

IMHO, a "Multi-species" boat like a Lund/Creastliner/Alumacraft/Sylvan or Smokercraft would fit Your needs MUCH better. With a Bass boat, You pretty much limit Yourself how You fish. "Multi-Specie" boats bass fish very well and everything in between - trolling/back trolling, ect. C-man

[The Fishing Pollock]

I troll for eyes in my ChampioN bassboat all the time. Hence the trollin motor up front. Javilin is an ok boat but a rather wet ride . Out of every make and model I've been in a Champion is the driest ride. Basscat is a nice boat too. No frills fishing machine. Most bassboats under 18 foot your truck should do just fine. It's not the motor that takes the real stress, but your tranny. I yanked my Champ around with a 3.8 liter 4 speed manual GMC baby blazer for years. I did end up replacing a cluth in it once, but I was travilin around on a federation circut, so the mountains really stressed it . I'm sure you can find an older Champ like mine, but not in the shape mines in, for around 5 grand to 7 grand for a solid boat.

[TrekJeff]

You may also want to stick with an aluminum boat, lighter than glass. I actually am in the process of modifying my old 1964 LoneStar 14foot row boat with a deck, livewell and pedestal seating. If you have such an animal already, check out tinboats.net for similar modifications.