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Started By
Message
First boat recommendations?
Posted on 8/26/25 at 7:22 pm
Posted on 8/26/25 at 7:22 pm
Looking for something I can take the kids fishing in both salt and freshwater. Mainly bay fishing, with maybe 30% freshwater. Would be fishing Matagorda/Baffin Bay mostly, but it would be cool to take if offshore once or twice a year if I can get lucky with the weather (once I learn what the hell I'm doing).
I've narrowed it down to three options:
a) start small, with a used 13 - 16 ft skiff. Easier and more forgiving to learn on. $8-15k.
b) start really small, with a sea eagle Fish Skiff 16. This seems like the most responsible choice, but my only concern with this is that my back wouldn't fare well sitting for that long. $4k with outboard.
c) something bigger. Still used, but 18-21ft. Something i'd be less likely to quickly grow out of. $12-22K.
Downside of a boat you can take offshore is of course it won't draft as shallow. I want to be able to fit 4 people in it to take the kids fishing, at most 5, but most of the time only 2 or 3 people would be fishing. As far as prices, I feel like I can find a decent boat for less than $25k if I'm patient. Boat will only get used maybe 18 times a year, so I don't need anything premium.
What are yall's thoughts?
I've narrowed it down to three options:
a) start small, with a used 13 - 16 ft skiff. Easier and more forgiving to learn on. $8-15k.
b) start really small, with a sea eagle Fish Skiff 16. This seems like the most responsible choice, but my only concern with this is that my back wouldn't fare well sitting for that long. $4k with outboard.
c) something bigger. Still used, but 18-21ft. Something i'd be less likely to quickly grow out of. $12-22K.
Downside of a boat you can take offshore is of course it won't draft as shallow. I want to be able to fit 4 people in it to take the kids fishing, at most 5, but most of the time only 2 or 3 people would be fishing. As far as prices, I feel like I can find a decent boat for less than $25k if I'm patient. Boat will only get used maybe 18 times a year, so I don't need anything premium.
What are yall's thoughts?
16
Posted on 8/26/25 at 7:52 pm to el duderino III
You’ll find yourself in trouble much faster in a small boat before you will on a bigger boat.
Posted on 8/26/25 at 7:59 pm to el duderino III
If you can find a used small montauk Boston whaler with a 4 stroke 90hp, that would be ideal. Easy to operate and bullet proof. Should be able to sell it what you paid for it if you keep it in good condition.
Posted on 8/26/25 at 8:02 pm to el duderino III
I usually recommend an aluminum center console for a first boat. You can get a 19-20 ft boat with 150 power and fish 3-4 people. Any full size truck can pull very easy. You won’t get stressed out when you bump into the dock like a glass boat.
Those 16 footers are gonna be small and cramped even for 2 people plus usually boats at that size are much narrower and not nearly as stable. So every time someone shifts around the boat it will rock back and forth really bad in a small boat.
Now you really don’t wanna take either of these boats offshore but the 19-20 ft boat will be much more comfortable and fine for the bay.
Other option would be a 20-22 ft fiberglass bay boat. This gonna stretch your budget the most but will easily be the best ride. Downside is the learning curve on your first boat and maintenance. Gotta keep the fiberglass clean and waxed or it will look like shite very quickly.
Those 16 footers are gonna be small and cramped even for 2 people plus usually boats at that size are much narrower and not nearly as stable. So every time someone shifts around the boat it will rock back and forth really bad in a small boat.
Now you really don’t wanna take either of these boats offshore but the 19-20 ft boat will be much more comfortable and fine for the bay.
Other option would be a 20-22 ft fiberglass bay boat. This gonna stretch your budget the most but will easily be the best ride. Downside is the learning curve on your first boat and maintenance. Gotta keep the fiberglass clean and waxed or it will look like shite very quickly.
Posted on 8/26/25 at 8:03 pm to el duderino III
If finances are an issue Better to hold off until you get the boat you want vs settling for one and wishing for the one you really wanted.
That being said I rarely hear anyone say they wish they had a smaller boat.
That being said I rarely hear anyone say they wish they had a smaller boat.
Posted on 8/26/25 at 8:13 pm to el duderino III
I recently bought a LakeSport 20 ft c/c … It’s my first boat but it will do what I want it to In regards to going down the Pearl River and through the lake . I’m definitely not taking any further than that but it fits with the amount of people that will be on it … I’m not running out further than that . You can find good deals on Facebook and such , I just got lucky on buying from a family member
Posted on 8/26/25 at 8:14 pm to Purple Spoon
quote:
Better to hold off until you get the boat you want vs settling for one and wishing for the one you really wanted.
