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Message
First Time Boat Purchase
Posted on 6/19/23 at 1:29 am
Posted on 6/19/23 at 1:29 am
I know, don't do it. However, if I do: Center Console is a definite. What is the OB opinion (and tips) for an outdoors expert on land, very little at "sea". I would want something short, small, hybrid hull (like a Mako) and under 30k new or used.
Louisiana waters, fly fish (so open decks) and max 3 people. Something very simple to operate aka not mechanically inclined but can learn. I don't need to pole skiff.
Louisiana bayous/waterways/marsh for reds/ sticking close to shore on coast if necessary: Aluminum vs Fiberglass?
What happens when a fiberglass hull hits a sunken tree vs say aluminum? My canoe does it frequently with a trolling motor on it without a problem but fiberglass, can anyone speak to that?
Had a Boston Whaler growing up, loved it but too small with rails for fly fishing. Mako is what im leaning towards (any other similar setups i need to know about for our waters?)
I know all about the problems and terrible quality of wiring/finish/live well/with Mako. Strange they keep putting that out. With that said, good motor, easy, trailer included, small, good first timer it seems minus the storage. Probably a 15 but maybe a 17 (not sure the 17 is worth it for a Mako)
Does anyone fish for reds in a modified casting Jon Boat?
Favorite motor? Many Many Many thanks OB's.
Grew up hunting...it's time to learn about boats and our waterways.
Could the Mako do the Basin and smaller bayous? Many thanks.
Louisiana waters, fly fish (so open decks) and max 3 people. Something very simple to operate aka not mechanically inclined but can learn. I don't need to pole skiff.
Louisiana bayous/waterways/marsh for reds/ sticking close to shore on coast if necessary: Aluminum vs Fiberglass?
What happens when a fiberglass hull hits a sunken tree vs say aluminum? My canoe does it frequently with a trolling motor on it without a problem but fiberglass, can anyone speak to that?
Had a Boston Whaler growing up, loved it but too small with rails for fly fishing. Mako is what im leaning towards (any other similar setups i need to know about for our waters?)
I know all about the problems and terrible quality of wiring/finish/live well/with Mako. Strange they keep putting that out. With that said, good motor, easy, trailer included, small, good first timer it seems minus the storage. Probably a 15 but maybe a 17 (not sure the 17 is worth it for a Mako)
Does anyone fish for reds in a modified casting Jon Boat?
Favorite motor? Many Many Many thanks OB's.
Grew up hunting...it's time to learn about boats and our waterways.
Could the Mako do the Basin and smaller bayous? Many thanks.
16
Posted on 6/19/23 at 6:39 am to LS(DB)U
I have a 1972 21ft Whaler Outrage that meets and exceeds all your requirements.
Posted on 6/19/23 at 7:22 am to LS(DB)U
quote:
What happens when a fiberglass hull hits a sunken tree vs say aluminum? My canoe does it frequently with a trolling motor on it without a problem but fiberglass, can anyone speak to that?
Fiberglass hulls are pretty tough but hit something hard enough and it could be a problem...can be with aluminum as well. In my experience trees and wood ain't too bad...rocks, submerged road beds and oyster bars on the other hand will eat aluminum and fiberglass. It's best to avoid either but it does happen from time to time....
Fiberglass is infinitely quieter than aluminum...a slight chop will cause a helluva ruckus with an aluminum hull...to the point that it becomes a problem you have to account for in shallow water....staying further away from spots, avoiding dropping stuff etc. Being lighter also makes handling an aluminum boat a little more difficult...you will find yourself doing more with the trolling motor even on spot lock....the advantage is in fuel economy while on the water and getting to the water...and maintenance is slightly easier with aluminum.
Posted on 6/19/23 at 7:23 am to LS(DB)U
in terms of engine i would suggest going with whichever make can offer the best backend support via local dealer. last thing you want to do is get an engine and you need to drive hours just to find the closest dealer. i've always been a suzuki engine guy. they have been the most reliable and i'm at the point now that i can work on most of the components myself.
Posted on 6/19/23 at 7:29 am to LS(DB)U
I had a Hurricane Deck Boat in a marina in the Carribean that was the perfect shallow water boat that was capable of handling some fairly exciting water. It did not have ANY rails...they had been removed...and was a center console with a hard top, leaning post and bait tank, and nothing else. It was nearly 20'X6' of uncluttered fishing deck....had a 90 HP Johnson 2 stroke so it was slightly under powered (I think it was rated for 150). It could be poled but it wasn't a poling skiff by any stretch...great hull and they can be found with older outboards for around $5K. Repower and get an aluminum trailer and do some re-configuring and it'd make a great all around hull....
Posted on 6/19/23 at 8:45 am to LS(DB)U
Take a look at a xpress. I do everything you want to do and more with one. While the wiring is a mess, I haven’t had any other issues with it. I wanted a flats boat/poling skiff, but that was t going to work for a family of 5…
Posted on 6/19/23 at 8:50 am to LS(DB)U
I considered the mako before purchasing my boat and sometimes I wish I had. But, sometimes I don't.
I bought an Ankona Cayenne which is about 17'. It's a polling skiff at heart and it does that super well. My goal was to be able to replicate kayak fishing deep in the marsh and this does that in spades. It's super quiet, I can get within 5' of reds.
It's also fantastic on gas mileage. I recon I can get about 10 mpg on it at WOT, which is about 120 miles round trip. Meaning, I only fill up every three trips.
