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Started By
Message
Best starter boat to take the kids fishing.
Posted on 5/4/20 at 5:22 pm
Posted on 5/4/20 at 5:22 pm
I own a couple of kayaks and a canoe but with 7 and 2 year old sons I'd like to eventually take my family (and maybe even the wife) on trips.
I'd like something basic, light, economical, and just spacious enough for us. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Two boats I've had in mind in the past is the mako pro and the ranger MPV 1760.
I'd like something basic, light, economical, and just spacious enough for us. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Two boats I've had in mind in the past is the mako pro and the ranger MPV 1760.
This post was edited on 5/4/20 at 5:24 pm
12
Posted on 5/4/20 at 5:37 pm to Friedbrie
What kind of fishing are we talking? Rivers, marsh, both?
Posted on 5/4/20 at 5:49 pm to bbvdd
Inshore marsh mostly.
Posted on 5/4/20 at 5:49 pm to Friedbrie
How big are the lakes you are fishing? Freshwater? Salt?
Posted on 5/4/20 at 5:58 pm to TimeOutdoors
Not too big, inshore saltwater lakes. Delacroix for example.
Posted on 5/4/20 at 6:03 pm to Friedbrie
I take the kids out on my 38 ft contender and my 21 ft caymas but my youngest would rather fish on the $100 dollar used kayak. I think it’s because these young kids today feel in control of fishing in a boat by themselves.
This post was edited on 5/4/20 at 6:05 pm
Posted on 5/4/20 at 8:04 pm to Friedbrie
quote:
Inshore marsh mostly
There's a lot out there. I'd be looking for 18-20 ft with a 150 hp outboard of your preference.
Maybe something like a Kenner or old Pathfinder
Posted on 5/4/20 at 8:10 pm to Friedbrie
Hard to beat a carolina skiff for a starter boat. Tons of open deck space, move well with relatively little power, fiberglass wont get scorching hot in the summer, and can be had for reasonable prices compared to most bay boats.
Posted on 5/4/20 at 8:21 pm to Friedbrie
Look up the cayene or heron.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 1:17 am to Pouldo26
quote:
Hard to beat a carolina skiff for a starter boat.
They're good boats. Had a 17' DLX with a 70hp Yammy. Only complaint would be the flat bottom. Takes a beating on a choppy bay/lake. I'd look at the LS or JLS series if you go in the Carolina Skiff direction. Those have modified V hulls and handle chop much better.
This post was edited on 5/5/20 at 1:20 am
Posted on 5/5/20 at 5:41 am to Friedbrie
I would buy no less than a 20’ boat with kids. I had a 17’ boat, and It felt way too crowded when I took my oldest two fishing. I’ve upgraded to a 22’ center console. It’s really nice to have some space now. Maybe get a 20’ Aluminum Center console. A lot of good brands out there. I own a G3.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 6:05 am to Friedbrie
I am in the same situation. 6, 2, and another in 4 weeks. I feel like they need to “suffer” through a crappy old boat before they are too big and I absolutely have to get the big 24’ bay boat I want.
We fished from a 1971 15 ouchita base boat growing up in the late 80’s and 90’s. Nothing like wondering if an outboard will crank miles from the launch to build character and courage. Some of my best memories.
Kidding of course. Looking for a gently used Aluminum side console or cc we can both fish and Duck hunt from for a few years then upgrade. Storage up here sucks, so hoping to find a 17’ we can leave in garage.
We fished from a 1971 15 ouchita base boat growing up in the late 80’s and 90’s. Nothing like wondering if an outboard will crank miles from the launch to build character and courage. Some of my best memories.
Kidding of course. Looking for a gently used Aluminum side console or cc we can both fish and Duck hunt from for a few years then upgrade. Storage up here sucks, so hoping to find a 17’ we can leave in garage.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 11:25 am to cdaniel76
quote:
They're good boats. Had a 17' DLX with a 70hp Yammy. Only complaint would be the flat bottom. Takes a beating on a choppy bay/lake. I'd look at the LS or JLS series if you go in the Carolina Skiff direction. Those have modified V hulls and handle chop much better.
Its been my experience kids like a bouncy, wet riding boat...the knuckleheads. Its only when we get older that we realize a big part of a boats job is to keep us out of the water not one with the water LOL.
Jon boats are hard to beat. Cheap, light, stable and for a boat maintenance free...unless it has carpet and upholstery then its as bad as any other. They also have better resale value relative to loaded boats. A 16 - 18 foot modified vee jon, 54 inches wide at a minimum, with a 25 - 60 horse outboard will do anything you want and can handle 3-4 people fishing and tubing and simply boating and won't break the bank. A 30 foot boat can get small with more than 2 people fishing....
The perfect starter boat would be a old 1860 riveted modified vee with no motor. Hang a new motor on the back, spend some money on wiring it properly with modern electronics and a good trolling motor and you can get all the boat you'll ever need for under $10 grand....unless you are planning on going offshore. I have owned just about every kind of boat imaginable short of a proper sportfisherman and I have never owned one that was more versatile than a 1860 modified vee jon boat.
Edited - open floor...a deck at the front and either pods or a bench across the transom.
This post was edited on 5/5/20 at 11:27 am
Posted on 5/5/20 at 2:16 pm to MrLSU
quote:
38 ft contender and my 21 ft caymas
slumming I see
Posted on 5/5/20 at 3:50 pm to Friedbrie
What’s your budget, can’t make valid options unless there’s a general price range.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 3:58 pm to Redlos
What’s your budget?
Posted on 5/5/20 at 4:15 pm to Friedbrie
Dual console with bimini top and open bow, swim platform, powered by whatever model motor has a certified tech nearest you.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 4:22 pm to Friedbrie
Not sure your budget, but go as big as you can afford, up to 22’. Unless you’re just a nerd and don’t like to fish, you and your sons will enjoy the hell out of it for years to come and you will always want, need a bigger boat, especially as your boys grow.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:34 pm to Redlos
quote:
What’s your budget, can’t make valid options unless there’s a general price range.
Would like to spend $10,000 or under on something used.No more than $15,000. Definitely no more than $20,000.
Some used boats that stuck out to me looking online were Scout, Whaler, and Key West. I do like Carolina Skiffs. I like the CC with a simple deck.
Also, whatever I get I'm gonna have to pull it with a Subaru Forester.
This post was edited on 5/5/20 at 9:39 pm
Posted on 5/5/20 at 9:45 pm to Friedbrie
At that price point, you will struggle to find something glass and 20’+. IMO, if you are sticking to the marshes I’d look at an aluminum boat. You should be able to find a good deal on a 20’ Xpress in that price range.
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