Screw that. Get what you can afford now and start fishing. Nobody starting out has any idea what they want anyway.
I'd get a small affordable boat, something you could afford to keep and pass on to the kids when they get old enough to start going on their own. You can't figure out what you really want without going fishing.
quote:
rarely hear anyone say they wish they had a smaller boat.
I've never heard anybody say that except in the sense that they would like a smaller boat to pair with their bigger boat.
Posted on 8/26/25 at 8:21 pm to el duderino III
Go as big as you can afford. No one said I wish my boat was smaller.
Posted on 8/26/25 at 8:47 pm to el duderino III
I know a guy with a 22’ skeeter bay boat thats around that price range
Posted on 8/26/25 at 8:52 pm to el duderino III
If you’re taking your kids out, get a 21-22 ft bay boat. I have a 21 ft and when a nasty squall pops up out of nowhere you’ll be glad you’ve got something safer than a 16 ft flat boat. I am careful about weather but still would have had many more pucker up events in a smaller boat with my kids.
Eta: but it’s also completely manageable to handle by yourself.
Eta: but it’s also completely manageable to handle by yourself.
This post was edited on 8/26/25 at 8:55 pm
Posted on 8/26/25 at 8:54 pm to el duderino III
Sounds like you are in the market for an 1872 xpress.
This post was edited on 8/26/25 at 8:56 pm
Posted on 8/26/25 at 9:11 pm to el duderino III
I'd look for a used Frontier 18 CC
Posted on 8/26/25 at 9:14 pm to mtcheral
Isn't the downside of getting into the 21+ range that can't target reds in shallower water? Or is that really not much of an issue?
I've also heard that trailering 21+ is significantly harder than learning to trailer something 16-18ft?
I've also heard that trailering 21+ is significantly harder than learning to trailer something 16-18ft?
Posted on 8/26/25 at 9:19 pm to mtcheral
This here, given what you have posted there is no way I'd go less than 21'. Look for older hull that you can upgrade the accessories on as you go. 21' Shoalwater Cats can be found in that range, older Majek extremes and Haynie Bigfoot as well will do all three, lake, bay, offshore on certain days.
Posted on 8/26/25 at 9:40 pm to TxWadingFool
LINK
Something like that is what talking about. I do not know that person selling it but I do know the shop that rebuilt it and they over build everything and that hull will be solid for many years to come. The dual axle trailer is great option and will pull much better than single axle under a shorter boat. There is quite a bit of money already in some quality accessories on it. That hull will get plenty skinny enough for redfish, and I have a buddy that was out in the gulf yesterday in that same hull. I found a couple old Bigfoot hulls in your range as well on FB. That is a tunnel v hull so it will ride better in chop but still will get up shallow enough in Matty and Baffin.
Something like that is what talking about. I do not know that person selling it but I do know the shop that rebuilt it and they over build everything and that hull will be solid for many years to come. The dual axle trailer is great option and will pull much better than single axle under a shorter boat. There is quite a bit of money already in some quality accessories on it. That hull will get plenty skinny enough for redfish, and I have a buddy that was out in the gulf yesterday in that same hull. I found a couple old Bigfoot hulls in your range as well on FB. That is a tunnel v hull so it will ride better in chop but still will get up shallow enough in Matty and Baffin.
This post was edited on 8/26/25 at 9:44 pm
Posted on 8/26/25 at 9:42 pm to el duderino III
I have a 21 ft NauticStar with a. Jack plate. I have gone plenty shallow plenty of times for reds.
Trailering a 21 ft is no issue. Eazy peazy. I just about drive like it isn’t even back there. And remember, shorter trailers can be harder to back up.
Trailering a 21 ft is no issue. Eazy peazy. I just about drive like it isn’t even back there. And remember, shorter trailers can be harder to back up.
Posted on 8/26/25 at 9:45 pm to el duderino III
My advice.
Get the boat you really want, the bigger one but still reasonably priced. If you grow out of it or decide it’s to much sell for a loss and downgrade or upgrade.
You buy a boat for the family for the lifestyle and quality memories, not to save or invest your money.
Get the boat you really want, the bigger one but still reasonably priced. If you grow out of it or decide it’s to much sell for a loss and downgrade or upgrade.
You buy a boat for the family for the lifestyle and quality memories, not to save or invest your money.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 5:26 am to el duderino III
If you looking to fish with 3 people in the boat and slinging baits for redfish, trout, etc. than I suggest to get at least a 20ft boat.
Posted on 8/27/25 at 8:25 am to el duderino III
20' aluminum bay boat (xpress/excel/g3/etc)
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