I also bet it handles chop better than a mako or carolina skiff with a hybrid hull and I base that on crossing Lake Borne in white cap conditions. It's not comfy, but my teeth weren't shattered either.
But... I can only bring one other person with me, or two people if they're small. The boat just can't handle a big crew and that alone is why if I did this again I'd probably get a mako.
What I'd worry about on the mako 15/17 is customizing it. I've been able to mold the cayenne into what I want, but I don't think you can really do that on those. I'd also worry about fuel consumption, it's gonna guzzle and it has a really small built in tank.
But like I said, you can bring friends out in that boat and that changes everything about your experience.
I bought an Ankona Cayenne which is about 17'. It's a polling skiff at heart and it does that super well. My goal was to be able to replicate kayak fishing deep in the marsh and this does that in spades. It's super quiet, I can get within 5' of reds.
It's also fantastic on gas mileage. I recon I can get about 10 mpg on it at WOT, which is about 120 miles round trip. Meaning, I only fill up every three trips.
I also bet it handles chop better than a mako or carolina skiff with a hybrid hull and I base that on crossing Lake Borne in white cap conditions. It's not comfy, but my teeth weren't shattered either.
But... I can only bring one other person with me, or two people if they're small. The boat just can't handle a big crew and that alone is why if I did this again I'd probably get a mako.
What I'd worry about on the mako 15/17 is customizing it. I've been able to mold the cayenne into what I want, but I don't think you can really do that on those. I'd also worry about fuel consumption, it's gonna guzzle and it has a really small built in tank.
But like I said, you can bring friends out in that boat and that changes everything about your experience.
Posted on 6/19/23 at 9:23 am to LS(DB)U
I know you said you don't need a pole skiff, but I had one of these to do basically what you are saying. I didn't fly fish, but only chased reds in the marsh. I rarely ever used the pole, although I always brought it to push myself out of mud if I got stuck. I regularly fished 3 competent fisherman out of it. Not saying to get this exact boat, but a skiff like this is great for the marsh. Lower side wall wind drag keeps it from getting blown off course, lots of deck space, casting friendly, etc.. I got mine 1 year used for nearly half of your budget back in 2012.
Posted on 6/19/23 at 10:45 am to LS(DB)U
Xpress skiff is a fine arse boat for what you're wanting to do.
Posted on 6/19/23 at 11:08 am to LS(DB)U
Sounds like you really like that Mako 18 lts! 
I agree its a good looking boat, but Buyer beware on tracker marine boats. The old "Mako" brand is dead and gone.
18 ft fiberglass is what to stay looking for. I wouldn't go too much smaller and/or larger for what you want.
If you hit a sunken tree at speed, it will mess up your hull, but if you troll over it, shouldn't be a problem.
I agree its a good looking boat, but Buyer beware on tracker marine boats. The old "Mako" brand is dead and gone.
18 ft fiberglass is what to stay looking for. I wouldn't go too much smaller and/or larger for what you want.
If you hit a sunken tree at speed, it will mess up your hull, but if you troll over it, shouldn't be a problem.
Posted on 6/19/23 at 1:30 pm to LS(DB)U
IF you dont want to pole, You can get a tricked out Carolina Skiff that would fit your needs.
People have been catching redfish out of flat boats for 100 years. You dont have to go fancy.
That said, I have a fancy poling skiff and love it
People have been catching redfish out of flat boats for 100 years. You dont have to go fancy.
That said, I have a fancy poling skiff and love it
Posted on 6/19/23 at 1:34 pm to LS(DB)U
Glass > aluminum for so many reasons.
Most production aluminum boats are beer cans. They are not durable nor are they easy to repair. Fiberglass boats don't need to be attrociously expensive custom jobs to be durable and long lasting.
Most production aluminum boats are beer cans. They are not durable nor are they easy to repair. Fiberglass boats don't need to be attrociously expensive custom jobs to be durable and long lasting.
Posted on 6/19/23 at 2:26 pm to LS(DB)U
You need a skiff. Which bay will it spend 90% of its time?
Posted on 6/19/23 at 7:17 pm to LS(DB)U
quote:
I would want something short, small, hybrid hull (like a Mako) and under 30k new or used.
Came accross an older Egret 189 for sale in Vacherie for $15k. Looks to be in great condition in the pics. Old Johnson on the back but you could use the balance of your budget to re-power. May or may not need to rewire.
Posted on 6/20/23 at 8:24 am to LS(DB)U
You need to decide what type of fishing you are going to do. If you’re doing rivers and inshore, you can do an aluminum hull and be very versatile. But you aren’t running out to rigs with that setup. A boat that can do that is going to be a bitch in some inshore situations.
Also keep in mind are you going to be fishing alone or with a buddy? Big difference between launching a 20’ xpress and a 24’ Sea Fox.
Also keep in mind are you going to be fishing alone or with a buddy? Big difference between launching a 20’ xpress and a 24’ Sea Fox.
Posted on 6/20/23 at 7:49 pm to LS(DB)U
quote:
Center Console is a definite.
quote:
and under 30k
Posted on 6/22/23 at 8:23 am to LS(DB)U
Go 18/19ft bay boat, with 24v trolling motor and at least a 115/150hp motor.
The sportsman website has a several used boats for sale.
If you go new you wont find anything in that size for under 30k. Its absolutely crazy how much boats have gone up since 2020.
The sportsman website has a several used boats for sale.
If you go new you wont find anything in that size for under 30k. Its absolutely crazy how much boats have gone up since 2020.
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